2-Day Traditional Japanese Culture
and Cycling Tour
Dates: 06 - 07 Nov. 2019
This area, which is called Nishitama, is a neighborhood located to the west of the metropolitan area in Tokyo. There are no crowds, no skyscrapers and no bustle of a city, but there are mountains, rivers, good old Japanese culture and sound of nature. It's a part of a national park. In such surroundings, people and nature coexist in harmony.
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*This is a trial package tour that is sponsored by local governments so that the date is limited and the price is special deal. Please answer the questionnaire after the tour.
Day 1 ~Cycling, Foot bathing, Zen
and Traditional Japanese inn~
Date: 06 Nov. 2019 Meeting time: 9:30am
1. Meet at JR Musashi-itsukaichi Station
Meet a guide in front of JR Musashi-itsukaichi station in Tokyo.
It takes about an hour from Shinjuku by train.
⇒Check the meeting point on a map
Rent a bike and depart for an adventurous cycling in the mountain side of Tokyo.
2. Cycling along the Akigawa Gorge
Akigawa River runs through this area and it's a sources of environmental sustainability around here. Enjoy seeing beautiful scenery of a stream.
3. Koutokuji Temple
This historic temple, founded in 1373, is standing in a quiet area with a thatch roofed entrance gate covered with moss.
There are gigantic Ginkgo trees. So you can enjoy the beautiful view of changing color of leaves in autumn.
4. Seotonoyu Hot Spring
Awarded one of the best hot springs that make your skin beautiful as it contains highly alkaline.
Bathing foot in a hot spring gets your whole body warm without taking all your clothes off by promoting blood circulation. There are many nerves in foot as known as a second heart, so you can also expect relaxing and detoxification effects.
5. Gyokudenji Temple
We're going to do Zazen Meditation in front of a Zen garden. Zazen is a form of meditation performed in a cross-legged sitting posture. This is practiced in Zen Buddhism to attain the ideal state of supreme enlightenment.
And we will have a Buddhist vegetarian cuisine, Shojin Ryori.
6. Kabutoya Ryokan
This ryokan, Japanese-style inn, is located in a mountain of Tokyo. The traditional Japanese architectural structure, including the exterior with a thatched roof and the interior with irori fireplace, would totally rest your mind. Sleep in a futon on tatami mats and soak in a hot spring.
Day 2 ~Cooking Class, Sake Tasting
and Matcha Tea Ceremony~
Date: 07 Nov. 2019 Endng time: 5:00pm
1. Traditional Folk House
There is one traditional house built in the early 18th century with a thatched roof on a mountain.
A small monorail car takes us to this historical architecture located at an altitude of 750 meters. This vehicle slowly goes up on a steep slope and it’s so exciting.
You will see the inside of the important cultural property and a life style of those days.
2. Cooking Class
We will cook the local specialty in the traditional folk house. Kon-nyaku is a jelly-like food made from a kind of yam which is called Kon-nyaku. Recently it's getting popular around Europe since it's healthy and the texture is rally unique.
Try making it and eating very fresh local food.
3. Lunch at a Restaurant with Sake Tasting
The restaurant offers homemade vegetables on a big plate with beautiful decoration. They also serves very local sake brand Kisho. We are going to have a sake tasting with the good food.
4. Matcha Tea Ceremony
Match, Japanese green tea, is well known worldwide. The spirit of tea ceremony is based on Zen philosophy and Japanese spirit of hospitality. You will learn the manners and make a cup of green tea yourself.
