Building Bonds in the Japanese Alps
Tour Highlights
This journey brings colleagues together through experiences only found in Japan, in the magical setting of calm mountain resorts, fostering connection and shared moments while embracing the country's timeless cultural spirit. In the mountain town of Karuizawa, guests arrive by Shinkansen for an off-site meeting or a curling team-building session, combining focus and fun amid the crisp alpine air. In Matsumoto City, miso fermentation traditions and handmade soba introduce the authentic flavors of Nagano, while the black towers of Matsumoto Castle offer a glimpse into Japan's feudal past. A visit to Jigokudani Monkey Park offers a memorable encounter with wild snow monkeys bathing in natural hot springs. The journey culminates in Nagano City, where guests encounter Japan's spiritual heritage at Zenkoji Temple. A Buddhist goma fire ritual--offered in prayer for business prosperity and success--adds depth and meaning before returning to Tokyo for an elegant farewell dinner that bridges reflection and renewal.
Route Map
- Arrival at Narita or Haneda Airport; transfer by private coach to central Tokyo
- Arrival in Tokyo; optional free time or corporate visit
- After arrival in Tokyo, the afternoon offers a choice between a half day free in the city or a visit to a Tokyo-based branch office or corporate headquarters, depending on the group's interests and objectives.
- Welcome reception at a historic shrine venue in Tokyo
- Guests gather at Kanda Myojin, a historic Shinto shrine founded in 730 AD and long associated with business prosperity in Tokyo. An on-site event space within the shrine precincts--used for corporate receptions and social gatherings--provides a distinctive setting that blends traditional atmosphere with modern functionality, offering a memorable welcome.
- Overnight in Tokyo
Day 2
Karuizawa
Shinkansen journey and team building
Tokyo Karuizawa
- Transfer to Karuizawa Town by Shinkansen (bullet train), About a one-hour trip from JR Tokyo Station
- Karuizawa is a well-known mountain resort close to Tokyo, long appreciated as a summer retreat for its cool climate and tranquil natural surroundings.
- Off-site meeting or shopping in Karuizawa Town
- The morning is flexible, with the option of an off-site meeting at the hotel or free time to explore Karuizawa's well-known outlet mall and local boutiques.
- Lunch at a local restaurant
- Team-building curling experience
- Guests take part in a curling session at Karuizawa Ice Park, a spacious indoor facility equipped with six curling sheets (the name for the playing area). The experience begins with a professional instructor guiding guests through the fundamentals of curling, including basic movements and rules. Following the instruction, guests engage in a mini-game, applying their newly acquired skills in a friendly and supportive environment.
- Kaiseki dinner at a hotel in Karuizawa Town
- Guests enjoy a refined kaiseki multi-course dinner at a Karuizawa hotel, featuring seasonal dishes prepared with local ingredients.
- Overnight at a hotel with hot spring in Karuizawa Town
Day 3
Matsumoto
Traditional crafts and historic sightseeing
Karuizawa Matsumoto
- Visit to a miso producer in Matsumoto
- Guests visit traditional miso maker Ishii Miso, learning about the centuries-old fermentation process and the cultural importance of miso in Japanese cuisine.
- Soba lunch at a local restaurant
- Lunch features soba, traditional Japanese buckwheat noodles, a regional specialty for which Nagano is particularly well known. Guests enjoy this simple yet flavorful dish, rooted in the area's climate and long-standing food culture.
- Visit to Matsumoto City Museum of Art
- The museum showcases the works of renowned contemporary artist Yayoi Kusama. The visit offers a great opportunity to experience her vibrant and immersive installations in a historical Japanese setting.
- Visit to Matsumoto Castle
- This is a tour of one of Japan's oldest castles, renowned for its striking black exterior and rich historical significance.
- Dinner in a historic cultural property
- Dinner is enjoyed in a cultural setting at one of the heritage-designated properties in the Matsumoto area, offering an atmosphere that reflects the region's architectural and cultural traditions.
- Overnight in Matsumoto City
Day 4
Nagano Tokyo
Wildlife park, spiritual ritual, and return to Tokyo
Matsumoto Nagano Tokyo
- Visit to Jigokudani Monkey Park by private coach
- Guests visit the home of wild Japanese macaques bathing in natural hot springs--the well-known "Snow Monkeys"--experiencing a unique blend of wildlife and culture.
- Visit to Daikanjin Temple and the goma fire ritual
- Guests visit Daikanjin, a historic Buddhist temple within the spacious Zenkoji Temple grounds, known for its spiritual significance and serene atmosphere. At the temple, they participate in the goma fire ritual, a sacred ceremony in which wooden sticks are burned for purification, protection, and blessings for prosperity. Companies can offer prayers for business prosperity and success, while the ritual more broadly symbolizes the destruction of obstacles and negative energies, fostering a sense of renewal and spiritual cleansing for all who attend. The visit can include a traditional vegetarian meal.
- Travel to Tokyo by Shinkansen (bullet train), about a 1.5-hour trip from JR Nagano Station
- Dinner at a local restaurant
- Overnight in Tokyo
- Transfer to Narita or Haneda airport for international departure
