This full-day tour of Naruto combines art, coastal scenery and natural phenomena. The day begins at the Otsuka Museum of Art, where you’ll walk among life-size ceramic reproductions of famous masterpieces from around the world. After the museum, you’ll have a leisurely lunch at the seaside AoAwo Resort, enjoying fresh flavours and views of the ocean.
As you move on, you’ll visit the Naruto Mountain Observatory for wide views over the Naruto Strait. Along the way you’ll board a sightseeing cruise that brings you close to the Naruto whirlpools, where you can observe the powerful water movements from the deck. The itinerary balances cultural visits, relaxed dining and striking coastal sights.
If you select the cycling option, the tour will not include a visit to the Otsuka Museum of Art.
This Japanese archery experience takes place in a shrine, offering a quiet setting for focused practice. You will be guided through the traditional steps of archery while being encouraged to shift your attention fully to the present moment. The setting and guidance aim to help you engage with the practice rather than simply aiming for the target.
Along the way you will work through the core actions of Kyudo-like archery — from drawing the bow to releasing the arrow — with emphasis on mindful movement. You will be invited to stay mentally and emotionally centred, noticing how each action connects and grounds you in the moment. The activity focuses on the process and on cultivating calm, clear attention as you move through each stage of the practice.
At a long-established incense specialty studio in Ei, a town renowned for its fragrance, you will experience traditional Japanese incense craft with a history of more than a hundred years. The setting introduces you to a calm, refined atmosphere where the sense of scent is central. Along the way you will encounter the ingredients and techniques that have defined the studio’s practice for generations.
In a hands-on session you will blend herbal medicines, including traditional aromatic woods and spices, to craft a scent you prefer. You will see how different notes combine and how the studio balances ingredients to achieve a subtle, composed aroma. Once your blend is complete, the fragrance will be packed into a tasteful Nishijin-ori fabric sachet, creating a neat, elegant keepsake. The finished piece reflects the studio’s careful workmanship and a sophisticated, adult aesthetic that is typical of this long-standing craft.
At Awaji Baikundo Ei Factory on Awaji Island in Hyogo Prefecture, you will explore the traditional craft of incense making in a rich natural setting. The experience focuses on the world of fragrance, giving you time to notice scents and learn how they are combined and used.
You will make your own original incense by choosing a fragrance you like and working the powdered materials by hand. Kneading and shaping the powder is a tactile part of the process, and along the way you will become more familiar with different aromas. The hands-on activity is simple and engaging, and it offers a quiet, sensory way to connect with a long-standing Japanese cultural practice.
