Traditions
Area
Season
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Noboribetsu Onsen: New Discoveries and Experiences
(1) Demon Fireworks Show
Demon Fireworks (oni hanabi) are fireworks that are launched to dispel people’s worries and bring them happiness. They are inspired by legends of the fireworks set off by Yukijin, the demons who inhabit Hell Valley (Jigokudani), that are said to have a force similar to a volcanic eruption.
(2) Demon Fireworks Experience
Once the show is over, dress up as a Yukijin and try setting off hand-held tezutsu fireworks yourself. Limited to small groups.
(3) Tour of Hell Valley Hot Spring Prohibited Zone
There are many craters and fumeroles that line Hell Valley, and the sight of water bubbling up from the earth is the origin of its name as "the hell where demons live." More than 10,000 tons of hot water bubble up from this area daily, supplying nearby hotels with a hot spring source.
Tours are available with an English-speaking guide that will take participants into areas of Hell Valley that are usually off limits to the general public.
(4) Noboribetsu Karurusu Copper Mine Site Ice Bamboo Tour
In winter, stalactites and stalagmites known as "ice bamboo" grow up to 2 meters in length at the Noboribetsu Karurusu Copper Mine site. Enjoy a walking tour to take in the fantastical ice spikes and trek over the snowy landscape in snowshoes. -
NIAFF WORCOS -World Cosplay Tour in Niigata International Animation Film Festival
Enjoy a cosplay photoshoot tour of Niigata, an international port city with a rich history.
The architecture of Niigata City History Museum Minatopia combines Japanese and Western history. The Shinanogawa Water Shuttle offers extraordinary photo opportunities with the Important Cultural Property of Bandai Bridge in the background. The Northern Culture Museum was the residence of the Ito family, the foremost landowners of Niigata. Zoshunkaku in the Koji Fukiya Memorial Museum of Art, Shibata City is a guest house that was visited by Shibusawa Eiichi, the “father of Japanese capitalism” who is featured on the new 10,000 yen banknote. Have fun along with Japanese cosplayers at Gataket, a cosplay and fanzine event that will also be held once a month while the tour is held. Try Niigata’s food culture at Mikasaya, a Japanese restaurant with rock-lined corridors that make a unique backdrop for photos. This tourist plan includes visits to other Important Cultural Properties and historic sites all over the prefecture for the best cosplay experience. The town and its people warmly welcome cosplayers. We highly recommend the tour for cosplayers who are looking to take part in their first international event. You can individually book the places you want to go, or visit them all in a single package. Let the world cosplay tour begin! -
Kansai Festival in Kyoto: Special Autumn Visit to Higashi Honganji Temple
The first ever illumination event on the grounds of Higashi Honganji Temple, located near Kyoto Station. Creative company NAKED, INC. will organize this fantastical light-up event.
Light and art in NAKED’s style will illuminate Goei-do and Amida-do Halls, Important Cultural Properties that are among the largest wooden structures in the world. Harmonized with ikebana flower art by master Ikenobo, this event will transform the temple into a space of ornate color. Don’t miss this special autumn event, held for two nights only.
The temple's area of Shiroshoin is not normally open to the public, but a limited number of premium tickets for a Noh theater performance in the area will be on sale, together with a meal from long-established Kyoto restaurant Kinobu. The highlight of Shiroshoin is its partition paintings, glittering with gold dust. Savor your exquisite seasonal meal as your admire these paintings before watching a special Noh theater production with English commentary. The traditional stage, an Important Cultural Property, stands across from a moss garden. -
Experience the Spirit of Bushido at Chubu Centrair International Airport
Come experience Mononofu no Kokoro, the spirit of Bushido, in Aichi Prefecture. Aichi Prefecture is known as a place that produced many of the greatest samurai of the Warring States period, including Oda Nobunaga, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, Tokugawa Ieyasu, and many others.
The main event will be the special show ”道-DOU", a fusion of martial arts and fashion, directed and supervised by world-renowned designer Junko Koshino. Other events include tours that offer a firsthand experience of Bushido and or tours to learn about the fermented food culture that is an essential part of Japanese cuisine. We hope you will enjoy this rare experience in Aichi, Japan. -
Kabuki x Onsen A Two-Day Program for the Next Generation to Reveal the Charm of Traditional Japanese Performing Arts and Explore What Yugawara Has to Offer
(1) Enjoy new kabuki plays by Naozo Fujima along with Hashinosuke Nakamura and his two brothers in a small theater that seats under 100 people — the stage is almost close enough to touch!
(2) Savor a special meal at Fukiya, a Michelin-starred ryotei inn.
(3) Experience traditional Japanese entertainment and games.
(4) Stroll through the neighborhood with kabuki actors and Japanese dance performers.
(5) Witness the determination of young inheritors of cultural traditions.
(6) Relax and enjoy yourself at a hot spring inn.
(7) Breathe in the air and take in the atmosphere of Yugawara, where both politicians and renowned writers of old used to stay.
(8) Take a walk and discover the hot spring town.
(9) Discover a utopia just over an hour from Tokyo.
(10) Gain a deeper understanding of kabuki through a hands-on experience of the stage, music, and art. -
Explore the Japanese Countryside: Natural and Cultural Landscapes of Tenryukyo, Iida City
This tour allows you to experience the beautiful nature and traditional culture of Minami-Shinshu. The tour offers an opportunity to escape the hustle and bustle of the city and enjoy a profound taste of authentic Japan in the tranquil Tenryukyo Gorge region of Iida City, Nagano Prefecture. Travel in a chartered express train car from Toyohashi Station on the Tokaido Shinkansen and enjoy special snacks and drinks courtesy of Yukimoto, a renowned local restaurant and one of only 35 establishments awarded “Gold” by a famous Japanese restaurant review website out of 850,000 nationwide restaurants. We offer a variety of fantastic experiences that will leave a deep impression: Tenryukyo rafting amid beautiful seasonal scenery; food and farming with Tenryukyo kurobuta (black pork) and specialty apples that can only be harvested locally; and lodging at a local farmhouse to experience rural life in Japan. Visitors can also check out wayuraku traditional Japanese music and dance, and Ningyo Joruri puppet theater. The area is steeped in ancient Japanese traditions—a mystical festival held in the area is meant to entertain the gods with hot spring water and is said to have inspired a world-renowned animated film. All itineraries include transportation and the option of dinner at Yukimoto, which is often difficult to book for tours. This experience goes beyond tourism. It allows you to feel a deep connection with the local people while learning and being inspired by the region. We invite you to join this special trip to enjoy nature, culture, and the charms of Japan.
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KYOTO GASTRONOMY PREMIUM DINING, FAIR ＆ SUMMIT
KYOTO GASTRONOMY PREMIUM DINING, FAIR & SUMMIT is an initiative that takes guests through Kyoto Prefecture with food as the main focus.
Under the theme of gastronomy, Kyoto chefs serve gourmet dishes using ingredients sourced from the prefecture.
There are four events: “PREMIUM DINING,” a collaboration between top chefs of Kyoto cuisine and Italian and French chefs working in various parts of the prefecture to offer on-site course meals highlighting local culinary appeal; “Shoku no Kyoto TABLE,” a hub for sharing local food information with the aim of creating new specialties in the region; “FAIR,” which sells gourmet food at the Kyoto Prefectural Office Former Main Building, a National Important Cultural Property; and “SUMMIT,” which offers a taste of the culinary attractions of the entire prefecture at Daigo-ji Temple, the head temple of the Daigo School of the Shingon sect of Buddhism, which is celebrating its 30th anniversary of World Heritage registration.
We invite you to a food festival where you can enjoy all the cuisines of Kyoto Prefecture in one place. -
Traditional Japanese Dance and the Unique Flavors of Sendai at Ryokusaikan
(1) Private night tour of Zuihouden, one of Sendai’s leading tourist spots. Zuihouden is the mausoleum of Lord Date Masamune, the founder of the Sendai domain. Enjoy the gorgeous, illuminated Zuihouden Hall while learning about the history of the Date clan. The tour includes a special viewing of the main hall and a performance of traditional Japanese musical instruments played in the solemn atmosphere.
(2) Restaurant Shozan is run by the Isawa family, who also own Katsuyama Sake Brewery, a leading brewer of sake in Sendai. A unique sake pairing dinner will be hosted by owner Yuka Isawa at the restaurant. She will guide guests through a special dinner, which includes a selection of exclusive Japanese sake, in Japanese, English, and Chinese.
Before the dinner, take a tour of sake breweries in the area personally selected by Isawa.
(3) At Rinnoji Temple, a temple associated with the Date clan, tour one of the best gardens in the Tohoku region and be led in a private prayer and Zen meditation session. Immerse yourself in Japanese culture as you learn about the history of the Date clan and Rinnoji Temple, as well as the mysteries of Zen. After the prayer and meditation experience, participants have the option to enjoy a taste of Buddhist vegetarian cuisine upon request.
(4) At the Ryokusaikan, where Tanabata decorations and floats from Sendai's festivals are on display, experience the traditional Suzume Odori dance and try your hand at making zunda mochi rice cakes. Upon request, you can also attempt the art of drawing a Japanese sword or making a fan for use in the Suzume Odori dance with specialized instructors.
Professional English, Chinese, and Thai interpreters can be arranged upon request. -
Experience Traditional Culture in the Historic City of Himeji
On this traditional culture tour, spend meaningful time in Himeji, a city where history abounds, and meet the people who keep Japanese traditions alive. Your travels in Himeji will transform normal sightseeing to meaningful encounters.
The tour includes an exclusive nighttime visit to Himeji Castle accompanied by one of Japan's leading researchers on Himeji Castle, who will also provide commentary. The tour also includes a seminar on Japanese swords directly from the Myochin family, who have carried on the swordsmithing tradition in Himeji for 53 generations.
The Japanese sword seminar takes place at the Myochin family's own workshop, where you will learn about the process of making swords from special tamahagane steel using ancient Japanese methods. After learning about the process, visitors can handle a genuine Japanese sword and experience forming the hot steel with a mallet.
Next, receive instruction in Zen meditation at the prestigious Shoshazan Engyoji Temple, founded over 1,000 years ago, directly from the temple's 141st abbot. The secluded mountaintop location and sacred atmosphere, far from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, is a great spot for a moment to relax. The temple also offers a chance to experience traditional monastic vegetarian cooking and to work with artisans who produce shosha-nuri lacquerware which is unique to the region.
If you want to learn more about art and other aspects of Japanese culture, tours of the Himeji City Museum of Art with commentary by curators are also available.
This is a private tour, so you are able to choose the experiences that interest you and combine them to make your ideal trip.
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Snow Gastronomy Tour Showcasing the Food and Nature of Hokkaido by Private Jet
In Hokkaido you can ski to your heart's content in the world-class powder snow of Niseko.
For lunch, your own table of snow will be set up on the slopes. Enjoy a gastronomic experience by top chefs with glorious views of Mt. Yotei in the background.
Stay at Zaborin, a contemporary ryokan which has earned two Michelin Keys. Inspired by Zen, Zaborin is a tranquil retreat where you can soothe your soul and become one with nature. Applications for accommodations in the winter season are no longer being accepted on the Zaborin website, but we will guide you to your specially reserved rooms.
Visit the world-class Nikka Whiskey Yoichi Distillery, which is the pride of the nearby town of Yoichi. On a private tour just for you, observe the production process and then sample some rare whiskies not normally served to visitors.
Next, head to Sapporo City and dine at Sushi Tanaka, a restaurant that specializes in Hokkaido ingredients. A private space will be reserved to ensure maximum enjoyment.
The following morning, visit Sapporo Central Wholesale Market with the owner of Sushi Tanaka to experience the professional skill that goes into purchasing the finest fish.
Transportation throughout the tour is effortless and hassle-free on a state-of-the-art HondaJet private aircraft along with hired cars. Enjoy your time to the fullest!