Experiences

Experience the joy of designing your very own "cool-activated glass" from Marumo Takagi Pottery. Choose freely from a wide selection of Japanese patterns and iconic motifs, then engrave your design onto the glass using sandblasting.
These special glasses, whose patterns change with temperature, offer a delightful surprise every time you use them. Your one-of-a-kind creation is perfect not only for personal use, but also as a heartfelt gift for someone special. Under the guidance of skilled artisans, even beginners can enjoy the process with confidence. We invite you to take this opportunity to experience creating a beautiful glass that merges Japanese tradition with modern technology.

This charming walking course lets you stroll through a post town on the Nakasendo Highway as if you were a traveler from the Edo period, enjoying history, nature, and cuisine all at once. Your journey begins at the station, and the return trip by taxi ensures peace of mind. Using the 1756 travel guide Kisoji Anken Ezu as a reference, this cultural experience follows the Nakasendo route as modern day travelers retrace the footsteps of those who journeyed here centuries ago. It is the perfect activity for international visitors seeking an authentic historical journey.

Blend the art of relaxation, tradition and cuisine the way it's done in Gero City, home to Gero Onsen - one of the three best hot springs in Japan! Begin with elegant hospitality through a beginner-friendly tea ceremony, a classic practice of Japanese culture at an authentic tea room in the illustrious ryokan Suimeikan, followed by a stroll around the hot springs town, giving you firsthand insight into the the local history, customs, legends, and more. Experience for yourself the many reasons for Gero's glorious fame. Also, see if you can spot a statue of comic actor Charlie Chaplin who visited in 1932!

From the foot of the mountains lies a treasure trove of nature's riches and the wisdom of satoyama living. Discover these gems as you enjoy the plentiful seasonal vegetables, wild plants, medicinal herbs and more here in the Japanese countryside through the wonders of food in fun-filled gatherings. Learn about the deep knowledge of nature, food, and life lovingly handed down throughout generations and discover the best ways to use harvested local vegetables, wild greens, medicinal herbs, and more. Then, put your newly gained knowledge to the test by taking part in hands-on activities like cooking, fermenting, pickling, and drying with the Gujo countryside as your idyllic setting. Dig deep into the essentials of Japanese food culture and regional cuisine through the close connections to food preparation techniques featured in this course. Come along and escape the mundanity of daily routine.

Unearth and savor the treasures to be found hidden just beneath your feet, right here in the midst of nature's abundance.

Dive into the flavorful, aromatic, and delicious world of authentic Japanese sake handmade in ways tested and honored by time here at the world-class, top-ranked sake brewery Watanabe Shuzoten, also the sake brewery with the most smiles in Japan, and also a nationally designated Important Tangible Cultural Property. Experience all there is to this "living brewery" in Hida Furukawa, where yeast thrive in a natural environment enclosed by storehouses with porous mortar white walls that "breathe", where tradition, technique, and sensitivity are skillfully blended with overflowing joy, preserved for generations by the head of the Watanabe family who works and lives with the brewery staff under one roof.

Enjoy the liquid ambrosia brewed here as it simply is - absolutely delightful.

Traverse the skies, high above the clouds in peace and quiet awe, to a very special setting for a tasty early meal surrounded by the unparalleled mountain vistas of the Hida mountains, also known as the Northern Japan Alps. Take a private trip aboard the Shinhotaka Ropeway, Japan's only double-decker gondola and soar to an altitude of 2,156 meters above sea level from Shirakaba-daira Station to Nishihotakaguchi Station. At the summit, your delicious continental breakast of your preferred pastries, toasty serving of soup, and a cup of aromatic coffee await - all made from choice local ingredients. Take in this exceptional moment in time all for yourself, amidst a natural environment cloaked in nature's finest - whether the verdant greenery blanketing the lofty, majestic mountaintops to secluded valleys low in summer, to the fierce blazing reds, golds and ochres of autumn's brocade. Explore the primeval alpine forests or catch your breath, listening to the rustling of the leaves or harmonies of the birdsongs in the expansive "Itadaki no Mori" area. Truly a trip for the ages and a feast for the senses.

Journey deep into the heart of the Northern Japan Alps with this private course designed just for you. Reach the stunning heights of 2,156 metres above sea level, high up above the clouds to take in an unbroken, glorious view of nature's astounding beauty with sights like jagged cliffs blanketed in verdure, snowflecked summits, and bright alpine flowers - all this from Japan's only double-story gondola, the Shinhotaka Ropeway. Relish with all senses an authentic kaiseki course for lunch, highlighting the rich flavors of the four seasons of Hida. Then, soothe your heart, mind, and body in the waters of a private hot spring, before resuming your travels in Kamikochi, revered as a sacred place where "the gods descend". From the unbelievably clear, sparkling and turquoise waters of the Azusa River, to the undeniable majesty of the Hotaka mountain range - witness it all for yourself, with your very own eyes. Travel access is made convenient and comfortable with transportation by a maxi cab.

Retrace the origins of the grand history and refined architecture behind Japan's only remaining government building preserved from its establishment in the 17th century, the Takayama Jinya (Takayama Historical Government House). This structure from which 25 generations of provincial governors and magistrates carried out their official duties on behalf of the Edo Shogunate also houses the superb work of master craftsmen of the Hida region, called the "Hida no Takumi", in the form of the "kurehegi" technique still ongoing in use from 400 years ago. Learn about its roof structure, made up of as many as 500,000 kurehegi shingles (boards), and even try your hand at hammering shingles into the roof of the Jinya doma (room with earthen flooring), a space usually inaccessible to the public. After that, cross Takayama's iconic red Nakabashi bridge and make your way to the famous Takayama Historical District, and into Kazehikaru, a private gallery where you can enjoy the sophisticated hospitality of the Sowaryu-style tea ceremony. Enjoy the aroma and taste of matcha in a tea room while admiring the elegance of traditional Gifu craftsmanship such as the elaborate "Ajiro" ceiling made from techniques similar to the Jinya's "kurehegi", and the versatile but durable beauty of washi paper, along with the gentle interplay of light and shadow filtering through.

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.