Experiences

Walk the Nakatsugawa-juku post town along the historical Nakasendo with a guide, and go back in time to the Edo period, when travelers, merchants, and pilgrims made the journey between Edo (current-day Tokyo) and Kyoto. Along this route, a beloved treat was created in the homes of the countryside - the humble "Kurikinton". Commercialized during the Meiji period, it grew in popularity and became the signature sweet of Nakatsugawa.

Stop by a famous wagashi (traditional sweets) store for a well-deserved break to enjoy some local refreshments like the delicious "Kurukinton" with a delightful range of Japanese tea. To conclude, a local "Wagashi Navigator" will guide you through other local wagashi shops. Spend an unforgettable moment traversing time and taste, just like the travelers of old.

Enwrap yourself in the fine art, history, and process of traditional Japanese papermaking. Put your knowledge to practice as a master craftsman guides you with creation from kozo (paper mulberry) to fine Minowashi. As the washi dries, savor an appetizing bento (packed lunch) in the comforts of a rustic Japanese home with a history of over 70 years. Soak in the idyllic atmosphere before leaving with your original Minowashi paper, a tangible reminder of a priceless memory.

Add another unforgettable chapter to your travels by choosing the transportation option, where you’ll get to stop by the picturesque Monet's Pond before your journey’s end. With water lillies floating in glass-like water and colorful carp swimming about, a visit to this vivid painting come to life is sure to leave a lasting impression.

Create your original razor-sharp Damascus knife using traditional Japanese methods from start to finish, from blade and handle sharpening, assembling, to engraving your name onto your handmade masterpiece, under the guidance of master swordsmiths. Choose from Gyuto and Santoku Damascus cooking knives, Damascus hunting knives and Damascus folding knives.

Then, enjoy a visit to the nearby Knife Museum and buy from a wide variety of top quality knives available onsite.

You can also choose to have lunch, and tuck into a delicious meal at a local restaurant where dishes like sushi, tempura, eel, and tonkatsu can be prepared to your preferences (optional).

Draw ever closer to your beloved and deepen your mutual connection with a kimono wedding photoshoot far beyond the typical, here in the dreamy Japanese fairytale village and UNESCO World Heritage Site, Shirakawa-go. Welcome the concept of "musubi", a profound and essential part of Japanese culture. With multiple meanings such as to tie, to bind, and to link, it also includes the act of bringing forth new creations from the connection between formerly separate entities. From the joining of two households through ceremonial vows in marriage, to the fated meeting between two individuals, and even in the visible representation shown in the tying the obi (sash) of a wedding kimono, “musubi” is ever-present in Japan. We warmly invite you to partake in a day of commemorating and celebrating your love in the context of “musubi” clad in resplendent wedding kimono with photos taken of your time in Shirakawa-go – a beloved village retaining the quaint beauty of the Japanese countryside. Photography will be done while adhering to the established rules and regulations when visiting Shirakawa-go, as well as responsible tourism guidelines. Throughout the photo shoot, an accompanying guide will introduce to you the wondrous scenery of Shirakawa-go along with captivating stories of the local people, culture, and more. Create new, eternal memories of romantic bliss, linking the present to the future as you experience the essence of traditional Japanese weddings through this exceptional photo shoot.

Get an exclusive look behind the scenes of the Takayama Festival, one of Japan's three most beautiful festivals featuring 23 gorgeously elaborate floats with an illustrious history of about 350 years. Repairs and preservation of the floats are maintained by the master craftsmen of the Hida region, called the "Hida no Takumi", esteemed for their exceptional skills and expertise nationwide, commissioned with repairs for temples, shrines, and festival equipment all over Japan to this very day.

As part of this tour, participants get to see the Takayama Festival floats up close, and gain special access to a craftman's workshop which is not usually open to the public. Your guide will accompany you to one of the following workshops of your choice and according the craftmen's schedule: shrine and temple carpentry, Hida Shunkei lacquerware, blacksmithing, Ichii itto (yew wood) carvings. Try crafting under the careful guidance of a master, or a take home a special gift made by them depending on your choice of workshop. Enjoy this exclusive opportunity to delve deep into the local culture of traditional crafting and carpentry, unavailable to independent travelers and standard tours.

Draw ever closer to your beloved and deepen your mutual connection with a kimono wedding photoshoot far beyond the typical, here in the Japanese traditional town of timeless charms, Hida Takayama. Welcome the concept of "musubi", a profound and essential part of Japanese culture. With multiple meanings such as to tie, to bind, and to link, it also includes the act of bringing forth new creations from the connection between formerly separate entities. From the joining of two households through ceremonial vows in marriage, to the fated meeting between two individuals, and even in the visible representation shown in the tying the obi (sash) of a wedding kimono, “musubi” is ever-present in Japan. We warmly invite you to partake in a day of commemorating and celebrating your love in the context of “musubi” clad in resplendent wedding kimono with photos taken of your time in Hida Takayama – a town of historical, wooden architecture and traditional streetscapes preserved for centuries. Throughout the photo shoot, an accompanying guide will introduce to you the picturesque scenery of Hida Takayama along with captivating stories of the local people, culture, and more. Create new, eternal memories of romantic bliss, linking the present to the future as you experience the essence of the traditional Japanese weddings through this exceptional photo shoot.

Introducing the world of green woodworking with natural and limitless potential of creativity. Fashion household items like spoons, butterknives, bowls and more from unseasoned wood recently harvested, as you learn about the strong bond between mountains and the people in the Hida region, and how it has shaped their life and work from the days of old. Take in the crisp scent of freshly shaved wood, and find enduring joy in creating a keepsake of your own making right in the heart of nature.

Introducing the world of green woodworking with natural and limitless potential of creativity. Visit the forest nearby the workshop and safely remove wood, then fashion household items like spoons, butterknives, bowls and more from recently harvested wood, as you learn about the strong bond between mountains and the people in the Hida region, and how it has shaped their life and work from the days of old. Take in the crisp scent of freshly shaved unseasoned wood, and find enduring joy in creating a keepsake of your own making right in the heart of nature. This Premium Course starts a visit at the forest nearby the workshop to safely remove wood, and includes a packed lunch.

Enrich your life by embarking on a journey of self-expression and self-discovery, refining your senses through the world of Minoyaki ceramics in the seat of serenity, right here in the Mino region of Gifu Prefecture. Heal and restore your mind, body, and soul far away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life as you work on your very own clay creations, explore the rich history of the local area and uncover the deep and undeniable connection between soil and soul. Enjoy a sumptuous lunch of French or Italian made from fresh local ingredients, and genuine matcha served in Mino ware. Stroll down the quaint Oribe Street, uncovering your favourite pieces of Mino ware.

Revival and renewal await you.