Traditions
Area
Season
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Premium Content to Immerse in the World of the Last Supper ～IMMERSIVE DINNER in OTSUKA MUSEUM OF ART～
Located in Naruto City, Tokushima Prefecture, the Otsuka Museum of Art sits in an area rich in local resources and products like "Naruto Sea Bream," "Naruto Wakame Seaweed," "Naruto Kintoki Sweet Potatoes," "Naruto Lotus Roots," and "Naruto Brewery" products. The region also boasts traditional crafts such as "Otani Ware" and "Aizome (Indigo Dyeing)".
This content allows guests to fully experience the essence and charm of Tokushima’s local ingredients and traditional crafts. Participants will enjoy a meal in an extraordinary venue inspired by "The Last Supper," where they will be offered a high-value-added experience that showcases the best of Tokushima’s food and craftsmanship. -
Eat Like a Shogun in Kawaguchi
Experience a little bit of the Edo period at Shakujoji Temple, the first stop on the Tokugawa shoguns’ travels to Nikko. Learn about the temple’s connections to the powerful shogunate, and be blessed by the Buddhist priest.
The highlight of the tour is enjoying an authentic Edo-style lunch, the very same meal that shogun Tokugawa Yoshimune ate at the temple in 1728, recreated down to the smallest detail.
You will also have a chance to try on and take photos while wearing a rare Takasagozome kimono, once beloved by the women of the court. -
Hida Takayama Premium Content Tour ~Enhancing the Value of Nature, Culinary Traditions, and Crafts~
This tour immerses you in the grandeur of the Northern Japanese Alps, with 3,000-meter-class mountains, and the rich food culture and traditional crafts of Hida Takayama, nurtured by its abundant water and forests. The tour offers an opportunity to understand the "history" and "culture" inspired by the region's natural beauty.
In the Okuhida region, you gain access to exclusive content starting from the special chartered Shinhotaka Ropeway. You will take the ropeway to the summit, where you can enjoy a breakfast of bread and coffee with breathtaking views. After that, you will trek to Kamikochi. A mountain guide will explain how the traditional culture of Hida Takayama, cultivated by the abundant water and forests nurtured by the Northern Japanese Alps, has benefited from the blessings of this majestic natural environment. In the evening, enjoy a special dinner prepared by a local Takayama chef using Hida ingredients in the private space of the Shirakabadaira Station View Lounge. Afterward, enjoy stargazing from an observation deck located at an altitude of 2,156 meters. In the Takayama area, we have prepared a variety of opportunities to engage with traditional culture. At Hirase Sake Brewery, founded 400 years ago, you can tour the brewery and enjoy sake tasting accompanied by explanations from experts. Watch live demonstrations of traditional crafts, such as "Miyagasa" hat-making by artisan Toisaka at the Kusakabe Folk Museum. At Minashi Shrine, after an official prayer ceremony, learn about the historical relationship between the Imperial Family and the shrine, and witness the production process of shaku (a ritual wand) at a shrine carpenter’s workshop. At the Hasado Carving Workshop, you can observe and experience the traditional art of "Ichii Ittobori" (one-stroke carving with Japanese yew).
The entire itinerary is accompanied by an experienced interpreter guide, and transportation is provided using a chauffeured private vehicle (Alphard). -
Gourmet & Culture Tour in Hokuto City, Yamanashi Prefecture
●Shichiken Brewery tour & sake tasting: Shichiken Brewery has produced sake in Hokuto City for nearly 300 years, since 1750.
Enjoy some sake while exploring the "Densogura," which showcases valuable calligraphy, artworks, and historical documents from the Kitahara family.
●Kyogen performance at Misogi Shrine: Misogi Shrine is dedicated to practicing and promoting the ancient Shinto purification ritual of "misogi," a profound spiritual practice aimed spiritual cleansing and renewal. The term misogi refers to the act of purification. It is the world’s only shrine featuring a shinmei-zukuri style main shrine and a Noh theater built with Kiso Japanese cypress.
Experience Japanese traditional culture through a kyogen (a type of traditional Japanese comic theater) workshop and performance led by Tanroh Ishida, a Noh actor of the Izumi school.
●Dinner dining experience
The dinner course features an abundance of local ingredients. With 20 years of experience in Yamanashi, Chef Shinji Yamada, the owner of “French Culinary La Cuillette" has assembled a special team for this exceptional day. In addition to the meal, we offer an "OSAKE Pairing" featuring special wines from Grace Wine Brewery, renowned as the best in the region, as well as sake from Shichiken Brewery and whisky from Hakushu Distillery. This is a one-of-a-kind dining experience that can only be enjoyed on this day. We offer a one-night-only dinner held at Misonoki Shrine, which is normally closed to the public.
●Special stay experience: Stay at Hotel Key Forest Hokuto, a boutique hotel where modern design meets traditional Japanese art. -
Dream Experiences: Beyond Himeji Castle
Experience the serene beauty of Engyoji Temple, a sacred site in northern Himeji with over a millennium of history. Adding to this journey, savor a culinary masterpiece crafted by chef Yamaguchi of Kobe’s renowned Kitano Hotel, celebrated for offering the world’s best breakfast. This tour fuses the old with the new, presenting innovative shojin ryori (Buddhist vegetarian cuisine) that incorporates French culinary techniques.
At Engyoji Temple, enjoy privileged access to rarely seen temple structures, along with a hands-on experience in gold leaf application, an essential craft in creating Himeji's traditional Buddhist altars. Accommodation includes one night at Kobe’s Kitano Hotel and another at the Yumenoi-an Yuyake-koyake, nestled in the Yumesaki Onsen area. Other highlights include picking strawberries that were grown using the latest technology, a tour of a 400-year-old sake brewery, and a workshop in a historic Cultural Property tea house overlooking Himeji Castle, where you can make Japanese confections and enjoy matcha tea. This is a fully-packed tour that allows you to fully enjoy the charms of Himeji beyond the castle. -
Nagano: Guided Freeriding Tour and Immersive Rural Living by a Professional Snowboarder (Three Days, Two Nights)
Join a three-day tour in Nagano Prefecture. Take exclusive snowboarding lessons by professional snowboarder Mr. Konishi, whose popular classes are fully booked every winter. Learn tips and techniques authorized by Myoko-Togakushi Renzan National Park on how to fully enjoy Japan’s premier snow resorts while engaging in a freeriding experience. Additionally, this tour is packed with opportunities to experience Japan’s traditional rural lifestyle. Reimagine your belongings with the art of indigo dyeing, using the exceedingly rare, nationally designated Ise Katagami stencils to create one-of-a-kind, upcycled treasures. Participate in collaborative cooking using locally sourced ingredients from Shinano, which is renowned as a culinary treasure trove. The recipes are supervised by Tokyo’s famed Italian chef Otsuzuki. Delight in snow activities, traditional countryside living, and meaningful interaction with the local community.
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Surrender to Nature and Free Yourself: a Luxurious Retreat Plan that Embraces the Spirit of Itoman's Uminchu Culture and its Abundant Offerings.
1. Experience Uminchu culture in Itoman, Okinawa's top fishing town, which has been preserved since the time of the Ryukyu Kingdom.
2. Experience a ride on a sabani, a traditional wooden fishing boat, which has long supported the fishing industry of Itoman! We set sail towards Ejina Island, an uninhabited island watched over by the sea god Watatsumi.
3. Upon arriving at Ejina Island, where nature remains untouched, we offer a prayer to the sacred island from the boat.
4. Savor the ocean's blessings in Itoman, Okinawa's finest fishing town, all while enjoying a spectacular sunset.
5. Craft your own pair of chopsticks using offcuts of Obisugi cedar, the material used to make sabani boats! -
Explore the KATANA of Another Kyoto
In Kyotango city, there are several significant historical sites, including the ancient ironwork ruins remains at the Enjo Ruins Ironworks Workshop, the oldest workshop of its kind. There are also legends associated with swords at local shrines, such as the Takano Shrine, where it is said that Prince Maroko, the half-brother of Prince Shotoku, dedicated a sword after slaying an ogre. Enshrined at Kamitani Shrine (Kamitani Tachinomiya) is the legendary Kunimi no Tsurugi, a treasured sword said to have been wielded by the deity Tanba no Michinushi no Mikoto. Many shrines in the area preserve such legends connected to treasured swords and swords. In this area, rich with legends and history related to swords, three young swordsmiths have established the Nippon Genshosha Workshop, where they craft traditional Japanese swords. The Japanese sword, historically revered for its reliability as a weapon and its mystical beauty, has been believed to house divine spirits. It is regarded as a symbol of the Japanese spirit and has garnered significant international interest.
Among inbound tourists, we provide an opportunity for Japanese sword enthusiasts to fully immerse themselves in the allure of the Japanese sword, offering experiences such as visiting local swordsmith workshops, hands-on activities, and engaging in conversations with artisans. Additionally, this special tour includes visits to local workshops producing Tango Chirimen (crepe fabric) and sake breweries, offering a unique opportunity to connect with the Japanese spirit. -
Stroll Around Ishigaki Island and Enjoy a Traditional Okinawa Sanshin Experience.
In this tour, a local guide will take you to cultural spots scattered around Ishigaki. Not only will you experience playing the sanshin, a traditional Okinawan instrument, and enjoy live performances, but you will also delve into the history and culture of Ishigaki Island by strolling through the city. You'll come to understand how music and dance play an important and meaningful role in the daily life of Ishigaki, giving you a deeper appreciation of the island’s charm.
After the experience and performance, you'll have the opportunity to socialize while enjoying a special lunch box or dessert made with local ingredients from Ishigaki Island. During the sanshin experience and performance, qualified performers who have been active both within and outside of Okinawa will lead the event, ensuring a high-quality experience.
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Yambaru: the Forest Where Miracles Live Blue Zones Premium
■About the Nature of Yambaru
This region, home to the Yambaru Forest, a World Heritage Site, is the epitome of the Blue Zone of Okinawa. In the villages close to the Yambaru Forest, people benefit from, protect, and live in harmony with the forest. This way of life forms the foundation of their health and longevity. Through this tour, you will learn about the relationship between the forest and the village and explore the vast nature of the Yambaru Forest and the surrounding village.
■About Health and Longevity
One of the highlights of this tour is the opportunity to meet elderly people who live healthily, vibrantly, and happily in harmony with the nature of Yambaru. Their warm and gentle personalities, often sprinkled with Okinawa dialect and a broad perspective on life, are truly charming. At the core of their beliefs is a deep commitment to passing down traditions to the next generation and embracing a life filled with happiness and joy. Through the rare experience of speaking directly with elderly people in the Blue Zone of Okinawa, you'll gain a deeper understanding of the importance of having a sense of purpose and strong determination in life.
■About Meals
Meals are made from Yambaru’s agricultural products harvested by local farmers who grow their own crops in fields or home gardens. The dishes are prepared using cooking methods and seasonings that best highlight the natural flavors of the ingredients. Through agricultural experiences and meals, you can directly experience eating habits of people in Okinawa, such as the consumption a lot of soy products like local firm tofu and plant-based foods. Locals usually only eat until they are 80% full, a key to their long lives.
An experienced English-speaking guide will guide you through this tour, ensuring smooth and safe communication and acting as a bridge between you and the locals.