Tohouen, a Japanese confectionary maker in Gifu Prefecture, has begun selling a springtime version of its popular cat-inspired manju. Inspired by the many cats that like to stroll around the shop’s headquarters, the new release includes cherry blossom-colored cat paws. 

A traditional sweet in Japan, Manju is made from flour, rice powder, and buckwheat, with a tasty sugar and anko (red bean paste) filling.

Do you think these are too cute to eat? 

Takayama Hotel Zenko-ji isn’t your typical hotel: this Buddhist temple invites anyone, regardless of faith or nationality, to stay in one of its five rooms. The property has now opened the ‘Activity Cafe Zenko-ji,’ a place to rest and relax while learning more about various cultures and, of course, traditional Buddhism. 

The well-ventilated and airy temple.
All drinks, including coffee and tea, are free of charge. 

The Takayama Zenko-ji Lounge Area

Enjoy free Wi-Fi, ample power supplies, and clean restrooms. 

Feel free to work remotely and have meetings in the main hall. 

Being in a new space will open up your mind and expand your creativity. 

The cafe was first opened for a limited time beginning in April 2021, inviting locals and tourists alike to come and find stress relief while praying for an end to the Coronavirus pandemic. However, given the location’s immediate popularity, it will now be open for good. 

In the midst of the Coronavirus pandemic, an increasing number of people have lost their physical and mental balance. For both the locals and visiting tourists, the temple is meant to be a place where anyone can find a sense of calm and peace of mind. Deep in the city of Takayama, this is where people are meant to relax, feel energized, and regain who they used to be before this stress became the new normal. 

Hiroshi Yamamoto, a Buddhist priest who works as the manager at Temple Hotel Zenko-ji, is the founder of the Activity Cafe. Hoping to help bring back the bustling tourist atmosphere of Takayama, he intends the space to be a meeting ground for locals and visitors from around the world to interact naturally. 

After graduating from an American university and working as an English teacher, Yamamoto became ordained as a Buddhist monk. Now a certified meditation instructor, he specializes in teaching meditation and Buddhist programs in English. 

Those utilizing the cafe can experience asceticism by walking through a dark tunnel to help find their inner peace, and can also try their hand at sutra-writing!

How would you like to spend some time at the Activity Cafe in Takayama? 

GALLERY COLLAGE is the name of the new contemporary art gallery that recently opened at NIPPONIA Mino Shokamachi, an accommodation housed in a remodelled townhouse that’s situated in a place famous for its mino variant of Japanese washi paper.

1. Raising local value with contemporary art

The world of local culture, such as local business and customs, has been abandoned in favour of rapid economic growth and globalisation. But those halcyon days and their background, which are rooted in their respective local history, culture, and nature, have once again come to be of huge importance to many people. It’s in these times that things like the sounds of insects in the evening that are local to the area should serve as the direction that people move forward in. The artwork showcased at GALLERY COLLAGE will depict scenes familiar to locals to show them in a new light. In doing so, NIPPONIA Mino Shokamachi hopes that connecting contemporary art with washi paper will promote and raise the value of the local traditional industry.

2. Season Lao’s “Mino – blank-leaving” exhibition on show

Contemporary artist and photographer Season Lao is currently holding his Mino – blank-leaving exhibition at the site. He has used his unique approach to utilise mino paper, a type of Japanese washi paper with a history spanning 1,300 years and is also registered as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Property. An online talk will take place on May 22 hosted by participants of Lao’s photography workshop that was held for the event’s opening. It focuses on photos taken by locals, including pictures from their high school days.

3. Season Lao’s Accommodation Plan

With support from NIPPONIA Mino Shokamachi, the Season Lao Accommodation Plan will see guest rooms decorated in numerous artworks by the artist, and guests will be given a tour of the mino paper factory amongst other exciting things.

As part of this year’s Gifu, Land of Clear Waters Ji-Kabuki All-Star Performance 2020, Gifu Prefecture has posted a special commentary video over on the official YouTube channel of Gifu Seiryu Bunka Plaza which combines footage from two local kabuki plays held this year.

The local kabuki of Gifu

Japan is home to 200 jikabuki, or ‘local kabuki,’ preservation organisations, 30 of which can be found in Gifu Prefecture. Gifu is one of the most active regions for jikabuki in the whole of Japan. The prefecture also has 9 historical shibai-goyas, or playhouses, some of which are over 100 years old.

Gifu, Land of Clear Waters Ji-Kabuki All-Star Performance 2020

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCx_NJKW7JOicMjhzfqBC1hQ 

Gifu Seiryu Bunka Plaza made the decision to postpone the 11 jikabuki performances that were scheduled to take place January to July 2020 this year. They are being rescheduled for 2021, so for now people can enjoy the content over on their official YouTube channel.

Towa Nasu Resort K.K., which manages such locations as Towa Pure Cottagesーa location home to a varied and wide-ranging number of accommodationsーand Nasu Highland Resort Youth Hostel, amongst other facilities, has come together with logging and house construction company Sumitomo Forestry to create a new “cyclist-friendly” villa accommodation. It is set to open in mid-March this year, offering both the time and space for cyclists to enjoy riding.

Bike Maintenance Space

Bicycles can be brought into your room. There is a path leading from the entrance to a space which has a bike rack and tools for fixing up your bike.

Specialist Tools Selected by a Pro Team

Japanese UCI Continental cycling team Nasu Blasen, who have their own mechanic, have picked out a selection of specialist tools for guests to use, such as hex wrenches, torx spanners, screwdrivers, floor pumps, Shimano Di2 battery, a maintenance stand, chain oil, and more.

An Open Space With All Glass and No Walls

The huge space which is made up of the maintenance space, living room, dining room, and kitchen is decked out with warm walnut wood, and has no walls separating the rooms inside, so you can still watch over your bike while spending time with friends and family. The room is furnished with an enormous wooden frame provided by Sumitomo Forestry, and around 95% of the outer wall is made up of glass windows, offering a spectacular view of Nasu’s natural surroundings during the day. At night, the plants are lit up to offer an entirely different atmosphere. All rooms are also as extremely secure and durable as police and fire stations.

If you’re a cyclist travelling to  Japan, consider booking at the all-new Cyclist * Friendly * Villa .I.

Hoshino Resorts is set to open Japan’s biggest cycling resort, named Hoshino Resort BEB5 Tsuchiura, at PLAY atré TSUCHIURA on March 19, 2020. The establishment will open right when PLAY atré TSUCHIURA celebrates its 2nd anniversary―after having opened back in 2018―and will be the fourth cycling hotel by Hoshino Resorts to open. It will act as a “base camp” to enjoy cycling, and the start point to the 180km Tsukuba Lake Kasumigaura Ring Ring Road cycling course.

PLAY atré TSUCHIURA is a 49-minute train ride from Tokyo and is directly connected to the station, making access very easy. It is home to Tsukuba Kasumigaura Ring Ring Road, one of Japan’s prominent cycling courses that runs past many gorgeous natural landscapes, including Lake Kasumigaura and Mount Tsukuba. It is becoming one of Japan’s foremost cycling facilities, catering to the needs of all cyclists.

1F BIKE BASE / Ring Ring Square Tsuchiura

2F & 3F

This cosy and casual hotel is the perfect choice for travellers looking to cycle and go sightseeing in Japan.

The Mino region of Gifu is famous for its traditional pottery called Mino Ware, its Gifu lanterns, and much more. Recently, an empty building located in front of Minokamo station in Gifu prefecture was renovated by a company called IDENTITY, who transformed it into a community building called MINGLE. MINGLE is now home to the Japanese tea shop Minokamo Chapo. This tea shop proudly represents the culture of tea and pottery that still remains in the Mino region. In order to share this wonderful culture, they are now offering a new accommodation plan to provide guests with the chance to experience the world of Japanese tea and the rich culture of Mino.

You can also experience tasting and comparing different Japanese teas that are offered by Minokamo Chapo. During your stay, you will also encounter lots of Mino Ware, and be surrounded by a traditional Mino interior decorated with Mino washi paper.

1st floor: Café and Bar

You can order the Japanese tea tasting selection at the counter. This space is used as the Minokamo Chapo tea shop from 11 am to 4 pm on weekends and national holidays.

2nd floor: Rooms

The rooms are approximately 22m². On top of this space, there is also a shower room and toilet in their own separate rooms.

3rd floor: Lounge

This is an area of free space for the guests. There are future plans to decorate this space with paintings and pottery according to the season.

The interior of the guest rooms are also packed with the wonders of the Mino region, so we are going to introduce you to a few of its special features. 

Upon entering your room, you will be greeted by the warm light of an Akari lantern. This is a kind of lantern which is recognized as a traditional craft of Gifu prefecture. This lantern design was created by famous artist Isasmu Noguchi, who named it Akari which means “light”.

In the bathroom, you will spot a few stylish mugs which belong to the brand “3rd-ceramics”.  

 The rooms are affixed with paper sliding doors (shoji) and bear beautiful Mino washi paper that is a traditional turquoise-blue colour. 

This is the perfect place to enjoy a traditional experience like no other. 

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 

STREAMER COFFEE COMPANY are opening a new coffee shop titled Kuramoto Baisen Charyou Kyouya Hachiemon on September 7 in Takayama, a city known as the ‘Little Kyoto’ of Gifu Prefecture.

STREAMER COFFEE COMPANY set out to open as Japanese coffee shop to compete with the rest of the world. This year, it is celebrating 8 years since its establishment. They currently operate 17 independent coffee chains across the country. The company maintains a diverse background of skaters and musicians, but their baristas also boast world class skill in coffee making. It developed its first nitro cold brew coffee in 2014 and successfully put out the Nitro Latte in 2016. They serve 180,000 beverages every month and have many fans from both Japan and overseas.

Now, STREAMER COFFEE COMPANY are challenging themselves to something new: Kuramoto Baisen Charyou Kyouya Hachiemon. The shop’s concept is ‘Japanese style.’

The entrance is fitted with a classic Japanese noren, or sign curtain, that walk through to enter. Upon entering, you are greeted by the shop’s simple and modern decor which is decked out with Japanese elements like white wood furniture and tatami mats. Customers can look forward to enjoying their coffee in a relaxed and spacious environment.

The shop is a nod and support to Gifu’s ride to successful tourism and will cure the fatigue of travel for all its customers by offering them top quality experience.

STREAMER COFFEE COMPANY aim to combine coffee with Japanese-style ingredients. Their main event will be their matcha lattes with harnesses their skilfully made coffee with matcha from Uji in Kyoto. They will also serve other Japanese treats using high quality matcha from Kyoto including shaved ice made with syrup-covered anko, soft serve ice cream, and more.

Their coffee cups, too, remind one of Japan. Mino pottery goes back to the Azuchi-Momoyama period of Japan. This traditional pottery ware first came from Tono, which is also located in Takayama, Gifu.

If you’re looking to enjoy coffee and sweets in Japan in an authentic Japanese-style environment, then look nowhere else.

Honjin Hiranoya Kachoan is a hot spring inn located in Hida-Takayama. The establishment have opened four new types of rooms: Hanayagi (‘gaiety’), Nagame (‘view’), Asanoha (‘hemp leaf’) and Ao (‘blue’). Taking into the account the rise in foreign tourists to Japan, in order to bring to life rooms with traditional Japanese architecture and comfort, the inn invested 180 million yen to use wood from Gifu Prefecture.

Top Floor Kihin – “Hanayagi”

This top floor room overlooks Takayama Jin’ya, a former government outpost, and spans an overwhelming 90 square meters.

Price: From ¥47,520 for 1 Person (Tax Included / 2 People Max Per Room)

No. of People: 2-5

Webpage: https://ssl.honjinhiranoya.com/guestroom/kihin.html

Junior Suite Room – “Nagame”

This room looks out onto a view of Hida-Takayama. This 60 square meter Japanese-style room comes with a Hida-Takayama Furniture sofa where you can enjoy a great ‘view’ as the room’s name implies.

Price: From ¥42,120 for 1 Person (Tax Included / 2 People Max Per Room)

No. of People: 2-5

Webpage: https://ssl.honjinhiranoya.com/guestroom/jr_nagame.html

Junior Suite Room – “Asanohana”

The Asanohana room is hidden away right at the back on the third floor of the inn. The bathroom is decorated in Gifu Prefecture’s classic mosaic style and even comes with a jacuzzi. It’s also open 24 hours.

Price: From ¥42,120 for 1 Person (Tax Included / 2 People Max Per Room)

No. of People: 2-5

Webpage: https://ssl.honjinhiranoya.com/guestroom/jr_asanoha.html

Junior Suite Room – “Ao”

“Ao” means “blue” in Japanese, and as such this room is a blue Japanese-style room. The bathroom has stained glass windows and is made for you to really enjoy your bath time.

Price: ¥39,960 for 1 Person (Tax Included / 2 People Max Per Room)

No. of People: 2-5

Webpage: https://ssl.honjinhiranoya.com/guestroom/jr_ao.html

Enjoy a luxurious experience at Kachoan in Takayama.

The Furukawa Festival will take place in the small town of Furukawa in Gifu Prefecture on April 19 and 20.

A regular festival with a 400-year tradition that has been around since the Edo Period, the Furukawa Festival is appears at Keta Wakamiya Shrine where ceremonial Shinto rituals are held including the procession of the mikoshi portable shrine and yatai floats, and the heroic and breathtaking Okoshi Daiko drum performance. The Furukawa Festival receives much praise in terms of its cultural value: the Okoshi Daiko and yatai floats were registered on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Property List and the festival itself was inscribed on the Intangible Cultural Heritage List in December 2016.

The thunderous Okoshi Daiko will begin around 20:30 on the 19^th to signal the start of the festival. Large paper lanterns are raised and men and women of all ages all carry smaller lanterns. People carry smaller called tsukedaiko that represent each town borough which are rammed into each other. The procession follows the two larger drums attached to a float manned by two men. It’s a fierce and passionate sight.

The highlight of the Okoshi Daiko and festival is the yatai float parade. The yatai floats are made by Hida’s master craftsmen. Their beauty was born in a splendid fusion of Kyoto, Edo and Kansai culture.

On the morning of the 19^th the 9 floats are pulled through the town. On the 20^th, they are paraded through the festival area and showcase lion dancing, karakuri puppetry, and kabuki performances from children. Afterwards, the floats move through the side streets, and when night falls, they are lit with torches while being pulled magnificently through the town.

Experience the Furukawa Festival which was continued to bear cultural importance for Hida.

The Kyoto Concierge Salon is opening a kimono and bicycle rental service from March 24^th, 2018 where you can ride a walking bicycle while dressed up in traditional Japanese clothing.

The walking bicycle is developed, manufactured and sold by Katayama Kogyo Co.,Ltd in Okayama Prefecture. They sell and rent out bikes in places like Okayama and Tokyo, but this is the first time they are setting up a rental service in Kyoto.

The Kyoto Concierge Salon are also currently handing out guides and holding walking tours. They plan to hold walking tours with their new kimono-bicycle service as well as kimono photoshoots.

The service is extremely convenient if you’re heading around Kyoto in a kimono. Enjoy this new kind of biking yourself!