Home » Crafting Traditions and Culture of the Seto Inland Sea 4 days

Crafting Traditions and Culture of the Seto Inland Sea 4 days

Meeting Point: Shin-Kobe Station

Finish Point: Okayama Station

Recommended Season: All season

Duration: 4 days

Tour Code:

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Tour Highlights

Discover the Timeless Craftsmanship: A Journey Through Kagawa and Hyogo’s Traditional Artisans

Cross the Akashi Bridge from Kobe to Awaji Island: Explore Izanagi Shrine and Experience Traditional Ningyo Joruri

Immerse Yourself in Kagawa’s Craftsmanship: Experience Wasanbon and Lacquer Art in Higashikagawa

Message from Tour Planner

Embark on a captivating journey through the traditional craftsmanship of Kagawa and Hyogo prefectures. With the rise in international tourism, Japan’s traditional culture is being rediscovered across the country. However, opportunities to witness the actual craftsmanship process remain rare, even for domestic travelers. This exclusive tour, supported by both local tourism associations, invites you to explore iconic Japanese traditions and arts, including Nada’s sake brewing, Awaji Island’s Ningyo Joruri puppet theater, Sanuki lacquer art, and Sanuki nori dyeing. Don’t miss this unique chance to delve into the heart of Japan’s cultural heritage.

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Recommended Program

Discover the Art of Sake Brewing in Nada: Japan’s Premier Sake Region : Kiku-Masamune Brewery

During the Edo period, sake from regions like Ikeda, Itami, and Nada, known for their superior brewing techniques, became popular in Edo as “Kudari-zake” (sake from the upper regions). Among these, Nada’s sake, crafted using the pristine waters of the Rokko mountain range and high-quality sake rice, stood out as a quintessential example, greatly influencing the sake culture of Edo. Today, the five Nada districts—Saigo, Mikage, Uozaki, Nishinomiya, and Imazu—remain Japan’s leading sake-producing area, accounting for 25% of the nation’s sake production.

Kiku-Masamune Sake Brewery, a prominent representative of Nada’s sake, was founded in 1659 in Mikage, one of the five Nada districts. Despite overcoming wars and natural disasters, it continues to preserve the classic taste of Japanese sake. Join us for a tour of their memorial museum, where the rich history and art of sake brewing are brought to life.

Kiku Masamune Sake Brewery Memorial Museum

The cedar ball at the Kiku Masamune Sake Brewery Memorial Museum

Awa Puppet Joruri

Experience the enchanting world of Awaji Puppet Joruri, a traditional art form with a history spanning over 500 years and designated as an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Japan. This captivating puppet theater, exemplified by the “Ebisu Dance” dedicated to the Hiruko deity from the Kuniumi myth, beautifully merges puppet plays with Joruri storytelling from the Kamigata region. Immerse yourself in the enduring tradition of Awaji, passed down since the Edo period, and witness a cultural legacy that continues to thrive today.

Awaji’s traditional performing art “Awaji Puppet Theatre” (image)　　　　

Unleash Your Creativity: Hands-On Lacquer Art Experience at the Sanuki Lacquer Art Museum

Embark on a journey to discover the exquisite world of Kagawa Lacquer Art, a tradition that began in the late Edo period with the master craftsman Zokoku Tamakaji. This art form is renowned for its vibrant colored lacquer and intricate carved patterns, epitomized by the “Three Techniques of Kagawa”: Kinma, Choshitsu, and Zonsei. These unique techniques have been passed down through generations, producing six Living National Treasures to date. Join us at the Sanuki Lacquer Art Museum for an immersive lacquer art experience that promises to inspire and captivate.

Sanuki lacquer art (image) ©Sanuki Lacquer Art Museum

Vibrant Hues of Beauty: Discover the Art of Sanuki Norizome Dyeing

Step into the vibrant world of Sanuki Norizome Dyeing, where the traditional arts of Kagawa come to life in vivid color. Visit the workshop that crafts the dazzling “Shishimai Yutan” for the Sanuki Lion Dance, along with shrine curtains, noren, and festive fishing flags. At the Okawara Dyeing Workshop, with over 200 years of history, you’ll witness the beauty of dyeing up close. Here, Makoto Okawara continues the age-old technique of norizome using glutinous rice, offering a captivating glimpse into this colorful tradition.

Sanuki nori dyeing (photographed during inspection)

Masato Okawahara, the 7th generation owner of Okawahara Dye Shop

Explore the Wonders of the Naruto Strait

Embark on an unforgettable journey to the Naruto Strait, where you can witness the dynamic whirlpools up close on the exhilarating “Uzushio Cruise.” Then, immerse yourself in the world of art at the Otsuka Museum of Art, renowned for its faithful ceramic reproductions of world-famous masterpieces. Both destinations are must-visit attractions when exploring this captivating region.

We will guide you on a whirlpool cruise (image)

The Otsuka Museum of Art is known for its faithful reproductions of world-famous paintings on ceramic panels.

Savor the Flavors: Indulge in Culinary Delights from Every Region

Indulge in the quintessential flavors of each region with our carefully selected dining experiences. Delight in the sake brewery dining at “Sakuraen,” directly operated by Sakuramasamune, savor the exquisite Kobe beef, and enjoy a unique udon kaiseki at “Nicho,” a renowned restaurant in Kagawa. Immerse yourself in the seasonal tastes of Hyogo and Kagawa, and relish the culinary treasures each area has to offer.

The proprietress (right) and her husband, Mr. Yamamoto, of “Ryotei Nicho”

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Itinerary

2 Days

City

Schedule

Meal
Included

Day 1

Shin-Kobe Station

Nada（Visit Sake Brewing）

Kobe

■Gather at Shin-Kobe Station.

■Enjoy a meal at “Sakuraen,” the restaurant of Sakuramasamune Sake Brewery, a representative sake brewery in Nada, the heart of Japanese sake production.

■Visit the Kikumasamune Sake Brewery Museum.

■Transfer to a hotel in Kobe.

■Dinner: Savor a delicious Kobe beef meal.

（Overnight in Kobe）

L

D

Day 2

Kobe

Awazjishima
（Awa Puppet Joruri）

Minami-Azaji

■Head to Awaji Island and visit Izanagi Shrine, steeped in the myth of the creation of Japan.

■Watch a puppet joruri performance at the Awaji Puppet Joruri Museum and Awaji Ningyoza.

（Overnight in Minami-Azaji）

B

L

D

Day 3

Minami-Azaji

Naruto

Takamatsu

■Observe the Naruto whirlpools aboard the Uzushio sightseeing boat (Note). Afterwards, visit the Otsuka Museum of Art.

■Travel to Takamatsu and enjoy a lacquer art experience at the Sanuki Lacquer Art Museum

（Overnight in Minami-Azaji）

B

L

D

Day 4

Takamatsu

Takamatsu Station

Okayama Station

■You will be guided through Ritsurin Garden.

■Visit the Okawara Dyeing Workshop to observe the Sanuki nori dyeing process.

■Enjoy an udon kaiseki meal at the long-established restaurant “Nicho” for lunch.

■In the afternoon, travel from Takamatsu Station to Okayama Station via the Marine Liner.

■Upon arrival at Okayama Station, the tour will conclude.

B

L

What’s Included

■Private guide

■Entrance Fee and transfer fee of the above in the itinerary

■Breakfast：3 / Lunch：4 / Dinner：3

■Accommodation for 3 nights

What’s NOT Included

■The transfer to Shin-Kobe Station on Day1

■The transfer from Okayama Station on Day4

Explanation of marks in the itinerary

Explanation of marks in the itinerary:

Meal

Breakfast:

B

Lunch:

L

Dinner:

D

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Travel Conditions

Minimum Number of guests

1 person

Meeting point

Shin-Kobe Station

Meals

Breakfast：3 / Lunch：4 / Dinner：3

Guide

Included

Important Notes
  • Unless otherwise specified, the tour will be conducted in English.
  • In case of itinerary revisions, our terms and conditions will apply. Please note the following points in paticular:
    　・The itinerary may change due to circumstances beyond our control.
    　・Accommodations in designeated cities is subject to availability.
    　・The order of the itinerary may change.
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