The gorgeous natural landscapes of Japan remain untouched in Kyushu,
the country’s third-largest island in the south of Japan.
In Kyushu, you will find freshwater that gushes forth from its active volcanoes and mountains,
ingredients served up by the blessings of the earth, and the people of undeveloped countryside areas
who live a calm and peaceful way of life.
Why not experience a relaxing trip in Kyushu?
At this present time where we cannot travel freely,
let’s take this opportunity to enjoy a trip to experience authentic Japan online.
Ukiha is a rural region where countryside and wheat fields spread out over the gentle Mino mountain range at an altitude of 600 meters.
The orchard on the slope of the mountain is home to a fruit kingdom where it is possible to harvest fruits such as grapes, pears, persimmons, and strawberries that have been showered in sunlight all year round.
The town area of Ukiha offers a delightful streetscape in which old whitewashed houses that have stood for over 100 years line up side by side, continuing into the distance. Walking through the streets of Ukiha, you can’t help but feel like you have traveled back in time.
This online tour features a guest appearance from the owner of a local sake brewery.
He will tell you all about what makes the fruits, sake, and local food of Ukiha so great.
Information
■ Date and time: January 15 (Fri.) 16:00-17:00
■ Duration: About 1 hour
■ Language: English
■ How to participate: Streamed online via Zoom *If you are unable to attend the live tour, it can be recorded and delivered to you in a week.
■ Tour fee: 2,000 yen
TOUR ENDED
vol.02 Mother NatureAso - Kumamoto
Mt. Aso is one of the largest active volcanos in the world. It has vast grassland and mountains where you can feel the magnificent earth and the majestic caldera.
It has beautiful natural water, hot springs, delicious local foods, and the people who live here respect and show their appreciation to the mountain gods.
This online tour invites a special guest to tell us more about the wonders of Mt. Aso. We will learn how impressive Mt. Aso is from moving stories of the local people who live with this force of nature.
Take this tour and enjoy Mt. Aso, one of the wonders of the world.
Information
■ Date and time February 1st (Mon.) 19:00 - 20:00 JPT
■ Duration About 1 hour
■ Language English
■ How to participate Streamed online via Zoom *If you are unable to attend the live tour, it can be recorded and delivered to you in a week.
■ Tour fee 2,000 yen
TOUR ENDED
vol.03 Home to Quality Green TeaYame - Fukuoka
An expansive tea plantation and seemingly endless rows of small, terraced green tea fields on the slopes of the surrounding mountainside make up Yame’s iconic landscape.
600 years ago, a small tea plant was the beginning of everything. Over the years, the local people here have cherished and developed Yame’s green tea into what it is now. Today, this area is renowned all over the world as being the “Home of Gyokuro”, the highest quality green tea.
On this tour, you will learn various stories about green tea and the important figures who have passed down the green tea culture over the centuries. Enjoy the beautiful surroundings that boast tremendous fertile land, an abundance of fresh river-bed water, and a gentle mist that appears over the green tea fields in the morning and at night.
We welcome a special ‘tea master’ who owns tea fields and a café to talk about the world of green tea and to give some stories on what goes on behind the scenes.
Why not enjoy this tour with us over a cup of green tea from Yame?
Information
■ Date and time February 9th (Tue.) 16:00 - 17:00 JPT
■ Duration About 1 hour
■ Language English
■ How to participate Streamed online via Zoom *If you are unable to attend the live tour, it can be recorded and delivered to you in a week.
■ Tour fee 2,000 yen
TOUR ENDED
vol.04 The Ancient Capital Where Modern and Tradition MeetDazaifu - Fukuoka
Known as one of the highlights of Fukuoka tours, Dazaifu is a former imperial office that served as a diplomatic hub nearly 1,300 years ago.
With history and traditions older than that of Kyoto, dozens of historically important temples and shrines can be found nestled in rich natural surroundings while modern art and architecture blend exquisitely in this area steeped in tradition.
This online tour features a guest appearance from the Mayor of Dazaifu City. Take a journey to experience the timeless beauty of ancient Japan.
Information
■ Date and time February 17th (Wed.) 18:00 - 19:00 JPT
■ Duration About 1 hour
■ Language English
■ How to participate Streamed online via Zoom *If you are unable to attend the live tour, it can be recorded and delivered to you in a week.
■ Tour fee 2,000 yen
TOUR ENDED
vol.05 The Lineage of Artistic CreativityYamaga - Kumamoto
Known as a hot spring resort since olden times, Yamaga flourished as a transportation hub during Japan’s Samurai period. Today, it is a beautiful and peaceful town where the people amazingly keep their tradition. We will visit Yachiyo-za theater and showcase traditional craftsmanship, and colorful ancient wall paintings inside burial mounds that was built 1,500 years ago.
In summer, some 1,000 women with lit paper lanterns on their heads and dressed in cherry-colored kimonos dance elegantly in the Yamaga Lantern Festival. These lanterns are handmade by skilled local craftsmen. Their artistic creativity has been passed down for generations and continues to evolve up until today by brushing up their skill each other.
This tour invites a special guest who represents Yamaga’s local art movement to share the charms of this town with us.
Let’s enjoy leaning the Japanese hot spring culture, well-preserved old architectures, and ancient Japanese art.
Information
■ Date and time February 24th (Wed.) 19:00 - 20:00 JPT
■ Duration About 1 hour
■ Language English
■ How to participate Streamed online via Zoom *If you are unable to attend the live tour, it can be recorded and delivered to you in a week.
■ Tour fee 2,000 yen
TOUR ENDED
vol.06 Countryside with Clear WaterAsakura - Fukuoka
Asakura is home to peaceful countryside with clear water. You will see a lot of greenery and historical sites including Akizuki, a small castle town surrounded by mountains. The scenery, which is beautiful all-year-round, relaxes all those who gaze their eyes upon it.
Approximately 200 years ago, remarkable irrigation technology was invented here by combining the wisdom of the local ancestors. Several waterwheels still remain and are put to good use.
This irrigation technology attracted attention worldwide thanks to Japanese doctor Tetsu Nakamura. He showed great initiative to install this technology in drought-prone areas in Afghanistan and used it to save the lives of the local people there.
This online tour contains some special guests, an international couple who run a lovely restaurant, and three overseas staff living in Asakura who are working hard to promote the area. You will also be able to see a traditional seasonal Japanese event called “Hina-Matsuri (Doll Festival)” in early spring. Beautiful Hina dolls are lit up during the evening, creating a scene truly unique to Asakura.
Information
■ Date and time February 27th (Sat.) 19:00 - 20:00 JPT
■ Duration About 1 hour
■ Language English
■ How to participate Streamed online via Zoom *If you are unable to attend the live tour, it can be recorded and delivered to you in a week.
■ Tour fee 2,000 yen