A Three Day Journey
into Japan's Hidden Sacred Heartland

TOHOKU

Sep 29 – Oct 1, 2026

Beyond Tokyo and Kyoto,
an untouched Japan

Tohoku is a land of vast forests, sacred mountains, and ancient temples. A hidden heartland where centuries-old traditions remain quietly alive.

This journey moves through three symbolic destinations, Mount Haguro, Zuigan-ji, and Chüson-ji, each a gateway into the region's spiritual and artistic heritage.

A REGION SHAPED BY NATURE

Nature shapes
Tohoku's culture, cuisine,
and daily life

In Tohoku, nature is inseparable from everyday life, spirituality, and craftsmanship — its diverse landscapes shaping local traditions, inspiring art, cuisine, and a profound connection to the land.

THE ITINERARY

A journey in three movements

DAY 01

再生 · REBIRTH

A sacred gateway to centuries of pilgrimage and spiritual awakening. Registered as Protected Natural Monument

Tsuruoka, Yamagata Prefecture

Dewa Sanzan Shrine

DAY 02

修練 · DISCIPLINE

Matsushima, Miyagi Prefecture

Zuigan-ji Temple

A Zen sanctuary of serene beauty and contemplation. Registered as National Treasure.

DAY 03

浄土 · PURE LAND

Hiraizumi, Iwate Prefecture

Chūson-ji Temple

A UNESCO World Heritage site embodying the Pure Land vision of harmony and transcendence.

DAY 01 — DAY 02 — DAY 03

再生 · REBIRTH

Dewa Sanzan Shrine & Mount Haguro

A cedar-lined stairway of 2,446 stone steps, climbed in the footsteps of Yamabushi ascetics.

Departing Tokyo by Shinkansen, the journey begins at Mount Haguro, with a walk through ancient cedars to its five-storied pagoda and summit shrine. A private Shinto ceremony and intimate cello recital are followed by traditional shōjin ryōri, before an overnight stay at a peaceful hot-spring ryokan in Tendo.

───────────────────────— Cedar forest pilgrimage on the Yamabushi Shugendō path

— Five-storied pagoda, a National Treasure

— Private Shinto ceremony & cello recital at Sanjingosaiden Shrine

⌖ Tsuruoka, Yamagata Prefecture

CONTINUE TO DAY 02 →

DAY 01 — DAY 02 — DAY 03

修練 · DISCIPLINE

Zuigan-ji Temple

Pine-covered islets rise from still water, one of Japan's celebrated Three Views.

The morning opens with a private cruise among the islands of Matsushima Bay before entering Zuigan-ji, a Zen sanctuary registered as a National Treasure. Guests join resident monks for meditation and quiet conversation, followed by a private cello recital within the temple halls. The day culminates in a candlelit dinner set inside Zuigan-ji itself, before retiring to a refined waterfront hotel overlooking the bay.

───────────────────────

— Private cruise among the pine-covered islands of Matsushima Bay

— Zen meditation and conversation with resident monks

— Cello recital and candlelit dinner within Zuigan-ji Temple

⌖ Matsushima, Miyagi Prefecture

CONTINUE TO DAY 03 →

DAY 01 — DAY 02 — DAY 03

浄土 · PURE LAND

Chuson-ji Temple

A UNESCO World Heritage sanctuary, and a vision of paradise on earth.

The journey continues inland to Hiraizumi, pausing for a traditional mochi-making experience and a brief visit to a local sake brewery. At Chūson-ji, a resident monk leads a private tour through grounds embodying the Pure Land vision of harmony and transcendence, culminating at Konjikidō, the temple's radiant Golden Hall. The day, and the journey, close with a duo performance of piano and cello before the hall's Buddha, ahead of the return to Tokyo by Shinkansen.

───────────────────────— Traditional mochi-making experience & sake brewery visit

— Private guided tour of Chūson-ji with a resident monk

— Piano & cello performance before the Buddha at Konjikidō

⌖ Hiraizumi, Iwate Prefecture

UNIQUE VENUES

Concerts imagined in conversation with architecture

Rather than presenting performances in traditional halls, each concert is composed as a dialogue with its setting temples, sacred forests, and landscapes of deep cultural meaning. These intimate recitals offer a rare moment of connection, where music, architecture, nature, and spirituality converge to reveal another side of Japan.

STAY TUNED →

Ayano Kamimura

Cello · Days 1–3

Emerging international cellist, performing within temples and sacred landscapes throughout the journey.

Piano · Day 3

Paris-based, internationally awarded pianist, joining for the closing performance at Chūson-ji.

Ryutaro Suzuki

BEYOND THE ITINERARY

Cultural Experiences

We have collaborated with traditional Japanese artisans for many years. Our cultural activities include japanese theater (Noh, Kyogen, Kabuki), tea ceremonies, kintsugi, pottery, swordsmanship, court music, sumo, and more.