Traditional Japanese beauty and art – collaboration with the Homma Museum of Art

Start your private tour at Sakata station. Meet your English-speaking interpreter-guide, then ride your reserved private charter vehicle to a historic building featuring exhibits on local history and crafts, which was formerly a high-class ryotei restaurant. Here, you can learn about the local traditional craft of Kasafuku, and together with the kind Sakata craftspeople, you can create your own kasafuku doll for you to take home.

Afterwards, head towards the port of Sakata to partake in enjoying the fresh seafood and produce of the area. This meal is adjustable according to dietary requirements if required. Once you are satiated, you will move to another former ryotei, this one now being used as a geisha teahouse. Here you can view a Sakata maiko geisha performance, where the maiko entertain with traditional song and dance with accompaniment on live shamisen. After the performance, there is a chance to take photos with the maiko before you leave the top performance floor. View the innerworkings of the teahouse by touring around the ground floor, and then have a enjoy a drink served by maiko. If you are lucky, you can ask the geisha some questions while they serve your drink. Taking photos of them is also allowed, and afterwards you can savor the taste of your beverage while reveling in the atmosphere of the authentic geisha teahouse. 

At the Sankyo-Soko Rice Storehouses Site, you can take stunning photos in your yukata with the rice storehouses and trees in the background, as well as be able to purchase local souvenirs and products of Sakata. 

Next on your journey, you will proceed to the Homma Museum of Art and have a tour of the museum building, gardens and the Seienkaku villa. Following this tour, enjoy a haiku experience with an experienced haiku teacher inside the Seienkaku villa, viewing the gorgeous illuminated garden as you get your creative juices flowing while creating your haiku. 

Walk to your comfortable local ryokan lodgings and check in before heading to downtown Sakata with your guide to go on a bar hopping tour to see the local nightlife, cuisine and people of the area. Once you are done for the night, you are able to return to your lodgings and sleep.