- KOBE or HIMEJI DEPARTURE
- KURASHIKI or UNO PORT ARRIVAL
- ENGLISH SUPPORT
- TUESDAY
After departing from Kobe and Himeji, YUI PRIMA OLIVIA will take you to a little workshop in the woods nestled in Himeji city’s countryside. Here you will meet mister Kikyo, an authentic Japanese katana’s swordsmith that has been in active for 20 years, creating unique pieces of art. While working, he will guide you through the main phases of the Japanese sword-making process: heating, hammering, and folding Tamahagane, a rare and precious type of Japanese steel. This is a rare opportunity to meet and talk to an authentic artisan in person and experience firsthand the charm of the creation of a Japanese sword.
Next, we will visit Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture. Customers who choose to get off here will be guided for about two hours through the historical district of Kurashiki, accompanied by a special guide. The guide is a descendant of an important family from Kurashiki that has been in the area since the Edo period and will share interesting trivia and insider’s stories that cannot be easily found on the web or in textbooks. The bus continues to Uno Port, Okayama Prefecture. Uno Port is the gateway to Naoshima, the island of art. You can either take a ferry to Naoshima or spend the evening exploring the sorroundings.
Special price until the end of March
Price per person: 63,000yen → 30,000yen (tax included)
- Kobe Sannomiya (boarding) 8:10
- Himeji (boarding) 10:00
- Rakan Village swordsmith experience
- Tatsuno Nishi Service area (lunch break)
- Kurashiki (drop-off) 15:30
- Uno Port (drop off) 16:45
Please arrive 10 minutes before departure time
Included experiences
Katana experience with an authentic swordsmith (about 90 min.)
Go to a blacksmith’s workshop where authentic Japanese swords are made.
Observe the process of hammering, stretching, and folding Tamahagane steel that has been heated to approximately 1,300°C.
Sparks will fly right before your eyes, creating a very exciting atmosphere.
ATTENTION: all customers who take part in this tour will be able to participate in this activity, regardless of the bus stop at which they get off.
Kurashiki historical district guided tour (about 120 min.)
A local guide will show you around Kurashiki Historical Quarters, a beautiful townscape where white-walled streets and Western-style architecture coexist in harmony.
ATTENTION: only the customers who get off at Kurashiki bus stop will be able to participate in this activity.
- Kobe Sannomiya (boarding) 8:10
- Himeji (boarding) 10:00
- Rakan Village swordsmith experience
- Tatsuno Nishi Service area (lunch break)
- Kurashiki (drop-off) 15:30
- Uno Port (drop off) 16:45
Please arrive 10 minutes before departure time
Suggestions for what to do after drop-off
Continue your journey with YUI PRIMA OLIVIA
Get off at Kurashiki and stay overnight in one of the traditional buildings. The next day, Depart Kurashiki on YUI PRIMA OLIVIA and set off on a journey of a scenic route around the Seto Inland Sea.
Enjoy other travels/ Return home
1.Get off at Kurashiki and experience the traditional craft of “indigo dyeing” and take a tour around the indigo jeans factory and a dyeing factory. Then, return home by Shinkansen.
2.After getting off at Uno Port, transfer to the ferry. Enjoy a trip to the art island of Naoshima, where you can explore the numerous art museums and artworks.
【The price includes】
- Bus fare
- All-you-can-drink service on the bus
- On-board attendant (in Japanese and English)
- Swordsmith experience
- Kurashiki strolling experience
【The price does not include】
- Lunch fee
- Accommodation fee
Special price until the end of March
Price per person: 63,000yen → 30,000yen (tax included)
