The Hidden Japan Yamagata City Office — Local services in Yamagata

I traveled to Tsuruoka especially for this unique Yamabushi experience, and it turned out to be the best experience of my holiday. The journey started with a warm welcome and nice accommodation at Miyatabo shukubo, where I was introduced to a variety of traditional Japanese foods. The meals were meticulously prepared, offering a delightful exploration of local flavors. The staff was incredibly understanding and accommodating, even though, by a misunderstanding, we arrived a day earlier than our reservation. They seamlessly arranged for our early stay, which made us feel very welcomed. One of the highlights was participating in the morning prayer before breakfast, which provided a serene and spiritual start to the day. The interactive hike to Mount Haguro with a Yamabushi guide was both enlightening and invigorating. The guide shared insights into the Yamabushi lifestyle and the sacred significance of the mountain, making the hike a deeply immersive experience. Throughout the journey, Pierre, our translator ensured that nothing was lost in translation, enhancing the overall experience. He gave us a lot of details and we commented about other subjects too. The peaceful ambiance at Gyokusenji Temple was truly captivating. The temple's beautiful garden offered a tranquil retreat, perfect for reflection and relaxation in meditation state. The friendly owners of the shukubo and temple added a personal touch to the stay, making me feel right at home. This experience in Tsuruoka not only allowed me to connect with nature and spirituality but also left me with cherished memories and a profound appreciation for the Yamabushi way of life. It also convinced me to go back and complete the training of becoming a Yamabushi myself. This Yamabushi experience in Tsuruoka is something I would highly recommend to anyone looking for a unique and enriching Japanese...

This Farm Stay was a stand out experience from our 28 day trip to Japan. Having done the "big sights" on previous trips we were focused on coasts, mountains, lakes and experiences. This Farm Stay certainly hit the spot under "experiences" - it was great!! Great communications throughout from Bridgitte - from the planning right through to the visit. We simply arrived at the farm using the Google Maps link and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves until after breakfast next day. We were met by Bridgitte and our really lovely host Ajiki-san who, like ourselves, had a translation phone app downloaded. VERY useful. Bridgitte spent time with us (translating) as we walked around some fields, asked many questions and learned a lot. We harvested some edible Chrysanthemums and also Taro root . . both of which were later included in Ajiki-san's meal for our dinner. Bridgitte said "goodbye" and we enjoyed the rest of our evening in Ajiki-san's house. She gave us tickets for a nearby Onsen which was of amazing quality, unexpected by us in such a rural area. We then enjoyed a wonderful dinner before retiring onto very comfortable futons for a great night's sleep. Breakfast next morning was equally wonderful and we departed. Highly recommended opportunity to see some of...

On this 3rd 21-day trip to Japan we wanted to learn practical skills which we can use back home. Therefore, we have chosen “Tofu making workshop”. The workshop took place at the Japanese traditional rice storehouse. It is an integral part of the family household and is used to entertain guests. We have thoroughly enjoyed this experience. We have been welcomed warmly into their place and we immediately felt at home. They are very keen to learn about other cultures, so the conversation was very lively and engaging.

The process of making tofu was fun and not complicated. The host was helping at every step and the final result was quite good. Besides tofu, there was more food prepared from the byproducts, such as salat, spring rolls and soup. We had a hearty meal and more great conversations. Very thankful to Bridget for her simultaneous translation - not an easy job when you have 5 people taking. This was so much fun and probably the best way to get an up close and personal introduction to Japanese culture. Recommended to everyone who want to spend meaningful time with a Japanese family, learn about the culture, prepare and enjoy the food together. We’d do this again any time. Thank you so much for...