Experiences

All the world's a stage, and this one has a role with your name on it! Check out one of Gifu's treasured local specialties,  ji-kabuki, or country kabuki, distinct from other types of kabuki for its down-to-earth atmosphere and strong connection to the local community. 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 a historical theatre, a designated Important Tangible Folk Cultural Property of Gifu Prefecture established in 1894. Enjoy a specially prepared wariko bento (Japanese lunchbox) after your visit! Then, take a trip to Tsukiji Gorge, a valley tucked away in a fragrant canopy of Kiso cypress, and 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!

Breath in deep. Relax. Take in the sights, scents, sounds of your natural environment covered in lush greenery, filled with the fresh, earthy aroma of a forest cherished throughout the ages. Focus on the here and now, as you immerse yourself in this shinrinyoku (forest bathing) course that reconnects you to the roots of restoration in the quiet and stillness of your surroundings. Shinrinyoku specialists will aid you in gently awakening your senses through activities of mindfulness, allowing you to commune deeply with nature, resetting your mind and body, making space for holistic healing. Knowledgeable local guides will take you off the beaten track to a nearby shrine and a legendary lake as they give you insights into the significant bond between the local Japanese people and the environment. Welcome profound revival.

Step right through the doors of a popular restaurant into a realm of delicious culinary possibilities! Create your ultimate, mouth-watering gyoza (Japanese dumplings) with this cooking lesson filled with expertise, humor, and cheer from gyoza expert, Chef Suzuki, using ingredients sourced from Takayama. From the classic, with fillings like Hida beef and Hida pork, to vegetable gyoza, and special variations like the rose-shaped gyoza dubbed by the media as "too pretty to eat", there's an almost endless variety of gyoza offered in this popular gyoza specialty restaurant. International tourists in snaking queues outside this restaurant are a common sight. Skip the wait, sign up for the cooking lesson of a lifetime and experience the local Japanese culture for yourself, from the art of preparing your edible masterpiece to savoring tasty food with fun-filled company, one delectable gyoza at a time.

Tap into the mind, spirit, and tradition of the samurai through an essential part of their identity as fearsome warriors - the prized Japanese sword. And what better place to do this than at Seki, the City of Blades, where their swords were known to "never bend, never break, and cut well". Start with a tour of the factory, one of Japan's rare manufacturers of iaito (practice swords) and authentic Japanese swords with 60 years of trustworthy expertise, before moving on to the exhibition room where you will be shown the different ways to appreciate Japanese swords, as well as insight into the methods of sword production. You can also purchase swords of your liking. After that, it’s time to move to the dojo to put on your iaigi and a hakama for a change of pace! Take on the way of the samurai hands-on, by learning the basic kata (forms) for iaido, such as battou (sword-drawing), kiritsuke (cutting or slashing), and noto (sword sheathing), using a replica sword. Carve out your own path, the samurai way. 

Come see the cutting-edge expertise, the time-honored tradition, and the enduring legacy behind the foundations of one of the world's three major cutlery centers - Seki City, the City of Blades, with a lineup of exciting activities with plenty of opportunities for hands-on experience. Start with an introduction to the history of blacksmithing in Seki and viewing of Japanese swords at a museum before enjoying a delicious unagidon (eel rice bowl) lunch - a source of strength and stamina for the local swordsmiths. Then, try your hand at making nerikiri, a type of traditional Japanese sweet supervised by a well-loved and long-established local confectionery store. Enjoy your delightful creations with green tea in a tea room. You have the option of doing so dressed in kimono. Finally, discover spiritual balance at a historical temple, where you can choose between Zazen meditation or shabutsu (tracing an image of Buddha) as your activity of choice. Manji (swastika)-shaped kaidan meguri and kanetsuki (ringing the temple bell) are also available.

Navigate the delicious, diverse and delightful world of Japanese cuisine in this fun-filled hands-on cooking class, with popular Flying Chef Shuji Ozeki as your trusty guide, accompanying you at every step with his remarkable culinary skills, warmth, and humor. Learn about the traditional Japanese meal structure, "ichiju sansai" (one bowl of soup and three dishes), and the basics of Japanese cooking through recipes in English. Then, dive right into preparing delectable dishes made from a variety of bountiful, seasonal Gifu ingredients. After your cooking lesson, stop by Seki Terrace, a store showcasing an astonishing variety of items of superb quality made in Seki, one of the world's three major cutlery production areas - from kitchen knives, to scissors, nail clippers, razors, and much more. A sharp knife of superior quality is a key to enhancing the flavor and texture of your food, so why not look for one to buy here, or learn to sharpen knives the traditional way through a hands-on lessons? 
For the PM course, your visit to Seki Terrace will be before your cooking class.

Step into Mino City, the renowned birthplace of the prestigious Minowashi paper, and uncover its 1,300 years of illustrious history, cherished tradition, and art of boundless potential through a series of special Mino-exclusive activities, with a choice between making Minowashi paper the time-tested way or joining a Minowashi paper crafts workshop. With an accompanying guide, stroll through the historic merchant district that once thrived on the trade of Minowashi paper while dressed in a kimono of your choice, completing a look that harks back to the Edo Period. Admire the elaborate udatsu (pillars supporting firewalls) that are considered a rarity throughout Japan. Then, relish a sumptuous meal at a traditional Japanese restaurant. You also have the option of enjoying a tea ceremony in the peaceful and scenic compounds of a Japanese garden. 

Renew your mind, body, and soul as you soak in nature's goodness at a private sauna and engage your senses in a setting of profound beauty, where the life-sustaining crystal clear waters Enbara Clear Blue run free. Breathe deep, cast your worries aside and unwind as you take in the earthy fragrance of seasonal Japanese herbs, and the welcoming warmth emanating from the firewood while you enjoy your slow sauna session. Listen to the rustling of the wind in the trees, the rushing of the river waters, the harmonies of the wild birdsongs as you cool down in the constantly refreshing, mineral-rich Enbara River (14°C in summer, 8°C in winter). Savor delicious coffee brewed from subterranean spring water and a lunch made from local, seasonal ingredients. Rediscover yourself in nature's rhythms. 

Draw enlightening inspiration from the stories, the techniques, and the masters of Gifu‘s best-known and well-loved traditional crafts - the intricately elegant Gifu chochin (traditional Japanese lanterns), as you create a piece of your very own in the city of one of Japan's leading production areas of traditional lanterns. Uncover the rich legacy of lantern-making, which flourished due to the Nagara River and its efficient water transportation system, effectively moving materials of the highest quality for lantern-making, such as Minowashi paper made upstream. Learn from artisans who have been trained in techniques handed down through the ages as you add personal touches to your handiwork. While waiting for it to dry, explore the historical districts like Minatomachi, Zaikicho, and Kobikicho, old towns bearing the vestiges of a thriving merchant river port. Complete your journey with a visit to the "CASA Stella" store, showcasing the artistry and gentle light emanating from beautiful lantern installations, presenting an opportunity for mesmerizing photos.

Gain precious insight into the stories, the techniques, and the masters behind one of Gifu's best-known and well-loved traditional crafts - the beautifully delicate but enduring Gifu wagasa (traditional Japanese umbrellas), before creating your very own miniature piece in the city of Japan's largest manufacturer of traditional umbrellas. Explore the quaint surroundings of the former riverside port district of Kawara-machi District while learning of the origins of the Gifu wagasa, then visit the workshop of one of only two craftsmen in Japan specializing in umbrella frames, deepening your understanding of Japan's crafts and culture. Craft and complete your original mini Gifu wagasa, a wonderful reminder of your unforgettable time in Gifu, along the Nagara River. 
*Closed length (including handle): about 28cm, open diameter: about 35cm