Experience
Experience01
CHIZU FOREST IMMERSION
This memorable two-day program will immerse you in the vast forests of Chizu, which cover 92 percent of the town. Refresh both mind and body with forest bathing, hands-on craftwork with natural materials, and guided meditation sessions that foster deep relaxation. Savor locally sourced meals in the heart of the woods—an experience sure to delight your senses and create a lasting memory. The program also offers chances to explore eco-friendly ways of life that will enhance your well-being into the future. Indulge in a one-of-a-kind experience set among beautiful natural surroundings as you reset and recharge.
Dates
Mid-March to mid-November 2025 (1st & 3rd Sat. and Sun.)
Main Venues
Chizu Relax Area, Hirano Residence
Meals
Mitaki-en, Outdoor dining at Sugi Shrine
Group Size
5–10 guests (minimum 5) days
Duration
2 days
Price
100,000 JPY per person (including lodging, meals, guide, and tax)
Experience02
TRADITIONAL FORESTRY EXPERIENCE
Step into Chizu’s centuries-old cedar groves to explore the town’s traditional forestry practices, and become part of a living story of renewal. More than simply observing, you will learn skills and traditions to pass on to future generations. Try your hand at cedar cutting and woodworking, and immerse yourself in the process of restoring Chizu’s cultural landscape. Enjoy campfires and smoking local foods—experiences unique to a town built on forestry. Connect with local professionals who keep age-old forest management practices alive, and deepen your appreciation of the region’s cultural heritage.
Dates
Mid-March to mid-November 2025 (1st & 3rd Sat. and Sun.)
Main Venues
Chizu’s forests, Chizu-juku, Hirano Residence
Meals
Mitaki-en, Outdoor dining at Sugi Shrine
Group Size
5–10 guests (minimum 5) days
Duration
2 days
Price
100,000 JPY per person (including lodging, meals, guide, and tax)
Experience03
HERITAGE ARCHITECTURE JOURNEY
In Chizu, you can do more than observe Japan’s living heritage—you can help shape its future. Work side by side with local craftspeople to restore century-old homes, breathing new life into these historic buildings. Once a flourishing post town in the Edo period (1603–1867), Chizu-juku still retains its rich cultural heritage, including its architecture. This tour takes you to places like Chizu-juku and Mitaki-en to learn about the beauty of Japan’s traditional architecture. In 2025, there is a special program to restore the former Hirano Residence, which is more than 100 years old. Learn how to char cedar boards (yaki-sugi) and repair mud walls, gaining hands-on knowledge of techniques that preserve local heritage and carry it into the future.
Dates
Mid-March to mid-November 2025 (2nd & 4th Sat. and Sun.)
Main Venues
Chizu-juku, Mitaki-en, Hirano Residence
Meals
Mitaki-en, Outdoor dining at Sugi Shrine
Group Size
10–15 guests (minimum 5) days
Duration
2 days
Price
100,000 JPY per person (including lodging, meals, guide, and tax)
Experience04
CHIZU TRAIL
CHIZU TRAIL is an exploratory trail where you can experience the nature and history of Chizu at your own pace and with your own senses.
Over two days, you’ll walk through the forest’s quiet serenity, wander the back alleys of Chizu-juku—a former Edo-period post town—and meet local artisans.
Rather than following a set tourist route, you’re encouraged to “walk and discover,” revealing the deeper layers of Chizu.
Enjoy a variety of activities, from a forest trail where you can breathe in the pure woodland air, to a meditation session that helps you center yourself, and a pottery workshop introducing the local Chizu-yaki tradition.
By “walking, losing yourself, and making new discoveries,” you’ll weave your own story of Chizu with every step.
Dates
Mid-March to Mid-November 2025 (2nd & 4th Saturdays and Sundays)
Main Venues
Chizu-juku, Mitaki-en, Hirano Residence
Meals
Mitaki-en, Outdoor Dining at Sugi Shrine
Group Size
10–15 (minimum 5) days
Duration
2 days
Price
¥100,000 per person (includes lodging, meals, partial guiding, tax included)