japanese culture Archives - The Hidden Japan

Experience the Culture of Yamagata Alongside the Locals

This 3-day cultural immersion tour invites guests to discover Yamagata through its people, food, craftsmanship, and spiritual heritage. From hands-on culinary workshops and artisan encounters to guided visits to historic temples and relaxing stays in traditional hot spring inns, this program offers meaningful experiences that can easily be added to a broader Japan itinerary.

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Exclusive Private Traditional Tea Ceremony Experience

Experiences, One-off Experiences, Spiritual Tours / Brittani Ivan

Immerse yourself fully in Japanese cultural arts with a tea ceremony experience. Learn how to properly prepare ceremonial matcha from a master of the urasenke school in a purpose-built tea ceremony room. After, be introduced to the various purpose made tools and utensils of this aristocratic art.

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Early Summer Exclusive: Sho-aizome Indigo-Dyeing Experience

Craft Workshops, Experiences, Featured, One-off Experiences / info@ds-k.site

This June 1st – July 15th program offers an opportunity to experience “Sho-Aizome,” one of Japan’s oldest indigo dyeing techniques, passed down in the Monji area of Kurikoma, Kurihara City.

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A Journey into Marumori’s Silk Farming Culture and Silk Heritage

Craft Workshops, Experiences, One-off Experiences / info@ds-k.site

Experience Japan’s traditional sericulture (silkworm farming) in Marumori Town, Miyagi Prefecture, once renowned for a prosperous silk industry. Through exchanges with local farmers and artisans, you can enjoy a variety of hands-on activities related to silkworms and silk.

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Samurai Armor Dressing Experience at Shiroishi Castle

Experiences, Festivals and Events, Martial Arts, One-off Experiences / info@ds-k.site

Step into the world of samurai warriors and feel the spirit of history as you become a Sengoku warlord for a day at Shiroishi castle, Miyagi.

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Kurikoma Festival Float Behind the Scenes Tour

Experiences, Festivals and Events, One-off Experiences / info@ds-k.site

From the end of the Kurikoma festival in July through the float dismantling in November, visitors can view the floats up close. This is a valuable cultural experience in which visitors can view the elaborate structure of the floats and brought to life through the passion of local residents, and hear directly from the local people themselves.

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Kurikoma Festival Float Making Experience

Craft Workshops, Experiences, Festivals and Events, One-off Experiences / info@ds-k.site

This hands-on experience offers the rare opportunity to help construct the floats which are paraded up and down the streets during the summer Kurikoma Festival in Miyagi, Japan.

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Crafting Katana: A Behind-the-Scenes Private Forge Experience

Craft Workshops, Experiences, Martial Arts, One-off Experiences / info@ds-k.site

Swordsmith Norizane Miyagi has been making swords for 45 years, continuing to refine his skills even to this day. At his workshop, receive a demonstration and explanation of the steps involved in sword making, try your hand at some smithing yourself, and view some genuine samurai swords in a private showing.

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No.110037 Shikaodori　from Miyagi digital photo library

Private Performance: Hayakawa-ryu Suzunome Yatsushika Odori deer dance

Active Adventures, Experiences, Festivals and Events, One-off Experiences / info@ds-k.site

Enjoy a private performance of the Yatsu Shika Odori deer dance, a folk performing art from the Kurihara Ichihasama area with a 400-year history, which has been registered as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Miyagi Prefecture.

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Tono City: Japan’s City of Folkore

Locations / info@ds-k.site

Nestled in a mountain valley in the central part of Iwate, one of Japan’s most northern prefectures, lies the quiet hamlet of Tono. Known as the ‘City of Folklore,’ this peaceful rural enclave is home to some of Japan’s most famous legends, well-preserved traditions and architecture, Buddhist wonders, and delicious cuisine and craft beer.

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