Experiences

Rediscover fine dining done the way of the samurai with the Sowaryu Honzen Kuzushi and the Sowaryu-style tea ceremony still thriving well even to this day in Hida Takayama, a town famous for its well-established traditional crafts and historical districts. The Sowaryu-style tea ceremony was founded about 400 years ago by Shigechika “Sowa” of the Kanamori family that ruled the Hida-Takayama domain and passed down primarily through temples in Takayama. It 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. 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 with a profound sense of aesthetics reflected in its presentation, tableware, and dining ettiquette. After finishing your sumptuous meal, 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). Taste and see the beauty in the silence and ceremony through the way of the samurai.

Delve deep and engage with two integral practices of bushido, the way of the samurai, thriving well even to this day in Hida Takayama, a city well-known for its traditional crafts and historical merchant districts. The first featured through this course is the Sowaryu-style of tea ceremony, founded about 400 years ago by Shigechika “Sowa” of the Kanamori family that ruled the Hida-Takayama domain. Passed down primarily through temples in Takayama, this warrior-style left an indelible mark on the culture of Kyoto, influencing the tea ceremonies held in various locations from the gardens of Ohara Town's Sanzenin Temple to the tea rooms of Kinkakuji. Discover what it's like for yourself by joining a Sowaryu-style tea ceremony, and enjoy Japanese sweets with usucha ("thin tea" - usually used for tea ceremonies) while you learn about the differences between the tea ceremonies held by the merchant class and that of the samurai class. After that, it's time for a change of clothes and pace for iaido! You'll put on kimono and hakama, before moving to the Emaden (shrine building where votive picture tablets are hung). Calm and steady your heart as a hanshi (master 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), noto (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 and powerful 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 at an altitude of 300 metres, at the Kamigare Tea Plantation in Kasuga Village, Ibigawa Town - a little-known region dubbed "Gifu's Machu Picchu" on social media. Take home processed tea leaves with a gentle, sweet aroma ready for brewing as a souvenir of your sojourn. Please note that due to time constraints the tea leaves you will be bringing home are different to the ones from your harvest. For lunch, look forward to a delicious and wholesome meal made from Ibi medicinal herbs unique to Kasuga Village - the village of medicinal herbs, cultivated at the foot of Mount Ibuki from days of old and fresh, local Mino vegetables. Next, head to a historical temple, a destination along the Saigoku Kannon Pilgrimage route, Japan’s oldest pilgrimage route with about 1,300 years of history. Experience the legendary and the spiritual for yourself as you make your way along this sacred path, and learn of yet another, separate way through the "kaidan meguri" ritual (the practice of going down to the basement of the main hall of the temple to search for a lock in complete darkness). 

Savor the wonder of Gifu's grand outdoors throughout the seasons, with picturesque sights and opportunities to encounter local wildlife as you e-bike your way for about 90km from Takayama City to Gujo Hachiman. E-biking means no worries about requiring the stamina to go to distance. Move at your own leisurely pace in this exclusive, private tour to areas hard to reach by public transport. 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, further adding to your convenience with light and easy travel. 

Unearth calm repose, encounter the world of Zen and enlightenment in creation through this course with a guide, taking you through the peaceful, scenic grounds of the Kokeizan Eiho-ji Temple of Tajimi City, a Zen temple founded by the Zen monk Muso Soseki during the Kamakura Period. The temple grounds include the designated National Treasure, Kannon-do Hall, and the well-known Suigetsugama Kiln, built in 1946 by the late and esteemed Toyozo Arakawa, a past Living National Treasure. The living legacy of these treasures ensure that the traditional methods of making Minoyaki (Mino ware) live on to this very day. At the Suigetsugama Kiln, tour the climbing kiln and learn of how it revolutionized the ceramics industry centuries ago. For lunch, feast your senses on Japanese cuisine carefully plated on tableware crafted by Mino ware artists, taking in the delightful harmony in presentation and taste.

Ride the waves of time, back into the Sengoku and Edo period with this tour jam-packed with the artistic, historical, and culinary highlights of Ena and Imamura. Start by immersing yourself in the vivid world of ukiyo-e art from the Edo Period by famous woodblock print artist Hiroshige Utagawa at the Nakasendo Hiroshige Museum of Art. Then, hike the historical grounds of the Iwamura Castle Ruins, one of Japan’s three greatest mountaintop castles, situated at an altitude of 717 metres above sea-level, where you will have the chance to see up close the defensive construction from three different types of stone-piling utilized. The castle is also well-known for having an “Onna Joshu” (lady castle lord) - Lady Otsuya, one of Japan's few lady castle lords and the aunt of warlord Oda Nobunaga. Enjoy time strolling around the ancient castle town, full of historical charm and a culturally significant preservation district of historic buildings in all of Japan, third in Gifu after Sanmachi in Takayama and Ogimachi in Shirakawa-go. For lunch, feast the way the warlords did back in the Sengoku period, with a delicious and hearty recreation of the Sengoku cuisine prepared over an irori charcoal grill with local, seasonal ingredients. Conclude your journey with the the exclusive "Kakuuchi", at a brewery with a distinguished history of 230 years. Buy sake and drink it right there and then in its original, raw and unprocessed form - a rarity of Japanese culture afforded by this very place. 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 the private space of world-renowned artist, Isamu Noguchi's AKARI Gallery displaying his "sculptures of light". After a delightful teatime at a hotel lounge, enjoy a splendid dinner of grilled ayu (sweetfish) aboard one of three exclusive luxury observation boats, with a dedicated chef and wait staff. Witness the ukai as it begins at sunset, from a vantage view afforded in the comfort of your bench seat, transporting you back in time with its subtle yet profound beauty. 

Uncover the multifaceted beauty of Gujo Hachiman in this e-bike cycling tour of about 30km, starting and ending at Gujo Hachiman Station. Spend the morning surrounded by nature's wonders, before moving on to the satoyama (rural 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 a beautiful temple, and teatime to look forward to! Move at your own leisurely pace in this private tour. Your guide will provide you with any necessary support, making this course accessible for bikers of all levels, even beginners. 

Immerse yourself in the grand outdoors of Hida Takayama through this gentle, leisurely summer hike through sparkling clear waters, flowing over a massive rock slab formed from volcanic activity thousands of years ago. Savor and learn all you can about nature's wonders from its terrain, flora, and fauna, 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 sandwiches and soup made from ingredients locally sourced. You will be accompanied by an experienced nature guide and member of the Japan Mountain Guides Association with WAFA and LNT qualifications as you journey through the Soredani mountain stream, tucked away in between Nyukawa Town and Kamitakara Town in Takayama City. Get OFF THE GRID, away from the hustle and bustle of city life and digital connection, as you relax and soak up your wonderful natural surroundings, from the peaceful rippling of the mountain stream, to the melodic harmonies of the wild birds, sipping your gourmet hand-dripped coffee personally made for you.

Go beneath the surface, right into the heart of the hidden gems of the Hida Region, with a guide familiar with the insides and outs of the area, helping you uncover not just the usual tourist locations, but the local, cultural spots and eateries only the locals know of. Start from Hida Takayama, to Hida City, to the World Heritage Site of Shirakawa-go Village, and finally, the famous hot springs of Gero City in this special day-long tour with a private guide, made convenient and very accessible by car. Customize various parts of the tour such as stops and activities based on your preferences.