There are a brand new series of tours that have just been launched by a team called Odyssey Japan ( supported by the ANA group) and I’m so delighted as they are designed to show visitors to Japan a truly authentic experience.
As someone whose first Japan experience was in the thick of the countryside ( I was an exchange student in high school in a beautiful town called Kurashiki in Okayama Prefecture) I love the idea that others will get to see Japan outside of the tourist hubs like Kyoto and Tokyo.
This is where you see the heart of Japan.
This is where you see the true wabisabi factor that we all hear so much about.
This is where you see how Japan is so futuristic in so many ways but is also so fantastic at holding onto the centre of it’s culture and traditions.
And these gorgeous people of the Japanese countryside are so warm and so patriotic.
These tours are opening up the doors and allowing us to have a sneaky peak inside – something that not many travellers honestly get to do , due to logistical (and lingustical!) concerns.
They are focusing on the areas:
Shonai (Yamagata)
Aizu
Tottori
Saga
Miyazaki
Personally? I’m dying to see the Tottori Sand Dunes and I’ve also got Shingu Kumano Shrine in Aizu on my radar – looks like it is truly breathtaking in Autumn.
It is also possible to travel and not only have high quality food experiences, but also learn how to make the local dishes.
I wanted to share this company with my blog readers as I love that they have the option of self-guided tours.
I love doing things at my own pace (one of the reasons that I started my blog obviously – to help others do the same.) I think it’s because I can have someone else highlight where is good but I can also add and omit things that are right for me and my family.
In rural Japan I also find it hard to get the accommodation right. I want to stay somewhere authentic but sometimes we have had some real disappointments – just a bit more ..umm..rustic.. than one would have planned for….. These guys can help me out with that too.
It’s such a good idea!!!!!!!
A few weeks ago, I was lucky enough to attend the new series launch event – and guess what? I was chosen to participate in Kagamiwari ! How lucky is that?
Kagamiwari is a Japanese ceremony performed at special events where the wooden lid of the sake barrel is broken with a wooden mallet.
I’ve never done it before and it was very, very special.
