Aizu Lacquerware Painting Experience
The art of "Maki-e" involves decorating lacquer items with metallic lacquer or lacquer-like paint. During this experience, you can decorate an Aizu lacquerware item using Maki-e techniques. Suzuzen, a wholesaler and museum, has been honing the craft for over 180 years and is one of Japan's most emblematic spots for Aizu lacquerware and maki-e. First, you will explore the Suzuzen exhibitions and deepen your knowledge of Aizu lacquerware, which originated in the Aizu region of Fukushima prefecture over 600 years ago. Then, you will choose an Aizu lacquer item (a rice bowl, spoon, glass, etc.) and decorate it as you choose under the guidance of a seasoned craftsperson. Aizu, a region surrounded by mountains and famous for having been one of the last enclaves of the samurai, has been creating lacquer crafts for centuries and is a great destination to learn more about this art form. Please note that there are written explanations in English at the site, but this experience will be led in Japanese with limited to no English guidance available. If you would like to have an English interpreter come along with you, please check our Interpreter Guide: https://fukushima.travel/guide-interpreter/en/ ① Deepen your understanding of lacquer and Aizu lacquerware at “Suzuzen”, which has lacquerware pieces on exhibit. ② Learn more about Aizu lacquerware by watching professional craftspeople at work. ③ Paint your own “maki-e” lacquerware under the guidance of a pro. The lacquer-like paint is formulated to not cause itching.
Days of week: Tue,Wed,Thu,Fri,Sat
JPY 5,000
Akabeko Painting Experience
Paint your own akabeko, Fukushima's 'lucky cow'! First, we recommend exploring the historic Tsurugajo Castle, one of the stages of the Meiji Restoration which shaped Japanese history as we know it (the fee for entering the castle is not included in this experience). Take in its gorgeous views, then take a breather with some freshly-made warm matcha green tea in the tea room, and move on to paint your very own akabeko at the Tsurugajo Kaikan. More information about the akabeko painting experience here: https://fukushima.travel/destination/paint-your-own-akabeko/88 Please note that this experience will be led in Japanese language with limited to no English guidance available. Please contact us if you would like to hire an interpreter for a separate fee.
Days of week: Tue,Wed,Thu,Fri,Sat
JPY 100
Bamboo Fishing Experience
During this experience,you will try the traditional way of fishing in Soma City using bamboo. You’ll make the fishing rods out of bamboo sticks, then use the leftover bamboo grass to try your hand at traditional “sasabitashi” fishing. The joy of catching a fish with a fishing rod you made yourself will surely become unforgettable memories! Please note that this experience will be led in Japanese language with limited to no English guidance available. Please contact us if you would like to hire an interpreter for a separate fee.
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日本、福島県相馬市尾浜追川 松川浦漁港
Coast Horseback Riding
This beginner-friendly tour is recommended even for those who have never been horseback riding before! Explore the coast of Minamisoma City by horse. Minamisoma is a city located in the coastal area of Fukushima prefecture, where the famous Soma Nomaoi festival is held every year. You will ride along the beach with the support of a trained guide. This experience is available in English or Japanese. After riding, you will have time to interact with the horses and take pictures. This is a recommended tour for horse lovers and those who want to try horse riding!
Days of week: Wed,Thu,Fri,Sat
日本、福島県南相馬市小高区東町１丁目 小高駅
JPY 15,000
Drift Taxi Experience
Drift with a pro! Experience thrilling speeds and discover the secrets of pro drifters. Ebisu Circuit in Nihonmatsu, Fukushima Prefecture, is a paradise for drifting, a technique where a car is oversteered to the point where the rear tires lose their grip on the road. Petrolheads from around the world come together to experience the unique opportunity of drifting in the stunning mountainous backdrop and unique atmosphere of the circuit. During this experience, you will sit in a car designed like a taxi, and a drift school teacher will take you blazing through the circuits. Even if you can’t drive, you can still enjoy the thrill of drifting! Please note that this experience will be conducted in English with limited proficiency. Thank you for your understanding. ① Put on a helmet and experience drifting in the passenger and back seats ② Navigate three courses with a pro drifter and experience top speeds and techniques ※ Up to three passengers per car. More information about the Drift Taxi Experience: https://fukushima.travel/blogs/drift-taxi-experience-at-the-ebisu-circuit-/148 Access & more information about the Ebisu circuit: https://fukushima.travel/blogs/ebisu-circuit-a-drift-paradise/11
Days of week: Tue,Thu,Fri,Sat
JPY 50,000
Experience private tea ceremony - Oyakuen Garden (Aizu-Wakamatsu City)
"EXPERIENCE PRIVATE TEA CEREMONY WHILE TAKING IN THE SAME VIEWS THAT WERE ONCE ENJOYED BY THE LORD OF THE AIZU DOMAIN." Oyakuen Garden is a villa area loved by successive feudal lords of Aizu, and its interior is a spectacular sight in winter. Why not wear Aizu Momen and enjoy the tea ceremony culture of Aizu from the Ochaya Palace, where successive feudal lords soothed their fatigue?
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Extreme Onsen Experience
On this tour, you will hike the active volcano of Mount Adatara, then jump into a natural hot spring and enjoy coffee and snacks. Being able to both climb a mountain and soak in hot springs is a one-of-a-kind experience rarely seen even in Japan. This is a fantastic opportunity to both exercise and relax at the same time! More information: https://fukushima.travel/blogs/visiting-the-most-extreme-wild-onsen-in-japan/100 Note: For safety reasons, this tour is only available from spring-early autumn (approximately from May to November, depending on the year), when there is no snow on the mountains. Thank you for your understanding. Depending on the day, this activity might available in English or Japanese. Please contact us if you would like to hire an interpreter.
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日本、福島県猪苗代町蚕養沼尻山甲２８６４
Fox Mask Painting Experience
Dive into the centuries-old world of Fukushima’s “hariko” papier-mâché crafting technique and make your very own one-of-a-kind fox mask! On this tour, you’ll learn about the characteristics and process of making hariko dolls using Japanese washi paper, a craft that has been practiced since the Edo Period (1603-1868). You’ll then get to see experienced craftspeople work on their own creations! Lastly, you’ll make your very own hariko fox mask under the tutelage of a professional craftsperson. Please note that this experience will be led in Japanese language with limited to no English guidance available. Please contact us if you would like to hire an interpreter for a separate fee. ① Learn about the characteristics and process of making hariko dolls at Takashiba Dekoyashiki ② Pick what type of fox mask you want to paint (male or female) ③ Create your own original fox mask using a wide array of colors
Days of week: Tue,Thu,Fri,Sat
JPY 1,540
Fruit Picking Experience
Pick delicious seasonal fruits in the fruit kingdom of Fukushima! Enjoy picking fruits and a 30-minute all-you-can-eat course at Marusei Orchard, which grows cherries, peaches, apples, and more depending on the season. When you’re done, we recommend heading next door to Farm Cafe Forest Garden to savor super photogenic fruit parfaits. They also have a souvenir shop where you can buy seasonal fruits and fruit products such as juices and compotes. Please note that this experience will be led in Japanese language with limited to no English guidance available. Please contact us if you would like to hire an interpreter for a separate fee. ① Learn how to pick and choose the best fruits from fruit farmers ② Pick seasonal fruits and eat as many as you can in 30 minutes on an 8-hectare orchard! ③ (Optional, not included in the price) Savor exquisite parfaits while admiring nature at the cafe next door! Cherry 2023/06/30-07/15 Peach 2023/07/15-09/30 Apple 2023/10/01-12/21
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Japan, Fukushima, Iizakamachi Hirano, Morimae−50-1 まるせい果樹園
Mugenkyo Ferry Experience
Glide through Fukushima’s Tadami River on a boat paddled by a ferryman and take in the mystical surroundings! Depending on the season and time, fog can entirely cover the Mugen Valley, which is reflected in its Japanese name. On this tour, you’ll cross the Mugen Valley’s Tadami River on a traditional Japanese boat with the help of a kind ferryman. The journey through the Tadami River takes around 45 minutes, and you’ll find yourself constantly enthralled by the mystical surroundings. Please note that this experience will be led in Japanese language with limited to no English guidance available. Please contact us if you would like to hire an interpreter for a separate fee. ① Ride on a small Japanese boat that is steered by a ferryman through the Mugen Valley ② Enjoy an outdoor bath while gazing at the Tadami River after returning to the jetty
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Ouchi-juku Kimono Tour
On this tour, you’ll dress in a traditional kimono and stroll the quaint streets of Ouchi-juku, a former post town, which is incredibly well preserved from its heyday during the Edo period. At the rows of souvenir stores, you can browse local goods while sampling pickled foods and local sake. You’ll get to take stunning panoramic pictures from the Ouchijuku viewpoint and relax with some warm tea and Japanese sweets at a traditional teahouse! Visit the townscape exhibition hall, where you can experience what life was like back during the Edo period. If you adore magnificent, historical scenery and nature, then this is the tour for you! Please note that this experience will be led in Japanese language with limited to no English guidance available. Please contact us if you would like to hire an interpreter. More information about the Ouchi-juku Kimono Experience: https://fukushima.travel/blogs/ouchi-juku-kimono-experience/123 Information about access to Ouchijuku: https://fukushima.travel/blogs/getting-to-ouchi-juku/93
Days of week: Tue,Wed,Thu,Fri,Sat
日本、福島県下郷町大内 大内宿
JPY 9,000
Ramen-Making Experience
On this tour, you will have the opportunity to make Kitakata ramen under the guidance of an expert who once ran their own ramen restaurant. Starting from the broth and pork, you’ll cook your own ramen from scratch while hearing fascinating stories about ramen and the ramen industry. While it takes a long time to make ramen the authentic way, the final taste will not disappoint! Please note that this experience will be led in Japanese language with limited to no English guidance available. Please contact us if you would like to hire an interpreter for a separate fee.
Days of week: Wed,Thu,Fri,Sat
日本、福島県喜多方市熊倉町雄国字大谷地乙３１０ おぐに交流の郷
JPY 33,000
Snowmobile Riding Experience
Drive your own snowmobile in spectacular snowy mountain scenery! On this experience, you'll drive a snowmobile through a snowy mountain under the watchful eye of an instructor. This experience is perhaps a more thrilling version of the sledding that you might have done as a child. First you'll practice on flat land under the instructor's guidance, and then you'll get the chance to drive through curved roads and slopes. Please note that this experience will be led in Japanese language with limited to no English guidance available. Please contact us if you would like to hire an interpreter for a separate fee. ①Learn how to safely operate a snowmobile ②Practice driving the snowmobile after the instructor turns on the engine ③Drive your snowmobile through the curved slopes of the snowy mountain
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Snowshoe Hiking at Goshiki-numa
Put on snowshoes and hike amongst gorgeous mountainside and Goshikinuma pond scenery! On this tour, you'll hike through Urabandai's Goshikinuma area in snowshoes to take in its gorgeous winter scenery. You'll be guided by an English-speaking local guide with extensive knowledge on the outdoors as well as Urabandai's nature, culture, and history, making for a safe and thoroughly enjoyable trip.
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Soba Noodles Making Experience
Take a stroll along the beautifully preserved streets of Ouchi-juku, a picturesque remote village that was a post town during the Edo period of Japanese history (1603-1867). During this experience, you’ll make your own soba noodles from scratch! 'Negisoba', which are soba noodles eaten with a green onion, are a specialty of Ouchi-juku. Soba is a beloved Japanese dish that few know how to make. Take the opportunity to master it! Please note that this experience will be led in Japanese language with limited to no English guidance available. Please contact us if you would like to hire an interpreter for a separate fee. After the experience, you'll explore Ouchi-juku. We recommend climbing to a viewpoint where you can get a panoramic view of the townscape and checking out a museum (the townscape exhibition hall [大内宿町並み展示館]) where you'll learn about the fascinating way of life of the people of Ouchi-juku during the Edo period.
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日本、福島県下郷町大内薬水１０５３ 下郷町観光公社 大内宿食の館そば道場
Stand-Up Paddle Boarding (SUP) Experience
On this tour, you will try your hand at stand-up paddle boarding (SUP) at Menuma pond, one of the most renowned ponds in Fukushima. The nature surrounding the pond is stunning, especially during autumn when the leaves change color. If you've never tried SUP before, do not worry! The staff will support you every step of the way. The experience is available in English or Japanese, but English-language support is only available on certain days. If you'd like to take part in English, please contact us directly and we will confirm the availability of the English-speaking staff. Thank you for your understanding.
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福島県福島市土湯温泉町女沼頭
Washi Paper Making and Lamp Decorating Experience
Learn about 'washi' paper, an Intangible Cultural Heritage, and then dive deeper by using washi to make a postcard and decorate a lampshade. On this experience, you’ll first compare and learn about the differences between Japanese washi paper and Western paper. Afterwards, you’ll wade deeper into the world of washi by viewing the "kozo" (paper mulberry), the material used to make washi, that are grown onsite. Finally, you’ll try your hand at making washi paper as well as designing a washi lampshade! Please note that this experience will be led in Japanese language with limited to no English guidance available. Please contact us if you would like to hire an interpreter for a separate fee. ① Learn all about washi paper at Nihonmatsu’s Washi Traditional Crafts Gallery, including its characteristics, materials, and production method ② Make your own washi paper postcard ③ Decorate a washi lampshade ④ Take home your washi items
Days of week: Tue,Wed,Thu,Fri,Sat
JPY 4,000