New Travel Style in rich / Experience the Real Pleasure of Travel in Hyogo

The view from the sky / "Himeji Castle" and "Takeda Castle Ruins"

Time

09:30 - 12:00

Transportation

Transfer to Kobe airport, enjoy the "Himeji Castle", a world Heritage, and "Takeda Castle Ruins", the castle in the sky.

Himeji Castle

National treasure Himeji Castle was the first World Cultural Heritage in Japan. Himeji Castle which enjoyed by a nickname of "Shirasagi-jo" from the elegant form that an aigrette spread its wings. Daitenshu (Main donjon) in Himeji Castle was built in 1609. Its beautiful form is also remained when more than 400 years have passed.

Takeda Castle Ruins

The helicopter course includes "Takeda Castle Ruins", which is famous as "castle in the sky". You can enjoy two famous castles in a special space. The Takeda Castle is one of the top hundred famous castles in Japan. In clear autumn mornings, thick fog can be seen surrounding by a sea of clouds, thus resembling in the sky. As time goes by, visitors have given the names of “castle floating in the sky” or “Japan’s Machu Picchu” to the ruins of Takeda Castle.

Lunch / Hotel Anaga

Time

13:00 - 14:30

Transportation

In the afternoon, taking a stroll towards the sea or mountains to admire the beautiful sunset, unexpected encounters with the island's nature await. Descend to the coastline, and you will find a shimmering sea and seashells. Enjoy an elegant lunchtime with a view of the Naruto Strait in an open and sunlit restaurant. Delight in the rich ingredients from Awaji Island that arrive with each changing season. All rooms at Hotel Anaga face south with an ocean view. You can enjoy a relaxing time in a room with a rich view. The cuisine using a variety of Awaji Island’s Sea and mountain delicacies are outstanding.

Stay at a seaside villa with a limitless ocean view / Hotel New Awaji Amahara

Time

15:30 -

Transportation

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Named after the heavenly abode of the gods as mentioned in the "Kojiki," the villa "Amahara " of Awaji Yumesenkei is a retreat filled with the desire for guests to spend fulfilling holidays in the blessed environment of Awaji Island and the gentle flow of time. Guests of Amahara can experience this land beyond time, where the sea lulls and the soft breeze beckons. Let the show island time bring you back to basics and feel the purity of Awaji. Each room has a private attached bath, so guests can feel the sea breeze on their skin and breathe in the salty sea air.

Puppet narrative or “Ningyo Joruri” at your hotel

Time

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Transportation

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Awaji Ningyo Joruri is a traditional performing art representative of Awaji Island, performed with three puppets, Gidayu, and Futozao Shamisen. Audio guides in foreign languages are available for rent at the theater. If you wish, please speak to the staff.

Tea room designed by Tadao Ando / Awaji Yumebuta

Time

10:20 - 11:30

Transportation

Awaji Yumebutai is a cultural resort complex surrounded by the ocean and abundant nature. At one corner of the complex is a tearoom designed by world class architect Tadao Ando where you can experience the world of the tea ceremony. How would you like to experience authentic tea ceremony practices while learning about the history of the art?

Since the 1960s, Hotel Grand Nikko Awaji has been reclaiming and developing a vast natural area of 139 hectares in the Osaka Bay area, which was originally excavated as a source of landfill material. Their goal is to regenerate this space, creating an environment where various animals, plants, and humans can coexist. Its creation can be considered a pioneer in achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Please enjoy the seasonal delicacies right before your eyes. Skilled hands expertly craft seafood and flavorful ingredients into visually stunning pieces of sushi.

Hakushika Memorial Museum of Sake

Time

15:20 - 17:00

Transportation

The Hakushika Memorial Museum of Sake, lovingly nicknamed “Sake Museum”, is located in Nishinomiya-city which lies in the eastern part of Nadagogo, the largest sake brewing region in Japan. This Museum was established with the purpose of passing down the history of traditional sake brewing to future generations as a part of our living cultural heritage. This museum utilizes an old sake brewery, and preserves the traditional sake brewing tools which are gradually disappearing from the practice as well as historical materials related to sake.

Ritual Dance “Miko Kagura” at private area / Nishinomiya Shrine

Time

17:00 - 18:00

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Nishinomiya Shrine is the head shrine consecrated to Ebisu, the God of happiness, and it is said that there are about 3,500 shrines under it. It is also affectionately known as “Ebessan” to locals. During your visit, the dance of Miko-Kagura is performed by shrine maidens (Miko) in ceremonial costumes, sometimes with God-Songs.

Hotel La Suite Kobe Harborland Located on the waterfront of Kobe Bay, this hotel offers a luxurious space where you can enjoy a panoramic view of Kobe Port Tower, Meriken Park, and the shopping area, along with a premium and relaxing experience. La Suite orchestrates a "suite" of the five senses, combining "food" and "beauty". See, listen, smell, taste, touch. In every aspect, enter a realm of flawless extraordinary. A moment of celebration where the senses sing and rejoice.

Lunch / Restaurant Idumi

Time

12:00 - 14:00

Transportation

Michelin Guide Hyogo Special Edition 2016, one star for restaurant Idumi. they showcase the natural flavors of the ingredients and express the seasonal tastes throughout the year. Please enjoy the delicate and flavorful dishes created by the skilled the head chef who trained in Kyoto Gion, bringing you a taste of the craftsmanship. He visits the early morning market to carefully select seafood and local ingredients, preparing them tailored to the preferences of the day's customers.

Yamada Nishiki / Miyake Sake Brewery

Time

14:15 - 15:30

Transportation

Miyake Sake Brewery was established in 1819. It has traditionally valued the locality and have not compromise on quality. is brewery use both groundwater of local small river, Manganji river, and special rice, Yamada-nishiki, grown with the same water emphasizing “made and supplied in the local area" like Terroir tradition in wine production.

The Arima Onsen, Japan’s historic hot-spring village, was first discovered about 1,400 years ago. It is said to have been found by Japanese gods, and eventually, temples and shrines were built, with aristocrats taking charge of their management. Located in the Arima Onsen, renowned for its unique thermal properties, Tocen Goshoboh has been a favorite destination of many Shoguns and men of letters for over eight hundred years. Since then, this inn, founded during the Kamakura period as "Yuguchiya", has been providing a moment of tranquility. The traditional wooden building in infused with the tastes of the legendary novelist Tanizaki Junichi, who was also a patron, showing a Japanese sense of aesthetics and beauty with a poetic balance of East and West, old and new.

"Geiko" performance / Geiko Cafe Ito

Time

20:30 - 22:00

Transportation

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While Geiko in hot spring resorts across the country are said to have roots in “Yuna”, Arima is one of Japan's oldest hot spring areas with abundant historical records. The Geiko Cafe Ito is the only cafe and bar with a stage for Geiko in Hyogo Prefecture. While enjoying delicious Japanese sweets and matcha, you can relax in the ambiance of the stage, listening to the sounds of shamisen and Nagauta (a form of traditional Japanese music). Geiko Cafe Ito is a place where you can experience the dances and Ozashiki-asobi from Arima’s Geikos. Enjoy a moment of elegance while sipping tea or sake.

The Kobe Beef Promotion Council was established, creating clear regulations in 1983. 'Kobe Meat' or 'Kobe Beef' refers to branded beef produced by designated farmers registered with the 'Kobe Meat Promotion Council,' who raise Tajima cattle, a type of Wagyu cattle, in Hyogo Prefecture. The beef comes from heifers and steers that meet certain criteria and are shipped to local meat centers within the prefecture. Only those Tajima cattle meeting specific standards within the 'Tajima cattle' category are designated as 'Kobe Beef'.

Shin Nishinomiya Yacht Harbor

Time

14:30 - 15:10

Transportation

The marina is known as the port from which Mr. Kenichi Horie departed for his voyage across the Pacific Ocean in 1962. He is Japan’s most famous yachtsman, and the first man in history to make a non-stop solo crossing of the Pacific Ocean. Mr. Horie’s sailboat the MERMAID is exhibited.