Course No. 0001

Dream Experiences beyond Himeji Castle

Discover the “marriage” between ancient and modern Japan in this exclusive tour of Himeji. On the first day, you will stay at the Kobe Kitano Hotel, renowned for serving the best breakfast in the world. Visit Engyoji, a temple located in northern Himeji with a history of 1000 years and which is also known as the filming location for “The Last Samurai”. Here, you will have the opportunity to experience the innovative Shojin Cuisine prepared by Mr. Yamaguchi, a famous chef from the Kobe Kitano Hotel, that combines traditional Buddhist recipes with French culinary techniques. At Engyoji Temple, you will have access to buildings that are not usually open to the public and you can participate in the craft of gold leafing, a traditional Himeji craft used in the creation of Buddhist altars. For the second night, you will stay at Yumenoi, specifically in the “Yumesaki-an Yuyake-Koyake” surrounded by picturesque mountains in northern Himeji. Enjoy picking strawberries cultivated using advanced technologies, visiting a local sake brewery with a rich history, and learning the art of making Japanese sweets at a tea house offering a splendid view of Himeji Castle. Prepare yourself to discover the hidden gems of Himeji, beyond its famous Castle.

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Recommended Points

Kobe Kitano Hotel: a relaxing retreat in Kitano district with an European atmosphere

Kobe Kitano Hotel is an urban auberge (a restaurant with accommodations) in Kitano Ijinkan, the area of the Former Foreign Residences in Kobe. Kobe Kitano Hotel is an auberge where guests stay for the purpose of eating, based on the concept of “enjoying gourmet food and having a hearty time.” The building was designed in the motif of an English manor house in 1992, and features a stately lobby, a courtyard with a European taste, and 30 different types of guestrooms with English antique furniture. Please enjoy a relaxing time away from everyday life, surrounded by gentle moments, as if you were in your second home.

Kobe Kitano Hotel Terrace. Dinner(9th December; 13th January) and breakfast (12th December)

We have created a place for a new culinary stage in a location in the lush green mountains, overlooking the sea that stretches beyond the cityscape, and where you can also feel the dynamism of Kobe. It is only a 3-minute drive from the Kobe Kitano Hotel. As a “villa” in Kobe, we will offer an experience that mixes the traditional culinary culture and art with the new history of dining. The cuisine is prepared using mainly local ingredients and advanced culinary theories cultivated over many years. We offer a unique dining experience that can only be experienced here. As part of our efforts to pass on Japan’s unique food culture and ingredients to the next generation, we also actively offer a sustainable seafood menu using not-commonly cooked fish that are rarely available in the market, as well as a vegan menu, responding to the diverse needs of our customers with delicious cuisine.

Kobe Kitano Hotel. Dinner (11th December) and Breakfast (14th January)

Experience the ultimate taste that transcends the boundaries of French cuisine. A challenge to the ultimate taste. We offer the dishes that appeal to the five senses, with color, flavor, taste, texture, and changes in temperature, while preserving the spirit inherited from Bernard Loiseau, and taking full advantage of gastronomic techniques, while keeping the classic ones. The cuisine is prepared with ingredients from the five areas in Hyogo prefecture called “Mitsukenokuni” (lands of royal food) of Awaji, Settsu, Tanba, Harima, and Tajima, as well as the 72 seasons of the 24 solar terms, using scientific techniques that can only be enjoyed here.

The best breakfast in the world

The breakfast at Kobe Kitano Hotel has been officially approved by Mr. Bernard Loiseau, whose breakfast has been named “the best breakfast in the world” by the worldwide non-profit Small Luxury Hotel Association. The General Manager/Executive Chef, Hiroshi Yamaguchi, is a student of Mr. Loiseau and is serving the breakfast only at the Kobe Kitano Hotel.

Engyoji Temple

Engyoji Temple, located on top of Mt. Shosha, is a Buddhist temple of the Tendai school with a history of over 1,000 years. The temple was founded in 966 by Shoku, a holy Buddhist priest who came to this mountain and received inspiration from Kannon Buddha. In 986, Kazan, a retired Emperor, visited this temple and gave it the name “Engyo (perfect teaching),” which drew even more visitors to the temple. It is said that the famous retired-Emperors Godaigo and Goshirakawa also visited this place. As the name of the temple spread, many priests began to gather at Engyoji Temple for ascetic practice, and Engyoji Temple achieved fame as the most important training center for priests to practice in the western part of the Kansai region. Nowadays, visitors can enjoy the quiet and mysterious atmosphere of the temple grounds, which are dotted with majestic buildings in the midst of deep forests. The experience of learning about the thousand-year history of Engyoji Temple in nature will be an unforgettable memory of your trip.

Shojin ryori (buddhist vegetarian cuisine)

Using French cooking techniques, Japanese ingredients are prepared in the way of “Shojin Cuisine (Buddhist cuisine).” This makes it possible to create dishes using scientific techniques without the use of endemic seasonings. In other words, the birth of “Nouvelle Shojin Cuisine,” a new world of food that can be enjoyed by all who is considerate to our planet.

Gold leaf experience at Juryoin

Juryoin is the highest ranking sub-temple in Engyoji where retired Emperor Goshirakawa was said to spend seven days in meditation.
At this historic site, under the guidance of Hamaya, one of the largest Buddhist altar shops in the Kansai region, visitors will experience gold leafing, an essential process in the making of a Buddhist altar. The gold leaf application on a Japanese zodiac figurine corresponding to the customer’s year of birth is a unique and precious experience.

Yumenoi (stay on day 2)

Yumenoi ‘Yuyake Koyake’ is a heart-warming ryokan where you can enjoy exquisite cuisine using seasonal and local ingredients. Please enjoy a relaxing time in the rich nature surrounded by mountains in a carefully designed space.

Tsubosaka Sake Brewery (day 2)

The Tsubosaka Shuzo is a long-established brewery with a history of almost 400 years. Visitors will tour the 219-year-old brewery and learn about Japanese sake making. You will enjoy a close-up look at the actual ‘moromi’ (fermentation mash) of the sake being brewed and the fermentation process. The tour will be followed by a tasting event, where you will also hear valuable stories from local farmers who grow sake rice.

Japanese sweets making (Kineya)

You will have a chance to make traditional Japanese sweets with your own hands, guided by a sweet-making professional, and then enjoy them with matcha (green powdered tea) at Boukeitei, a registered cultural property in Himeji. This is a premium experience available only on this day!

Strawberry picking experience (Yumekoubo)

Pick all the strawberries you can eat at this greenhouse with the latest ICT enviromental control technology. You have the chouse of 10 different strawberry varieties. To combat pests and diseases, they use natural enemies and fluorescent UV lights to reduce the use of pesticides. Different kinds of strawberries have different shapes, colors, flavors, and sweetness. Find your favorite one!
*Available kinds of strawberries may change depending on the season.

Multilingual audio tour

When you visit a specific spot or location on the map during this tour, the audio explanation will be played via a QR code. While listening to the audio, you can discover the charm and learn from the experience. You can also take commemorative photos with the AR camera function.

Click here to apply for a trip

Click here to apply for a trip