Traditions
Area
Season
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Discover the Charm of Shrines and Temples: A Unique “Miya-Daiku” Carpentry Experience in Hanbara, Aikawa Town
The “miya-daiku” are the carpenters who have constructed and repaired traditional Japanese wooden architecture, such as shrines and temples. Hanbara, in Aikawa-machi, is an hour from Tokyo, and is a place where you can meet miya-daiku, who there are now only 300 of across Japan, and experience traditional techniques and architectural culture. Nature-rich Hanbara is the home of the “Hanbara Miya-daiku,” one of the three great miya-daiku in Japan.
We offer two options for the “Exclusive Shrine and Temple Architecture Tour with Miya-Daiku Experience in Hanbara, Aikawa Town”: a one-day tour and a two-day, one-night tour.
・One-Day Tour
You will visit the workshop of Honmura Katsuhiro, a renowned miya-daiku who continues the proud tradition of Hanbara’s carpenters. Here, you’ll learn firsthand about the fascinating history, culture, and techniques of Japanese shrine and temple carpentry. Under his expert guidance, you’ll also have the chance to try using a traditional carpenter’s plane and experience the ancient technique of wood joinery.
The tour continues with visits to important wooden structures crafted by the Hanbara Miya-daiku, including the main gate of Shoraku-ji Temple in Aikawa Town and Nakano Shrine in Tsukui, Sagamihara City. At Nakano Shrine, you will be treated to a rare “formal shrine visit” and granted special access to view the main shrine building up close—a privilege not normally available to the public.
・Two-Day, One-Night Tour
This extended tour includes all the activities from the one-day tour, with the added luxury of an overnight stay at a high-quality wooden inn. You’ll also enjoy sake tasting at a local brewery and take part in cultural experiences such as traditional indigo dyeing. This in-depth tour allows you to fully immerse yourself in the craft of miya-daiku and the unique cultural heritage of the region.
Both tours are guided by experienced professional interpreters, ensuring a seamless and enriching experience. For added comfort, transportation by hired car is also available. -
Experience “Chaji,” a Banquet Celebrating Shizuoka’s Green Tea and the Culture of the 400-Year-Old Tokaido Road
(1) Savor green tea, one of the key healthy ingredients that supports Japan’s renowned food culture in a country known for its longevity.
(2) Enjoy an elegant banquet that allows you to experience the culture of "shukuba," the traditional post towns that flourished along the bustling Tokaido Road for over 400 years.
(3) Relish a kaiseki meal, expertly paired with Shizuoka’s local green tea and sake, served in the atmospheric setting of a historic private residence.
(4) Engage with local farmers who continue the tradition of the “Tea Grassland Farming Method,” a sustainable, recycling-oriented agriculture system that harmonizes with nature and is recognized as World Agricultural Heritage.
(5) Experience warm hospitality and unique interaction with local residents, a hallmark of this region. -
Experience Being a Lord at “Akashi Castle,” a National Historic Site A First-Ever Event Featuring the “Daimyo Feast Experience” and the Gastronomy and History of the Old Saigoku Kaido Road
"Daimyo Feast Experience" at Akashi Castle and Akashi Park (Overnight Stay)
For the first time in history, the “Daimyo Feast Experience” will be held at Akashi Castle, a nationally designated Historic Site. This event recreates, in a modern style, the menu served when the 8th lord of the Akashi domain took over Akashi Castle. The feast includes traditional dishes such as Akashi sea bream, which was once presented to the shogun, thereby showcasing the essence of Japanese hospitality.
Akashi Premium Gastronomy Walking Tour along the Old Saigoku Kaido Road (One-Day Tour)
This plan includes a ticket for the Premium Gastronomy Walking Tour, which takes visitors around Akashi Castle and explores the rich history and food culture of the Akashi Clan. You will visit places like the Uonotana Market, a historic site that has been in existence since the castle’s construction 400 years ago, and learn about the history of the Old Saigoku Kaido Road.
Akashi Premium Gastronomy Walking Tour along the Old Saigoku Kaido Road (Overnight Stay)
This package includes a stay at the Castle Hotel in Akashi City, along with a ticket for the Premium Gastronomy Walking Tour. This tour takes visitors around Akashi Castle and explores the rich history and food culture of the Akashi Clan. You will visit places like the Uonotana Market, a historic site that has been in existence since the castle’s construction 400 years ago, and learn about the history of the Old Nishikuni Kaido Road.
Old Saigoku Kaido and Akashi Gastronomy Hopping (One-Day Tour)
This gastronomy hopping tour lets you explore Akashi City along the old Saigoku Kaido Road. You’ll visit historic sites such as the Akashi Castle ruins (Akashi Park), the Uonotana Market, and other locations, focusing on the Uonotana Shopping Arcade. This plan is flexible, allowing you to purchase tickets in advance and follow a special map to visit three designated spots, incorporating a fun "town bar" element as you explore.
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Connecting with Japanese Treasures: The Essence of Courtly Culture and Hospitality
This program introduces participants to the origins of Japanese culture through an all-in-one luxury experience that recreates the historical practice of court nobles hosting Dutch and Korean diplomatic missions in Kyoto. Experience the refined elegance of Japan at an evening gathering in the style of the Nijo family, who were central to the Imperial court. Through recreating the custom of inviting a high ranking geisha to entertain distinguished guests, this program offers not just a cultural experience, but also a taste of the splendor of these historical banquets. This experience is perfect for affluent travelers who, like the diplomats of the past, wish to gain a deep understanding of Japan and take home unique memories, and is recommended for birthdays, honeymoons, hosting visitors, and other special occasions. Customize your experience with options such as a lecture, an incense ceremony, fine dining, a tea ceremony, a Noh dance performance, and a garden tour, to create the perfect party.
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Wellness tours in Fukui, Japan's happiest prefecture
Fukui Prefecture is said to be the happiest prefecture in Japan.
These tours offer special experiences unique to Fukui that will captivate visitors.
The first tour includes a seated zen meditation experience at Daihonzan Eiheiji, a Zen training monastery, and a guided tour of temple buildings not usually open to the public (Komyozo, Myokodai, and Furokaku) led by an English-speaking monk.
The second tour features a lecture by a wellness expert at Beniya Ryokan in Awara Onsen, a secluded hot spring resort in the Kansai region, on how to bathe in hot springs. You can also experience kodo, a traditional incense ceremony that dates to the sixth century, as performed by the Shino School.
The third tour features a lecture on agriculture and crafting the cushions used in Zen meditation at Eiheiji Temple, in addition to the Zen medition experience at Eiheiji Temple and the incense ceremony at Beniya Ryokan.
At ESHIKOTO, a facility operated by Kokuryu Sake Brewery, Fukui’s leading sake brewer, you can sample sake in the Garyu-to event hall, which is not usually open to the public.
At the Brilliant Heart Museum, built by world-renowned art director Masatoshi Toda, you can experience the tea ceremony and enjoy a conversation with the director himself.
Visits to ESHIKOTO and the Brilliant Heart Museum can also be booked as individual tours. -
Discover Hyogo: Harmony of Nature and Tradition, a Journey to Meet Artisans
This special experience tour takes you on a journey through Hyogo Prefecture, where you can immerse yourself in the vibrant traditional culture shaped by rich natural beauty and deep history. Connecting the traditional crafts passed down through generations of artisans with the abundant, seasonal ingredients of each region, this journey is a feast for all five senses.
Tamba pottery boasts over 800 years of history and a rich heritage as one of Japan's Six Ancient Kilns. On this tour, you can make pottery alongside skilled artisans, connecting you with their traditional techniques. In Miki City, witness the traditional swordsmithing techniques up close and gain a deeper understanding of this ancient art.
A highlight of the tour is a visit to the Akashiura Fishery Cooperative, known for its high-quality fish, where you can watch the lively fish auctions and savor the luxurious taste of sushi made on the spot with fresh fish. This tour, which allows you to fully savor the charm of Hyogo through its local culture and cuisine, is a perfect opportunity to create unforgettable memories. -
The Beauty of Japan and Its Traditional Culture are Alive on this Zen x Craft x Food Journey of Discovery
Eiheiji Temple is a Zen training monastery founded by Zen Master Dogen in 1244, where many monks continue to practice asceticism to this day. This tour of Eiheiji Temple offers a plan where even beginners can experience the practice and spirituality of Zen Buddhism. A monk will guide you through the historic buildings of Eiheiji, and you will also have the chance to experience zazen meditation in a special private setting. You will stay at the shukubo temple lodgings, the "Hakujukan" or "Hakujukaku" located near the grounds of the temple. For dinner, you can experience of traditional shojin ryori (vegetarian Buddhist cuisine) overseen by Eiheiji Temple. The next morning, you can also participate in the morning chanting ceremony with the monks. On days 2 and 3, you will visit workshops that are usually closed to the public. You can meet Toru Uchida, the eighth-generation master traditional artisan of "Shitsurindo," a workshop that has been officially recognized by Eiheiji Temple. Here you can observe the craftsmanship of Echizen washi papermaking and Echizen cutlery blacksmithing firsthand, and even try your hand at traditional crafts. For dinner on the second day, a renowned local chef will prepare a “Craft Invitation Exclusive” vegan French meal, combining the spirit of vegetarian cuisine with locally produced, locally consumed ingredients. On this tour, you can savor the seasonal delicacies of the region's natural food culture, and see how it is intertwined with Echizen-Sabae's 1,500-year-old legacy of traditional craftsmanship.
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Feel the Roots of the Culture and Spirituality of Belief in Nature through an Authentic Osuwa Daiko Taiko Drumming Program
For those who wish to gain a deeper understanding of the cultural arts, Makoto Yamamoto, grandson of Osuwa Daiko Taiko Grandmaster Daihachi Oguchi, will lead a special two-day high-value-added program to convey the “roots of the Suwa faith and the spirit of Osuwa Daiko taiko” to visitors. Receive special guidance around Suwa Taisha Shrine, and private instruction on the taiko at the ancestral training hall. Also, take part in a dedication at the Main Hall of Shokoji Temple, an important sacred place in the Suwa faith, and feel the depth of cultural performing arts. This tour is a rare opportunity to learn about the spirituality of Osuwa Daiko in Suwa and Okaya, where the roots of the world's taiko are found.
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Special Program to Learn about Award-Winning Sake from its Roots in Water and Rice
This content allows visitors to enjoy and experience sake more deeply from the perspective of local history, culture, lifestyle, and industry.
The city of Kitakata in Fukushima Prefecture is known as one of the three largest brewing centers in Japan. It has over 4,000 storehouses, the most of anywhere in the nation. Kitakata came to have so many warehouses due to its important position in the past as a trade hub in the Tohoku region. Japanese sake has been one of Kitakata's greatest cultural and industrial assets since the time the breweries were built. Its famous brands were born from the ultra-soft undersoil water born from the perpetual snow of Mt. Iide, and the sake rice of paddy fields developed since the Edo period. They have enough renown and value to win gold medals at the Annual Japan Sake Awards.
This plan allows you to enjoy the culture and lifestyle of sake breweries in Kitakata City, where such excellent sake is born. Why not try the real thing in the town with the most breweries in Japan, where famous brands are born? -
Tracing Stories from Clay and Stone to Experience History and Culture - with commentary by renowned ceramic researcher Yumi Mori
This plan allows visitors to encounter the roots and charm of Aizu Hongo pottery.
Aizu Hongo pottery comes from the oldest pottery production area in the Tohoku region of Japan, located in Aizu Misato-cho, Fukushima Prefecture. This town is a rarity in Japan as a producer of both pottery and porcelain, and is located at the northern-most tip of the island of Honshu. Aizu Hongo pottery came from the official kiln of the Aizu clan, and has much history; the kiln was saved from two great fires by its artisans. The area is also said to have produced the first tea strainers in Japan, and at the end of the Meiji period it was known for the best teapots nationwide. The most attractive point is that different craftsmen express themselves in various ways, and you can enjoy a variety of works.
Why not experience the charm of Aizu Hongo pottery, which has been preserved and handed down along with the history of Aizu?