Adventure Tourism A Kyoto Mountain Retreat for the Senses A day encountering the culture of gratitude and the spirit of harmony in the Kyoto mountains
E-Bikes make participation easy for everyone, regardless of age or fitness level, effortlessly conquering hills.
Experience a special immersive journey feeling the breeze as you explore riverside satoyama landscapes, farmlands, traditional farmhouses, and shrines.
・ “Soba × Honeybee” Experience: Learning Food Cycles
Soba cultivation is unique to satoyama, where it's grown specifically for honeybees to gather nectar.
Learn about the bees' work among the flowers, then hand-knead soba noodles from buckwheat flour and savor them.
A one-of-a-kind program to experience the natural connections behind the act of “receiving” food.
・Learn the Story of Sonobe Castle, “Japan's Last Castle,” On-Site
Built during the Bakumatsu to Meiji periods, it is Japan's newest castle.
Through existing structures like the yagura gate and guardhouse, learn about the atmosphere of this turbulent era and local history via a picture-story-book format.
・Learn about the “God of Food” at Makiji Shrine, a treasure trove of cultural assets
Pay homage to Ōmisamitsuhiko-no-Mikoto, the deity presiding over agriculture and food, at this venerable shrine listed in the Engishiki, boasting one of Kyoto Prefecture's largest thatched roofs.
A precious opportunity to decipher the background of satoyama food culture through “myth and prayer.”
・Zazen meditation at an ancient temple founded in the Muromachi period—Experience Kyoto's “beauty of stillness”
Zazen at Ryōon-ji Temple offers a time to clear your mind as the journey concludes.
Surrounded by the nature of the four seasons and enveloped in silence, it is an experience where the essence of the “Japanese spirit” truly resonates.
Package Options
Product Info
Purchase Notice
This is a private tour. Only your group will participate.
You can customize it as you like. If you have any requests please let us know in advance.
If you want to change your schedule even on the tour day, your guide is always happy to help you.
You can skip the spot where you don't go (※in this case we do not refund any fees) or change it with another place.
If you add some new spots by your request, please pay the ticket fee on the spot. (Note that you may need to pay extra transportation fee)
This product is sponsored by loulou Trading Co., Ltd.
Reminders
Course Notes
・Age range: 12 to 70 years old
Participants must be junior high school age or older and able to ride a bicycle. A consent form will be sent individually; a signed document from a legal guardian must be submitted on the day.
・This program includes E-Bike transportation, hill riding, and zazen meditation at temples, making it non-barrier-free.
Participants with concerns about walking or bicycle operation cannot join.
・Must be able to ride an E-Bike (no impediments to bicycle operation)
・Wear comfortable clothing and cold-weather gear
・Skirts and tights are not permitted for the zazen experience
・Bring a raincoat in case of rain
・Cannot participate if feeling unwell (e.g., body temperature 37.5°C or higher)
※ Honey extraction experience is available only from May to August 15th. During other periods, experience the centrifuge and honey purification process.
※ Not available on event days at Ryunji Temple, the zazen hall.
Cancellation Policy
- Cancellations 7 day(s) (inclusive) before the selected date are allowed. Unused orders can be canceled for free
- For cancellations made 1 to 6 days prior to selected date, a cancellation fee of 50% will apply
- Cancellation is not allowed between 0–0 days from the selected date. Orders cannot be canceled or modified, and refunds will not be granted.
- Due to time zone differences, the confirmed cancellation date is based on the supplier’s local time. Please allow 2–5 business days to process your cancellation request, after which the cancellation fee will be charged according to the product’s cancellation policy. Once the cancellation is confirmed, you will receive your refund within 14 working days.
FAQ
During the E-Bike tour in Sonobe, participants can enjoy the aesthetic beauty of riverside satoyama landscapes, vibrant farmlands, charming traditional farmhouses, and historic shrines. The E-Bikes make it easy to effortlessly conquer hills, allowing visitors to feel the gentle breeze and fully immerse themselves in the natural and cultural scenery. This journey itself becomes an experience of connecting with Kyoto's serene mountain aesthetics.
E-Bike tours are integral to exploring the Sonobe mountain retreat, making participation easy for everyone, regardless of age or fitness level. They effortlessly conquer hills, enabling visitors to comfortably navigate between sites such as traditional farmhouses, shrines, and farmlands. The E-Bikes transform travel into an immersive journey, allowing guests to fully experience the satoyama landscapes while feeling the breeze.
The 'Soba × Honeybee' experience highlights the unique relationship between soba cultivation and honeybees in satoyama. Participants learn how soba is grown specifically for bees to gather nectar and about the bees' vital work among the flowers. This hands-on activity includes hand-kneading soba noodles from buckwheat flour, which are then savored. It's a unique program to understand the natural connections behind food and its origins.
At Sonobe Castle, known as 'Japan's Last Castle,' visitors gain insights into a turbulent period. Built between the Bakumatsu and Meiji periods, it is Japan's newest castle. Through existing structures like the yagura gate and guardhouse, participants learn about the atmosphere of this era and local history. The information is presented in an engaging picture-story-book format, offering a unique historical perspective during the retreat.
Makigami Shrine is highly significant to the food culture of the Kyoto mountains as it pays homage to Ōmisamitsuhiko-no-Mikoto, the deity presiding over agriculture and food. This venerable shrine, listed in the Engishiki, boasts one of Kyoto Prefecture's largest thatched roofs. Visiting provides a precious opportunity to decipher the background of satoyama food culture through the lens of 'myth and prayer,' connecting to the origins of sustenance.
Yes, participants can experience Zazen meditation at Ryounji Temple as the journey concludes. This ancient temple, founded in the late Muromachi period, offers a serene environment to clear one's mind. Surrounded by the nature of the four seasons and enveloped in silence, the Zazen meditation at Ryounji Temple provides a profound experience where the essence of the 'Japanese spirit' truly resonates.
The Sonobe mountain retreat is designed to deeply connect participants with nature and the local way of life. It allows visitors to escape the city and immerse themselves in Sonobe's forest setting, savoring nature, culture, and daily life with all five senses. Activities like E-Bike tours through satoyama landscapes and the 'Soba × Honeybee' experience foster understanding of natural cycles and local traditions, aligning mind and body.
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