【STORY】

An exclusive, one-of-a-kind experience in Kumamoto, the home of the samurai Hosokawa family. You will be able to spend time in a guest room at the site of Taishoji Temple, next to the private residence where descendants of the Hosokawa family reside. You will be served a feast fit for a samurai lord—and actually based on historical record—that will be paired with local Kumamoto sake. The spirit and art of Miyamoto Musashi, Japan's greatest swordsman, and the Hosokawa family who ruled Kumamoto for several hundred years continue to live on in Kumamoto. Enjoy your meal as you meet and interact with the people who respect, protect, and pass down Kumamoto's samurai culture.

【HIGHLIGHTS】

• This experience takes place at the site of Taishoji Temple, the family temple of the Hosokawa family who ruled over Kumamoto for centuries and promoted the arts. Guests will be allowed exclusive access to an area that is normally off limits to the public.
• You can meet and interact with the real people who preserve Kumamoto's samurai culture, including members of the head family of Miyamoto Musashi's Niten Ichi-ryu style of swordfighting and an artisan who specializes in Higo Zogan inlay.
• You will also be served a special Honmaru Gozen dinner paired with local Kumamoto sake from the Zuiyo brewery.
  

【SCHEDULE】

[16:00]　Welcome reception
　　　　- Walk around Taishoji Temple site
　　　　- Welcome drink (made with akazake, a traditional Kumamoto drink)

[16:30]　Samurai culture experience
　　　　- Watch Niten Ichi-ryu performance
　　　　- Introduction to Higo Zogan (metal inlay). Participants can take home a bookmark decorated with Higo Zogan.

[17:10]　Special Hosokawa-style Honmaru Gozen dinner, paired with local Kumamoto sake from the Zuiyo brewery

[18:30]　End

【EXPERIENCE SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION】

◆Detailed schedule
Upon arrival at Taishoji Temple, guests will be led throughout the grounds by a professional guide well-versed in the spirit and art of samurai. Afterward, guests will be served a welcome drink made with akazake, a traditional and historical alcohol from Kumamoto. Next, guests will witness a performance of Niten Ichi-ryu swordsmanship by the 18th-generation master Akinori Matsunaga and the 17th-generation master Kazunori Matsunaga, who are part of a 380-year lineage behind this martial art. Following that, guests will learn about Higo Zogan inlay, a traditional craft of Kumamoto that was used to adorn weapons and other belongings of samurai. Finally, guests will be served a Honmaru Gozen dinner, featuring dishes created based on historical recipes. The meal is paired with sake from the Zuiyo brewery, a local brewery with a long history.

◆About Taishoji Temple
The site of Taishoji Temple is a nationally designated historical site. The temple is deeply connected to the cultures of tea and traditional crafts and is the family temple of the Hosokawa family who ruled over Kumamoto and promoted the arts.
Currently, the 19th generation head of the Hosokawa family, Morimitsu Hosokawa, resides on the premises.
It is said that Miyamoto Musashi was friends with the chief priest of Taishoji and often visited the temple. It is also said that a grand funeral ceremony for Musashi was held at the temple.
The grounds feature a garden centered around a beautiful moss garden, tombs for four of the earliest members of the Hosokawa family to come to Kumamoto, a teahouse, and a memorial stone for Miyamoto Musashi.
(This activity will be offered in areas that are not normally open to the public.)

◆About your meal
Participants will enjoy a special dinner consisting of dishes reproduced from a historic recipe book of the Hosokawa family. Your meal will be paired with sake from the local Zuiyo brewery that founded in the mid-19th century. For participants who do not drink alcohol, your meal will be paired with tea.

【THINGS TO NOTE】

• Duration：2.5 hours
• Meeting point：Site of Taishoji Temple [MAP]
  4-610 Kurokami, Chuo-ku, Kumamoto City, Kumamoto Prefecture 860-0862
  
• Access：20 minutes by taxi from JR Kumamoto Station
• Minimum number of participants：2 people (maximum 12 people)
  
• Language support：Japanese, English
• Included：
  ・Guide
  ・English interpretation
  ・Facility use
  ・Food & drink
  ・Martial arts performance
  
• Dinner Dress Code: Smart Casual
  ・Men must wear a jacket, and women are expected to dress accordingly.
  ・As we will be walking outdoors (on grass, dirt, slopes, stairs, etc.), please wear comfortable footwear.
  ・Please refrain from wearing sandals or high-heeled shoes.
  ・During meals, participants will need to remove their shoes and the meal will be served on tables on tatami mat flooring.
  ・As there might be rain or colder temperatures during the evening, we recommend wearing attire that can be easily adapted to changes in weather.
  
• Participation requirements：
  ・Must be at least 10 years old
  　*Parental accompaniment is required for participants under 20 years old
  ・Strollers are accessible.
  
• Special support：Luggage storage is available.
  
• Free WI-FI：No
  
• Toilet：Yes (Western-style)
• Other things to note：
  ●Meals:
  ・Please contact us in advance if you have any dietary restrictions.
  ・The meal will be paired with sake, but for participants who do not drink alcohol, we will serve tea for the meal pairing. Please notify us in advance if you prefer tea.
  
  ●In the case of rain or severe weather
  ・This tour includes walking outdoors. In the case of rain or severe weather, this activity may be held completely indoors (no refunds will be offered).
  ・At the discretion of the tour company, the tour may be suspended or canceled due to inclement weather, wind, or other unfavorable conditions that may disrupt the tour.
  ・If the tour is cancelled due to weather or other circumstances, we will notify you by phone by 4:00 p.m. the day before the tour.
  ・Please note that in the event of wind and rain during the tour, you may get wet.

【CANCELLATION POLICY】

1 month to 15 days before the experience date　20%
14 to 8 days before the experience date　50%
7 days to the day of the experience date　100%
After the experience begins, No show　100%