This is not a fixed-schedule group tour. Each journey is privately arranged based on your interests and preferred travel dates. To respect the daily lives and work schedules of local hosts, brewers, farmers, and artisans, the itinerary is customized for every booking. Tours are available for groups of two or more guests. Please feel free to contact us to discuss your travel plans.
Meet the People Behind Tsuwano’s Way of Life
Tsuwano is a small castle town nestled among the mountains of Shimane Prefecture.
Here, traditions are not preserved as relics of the past. They remain part of everyday life. Sake breweries, tea merchants, traditional confectionery shops, and temples continue to shape the town, carrying forward customs and ways of life that have been passed down for generations.
This journey is not simply about visiting sake breweries, temples, or historic streets. It is about meeting the people who keep these traditions alive.
The people you will meet are sake brewers, confectionery artisans, tea merchants, Buddhist monks, and local residents—each playing a role in carrying Tsuwano’s culture and way of life into the future.
Rather than simply visiting tourist attractions, you will spend time with the people who live here. Share conversations, gather around the same table, and experience a glimpse of everyday life in Tsuwano.
Over three days, you’ll discover not only the traditions of Tsuwano, but also the people who continue to pass them on.
Experience Highlights
- Share stories and taste local sake with a Tsuwano brewery owner
- Meet traditional confectionery artisans and tea merchants
- Experience Nora Zazen, an outdoor Zen meditation practice
- Discover cultural traditions that continue to thrive in this historic castle town
Meet the People of Tsuwano
Takamasa Furuhashi
Fifth-Generation Sake Brewer and Community Connector
Owner & President, Furuhashi Shuzo
“Without the community, there is no sake brewery.”
For nearly 150 years, Furuhashi Shuzo has been brewing sake in the castle town of Tsuwano. Leading the brewery today is Takamasa Furuhashi, the fifth-generation owner who believes that sake is as much about people as it is about brewing.
After studying sake production outside Shimane, he returned to his hometown and dedicated himself to crafting sake made with locally grown rice and the region’s pure water. Behind that commitment is a simple belief: a brewery can only thrive when it remains deeply connected to the community around it.
During this journey, Furuhashi-san will personally guide you through the brewery.
As you walk through the brewing spaces together, you’ll hear stories about why local ingredients matter, how relationships with farmers shape the sake he makes, and what makes Tsuwano such a special place to call home.
The conversation goes beyond sake. It is an opportunity to meet someone who has chosen to carry forward a family business while helping preserve the connections that keep this small town vibrant.
On your first evening in Tsuwano, you’ll also have the chance to share food, drinks, and conversation with Furuhashi-san and other local residents.
Before tasting the sake, you’ll get to know the people behind it.
That is where this journey begins.
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Harumitsu Ushio
Eleventh-Generation Master Brewer
Owner, Kasen Shuzo
“Tradition survives because it continues to evolve.”
For more than 300 years, Kasen Shuzo has been brewing sake in Tsuwano. Today, the brewery is led by Harumitsu Ushio, the eleventh-generation master brewer who is carrying its legacy into a new era.
While honoring the techniques and flavors passed down through generations, Ushio-san is also exploring new ideas and approaches to ensure the brewery continues to thrive in a changing world.
During this journey, Ushio-san will personally guide you through the brewery.
As you walk through the brewing spaces together, you’ll hear why preserving traditional sake styles remains important, how the brewery is adapting to modern challenges, and what it means to be responsible for a business that has been part of the community for more than three centuries.
The conversation extends beyond sake itself. Ushio-san will also share his thoughts on Tsuwano’s culture, the people who support the town, and the role a brewery can play in keeping local traditions alive.
Later in the evening, you’ll join local residents for food, drinks, and conversation.
Over shared cups of sake, you’ll hear stories about brewing, community life, and the history of Tsuwano from someone whose family has been part of it for generations.
These are the kinds of conversations that can only happen when you spend time with the people who call this town home.
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Ryutaro Abe
Traditional Wagashi Artisan
Sanshodo
“I want more people to fall in love with Genjimaki.”
Ryutaro Abe grew up with Genjimaki, the beloved sweet that has become a symbol of Tsuwano.
Today, he manages Sanshodo, a long-established confectionery shop, while working to share the story of this local specialty with future generations. Driven by a desire to preserve the flavors and traditions he grew up with, Abe-san has created hands-on experiences that allow visitors to discover the culture behind the confection.
During this journey, you’ll join Abe-san for a Genjimaki-making experience.
Pour the batter, carefully cook each thin layer by hand, and roll it around sweet bean paste. The process may appear simple, but it reveals the skill, patience, and attention to detail that have been passed down through generations of confectionery artisans.
As you enjoy your freshly made Genjimaki, Abe-san will share why this sweet has remained a cherished part of life in Tsuwano and why he feels a responsibility to pass that tradition on to the future.
More than just a confectionery workshop, this experience offers a glimpse into the memories, customs, and everyday life that have shaped the town.
Through one simple sweet, you’ll discover a deeper connection to the people and culture of Tsuwano.
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Rumi Ricotta
Third-Generation Tea Merchant
Komien Kamiryo Chaho
“I want to help preserve the culture and way of life that make this town so special.”
Born and raised in Osaka, Rumi Ricotta moved to Tsuwano in 2017 and took over Komien Kamiryo Tea Shop, a family-run business with more than 90 years of history.
Today, she continues to carry on the traditions passed down by her grandparents while introducing new ways to enjoy tea alongside her husband, Adrien, who is originally from France.
At the heart of the shop is Zaracha, a traditional herbal tea that has long been enjoyed in Tsuwano. By honoring its history while embracing new ideas, Ricotta-san is helping ensure that the town’s tea culture remains relevant for future generations.
During this journey, you’ll join Ricotta-san for a personalized tea-blending experience.
Surrounded by the aromas of tea leaves and herbs, you’ll select ingredients based on your mood, preferences, or physical condition and create a custom blend that is uniquely your own.
As you enjoy tea together, you’ll hear the story of why she chose to leave Osaka for Tsuwano, how she came to inherit the tea shop, and what continues to inspire her about life in this small mountain town.
Her perspective is different from that of someone born and raised here. Having chosen Tsuwano as her home, she offers a unique view of the town’s culture, community, and everyday beauty.
This experience is also a chance to slow down.
Step away from the pace of daily life, enjoy the calming aromas of tea and herbs, and spend a quiet moment reconnecting with yourself.
Like many experiences on this journey, the tea is only the beginning. The real discovery comes through the conversations and connections shared along the way.
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Yoshitaka Hagino
Deputy Chief Priest
Eimeiji Temple
“Sometimes the long way around is worth taking.”
Before becoming a Buddhist monk, Jiryu Hagino lived a very different life.
He spent years working as a company employee, traveling across Japan and building a career in the corporate world. But at the age of 37, he made the decision to leave that path behind and pursue a life of Buddhist practice.
After completing rigorous training at Eiheiji, one of Japan’s most important Zen temples, he returned to his hometown of Tsuwano at the age of 46. Today, he serves as the deputy chief priest of Eimeiji Temple, helping people find moments of reflection and connection in their daily lives.
During this journey, Hagino-san will guide you through an experience known as Nora Zazen, or “Outdoor Zen Meditation.”
The experience begins with a simple introduction to zazen meditation in the temple’s main hall. Afterward, you are free to spend quiet time wherever you feel most comfortable. Sit in the garden, walk slowly through the temple grounds, or simply pause and observe your surroundings.
There is no single right way to do it.
The goal is not perfection, but presence.
Through gentle conversation, Hagino-san will share why he chose to leave his former career, what led him back to Tsuwano, and what he believes people living busy modern lives are truly searching for.
As you listen to his story in the stillness of the morning, you may find yourself slowing down as well.
This experience is not about learning Buddhism through lectures. It is about creating space to breathe, reflect, and reconnect with yourself.
When your journey comes to an end, you may leave Tsuwano with more than memories.
You may leave with a quieter mind as well.
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An Evening with the People of Tsuwano
In the evening, you’ll gather around the table with sake brewers and local residents.
Over local food and Tsuwano’s sake, conversations unfold naturally. You’ll hear stories about daily life, the changing seasons, local traditions, and what it means to call this town home.
There is no script and no performance.
The people who join may be different each time, and the conversations will follow their own course. What matters is simply sharing the same table, spending time together, and raising a glass.
These moments of genuine connection are at the heart of the journey.
Long after the sights and flavors have faded into memory, it is often the people you shared them with that you remember most.
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Discover the Traditions That Shape Tsuwano
Discover the Spiritual Heart of Tsuwano
For more than 250 years, Taikodani Inari Shrine has watched over the people of Tsuwano.
As you walk beneath the rows of vermilion torii gates, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of the history, beliefs, and traditions that continue to shape life in this castle town.
Your guide is Masaki Kurisu, a Shinto priest serving at the shrine.
Through his stories, you’ll learn why the shrine uses the unusual name “Inari” written as “Inari (稲成)” rather than the more common characters used at most Inari shrines in Japan, and what role the shrine continues to play in the lives of local residents today.
Beyond its beautiful scenery and historic architecture, the shrine offers a window into the values and traditions that have been passed down through generations.
By exploring the shrine with someone who knows it intimately, you’ll discover a side of Tsuwano that most visitors never have the chance to see.
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If the Timing Is Right, Experience an Enchanting Evening of Iwami Kagura
Iwami Kagura is a traditional performing art that has been passed down for generations in western Shimane.
Accompanied by the powerful sounds of flutes and drums, performers bring scenes from Japanese mythology to life through dynamic dances, elaborate costumes, and dramatic storytelling.
If your visit coincides with a scheduled performance, we will be happy to take you to an evening Kagura performance in Tsuwano.
Private performances can also be arranged upon request, offering a more intimate opportunity to experience this cherished local tradition.
Whether in a community theater or a private setting, Iwami Kagura offers a memorable glimpse into the stories, beliefs, and cultural heritage that continue to shape the region today.
Please note that private performances require an additional fee.
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Explore the Castle Town and Countryside of Tsuwano
Wander through the historic streets of Tsuwano with a local guide and discover the landscapes that shape everyday life in this small mountain town.
Visit places such as Honmachi Street, Tonomachi Street, local shrines, and the surrounding countryside, where rice fields and satoyama landscapes have supported the community for generations.
Whether on foot or by bicycle, you’ll explore at a relaxed pace, taking time to notice the details that many visitors pass by.
More than a sightseeing tour, this is an opportunity to experience the rhythms of daily life, learn about the town’s history and culture, and gain a deeper understanding of what makes Tsuwano such a special place to call home.
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Sample Journey
Day 1 | Meet the Sake Brewers and Experience Tsuwano After Dark
Arrive in Tsuwano and begin your journey with visits to two of the town’s historic sake breweries.
Guided by sake brewers Takamasa Furuhashi and Harumitsu Ushio, you’ll step inside their breweries, learn about their craft, and hear how sake remains deeply connected to the local community.
Later, stroll through the castle town’s historic streets with your guide before gathering around the table with local residents for dinner, drinks, and conversation.
If schedules align, the evening may also include a performance of Iwami Kagura, a traditional theatrical dance that brings Japanese mythology to life through music, costumes, and dramatic storytelling.
Day 2 | Discover the Culture and Daily Life of Tsuwano
Begin the day with a visit to Taikodani Inari Shrine, one of Tsuwano’s most important spiritual landmarks, known for its striking rows of vermilion torii gates.
Next, join Rumi Ricotta for a personalized tea-blending experience, creating your own herbal tea while learning about Tsuwano’s unique tea culture.
Enjoy lunch at a local favorite before meeting Ryutaro Abe of Sanshodo for a hands-on Genjimaki-making experience. Learn the techniques behind Tsuwano’s beloved confection and enjoy it fresh from the griddle.
In the evening, share another meal with local residents and continue the conversations that make this journey so memorable.
Day 3 | Slow Down and See Tsuwano Through Local Eyes
Start the morning with Nora Zazen, an outdoor Zen meditation experience guided by Deputy Chief Priest Jiryu Hagino at Eimeiji Temple.
Afterward, explore Tsuwano by bicycle with a local guide. Ride through historic streets, quiet neighborhoods, shrines, and countryside landscapes while discovering places that most visitors never see.
Along the way, enjoy Uzume Meshi, a traditional local dish that has been enjoyed in the region for generations.
Your journey concludes in the afternoon at Tsuwano Station, bringing home not only memories of the places you visited, but also the people you met along the way.
Please Note
This itinerary is provided as an example. Each journey is customized according to guest interests, seasonal conditions, and the availability of local hosts. Activities and timing may vary.
Practical Information
| Travel Period | Available year-round |
|---|---|
| Price | From ¥175,000 per person (2 guests) Special rates available for groups of 3–6 guests. Please contact us for a customized quotation. |
| What’s Included | • Two nights accommodation • Meals (2 breakfasts, 2 lunches, and 2 dinners) • All experience and activity fees listed in the journey • Travel accident insurance |
| Not Included | Drinks during dinners (unless otherwise specified) Personal expenses Iwami Kagura performance fees (if applicable) |
| Meeting Point | Tsuwano Station |
| Group Size | Minimum: 2 guests Maximum: 6 guests |
| What to Wear | Comfortable clothing suitable for walking and outdoor activities. |
| What to Bring | No special equipment required. |
| Accommodation | SHIKINOKASHA A beautifully restored 200-year-old traditional Japanese house, reserved exclusively for one group at a time. |
| Booking Deadline | Bookings must be made at least 20 days before departure. |
| Cancellation Policy | 20–11 days before departure: 20% of the tour price 10–1 days before departure: 50% of the tour price Same-day cancellation or no-show: 100% of the tour price |
| Payment | Credit card (Visa and Mastercard) Detailed payment instructions will be provided after booking. |
| Additional Information | Detailed travel information will be provided after your booking request has been confirmed. As this is a customized journey, the itinerary and host availability may vary depending on the season and local circumstances. |
