Harvest
Day 2 (Thursday 10 October 2024) （B, L, D)
We will start with a guided walk around my dysfunctional, old village that is brimming with history and somewhat caught between tradition and modernity. We will wander freely, chatting with the locals, maybe stopping to watch the rice being harvested. After lunch, we will visit Nakaosan at his boutique sake brewery. For dinner, we’ll learn how to make okonomiyaki from a neighbor and you’ll go home confident to reproduce this dish for friends and family.
Day 1 (Wednesday 09 October 2024) (S)
Guests travelling from Cairns, Australia depart at 12:25h on JQ 15
Alternatively, meet at Kansai Airport at 19:00, or you may travel directly to our home.
Light supper and sweet dreams in your home away from home.
Day 3 (Friday 11 October 2024) (B,L,D)
Okonomiyaki
Today we will eat our way around Osaka - the foodies capital of Japan. Dotonbori is abuzz with interesting shops, performances, boat rides, cabarets and opportunities to make various crafts. We can enjoy the sights from trains, rooftops, boats, cafes and even the top of Osaka Castle.
Expect the unexpected!
If you’re brave enough, a hot bath at our local onsen may be the perfect way to end this day.
Day 4 (Saturday 12 October 2024) (B,L,D)
There is so much to do close to home. In the morning, you might like to attend the local school’s sports day, help harvest rice, go shopping, identify the birdlife in the hillside behind our house or take a ride on one of our 3 e-bikes. After a simple lunch at home, we will go to Expo 70 Park to see their Japanese gardens, seasonal events and take a ride on Japan’s largest Ferris Wheel - if we feel like it. Home is only 3 km away and this is your personal tour so we’re very much free to do as we please.
Day 5 (Sunday 13 October 2024) (B, D)
This morning we will witness a traditional harvest festival that has been observed for over 1300 years in our village. In the morning, a Shinto priest will hold a ceremony in Susuku Shrine and the gods will be carried around the village in a mikoshi (portable shrine) to provide protection for the year ahead.
We might enjoy a lazy Sunday afternoon - or you could zip out for some bird watching, master your brush strokes or take a nap.
In the early evening, we will join our neighbors for a celebration at Susuku Shrine. (At this stage, the rice harvest looks like it will be bountiful this year) There will be some games, like bingo - in Japanese - and lots of yakisoba, takoyaki and oden to eat. It’s the one day of the year when the neighbors all catch up and enjoy meeting new people.
Bamboo Grove of Arashiyama
Day 6 (Mon. 14 October 2024) (B, D)
Today is Sports Day - a public holiday in Japan. I think we’re going to head to Kyoto to visit the famous bamboo forest and Tenryuji Temple in Arashiyama. If you’re keen, we could also go to the Golden Pavilion, aka Kinkakuji or check out the famous garden of Ryoanji. As always, we’ll decide together.
If we head home at a reasonable hours, I’ll teach you how to make Shabu Shabu for dinner so you can really impress your friends and family back home.
Day 7 (Tuesday 15 October 2024) (B,D)
Mino Waterfall
Today we’ll explore Katsuoji Temple and Minoh Waterfall about 6 km from our home. Apart from postcard shots of temples, towering maples and a foot bath for any sore feet, we will snack on tempura maple leaves, yuzu ice cream and other local specialties. Keen walkers can walk down the mountain and home while others can go by car.
Late afternoon we will have some time to shop for things you’d like to take home and time to take on some of the challenges in my book Turning Japanese in 101 easy steps.
I’m happy to introduce you to the local hot spring (onsen), sushi restaurant or karaoke bar.
Day 8 (Wednesday 16 October 2024) (B,D)
Today we’ll jump on a shinkansen (bullet train) and head to the World Heritage listed Himeji Castle. We will enjoy lunch in the stunning gardens beside the castle and take a slower train back, stopping in Kobe for dinner. (Maybe try the famous Kobe beef and some sake) If you’re up for an early start, we could also visit the Kobe Earthquake Memorial Museum.
Day 9 (Thursday 17 October 2024) (B,D)
We will enjoy a slow start to the day. Around 11 am we will head right through Osaka, deep into the mountains of Wakayama and up a cable car to the top of Mt Koya, the birthplace of Shingon Buddhism in Japan. Nestled in amongst towering conifers are many temples and shrines, some with World Heritage status. We will gain insight into the lives of Buddhist priests as we eat a traditional vegetarian dinner and sleep on futons.
Kongobu-ji Temple, Mt. Koya
Day 10 (Friday 18 October 2024) (B,D)
Early morning, you may like to join the priests in prayer and meditation. Alternatively, you may snuggle into your futon and stay there until breakfast. Mt Koya has many UNESCO World Heritage sites to see and is a photograph’s paradise. We will be able to take our time. On the way home, we could take a side trip to Nara to see the cute deer and the biggest wooden building in the world or we can head home. We’ll decide together, based on how we’re feeling and the weather.
Day 11 (Saturday 19 October 2024) (B, D)
Today is all about you and your wish list. We could explore the east side of Kyoto starting with Nishiki Market and maybe ending at Fushimi Inari Shrine or you might prefer to enjoy things close to home, such as second-hand stores, calligraphy or flower arrangement, pachinko, shopping or soaking in a hot spring. We have 3 e-bikes and 2 little cars to help us get around.
Around 4:00 pm, Ogawasan will come and help us dress in traditional kimono for a photo shoot and tea ceremony at home. After that, we’ll all enjoy a relaxing evening at home and invite a few neighbors to come and say goodbye.
Day 12 (Sunday 20 October 2024) (B, D)
Fortunately, we have until 4 pm today to fulfil everything on your wish list. I am at your service. We could enjoy a pamper or zip out for some last minute shopping. Those of us returning to Australia tonight will leave home at 4 pm to head to Kansai Airport. (JQ 16 to Cairns departs at 9 pm).