ART

• Privately meet Sumie Master in his Atelier Studio to learn about his modern techniques in Sumie painting.
• With a private art guide visit the Hakone Open Air Museum to receive a unique perspective on modern art through the Japanese lens. The museum displays an extensive collection of sculptures set into the magnificent outdoors of the Hakone area.
• Exclusively meet a Japanese family proprietors of a studio for GoldLeaf Art. The family have practiced the art of gold leaf for generations. Among their most beautiful creations are stunning obi (traditional belt for Kimono), into which his gold leaf patterns are woven.
• Visit the temple of  Todaiji, which once served as the head temple of Buddhism in Japan. Among the many treasures at Todaiji is the Daibutsuen ìBig Buddha Hallî, the largest wooden structure in the world, and the Buddha around which it was built stands at a whopping 15 meters.

CULTURE

• Privately meet a Zen monk, let him tell you his story and personal experiences of Zen and how it changed his life, led him guide you through a enlightenment state of meditation.
• Follow the tradition by visiting the Temple of the Pure Wateróso named for the Otawa spring, in its center. It is thought that water here can offer special benefits to those who imbibe, such as long life, success in love, or to do well in school.
• Bonsai, visit the most enchanting museum of all where the art of bonsai enshrines the grandeur of nature in a miniscule pot.
• Visit the workshop of a respected Japanese swordsmith, the master will be happy to show guests the basics of the sword making process and talk about the importance of swords in Japanís classic culture.
• Visit the home of an instructor of ikebana ñ the traditional Japanese art form of flower arranging, learn the secrets and experiment your own composition.
• Manga class experience, in the mecca for anime and manga otaku (fans) visit the most renowned school and take a manga class taught by a prominent manga artist.

Entertainment

• Exclusively visit with some Sumo wrestlers during their morning practice, followed by a traditional lunch.
• Step back in time into the deep countryside of Japan and enjoy a course in flower arrangement or a Yoga session.
• Enjoy a private helicopter cruising around Tokyo, from the skies above you will be able to have a clear glance of the incredible heritage and history coupled by a hi-tech and modern city.
• Kimono dressing, spend an unforgettable day in a beautiful Kimono gown. Choose from a colourful array of gowns and Obi straps, your choice of Japanese tailoring.
• Hot Springs relaxation in Hakone, soak in the thermal waters while gazing at the distant mountain landscape in a truly magical setting.

Nature & Wildlife

• From Hakone, which sits in the shadow of the great Mt. Fuji enjoy excellent views of the mountain and embrace it all.
• Immerse yourself in the colours and tranquility of cherry blossom in selected scenic spots where you could grasp their unique beauty, such as in Yoshino: here an entire mountain has been planted with cherry trees and it blooms continuously throughout the month of April.
• In Nara, beyond temples and emperors, grasp a natural highlight: a thriving population of deer. Considered sacred here, the deer are protected. The animals are quite calm and relaxed around people and can be hand fed.
• Enjoy strolling through the Japanese countryside and soaking up the calm feeling from the surrounding nature.

EPICUREAN

• Enjoy dinner at a traditional Japanese ëryokaní.
• Try a vegetarian lunch on the temple grounds. As monks are not allowed to take meat in their diet they have come up with some creative vegetable dishes.
• Take tea in the traditional way, as served by a master of the tea ceremony. Come face to face with one of Japanís renowned traditions. Much like dance, tea ceremony is a performance, the moves are slow and subtle, precise, and carefully scripted. Enjoy a traditional Japanese sweet while the tea master prepares a cup of ìmatchaî, powdered green tea.
• Enjoy a private dinner with one of Japanís famed entertainers, a Geisha performer. Fulfil your senses with an exquisite Kaiseki meal of Kaga cuisine (the local, refined cuisine of Kanazawa) and free flow drinks with two Geisha.
• In a traditional luxury villa enjoy an unique meal prepared by a Michelin starred chef.
• A gourmet evening in Tokyo, discover a whole range of equally delicious Japanese cuisine beyond refined sushi and tempura, as we walk along the food laden streets in the evening with a local food expert.
• Japanese cuisine and its associated traditions have a long history of cultural practice, etiquette and custom. Learn the skills involved in the production (and traditions in consumption) of Japanese food.