Enjoy a luxurious stay at the traditional Japanese inn Futaba, founded in 1748, with the entire hotel exclusively reserved for you. Surrounded by a detached building that is a registered tangible cultural property and a Japanese garden that changes with the seasons, you can savor a truly luxurious experience…
Day 1: Enjoy a hike through the natural beauty of Satoyama.
In the Shimosato district of Ogawa Town, you will enjoy a hike through the natural beauty of the Satoyama with a local guide.
The Satoyama area of Ogawamachi, which spreads across the Tsuki River basin, is a place where the local culture lives on alongside the abundant nature. On your hike, experience the blessings of the Satoyama with your whole body while feeling the connection with the local culture and nature.
After the hike, you can relax in the cafe located within the former elementary school branch, nestled in the middle of nature, and reminisce about the countryside and your childhood.
*This will involve hiking in rural areas, so please wear comfortable clothing such as pants, a hat, and a backpack so that you can move around freely.
🍽️Matsuoka Brewery Co., Ltd. Teisho (lunch)
Through the traditional Japanese Shinto ritual of “Kagami-biraki” held at celebratory occasions, you will feel the warm hospitality of “Welcome to Ogawamachi.”
Afterwards, enjoy a delicious lunch at restaurant “Shofuan” before moving on to a tour of the brewery. By learning about the history and process of sake brewing using Ogawamachi’s pure water , you will gain a deeper understanding of the appeal of sake brewing, which is rooted in the local culture and climate. Teisho’s sake is born from this pure water, and the mineral-rich brewing water nurtured by the natural waters of the Chichibu Mountains is an essential element in sake brewing.
Afternoon: Ogawamachi Washi Experience Learning Center
We have prepared a special papermaking experience for you, conducted by members of the Hosokawa Paper Craftsmen Association, who inherit the handmade washi paper technique that has been registered as an intangible cultural heritage by UNESCO . You can experience the unique beauty and texture of washi paper while learning the traditional techniques directly .
You can also enjoy the experience of making your own original washi label using handmade washi paper techniques.
🍽️🛏️Futaba Japanese-style Inn (Accommodation)
At the Futaba Kappo Ryokan, we have three types of rooms available: “Sengen,” “Manyo,” and “Tagoto .” Enjoy a special time in a comfortable space that matches your tastes.
*The photo shows a detached guest room.
Day 2: Zen meditation experience at Enkoji Temple (after breakfast)
Experience ‘Zazen’ at Enkoji Temple, surrounded by the serene tranquility of Satoyama. Enkoji Temple was founded in the Kamakura period at the invitation of Hojo Tokiyori and is a Rinzai sect Myoshinji temple steeped in history and deep serenity. In this historic place, you can surrender yourself to the clear air and comfortable silence, while calming your mind and spending time in contact with Japanese spiritual culture. Face yourself through Zazen and refresh your mind and body , and regain peace of mind from the busyness of everyday life.
*Pants are more suitable for the Zen meditation experience. Please refrain from wearing skirts.
Morning: Calligraphy experience at Enkoji Temple
We offer a calligraphy experience where you can create your own original sake label using the washi paper you made on the first day. By running your brush across the handmade washi paper, you can experience the sense of accomplishment of completing your own original label. You can also enjoy a moment of tranquility as you experience the profound meaning of calligraphy and the profound depths of Japanese culture through copying sutras.
🍽️Seigumo Sake Brewery Co., Ltd. (Lunch)
After enjoying lunch at Shizendokoro Tamaiya, a restaurant themed around local vegetables and sake, we proceed to a tour of the sake brewery. Seigumo Sake Brewery is a long-established sake brewery founded in 1902. It uses pesticide-free rice grown in the natural environment of Ogawamachi, and brews sake rooted in the local area while preserving traditions and techniques.
During the tour, you can experience the sake brewing process and the craftsmen’s attention to detail, and enjoy the fun of finding your favorite brand through sake tasting. On the third and final day of the trip, you will attach a washi paper label to the sake you have chosen, creating a one-of-a-kind original sake.
🍽️French restaurant atelico (dinner)
The name is a combination of the words “atelier” and “agriculture,” and it has the meaning of a food workshop. Here, we value the opportunity to allow our guests to experience the local area with all five senses through dishes that make use of local ingredients.
Chef Takayuki Niijima is a top-notch chef with experience as head chef at the Embassy of Japan in the UK , and at the same time respects the traditional culture of the region. The signs and small plates made by Tomioka, a traditional craftsman of Ogawamachi’s Tomioka Onigawara Kobo, are works of art that are filled with his outstanding skills and passion. These crafts decorate the restaurant, making dining even more special.
Day 3 (✅optional) Matcha experience or Satoyama cycling
The garden is a space where stones and trees stand quietly, as if talking about the times. Historic stones such as “Sazareishi” (pebbles) and “Shimosato Blue Stone” are scattered around, and black pines and stone monuments over 150 years old exude a quiet presence in the garden. This garden is filled with the accumulation of many eras and stories.
During the matcha experience, you can enjoy a special moment of Japanese tradition while looking at the tranquil garden. If you participate in the experience wearing a kimono, you can enjoy the atmosphere even more.
*We recommend that kimono dressing be provided for men up to 178cm and 90kg, and women up to 168cm and 60kg.
（✅optional）Satoyama Cycling
By cycling through the Satoyama and townscape, you can enjoy the scenery of Ogawamachi, where people coexist with nature. Enjoy the ride while feeling the pleasant breeze and feeling the rich blessings of Satoyama.
🍽️Afternoon: Musashi Winery (lunch)
Why not take the time to learn about the profound process of winemaking using grapes grown without any pesticides at Musashi Winery, located in a special wine district? Here, you can fully enjoy the charm of wine brewed in symbiosis with the power of nature.
Through winemaking, you will learn about the importance of environmentally friendly, sustainable agriculture and the special flavors that come from the local climate .
What is the Kappo Ryokan Futaba Ryokan?
Kappo Ryokan Futaba is a historic inn founded in 1748, located in Ogawamachi, Saitama Prefecture, and has been offering hospitality full of travel charm for over 270 years. The main building was built in 1933 and is designated as a national registered tangible cultural property. Along with the beautiful Japanese garden, you can enjoy the changing atmosphere of the four seasons.
💡How to enjoy this tour
On this tour, you can fully experience Japanese culture woven with history and climate in Ogawamachi , the satoyama town closest to Tokyo . Through the experience of papermaking and sake brewing by local craftsmen, you can experience the warmth of handicrafts and traditional techniques, while savoring delicious cuisine made with the abundant bounty of the satoyama. This special moment where the beauty of nature and the depth of culture combine is sure to enrich your soul. Enjoy an unforgettable moment that will stimulate your senses.
📅Tour Dates
📍Wednesday, October 30, 2024 – Friday, November 1, 2024
📍Wednesday, November 6, 2024 – Friday, November 8, 2024
📍Tuesday, November 19, 2024 – Thursday, November 21, 2024
📍Friday, December 6, 2024 – Sunday, December 8, 2024
※Please note that the itinerary may be subject to change.
| Number of applicants | 9 people per date |
| minimum number of participants | 1 person |
| Meeting Place & Time | Gather at Ogawamachi Station on the Tobu Tojo Line 【MAP】 at 10:30 AM Tour Guide: Available |
| Tour Guide | Available |
| Interpreter | Available (Chinese & English) |
| Dietary Requirements | 2 times in the morning, 3 times in the afternoon, 2 times in the evening |
| What to Bring | Camera, towel, hat, insect repellent (if necessary), long pants |
| Other | Please note that transportation costs to Ogawamachi Station will be borne by the customer. |
| Organized by | Ogawamachi Tourism Association |
| Travel planning and implementation | Tobu Top Tours Co., Ltd., Travel Agency Registered No. 38 by the Japan Tourism Agency |
| Cooperation | Kappo Ryokan Futaba Oidenasee Co., Ltd. |
This tour is being carried out with partial subsidies from the Project to Promote the Expansion and Improvement of Quality of Inbound Consumption through Special Experiences, etc. This support allows us to provide high-quality tourism programs that allow foreign tourists to have a deeper experience of Japan’s traditional culture and nature.
Japan Tourism Agency Special Experiences Official Website: https://tokubetsu.go.jp/
👉 Please check the “🔗 Travel Conditions” before participating.
◆cancellation fee
| cancellation date | cancellation fee |
|---|---|
| From the day before the start of the trip until the 3rd day after the 14th day counting back | 20% of the travel price |
| From two days before the start of the trip to the day of the trip | 50% of the trip price |
| After the trip has started or if you do not show up without notice | 100% of the trip price |
