Experiences

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.

Harvest tea leaves and stroll through the lush, verdant tea fields of the Kamigare Tea Plantation in Kasuga Village, Ibigawa Town, a little-known region dubbed "Gifu's Machu Picchu". Take home tea leaves with a gentle, sweet aroma ready for brewing, as souvenirs after completing your tea plucking activity.* Next, head to Kegon-ji Temple, a destination Japan’s oldest pilgrimage with around 1,300 years of history, and said to grant spiritual gains. Try out "kaidan meguri" (the practice of going down to the basement of the main hall of the temple to search for a lock in complete darkness) for yourself! For lunch, look forward to a delicious and wholesome meal made from Ibi medicinal herbs cultivated at the foot of Mount Ibuki from days of old and local Mino vegetables  - fresh produce proudly grown in Gifu Prefecture. 

*Please note that due to time constraints the tea leaves you will be bringing home are different to the ones from your harvest.

Savor the lush greenery of Gifu's grand outdoors as you e-bike the approximately 90km course from Takayama City to Gujo Hachiman. There's also a chance of meeting the local wildlife on your way too! This course is recommended for those staying overnight in Takayama City and are planning to travel southwards the day after. Luggage will be delivered separately to your destination. 

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. 

Uncover the multifaceted beauty of Gujo-Hachiman in this e-bike cycling tour that starts and ends at Gujo-Hachiman Station. Spend the morning surrounded by nature's wonders, before moving on to the satoyama (areas where foothills and farmlands overlap), catching a glimpse into the idyllic life of the locals spent in the Japanese countryside. Pass mountainstreams of pristine clarity, and in the noontime, the historical castle town of Gujo-Hachiman. There will be opportunities to enjoy times of serenity in the traditional Japanese garden of Jionzenji Temple, and teatime to look forward to! The course distance is about 30km.

Set forth on a thrilling e-bike adventure highlighting the very best of North Gifu's nature and tradition. Race towards the headwaters of the Miyagawa River and discover not only this fountainhead of Takayama, but also the regional way of life that preserves it. Cycle through endless panoramas of rural landscapes in Hida, with local trains running by the Japanese satoyama (areas where foothills and farmlands overlap), unchanged from its past. Look forward to cycling through rows of cherry trees decked out in vibrant pink blossoms in spring, lush greenery and swimming through crystal clear waters in summer, vivid leaves of red and gold in autumn - there's so much natural beauty to take in no matter the season. Savor local sweets and tea over a break along the way. Exclusive to this course - enjoy a delicious lunch of homemade soba (buckwheat noodles) at a local restaurant with a picturesque garden.​

Grab an e-bike and ride into a refreshing and exhilarating exploration of Japan's satoyama (areas where foothills and farmlands overlap) and the roots of its thriving. Swing by wellsprings before enjoying a delectable lunch of Hoba-zushi, a local Hida cuisine, at Sakurano Park. The blossoms of the approximately 300 cherry trees are especially magnificent in spring. Next is Ankoku-ji Temple (northern Gifu’s only national treasure, a storehouse preserving ancient Buddhist scriptures), having tea at a traditional Japanese house, then taking in the vistas along the Araki River while cycling. The rare opportunity of spending time to chat with and connect with the locals, whether in the cozy atmosphere of a traditional Japanese home or during your cycling adventure, will surely be a memorable part of your journey. A part of the fee from this course will be donated to the communities overseeing the conservation of the local culture heritage. 

Immerse yourself in the grand outdoors of Hida Takayama through this gentle, leisurely summer hike through sparkling clear waters, flowing over massive rocks formed from volcanic activity thousands of years ago. Savor and learn all you can about nature's wonders, stopping for a break to enjoy hand-dripped gourmet coffee and tasty baked goodies personally prepared for you by a professional barista. Look forward to a wholesome lunch of sandwich and soup made from ingredients locally sourced. You will be accompanied by a main guide - an experienced nature guide and member of the Japan Mountain Guides Association with Wilderness Advanced First Aid (WAFA) and Leave No Trace (LNT) qualifications, a supporting guide, and a barista, as you journey through the Soredani mountain stream, tucked away in the area between Nyukawa Town and Kamitakara Town in Takayama City. Guides are fluent in English so you can freely chat and banter about along the way. Equipment rental is also available.