Japan

Japan Tailored Experiences

Select from our exciting range of handcrafted tailored experiences to include in your customised journey.

Goma Fire Ritual And Zazen Meditation

Goma Fire Ritual And Zazen Meditation
Tokyo, Japan
 
Step into the sanctuary of Ryodaishi, a Japanese Esoteric Buddhist temple, and you may find yourself enveloped in monks’ chanting, ringing bells, singing bowls, the sharp scent of incense, and the mesmerising crackle of a sacred blaze. This is the Goma Fire Ritual, or Homa, a thousand-year-old purification ceremony practised chiefly by the Shingon and Tendai sects. Begin with the simple, time-honoured gestures of purification, washing your hands at the stone fountain and letting the incense smoke clear your mind, before stepping into the main hall, where monks kindle a sacred flame said to burn away worldly cares. Offer a personalised wooden charm of your own for good health or safe travels, then move from fire to stillness with a guided Zazen meditation, the seated practice at the heart of Zen Buddhism, which strips away visualisation and mantra to leave only the essentials: your breath, your posture, and the present moment. Together, the two traditions offer a rare, complete reset for both mind and spirit. The visit closes with a hand-stamped goshuin, a small paper keepsake carrying home a little of the temple’s quiet peace.
Duration: 2hrs
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Along Japan’s Oldest Road

Along Japan’s Oldest Road
Nara, Japan
 
Trace a path through 2,000 years of history on the Yamanobe-no-michi, Japan’s oldest road, hidden in the peaceful countryside of Nara. This timeless route offers an intimate and unhurried encounter with rural Japanese life. Accompanied by an expert local guide, guests walk a selected section of the trail, uncovering the stories, folklore and spiritual significance woven into the landscape along the way. Passing through peaceful farmland and quiet villages before visiting Omiwa Shrine, one of Japan’s most ancient and revered places of worship, where the sacred Mount Miwa itself serves as the shintai. This gentle walk unveils a hidden gem of Nara, beyond its famous park and sacred deer.
Duration: 3hrs
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Experience the Japanese ‘Way of the Tea’

Experience the Japanese ‘Way of the Tea’
Tokyo, Japan
Attending a Japanese tea ceremony – known as Chanoyu, Sado or ‘Way of the Tea’ – is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. For centuries, this traditional tea-drinking ritual has been intrinsically woven into Japan’s cultural fabric, originating when the Zen monk, Eisai, brought back tea from China in the late 12th century. The ceremonious preparation and serving of matcha tea (powdered green tea leaves) developed in the late 15th century as a more refined version of tea parties, infused with Zen spirituality.
For the Japanese, the tea ceremony embodies key aspects of Buddhism and Shintoism and is one of several ‘life arts’ activities to practice Zen (‘at peace with your own thoughts’). Rooted in Japanese aesthetics, the Zen tea-drinking ceremony emanates a meditative quality, promoting wellbeing, mindfulness and harmony.
In Nihonbashi, one of Japan’s most historic commercial districts, experience a private tea ceremony hosted by a tea master, in one of Tokyo’s most authentic and most exquisitely decorated tea ceremony rooms. Sat upon a tatami floor, observe the kimono-clad tea master meticulously prepare and serve matcha tea using traditional utensils carefullyselected for their specific value. As the ceremony proceeds, your guide will explain all the unique etiquette and rituals. Enjoy the cordial hospitality, Japanese sweets and delicious matcha tea. Immerse yourself in the sense of calm, far removed from our fast-paced daily lives.
Duration: 1 hr
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Experience the Lifestyle of Local Japanese Farmers

Experience the Lifestyle of Local Japanese Farmers
Lake Biwa (outside Kyoto), Japan
Experiencing a traditional farmer’s lifestyle and genuine hospitality with all the family, deep in the Japanese countryside.
Today, we take a 30-minute drive outside Kyoto to visit a farming community in Lake Biwa, Japan’s largest freshwater lake, surrounded by verdant terraced rice fields.
At a traditional farmhouse, participate in the countryside tradition of mochi-making. Part of Japanese culture, mochi is an iconic rice cake eaten year-round, but especially during special celebrations and New Year. Soft, chewy and delicious Mochi is made from mochigome (short-grain glutinous rice), with added water, sugar and corn starch.
In this mochi-making class, your friendly farming hosts demonstrate the traditional mochi-pounding ‘mochitsuki’ ceremony. Home-grown sticky rice is pounded by one person with a giant wooden mallet, while another person simultaneously mixes the pounded paste in a giant mortar by hand. You can also join-in and help! The mochi paste is then molded into a rice cake with traditional toppings, which you get to taste. 
Afterwards, sample a farm-to-table speciality, Chicken Sukiyaki, for lunch. Japan has many regional sukiyaki varieties but as your farmer hosts demonstrate, this salty-sweet hotpot is made with home-grown vegetables, chicken and noodles. Relaxing over lunch, continue to enjoy heartwarming exchanges with this farming family, learning more about the local farmer’s lifestyle.
 
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Learn the Secrets of Traditional Knife-making in Sakai

Learn the Secrets of Traditional Knife-making in Sakai
Sakai (Outside Osaka), Japan
Located on Osaka’s outskirts, Sakai has played a pivotal role in shaping Japan’s history. During the Sengoku-era (1467 to 1603), this old industrial city was a thriving port hub with trading ties to both Asia and Europe. Although famed for its Japanese tea ceremony origins and ancient burial mounds, Sakai is best known for its premium quality, carbon steel kitchen knives. Japanese knife-smith craftsmanship is acclaimed worldwide, but Sakai is regarded as its home, producing around 90 percent of Japan’s uniquely hand-made kitchen knives. Sakai is where Japanese and foreign professional chefs source their premium kitchen knives.
For over 600 years, this knife-making skill has been passed down generations of master craftsmen. Today, learn how Sakai’s knives are still hand-forged the age-old way, finished with a level of quality that sets the benchmark globally for kitchen knives.
We visit the studio of a local knife-smith, who traditionally hand-forges these carbon steel knives in a slow and meticulous multi-step process. Observe how the craftsman forms a simple steel piece, deposit it in an open furnace heated to over 900 degrees Celsius, weld and then repeatedly hammer. The knife is then allowed to slowly cool down, before passed on to the sharpener, handle-maker and assembler craftsmen.
Duration: 1 hr
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Master the Intricate Art of Sushi-Making

Master the Intricate Art of Sushi-Making
Tokyo, Japan
With some of the planet’s premium seafood, 400-plus years of expertise and sleek aesthetics, sushi is Japan’s most famous dish on the world stage. A hugely popular dish in Japan, sushi is also strongly associated with Japanese culture. Although originating outside Japan, Tokyo is acknowledged as the birthplace of modern-day sushi and home to the world’s largest number of sushi restaurants. 
Today, discover the intricate art of sushi-making and its legendary secrets at a private sushi class, at one of the most renowned sushi restaurants within Tokyo’s Tsukiji Outer Market. Adjacent to the former Tsukiji Inner Market – one of the world’s greatest wholesale fish markets, which relocated in 2018 to Toyosu – Tsukiji Outer Market’s shops and restaurants still thrive. Your gourmet-savvy guide will point out fresh fish and seafood, seasonal vegetables, deli goods and premium kitchen equipment sold here.
Then join an exclusive sushi-making class, personally instructed by a professional sushi chef. At the restaurant’s sushi counter, learn how to make sushi rice with the technique of adding rice vinegar. Then create nigari, hand-formed mini balls of rice topped with fresh seafood sourced from Tsukiji Outer Market – one of Tokyo’s premier spots for fresh seafood! Enjoy your sushi creations for a delicious lunch.
Duration: 2 hrs
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Discover Lake Biwa and Farming Life by Electric Bike

Discover Lake Biwa and Farming Life by Electric Bike
Lake Biwa (outside Kyoto), Japan
Our off-the-beaten-track family tour through tranquil countryside presents a refreshing contrast to dynamic Japan’s urban side.  On eco-friendly electric bicycles, effortlessly explore the serene shores of Lake Biwa, a 30-minute drive away from Kyoto.
Japan’s largest freshwater lake, Lake Biwa serves as a regional water source and year-round playground. Known for its rich biodiversity and protected wetlands, the legendary lake’s shores reveal popular beaches and historic sites.
Following your local guide, we set-off on a leisurely cycling tour on our electric bikes, along peaceful lakeside roads leading to ancient villages, before reaching terraced rice fields deep amidst scenic countryside. Meet the local farmers and assist them with seasonal farming activities, such as planting or harvesting rice and vegetables, while learning about daily life in this rural farming community.   
Back in the saddle, continue onwards to a local farmhouse and help a farming family cook a Lake Biwa speciality, chicken sukiyaki hotpot, for lunch.  This farm-to-table, salty-sweet dish is made with home-grown vegetables, chicken and noodles, prepared and served in a hotpot. Sample other regional specialties such as home-made pickled sour plums. In a relaxed atmosphere over lunch, relish the warm hospitality of this traditional farming community.
Duration: 3-4 hrs
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