Experiences

Relive the day on which Japan's history was forever changed by its largest, most tumultuous and most decisive battle, fought on the grounds of Sekigahara (also one of the world's three major ancient battlefields) in the year 1600. See with your own eyes and tour the very areas ventured by Tokugawa Ieyasu, the founder and first shogun of the Tokugawa shogunate, and his opponent, Ishida Mitsunari, as you discover the historical setting of the battle with weaponry and armory. Explore the Gifu Sekigahara Battlefield Memorial Museum, featuring revolutionary technology in showcasing the details of main happenings and people of the battle, as well as exhibits both original and models that you can touch and interact with. Equip yourself with Sengoku armor and weapons, before making your way around the remains of Ishida's base camp and taking commemorative photos. Choose between a lunch of delicious Udon with tempura (in either Eastern or Western-styled broth) plus complimentary souvenir, and Sukiyaki made from famous Omi beef. Turn back time and imagine yourself fighting to the very finish, joining in actions of bravery or perhaps, treachery, in the greatest samurai battle of all - the Battle of Sekigahara.

Unravel the threads of Hida Takayama's culture steeped in history and cultivated in centuries of relative isolation, as you visit its key locations with a local guide in this popular walking tour recommended for first-time visitors. The course starts from the famous Takayama Historical District, the prominent vermillion Nakabashi Bridge, the venerable Takayama Jinya (also known as the Takayama Historical Government House), and other famous Takayama spots.

Rediscover fine dining done the way of the samurai with Sowaryu Honzen Kuzushi and the Sowaryu-style tea ceremony in Hida Takayama, a town famous for its well-established traditional crafts and historical districts. The Sowa style of tea ceremony, which left an indelible mark on the culture of Kyoto as a warrior-style tea ceremony practiced in various places from the gardens of Ohara Town's Sanzenin Temple to the tea rooms of Kinkakuji, was founded about 400 years ago by Shigechika “Sowa” of the Kanamori family that ruled the Hida-Takayama domain. It is said to be have been passed down mainly among Buddhist temples in Takayama. Prepared in the refined spirit of the tea ceremony is the Sowaryu Honzen, a kaiseki course said to date back from the late Edo-period, popular with the samurai class, and a rare luxury that very few restaurants continue to offer nationwide. While it originally features a staggering array of 30 dishes, the Sowaryu Honzen Kuzushi (simplified) course lunch instead showcases a selection of 11 dishes expertly put together from an abundance of fresh, local ingredients. After your sumptuous meal at the two Michelin stars' Ryoutei Susaki, you will then be transported to the long-established Nobato Chaho where you will learn about the differences between the tea ceremonies held by the merchant class and that of the samurai class, and enjoy Japanese sweets with Usucha ("thin tea" - usually used for tea ceremony).

Delve deep into the culture of Hida Takayama, a town famous for its well-established traditional crafts and historical districts. The Sowa style of tea ceremony, which left an indelible mark on the culture of Kyoto as a warrior-style tea ceremony practiced in various places from the gardens of Ohara Town's Sanzenin Temple to the tea rooms of Kinkakuji, was founded about 400 years ago by Shigechika “Sowa” of the Kanamori family that ruled the Hida-Takayama domain. Learn about the differences between the tea ceremonies held by the merchant class and that of the samurai class, and enjoy Japanese sweets with Usucha ("thin tea" - usually used for tea ceremony). After that, it's time for a change of clothes and pace! You'll put on kimono and hakama, before moving to the Emaden (shrine building where votive picture tablets are hung) of the Sakurayama Hachimangu Shrine. Calm and steady your heart as an instructor of the Muso Jikiden Eishin-ryu Iaido, one of the two most widely practiced schools of iaido in Japan, guides you through a series of kata (form, movement), such as battou (sword-drawing), kobo (attack and defense), nattou (sword-sheathing). You will receive a certificate of completion upon finishing the iaido activity. From the calm and graceful steps of the tea ceremony, to the swift but deadly moves of iaido, walk the paths of righteousness the way the samurais did, in the spirit of bushido.

The Suigetsugama Kiln was built in 1946 on a vast plot of leased land from Eiho-ji Temple by Living National Treasure and highly-acclaimed potter, Toyozo Arakawa. It was named after "Suigetsudo", another title belonging to the temple, also a renowned National Treasure. The ties between the temple and pottery date back centuries, from when Zen monk Muso Soseki who opened the temple in 1313 encountered the latter on his path of enlightenment and nature through tea, an important feature of Zen. Seek and find peace as the monks did, before further renewal as you focus on your creation of Minoyaki pottery through rokuro (the potter's wheel). Unearth calm repose through the stillness of your heart. 
 

Ride the waves of time, back into the Sengoku and Edo period with this tour jam-packed with the many highlights of Ena and Imamura - from art at the museum of Hiroshige ukiyo-e prints, legendary tales at the Iwamura Castle Ruins and tales of the “Onna Joshu” (lady castle lord), history of the Sengoku cuisine and sake, and culture of the Kakeuchi (sake store where you can drink at). 

Spellbinding stories of Lady Otsuya, one of Japan's few lady castle lords and the aunt of warlord Oda Nobunaga, rare opportunities to observe the constructive wonders in the three different ways stones were stacked to build the impenetrable walls of one of Japan's  three greatest mountaintop castles, time for strolling around an ancient castle town with distinctive features and Kakeuchi in the refined setting of a reputable sake brewery await! Take a trip through this multifaceted gateway into Japan's exquisite past. 

Unfold the rich tapestry of culture and tradition at the heart of Gifu City through this illuminating course. Learn all about ukai (cormorant fishing) at the Nagara River Ukai Museum before visiting the home of a Cormorant Fishing Master, who will show you around and explain the ins and outs of his work, recognized by the Imperial Family of Japan. Alternatively, choose an option highlighting the artistry of one of Gifu City's beloved traditional crafts, Gifu lanterns, by visiting world-renowned artist, Isamu Noguchi's AKARI Gallery, displaying his "sculptures of light". After a delightful teatime at the Gifu Grand Hotel lounge, enjoy a splendid dinner of grilled ayu (sweetfish) aboard a chartered luxury observation boat. Witness the ukai from a vantage view as it begins at sunset, transporting you back in time with its subtle yet profound beauty.

Take on this very special hands-on tour of the factory behind the wildly popular (to the point it's especially hard to buy before it's sold out), high-grade, cemented carbide kitchen knives - a first in Japan! Watch the production process, help with sharpening and testing blades. After the tour, create your very own original pocket knife by affixing the cemented carbide (said to be the hardest material next to diamond) blade to the handle, made in Gifu Prefecture. You can also buy knives and sharpening stones. Lunch will be miso sukiyaki made with delicious Hida beef and salad, sliced and diced with KISEKI: knives at Hana, a restaurant in a traditional Japanese house.

Fish for Gifu's renowned ayu (sweetfish) using a method tried and tested by time! Presenting the tomozuri (live decoy fishing) style, which you will be introduced to through training videos in a lesson before putting it to practice while standing in the Nagara River with support from a professional guide. Then, dig in to the freshly caught sweetfish, salted and grilled. Enjoy its mouth-watering taste and compare it to that of the locally farmed ayu. Ayu rice will also be served. Discover the goodness of "Ayu of the Nagara River System," a Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System (GIAHS).

All the world's a stage, and this one has a role with your name on it! Get up close and personal with the local kabuki troupe, take in the sights, sounds, and stories of the stage and even put on the kumadori make-up yourself as you prepare to act in your very own role in a kabuki play right here in the Kashimo Meiji-za Theater established in 1894. Enjoy a specially prepared wariko bento (Japanese lunchbox) after your visit! Then, take a trip to Tsukechi Gorge, tucked away in a fragrant canopy of Kiso cypress, walk along the stunningly emerald waters of the Tsukechi River flowing from the snowmelt of venerable Mount Ontake. No time to waste - the stage and nature await!