The Path of Zen and Craftsmanship
Tour Highlights
The journey unfolds through Japan's north-central heartland, where timeless craftsmanship, Zen discipline, and refined hospitality combine to offer a deeply immersive experience. In Kanazawa City, guests explore Edo-period elegance through hands-on experiences in gold leaf artistry and Kutani porcelain, followed by an opening dinner at a beautifully restored historic venue. The 1,300-year-old hot spring town of Yamashiro offers relaxation and cultural connection through its tatami-mat rooms and seasonally inspired banquets. In Fukui City, guests experience living Zen traditions at Eiheiji Temple while gaining insight into Japan's spirit of discipline and harmony. Regional artisans share their mastery of soba making and knife forging. The journey concludes in Osaka City with a graceful farewell at an elegant state guesthouse beside Osaka Castle.
Route Map
- Arrival at Tokyo or Komatsu Airport; transfer to Kanazawa City by private coach
- Guests have the option to take the Shinkansen (bullet train) from Tokyo to Kanazawa--about a two-and-a-half-hour trip from JR Tokyo Station.
- Gold leaf workshop
- A guided workshop introduces Kanazawa's renowned gold leaf techniques, highlighting the delicate handling of ultra-thin gold sheets and gold's significance in local artistic traditions. Guests then apply these methods to create their own postcards, badges, tumblers, or stainless-steel bottles--taking home a personal memento of Kanazawa's craftsmanship.
- Higashi Chaya District walk
- Guests stroll through the historic Higashi Chaya District, where traditional wooden teahouses and narrow lanes evoke the charm of Edo-period Kanazawa (1603-1867, Japan's classic age). There will be time to explore artisan shops, enjoy local specialties for lunch, and take in leisurely shopping amid the preserved townscape.
- Dinner at a French-inspired fine-dining venue in a historic building
- Dinner is hosted at Jardin Paul Bocuse, where a French-inspired menu showcases seasonal Japanese ingredients in a refined setting. Located in a beautifully restored historic building with grand architecture and an elegant interior, the venue provides an ideal atmosphere for opening remarks, introductions, and light networking--offering a graceful start to the journey.
- Overnight in Kanazawa City
Day 2
Yamashiro Onsen
Gardens, moss landscapes, and a hot-spring banquet
Kanazawa Yamashiro Onsen
- Visit to Kenrokuen Garden
- One of the Three Great Gardens of Japan, Kenrokuen features elegant ponds, teahouses, and stone bridges, exemplifying Japan's traditional garden aesthetic.
- Visit to Hiyo Koke no Sato Moss Garden
- The entire town of Hiyo forms an exquisite moss garden, where diverse species of moss create a soft, serene, and contemplative atmosphere.
- Lunch at a local restaurant
- Kutani porcelain painting experience
- Kutani ware, a style of porcelain from Ishikawa Prefecture, is known for its vivid overglaze colors. Guests have the opportunity to create their own works under the guidance of local artisans, who explain the connection between the techniques used, motifs, and regional history.
- Hot spring experience and Japanese-style banquet
- The luxury ryokan (Japanese inns) of Yamashiro Onsen offer soothing hot spring baths, fragrant tatami-floored guest rooms, and banquets of seasonal cuisine. It is an atmosphere ideal for informal connection and cultural appreciation.
- Overnight at Yamashiro Onsen
Day 3
Eiheiji Fukui
Zen practice and riverside saké culture in Fukui
Yamashiro Onsen Eiheiji Fukui
- Transfer to Eiheiji Town in Fukui by private coach
- Guests travel from Yamashiro Onsen to Eiheiji Town in Fukui Prefecture, a serene destination known as the spiritual heart of Zen Buddhism.
- Zen meditation at Eiheiji Temple
- Founded in 1244 by Zen master Dōgen, Eiheiji Temple is the head temple of the Soto Zen school, representing nearly 800 years of continuous practice. Within its wooden halls and stone corridors, monks lead lives of mindfulness and simplicity. Guided meditation introduces guests to the essence of Zen discipline--quiet reflection, precise posture, and harmony of mind and body--offering a rare glimpse into authentic monastic life.
- Riverside dining and saké tasting experience
- At Eshikoto, a contemporary riverside complex blending architecture, gastronomy, and culture, guests enjoy an elevated dining and saké experience. Overlooking the Kuzuryu River, this venue--produced by the historic Kokuryu Saké Brewery--showcases Fukui's craftsmanship and culinary refinement. Guests savor French-inspired cuisine prepared with regional ingredients, paired with exclusive saké varieties, while learning how pristine water and local rice shape saké's nuanced flavors. The experience embodies the artistry of Fukui's terroir in a serene and stylish setting (children from 12 years of age, please).
- Dinner at a local restaurant
- Overnight in Fukui City
Day 4
Osaka
Soba mastery, artisan knives, and Osaka heritage dining
Fukui Osaka
- Soba making at Echizen Soba Village
- Guests knead, roll, and cut buckwheat dough under a master's guidance, then enjoy freshly made Echizen soba noodles for lunch (Echizen being the historical name for the area). The experience highlights Fukui's hearty, regional style.
- Echizen blade craftsmanship experience
- At Takefu Knife Village, a cooperative of master blacksmiths renowned for their handmade cutlery, guests witness the artistry behind Japan's finest blades--from forging and tempering to precise polishing. The visit includes a hands-on workshop where participants can craft their own small keepsake, such as a key holder or paper knife, experiencing the skill and spirit that define Echizen's centuries-old blade-making tradition.
- Transfer to Osaka by limited express train
- Farewell dinner at an elegant guest house within the Osaka Castle grounds
- Osaka Geihinkan, also known as the Osaka State Guest House, is an elegant facility within the grounds of historic Osaka Castle. Having hosted numerous international events, it provides a refined setting for the farewell dinner. Enjoy seasonal courses and attentive service, combining the grandeur of the castle grounds with a memorable conclusion to the program.
- Overnight in Osaka City
- Sightseeing in Osaka City
- Guests can explore Osaka City's iconic highlights, including Osaka Castle, the bustling Dotonbori district with its vibrant streets and illuminated signs, and the lively shopping and entertainment area around Shinsaibashi.
- Transfer to Kansai International Airport for international departure
