Airbnb boasts one of the largest travel communities in the world, filled with users offering up lodging and those eager to visit somewhere new. The Japanese subsidiary of the company has revealed the top spots added to Japanese users ‘Favorites (Wish Lists)’ from May 1 to May 17, 2022. Where will travelers in the country be headed this summer?

Golden Week is long gone and users are starting to think about where to visit during the hottest part of the year. This national ‘Wish List’ might make it easier to pick a spot, with many locations highlighting lesser-known areas!

Gujo Hachiman Villa, Limited to 1 Couple Per Day (Gifu)

This completely private rental villa was made for sauna enthusiasts. One lucky pair per day can book this suite along the Yoshida River flowing through Gujo Hachiman, known as the “City of Water and Dance.” Currently booked through the end of August, reservations for September and beyond will be available in early June. Book a stay to enjoy the gorgeous autumn foliage!

A House Surrounded by Lush Greenery in the Countryside (Tottori)

Hosted by a family of musicians and architects, this guesthouse invites guests to enjoy gorgeous Nordic-inspired interiors and the serene quiet of the countryside. For those looking to escape the hustle and bustle of the city, this is the perfect spot.

Hoshina Satomachi, Limited to 1 Couple Per Day (Nagano)

There’s nothing like spending the summer in a traditional Japanese home. Enjoy a barbeque on the terrace and relax on the massive lawn. This is the perfect spot for families with children or pets!

Coastal Cabin (Chiba)

You can’t have summer without a pool. This luxurious coastal retreat boasts a 15-meter pool, outdoor Jacuzzi, bonfire space, and a barbeque. Relax by the pool while listening to your favorite songs or soak in the outdoor bath as you watch the waves crash along the shore.

An Elegant and Peaceful Log Cabin (Nagano)

Located at 1,300 meters above sea level on the Iizuna plateau, this log cabin is situated in the midst of a dense forest. A perfect space for couples, families, or small groups of friends, guests are welcome to enjoy hiking through this gorgeous landscape in the center of Japan!

Rokuyon, which manages unique accommodations mainly in Shibuya, has opened the fourth room of “MOSHI MOSHI ROOMS”, the home-sharing facility, named “HARAJUKU” produced by ASOBISYSTEM, which introduces HARAJUKU culture to the world.

“MOSHI MOSHI ROOMS offers accommodation services in concept rooms full of originality not found in existing hotels or home-sharing facilities. The concept of the fourth room is “HARAJUKU”. The room is filled with “KAWAII”, one of the representative cultures of Japan. Once you step into the room through the archway, you will feel as if you have wandered into the world of a picture book. The room is inspired by Harajuku, a place where you can enjoy the extraordinary feeling of being lost in a different dimension.

With the opening of the room HARAJUKU, an entire building has been transformed into MOSHI MOSHI ROOMS, with four rooms available for booking via Airbnb. The rooms can be used for a variety of purposes, such as accommodation for domestic and foreign tourists, staycations (casual holiday at home or nearby), girls’ parties, and birthday parties with your friends. In order to ensure the safety of the guests, they carry out temperature checks, use alcohol sanitisers and disinfect the rooms with alcohol when cleaning.

The archway at the entrance is a gateway to a world of wonder. From the moment you step into the house, the excitement is bound to build.

The living room is decorated with colourful objects and animals reminiscent of a museum. Why not find your favourite objects and animals, and enjoy taking photos with them?

The bedroom has a queen-size bed, together with a sofa bed and an air bed in the living room, which can accommodate up to four people.

The shower room is equipped with amenities such as shampoo, conditioner, and body soap. The separated washbasins and Toto Washlet toilets have been installed.

The kitchen is fully equipped with a microwave, fridge, and other daily necessities. Colourful KAWAII tablewares are lined up so that you can enjoy the world of the room more.

MOSHI MOSHI ROOMS

The first room  ‘SAKURA’

The room has received high praise from both domestic and international travelers.

A monument of cherry blossoms, the symbol of Japan, fills the ceiling of the bedroom, creating a gorgeous and unique space.

The second room ‘ORIGAMI’

This room is themed on origami, one of the symbols of Japanese culture.

The living room is furnished with benches and stools inspired by a teahouse. Looking up at the ceiling, a number of Japanese umbrellas decorate the space.

The third room ‘DOSUKOI’

The room combined the traditional Japanese culture of sento, a Japanese public bathhouse and sumo, Japanese wrestling.

The sumo wrestler’s hands and the large bath inspired by a sento attract the viewer’s attention. The painted pictures on the walls are the work of Kiyoto Maruyama, one of only three sento painters in Japan.

The rooftop

The rooftop offers an expansive space with a panoramic view of Harajuku. It can also be used for events such as tent saunas and BBQs. Only the rooftop can be rented out as a rental space.

Why don’t you create your own story at MOSHI MOSHI ROOMS, a place full of unique concepts that you can only experience here?

Airbnb, the International Olympic Committee (IOC), and the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) have announced a five-day summer festival which will see more than 100 Olympian and Paralympian Online Experiences hosted virtually by some of the world’s best athletes. The festival will begin on July 24, when the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 were originally scheduled to begin, and is a way for athletes to earn an income while they share their passion for the Olympic and Paralympic Games and their individual sport with guests.

The five-day line-up, which will take place across multiple time zones, will showcase a variety of interactive Online Experiences that guests can book on Airbnb from July 22. Spectators can also watch select Online Experiences live or on replay on the Airbnb Olympic and Paralympic YouTube channels. While many hosts will continue to offer their activities after the event ends, several will be once-in-a-lifetime Online Experiences available exclusively during the festival. These exclusive experiences are the following:

25 July: Build resilience to overcome obstacles with Yusra Mardini (swimming, IOC Refugee Olympic Team Rio 2016); learn about returning to sport after motherhood with Allyson Felix (athletics, USA); and work up a sweat in an inclusive session with Tatyana McFadden (athletics, USA)

26 July: Cook up a storm with legend Colin Jackson (athletics, Great Britain); join a scenic training ride with Jonny Brownlee (triathlon, Great Britain); discover velodrome secrets with Elia Viviani (track cycling, Italy)

27 July: Chat mind, body and spirit with Jackie Joyner-Kersee (athletics, USA); push through boundaries and level up in life with Meb Keflezighi (marathon, USA); get vulnerable to unlock greatness with Kerri Walsh Jennings (beach volleyball, USA); and Zumba beachside in paradise with Tom Hintnaus (athletics, Brazil)

28 July: Get a glimpse into quarantine training with two-time Grand Slam-winning Naomi Osaka (tennis, Japan); run, breathe and connect with a sprinter Zhenye Xie (athletics, China); learn a Grand Slam-inspired training regime with Sania Mirza (tennis, India); and master perseverance with Pita Taufatofua (taekwondo and cross-country skiing, Tonga)

29 July: Fall in love with sneaker culture with Rui Hachimura (basketball, Japan); get up close and personal at home with Jordy Smith (surfing, South Africa); see beyond the boundaries of vision with blind champion Lex Gillette (athletics, USA)

Rui Hachimura | Comment

“Representing Japan in the Olympics is one of my biggest dreams. I had trained and prepared to participate in the Games this year, but Tokyo 2020 was unfortunately postponed due to COVID-19. The world is facing tough challenges right now, but I believe the Tokyo Olympics in 2021 will be a wonderful chance to celebrate everyone’s determination through this time. I’m looking forward to celebrating together with my teammates in front of fans in my home country. The Olympics as I know them won’t have an effect on motivation to perform, even if they’re hold a year later. As an athlete, I want to see the happy figures of my fans around the world. Let us come together and keep on fighting. I’m looking forward to seeing everyone in Tokyo next year.” *Comment translated from Japanese by MMN.

Olympian and Paralympian Online Experiences will provide economic opportunities for athletes to help support them.

PLAY! DIVERSITY SHIBUYA and Airbnb launched a new website on July 2 which lets people experience Shibuya tourism and all things Shibuya online.

The online project comes in response to the economic slump that Shibuya has faced as a result of COVID-19 which has meant less tourism. The website will feature a host of unique content that captures the essence of the Shibuya experience.

The first entry to the website will see KABA taking users on a virtual walk through the city of Shibuya. KABA, an activist for the LGBTQ community in Japan, was appointed as an official Tourism Ambassador of Shibuya this year. As well as this, the energetic Akkun, another Shibuya Tourist Ambassador and influencer amongst Shibuya’s youth, will also be hosting a “Shibuya Sake School.” There is much more content to enjoy right now too, and the website is set to expand even more.

Other features include the “WANDER COMPASS” which lets users learn about Shibuya’s history and visit local spots through a virtual tour, and Shibuya TSUTAYA O-EAST’s own DJ Bar “AZUMAYA” is showcasing how to make Japanese cocktails using various Japanese ingredients and spices.

Visit Shibuya from the comfort of your own home using Airbnb and PLAY! DIVERSITY SHIBUYA’s special new website.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC), International Paralympic Committee (IPC), and Airbnb announced in December last year a major long-term partnership to support the Olympic Movement which will run from 2020-2028. During this period, Airbnb will offer unique accommodation and experiences, and experience tours hosted by Olympians and athletes will also take place.

The IOC, IPC, and Airbnb are currently actively recruiting hosts to offer these services. These Olympic and Paralympic hosts include not only those who have participated in previous Olympic games, but those set to compete in the 2020 Summer Olympics (henceforth Tokyo 2020) too.

Olympians and Paralympians will not only share their wisdom about the games and their sports, but their skills, knowledge, and experiences with things other than sports that they are also passionate about, e.g. the best way to brew delicious coffee, useful business self-motivation tips for setting goals and building confidence, and so on. Athletes will also be able to freely pick the dates and times they can offer these experiences that best align with their schedules.

Daichi Suzuki, Sports Director and the President of the Japan Olympians Committeeーwho also has experience as an Olympic athlete himselfーsaid: “I think it’s a really wonderful thing that athletes in Japan are helping to grow the value of the Olympics and Paralympics through sports with the support of Airbnb while using the opportunity to think about their careers to give rise to new experiences. I expect Olympians and Payalympians will use the Tokyo 2020 games as a framework to carve a second career for themselves, and that it will be part of the legacy of the games.” *Translated from Japanese

To date, Airbnb’s ‘Experience’ service in Japan has provided new careers for people and has been an opportunity for people to earn an income. This is done by people opening up their houses to travellers, or vacant properties being shared by travellers, to teach them a new skillーall of which is done under the support of Airbnb. The Experience service has garnered huge popularity around the world from foreign travellers for the diversity activities offered; there is something for everyone, no matter their age nor gender. Airbnb’s collaboration with IOC will provide the opportunity for people to experience interacting with athletes, while also providing a second career for Japanese Olympians and Paralympians, whether they are competing this year or have retired.

Sai Sai Jaran Jaran is a featured series here on MOSHI MOSHI NIPPON from the members of the all-female band SILEN SIREN (aka Sai Sai) who visit various hot spots in Japan and experience different things, the Sai Sai way.

Band bassist Ainyan enjoys a beer or cocktail, but she wants to step into the world of wine, so we will join her on her journey today as she goes to learn all about wine from the very basics.

It’s a clear sky today. Great weather for going for a drink during the day, am I right?

We visited Fukagawa Winery Tokyo in Monzennakacho, an area located in Shitamachi, Tokyo. We were looking forward to going there because it offers the full wine experience, allowing visitors to see wine brewing up close to learn all about it.

This experience is offered twice a day on weekends and national holidays at 14:00 and 16:00.

Fukagawa Winery Tokyo opened in Tokyo in 2016 as a winery where the ordinary person could go and see wine being made to fully understand its process. It has expanded its circulation in recent years and is now able to take in grapes from across Japan, including Tokyo, to craft many different wines.

On the day we visited we saw the staff bottling up the wine. On average, the winery ships out around 30,000 bottles a year.

The corks have illustrations of “Wine Man” on them, a character created by Fukagawa Winery Tokyo. Ainyan was fairly fond of him!

Time to see how the winery works!

When you step inside, the scent of grapes is the first thing to hit your senses.

The one in charge of Fukagawa Winery Tokyo is Kousuke Ueno, who was kind of enough to show us around. He taught us the process of wine making, as well as what types of grapes and tools they use.

“This machine separates the grapes and stalks using the propellers. This method has been used for 150 years,” explained Ueno.

There are periods when visitors can observe this machine being used to separate the grapes. It takes place between mid-August to November, so follow Fukagawa Winery Tokyo’s social media for announcements and details.

“Wow! It smells so good!” said Ainyan. We got to see a bucket where Cabernet Sauvignon was being made. They put in whole grapes with the skin on and add natural yeast for the fermentation process. The sweet smell of the grapes fills the air and makes you want to have a glass.

Now for what Ainyan has been waiting for: taste-testing time! She learned everything about the wine making process, so it was time to taste and compare some different wines.

The winery allows taste-testing until 17:00. You can try 3 types for ¥700. And of course, if there’s one you tried that you really liked, you can buy it there and then. So sip, scrutinise, and select!

“Please try this one first. It is wine, but it’s like a lemon sour,” explained Ueno, recommending that Ainyan first try the Yamanashi  Delaware Sparkling.

Soak up all the notes of the drink by having a good smell first before taking a small sip. “Smells really good. This sourness really is like a lemon sour! I wonder why?” said Ainyan.

This wine uses premature grapes which gives the wine a sour taste. The sourness of this wine can play the part of lemons, so it’s best paired with fried foods or meals with chicken in them.

The second drink was the Yamagata Delaware Muroka. It’s an unfiltered wine made from completely ripened Yamagata Delaware grapes.

Unfiltered means that the filtration process to take out visible solids and such is not used. This gives it a slightly cloudy appearance and an exquisite taste that’s somewhere between wine and juice.

Left: Unfiltered Yamagata Delaware / Right: Filtered Yamagata Delaware

For the third glass, Ainyan ordered the filtered Yamagata Delaware to test the difference between it and the unfiltered version.

“The filtered one has a good balance of flavours and is refreshing. The unfiltered one has a smooth juiciness to it. They’re both delicious, but I like the unfiltered one more!” said Ainyan.

Her fourth glass was an unfiltered red wine: the East Bay Assemblage Red B.

The grapes used are a combination from Hokkaido, Nagano, and Aomori. It really is an assemblage!

“The red wine has such a different taste and colour depending on the type too! This dark red wine is close to what I usually drink!” said Ainyan with a happy smile.

At the end of the session, Ainyan had tried 10 wines and bought two bottles! She was delighted with her experience, saying: “I was surprised how different each and every one of the wines I tried at Fukagawa Winery Tokyo were. I think I’m getting hooked on the appeal of unfiltered, natural wines.”

With Christmas and New Year around the corner, now is the season to indulge in wine. If you’re in Tokyo this December, pay a visit to Fukagawa Winery Tokyo for a full wine experience.

Writer：Yuki Yokoo

Photographer：Kayo Sekiguchi

Asakusaーone of the hottest spots in Tokyo for sightseeing, ever-bustling with Japanese and foreign tourists and travellers alike. This ancient district is famous not only for its sights, like Sensō-ji (the oldest temple in Tokyo) and the Nakamise-dōri shopping street leading up to it, but for its bountiful offering of gourmet restaurants.

Today, we’re taking a look at Taikenkei Dining -WASHOKU-, a restaurant which opened in Asakusa on November 19 this year. If you’re looking for the full package when it comes to experiencing Japanese food culture, WASHOKU has customers covered. Not only do they serve food, like traditional Kyoto obanzai, but they offer cultural experience plans too where you can learn to make sushi or dress up in a kimono and walk the old streets of Asakusa.

WASHOKU’s concept when it comes to both lunch and dinner centres around enjoying Japanese-style food that is colourful. And that rings tantalisingly true with their kaleidoscopic obanzai, which is formed of 12 vivid bite-sized delights. Obanzai is a traditional style of Japanese cuisine that comes from Kyoto, made up of mostly seafood and vegetables. The obanzai served at WASHOKU was conceived under the guidance of nutritionists, and so is packed full of healthy nutrients for the body. Not only that, the ingredients selected are all domestic to Japan, and are of a very high quality.

The obanzai I ate included fried beni haruka sweet potato which is sourced from Ishida Farmsーa sweet potato growerーin Katori, Chiba. It had a moist texture and rich sweetness. When I sank my teeth into it, I was flushed with feelings of the fall season.

Other foods in the assortment included sashimi, scallop and yuzu, saikyo-yaki Kyoto-style grilled fish, and more. Each mouthful of the selection offered its own distinct and unique flavours.

The obanzai is served with miso soup too with which you get to choose a miso ball from a variety of flavours to put into your bowl. I went for the sesame seed miso ball.

The miso ball is made from miso paste and various ingredients. Once placed into the hot water, it melts and turns into miso soup. The sweet light-brown miso was perfect for warming up my chilly self.

Dinner also features a dessert menu, as well as courses with an all-you-can-drink option, so I recommend these options for people who want to relax and take their time with their dining experience.

As I mentioned earlier, WASHOKU also offers a variety of experience-based plans. This includes a sushi class where you can learn to make your own hand-rolled sushi.

There are two types of “temari” hand rolled sushi you can make: the regular type, which makes use of tuna, salmon and other classic sushi toppings, and the high quality type, which uses more high-end ingredients like uni sea urchin eggs, caviar, gold leaf, and more. And for foreign customers, the restaurant has prepared a handout detailing the history of Asakusa and recipes, as well as souvenirs for them to take home.

The MMN team of course had to have a go at making our own sushi, but it proved quite difficult. You have to get the right amount of sushi rice to roll, then actually roll it perfectly into a ball before topping with your ingredients. But the sushi I made was actually really delicious! To attend this class you have to book in advance, so if you’ve never tried making your own sushi before or have an need some guidance, then we can’t recommend it enough.

As well as food-related experiences, WASHOKU provides customers with three different plans to experience Japanese culture. The first of these is the rickshaw ride, where you board a rickshaw pulled by a runner and are taken around the various sites of Asakusa. The ‘Excursion Around Asakusa Course’ takes you to the most popular spots around Kaminarimon, while the ‘Sky Tree Course’ takes you all the way to the Sumida River, and you also get to see Tokyo Skytree and various other attractions in Asakusa.

The Edo Kiriko plan gives you the opportunity to cut your own Japanese glass to drink from. You can drink from your glass if you reserve the plan with lunch or dinner.

Finally, you can rent a kimono. Select your favourite from the shop and have a professional dresser get you readyーwith both your kimono and your hair. After you’re dolled up, you can take a stroll around Asakusa to get a real feel for Japanese culture.

All three of these plans are just ¥3,500 per person, and all require reservations which you can book online.

So, if you’re looking for a taste of Japanese food and culture, why not take a trip to WASHOKU when visiting Asakusa for an all-in-one experience?

Sakura, Chiba is home to important cultural heritage and even what is also known as the “Samurai Town”. Now you can stroll around the beautiful old streets of Sakura dressed as a Samurai, attend a relaxing zen session and even take part in a tea ceremony as part of a limited period tourist plan. The Samurai tour is mainly aimed at foreigners, however Japanese people who are curious about samurai culture are also more than welcome to join. 

Sakura Castle Samurai Stroll

In 2016, Sakura became one of the four cities of the Hokuso region to be designated as a Heritage site under the title “An Edo Travelogue through Four Hokuso Cities” for its preservation of the old Edo culture. Old buildings full of secrets can be spotted all over the town, creating the old atmosphere of the Edo period. Embrace the elegant remnants of the Edo period with a relaxing stroll in Samurai clothing. Who knows what you might discover.

Your relaxing stroll will be led by a tour guide who knows a lot about the history of Sakura. This is a wonderful opportunity to take beautiful pictures of the historical Samurai house (Bukeyashiki). Your tour guide will also show you Hiyodorizaka, which is a natural path lined with a dense forest of tall bamboo trees where Samurai are said to have often pass by. Every year, the bamboo and wooden sword martial arts sessions in the program are also very popular. 

◇ Running:

October 26

 November 9, 23

 December 14, 21

January 11, 25

February 8, 22

March 12, 28

April 9, 25

May 9, 16

◇ Times: 9:30 ー 12:30

 *The program will still run in bad weather excluding stormy or severe weather.

◇ Prices:

¥6,500 per person (Includes lunch voucher and entry to the samurai house)

* ¥6,000 per person when you purchase tickets as a group of 3 or more.

◇ Tickets

Reservation Website: https://www.govoyagin.com/ja

Apply Directly to Sakura City Tourism Association

TEL: 043-486-6000

Email: sakurashi-kankou@catv296.ne.jp

* Phone calls will be answered in Japanese only.

Zen Meditation and Tea Ceremony in the House of a Feudal Lord

There are also guided zen meditation and tea ceremony sessions which are available for a limited period only. These guided zen meditation and tea ceremonies will take place in the Kyuhottatei ー one of Japan’s most preserved traditional-style feudal lord residences. This luxurious Edo-style mansion was built 130 years ago and is classified as an Important Cultural Property.  

◇ Running:

October 16,

November 7, 19

December 6, 18

◇ Times: 9:00 ー 12:30

 *The program will still run in bad weather excluding stormy or severe weather.

◇ Prices:

¥10,000 per person (Includes lunch voucher, entry to the Kyuhottatei and tea ceremony participation fee.)

◇ Tickets

Please enquire directly to the Sakura City Tourism Association

TEL:  043-486-6000

Email Address: sakurashi-kankou@catv296.ne.jp

* Phone calls will be answered in Japanese only.

If you are curious about Edo Samurai culture, you won’t be disappointed by this program.

Neworld has teamed up with Asakura, Fukuoka-based tea manufacturing company Seichajo Yamashina to offer an all-new tea-tasting course. Reservations opened on September 25 and can be made via telephone call.

Yamashina Tea Stall first opened its doors to the public back in 1947 in the city of Asakura, Fukuoka. This long-standing tea shop oversees every aspect of their original blends, from the tea leaf selection to the roasting.

The shop’s representative, Koya Yamashina, is a tea professional, having worked as an instructor on Japanese tea as well as an established Japanese tea critic. He has travelled up and down Kyushu―one of the five main islands of Japan where Fukuoka sits―which has enabled him to select only the best tea for the shop, considering the taste, smell, season, place of production, and growers themselves.

Yamashina Tea Stall promises a fun and authentic experience when it comes to Japanese tea, for the very fact that it has had its hands on so many different types. That’s where their new program comes in to play, where they will pair different Japanese teas into different wine glasses―provided by Tokyo glass makers Kimura Glass―for tasters to get the best out of the tea, including the flavours and fragrance.

Let’s take a look at the course.

Piccolo 6oz Flute & Yama no Asatsume

This brand of tea is called Chiran Yama no Asatsume and it comes from Kagoshima Prefecture. It’s grown in Ushirodake, an area in Kagoshima with a high altitude, the only place it can be grown. It has a distinct fresh and sweet fragrance. The tea is served in a 6oz Piccolo glass which is a popular glass for champagne. Its delicate rim and form makes it the perfect shape to enjoy the full taste of the tea.

Garson 3oz Grappa & Yame Gyokuro

Yame Gyokuro is known as one of the most luxury teas in Japan. Served in a Garson glass, it has a thin, long shape, making it ideal for smelling the gentle aromas of the gyokuro tea and for enjoying its smooth, sweet taste.

Pivo Orthodox 63224-210 & Sun Rouge

Sun Rouge is an extremely rare variety of tea grown on the distant island of Tokunoshima which is south of Kagoshima. It is served in a classic champagne glass, much different from the flute-type champagne glasses. The liquid is allowed to spread over a wider surface, letting you take in the distinct beautiful purple colour of the tea while enabling the fragrance to dance around the elegant glass.

This is just a snapshot of the many drinks this course has to offer. If you’re looking to experience Japanese tea in style, then why not try out this course? They even sell sets of glasses and tea so you can take them home with you!

Keio Plaza Hotel Tokyo, a highly prestigious and magnificent 4-star hotel located in Shinjuku, is now serving an all-new “luxurious” family package which includes a tea ceremony experience and much more. It is currently running from July 20 to September 1.

The rooms offered in the accommodation plan are the hotel’s popular Wide Twin Rooms located on the Premier Grand club floor. Use of the Club Lounge is included in the package. The Wide Twin Rooms include two roomy queen-size beds which span 1.53 meters wide which allow parents to sleep comfortably with their children. Rooms also feature their own bathroom facilities.

The package also includes a check-in simulation for children aged 6-12 years where they can get a feel for what it’s like to check-in. They will fill in their own check-in cards with parents and receive a ticket for the tea ceremony experience. They will be able to take their card home with them and take a commemorative photo.

The tea ceremony experience will be held on the hotel’s 10th floor in the “Shofuan,” an authentic tearoom that has been in the hotel since it opened in 1971. Parents and children will receive proper instruction from the tea ceremony teacher before pouring their own tea, allowing them to learn about traditional Japanese culture and etiquette. They will receive a special certificate of completion at the end.

If you’re travelling to Japan as a family this summer then enjoy it in luxury at Hotel Keio Plaza Tokyo.

Shimocho is one of the districts of Hida Takayama and is overflowing with traditional culture that you absolutely must experience. To make the most of your trip, there is a summer yukata-wearing programme running from July 20th which is the perfect opportunity to wear cooling and refreshing Japanese clothes while strolling and exploring the streets. 

This year will be the 7th time the programme has been run. The Hida Takayama de Nippon no Natsu Yasumi programme allows visitors to dress in a comfortable and cooling yukata, stroll, explore, try different foods and enjoy the culture of the area. This year’s theme is “romance and yukatas” and gives visitors the opportunity to enjoy programme-limited desserts and the rich culture of the district.  

Discover Hidden Beauty with the Stroll Map

Visitors will be given a map packed with wonderful spots of the area. The map will also include the destinations of 31 shops where you can enjoy special experiences, meals and desserts that are limited to those who take part in the yukata programme. Recommended spots to visit are also drawn on the map in a very cute handwriting-like style, so you can stop by these places easily while enjoying your walk. There are even many places on the map that only a local would know about. 

Some of the special benefits of the programme allow you to enjoy the best regional cuisine that Hida has to offer, including the wonderful experience of restaurants that have been loved by the locals for generations, a beef delicacy restaurant, and much more. Besides food, the programme also gives you the opportunity to witness the beautiful festival floats used during the Takayama festival at the Takayama Matsuri Yatai Kaikan. You can also enjoy experiencing baking your own senbei crackers and gold panning.  

The programme includes a wide range of experiences for you to enjoy from local shops to food to culture to some new experiences. 

 An old-style café called Sabou Usagi is particularly popular with the locals. Here, the coffee is made using a vacuum coffee maker. With the summer programme, you can enjoy the delicious heart Tiramisù served here.

The stroll map includes a variety of locations such as the Takayama Tourist Information Centre, Hida Takayama Tourism Convention Association, Hida Takayama Travel Hotel Association and much more. The map also includes some of the accommodations available around Takayama, some important train stations and much more. You can easily download this map from the official website. (Japanese only )  

Stroll the Streets in an Elegant Yukata

Change into a traditional Yukata that matches the beautiful surrounding townscape. There are four shops Yukata rental shops available to pick up your favourite Yukata, so there is no need to worry if you did not come prepared. There are also some accommodations that allow for yukata rental. 

If you decide to join the Hida Takayama Nippon Natsu Yasumi programme, make sure to share your beautiful memories on Instagram with the hashtag #Hidasummer 

It’s been a minute since we last ventured out with Japanese model Yuna Yabe and her beloved pet pup Mozuku. If you’re new to this feature, Yuna Yabe takes her trusty partner Mozuku to various hot spots in Japan that you can enjoy with your pet dog. Their relationship continues to deepen in this priceless experience.

Today, Yuna and Mozuku head to Uzumako Ceramic Art School which is close to Shiba Park. You can get a good view of TokyoTower from this famous park.

What’s unique about this art school is that visitors are allowed to take their pets with them. So this means you can take your dog with you to do some ceramics!

Yuna has always had an interest in ceramics. And what better way to experience creating something than with her partner in crime Mozuku! With him tottering beside her, she headed through the entrance curtain with a spring in her step.

When you enter the classroom, there are lots of examples of pottery ware lining the shelves. The room has that smell of craftsmanship which lingers as you begin the class with a demonstration by the teacher. Once you have your apron on and are fired up to begin, it’s time to start.

The work begins with kneading the clay to make its firmness uniform. This step helps prevent air bubbles from forming.

Yuna asked the teacher many different questions as she enjoyed kneading her clay. “Where does ceramic work originate from?” “What kind of things to other dog owners make when they come here?”

“What’s Yuna up to?” Mozuku’s puzzled face seemed to imply as he listened to Yuna and the teacher talk.

Yuna turned to Mozuku and said to him, “I’m going to make you a food bowl!” It seemed like the message got through as his face read, “Looks like my owner is making something just for me.”

Yuna wet her hands with some water and began forming a hole in the centre of her clay bundle. The hole forms and gets bigger as the pottery wheel spins.

Next, she used both of her hands to ensure the thickness of the bowl was even all the way around.

“Amazing! The shape of the clay changes in an instant!”

By adding a little bit of pressure the pile of clay can change shape rapidly. It’s like a living thing.

“It’s like the clay is my own child. I wanna wrap it up!”

Once the shape is formed, Yuna cut around the edges. She is a skilled individual, she got the hang of it straight away.

Mozuku sat right beside Yuna, quiet and curious.

“Is it my turn yet?”

He seemed itching to have a go at making something himself too.

He watched over Yuna’s work from atop the table.

“I wanna try spinning the wheel too!”

Mozuku in fact had the most important job of all. Yuna popped a wooden mould onto his paw and stamped a paw print into thebottom of the bowl.

“There we go!” said Yuna

Mozuku mustered all of his strength to make his mark, his facial expression unusually serious as he carried out his big task.

Time to check if the print was done properly!

Here’s the final product―Mozuku did a great job!

Their teamwork paid off as they were able to create a really cute dog bowl. The tiny footprint is packed with pet love. The art school actually sells a lot of different cute and stylish pet items but the owner making their own makes it unique―the only one in the world.

If that love is able to get through to your pup, the food they eat from the bowl is sure to be even more delicious.

Thanks for your help, Mozuku.

“I can’t wait to fire it!” Yuna’s excitement was peak from start to finish. She was very satisfied after the class finished.

After two weeks of waiting, the bowl was completely finished.

Why not try creating something unique special for your own pet―together with them?

Model: Yuna Yabe/Mozuku　@yunaaay1030

Text: Ai Watanabe

Photographer: Kayo Sekiguchi

Translator: Joshua Kitosi-Isanga