Overview
Nestled in the mountains of Hatsukaichi, Hiroshima, Asahara is a rural community where people have long lived in close relationship with the land, water, and changing seasons.
It is also home to Iwafune-no-Mizu, a natural spring associated with Ueda Sōko, a warrior and tea master who lived through an age of conflict in Japan.
In his later years, he is said to have sought moments of tranquility at this spring.
Your journey begins at Kameyama Shrine, where a magnificent old tree has watched over this land for generations.
In its presence, take a quiet moment to show respect for Asahara before experiencing the gifts of the land.
Together with a local host, choose seasonal ingredients, then wash, cook, and shape locally grown Asahara rice into onigiri.
Walk through the rural landscape, draw water from Iwafune-no-Mizu, and discover a way of life that has long been shaped by living alongside nature.
The Japanese Way of Tea is about far more than preparing and drinking tea.
To feel the water.
To notice the seasons.
To prepare the space.
To be present for another person.
Within these simple acts lies a philosophy of living in harmony with nature and with others.
Using the water you have collected, heat the kettle and experience tea according to the traditions of the Ueda Sōko Ryū.
The setting is Sumu., a renovated traditional Japanese house reimagined in Japandi style. Here, Japanese and Scandinavian aesthetics
meet through a shared appreciation for simplicity, stillness, and living in harmony with nature.
After tea, take time for quiet reflection on what “peace” and “harmony” mean to you.
The journey then continues to a local artisan, where you can discover how the tea utensils used during your experience
are made and encounter the craftsmanship behind each piece.
The stillness of the warrior.
Harmony with nature.
Harmony with others and across cultures.
In Hiroshima — a place that has endured profound tragedy while continuing to share a message of peace with the world
— discover another way of approaching peace: not only as the absence of conflict, but as harmony with nature, with others, and within yourself.
A day in Asahara to reconnect with the land, with others, and with yourself — and carry that sense of harmony into everyday life.
A Day in Asahara: Local Food, Samurai Tea & the Sacred Water — Find Your Stillness
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make a reservation
Please press the button to request your reservation. We will check availability and notify you of the result.
Your reservation is confirmed only after you receive our confirmation notice.
Location
「Sumu.」
2763 Asahara, Hatsukaichi-shi, Hiroshima Prefecture, 738-0222, Japan
Price
The price includes tax and covers private transportation to and from your accommodation in Hiroshima or Hatsukaichi, visits to Kameyama Shrine and Iwafune-no-Mizu, local ingredient selection with your host, an Asahara rice onigiri-making experience followed by lunch featuring the onigiri you have prepared, the Ueda Sōko Ryū warrior tea experience, English interpretation, journaling materials, and a visit to a local artisan workshop.
Purchases made during the artisan workshop visit are not included in the price.
Schedule
9:00–9:20 AM Depart from Your Accommodation
Depart by private vehicle from your accommodation in Hiroshima or Hatsukaichi and travel into the mountains of Asahara.
10:00–10:20 AM Kameyama Shrine — Greeting the Land
Meet the owner of Sumu. at Kameyama Shrine. Welcomed by a magnificent old tree that has watched over Asahara for generations,
take a quiet moment to show respect and gratitude for the land and the gifts you will experience throughout the day.
10:20–10:40 AM Asahara Community Center — Choosing Local Ingredients
Together with your local host, explore local ingredients and choose what you
will use to make your onigiri.
10:45 AM–12:15 PM Making Onigiri with Asahara Rice｜Sumu.
Begin by washing locally grown Asahara rice and cooking it yourself.
While the rice cooks, learn about rice cultivation and everyday life in this rural community.
Once ready, shape the freshly cooked rice into onigiri using the local ingredients you selected.
12:15–1:00 PM Lunch — Tasting the Gifts of Asahara
Enjoy the onigiri you have made and experience the flavors of the land.
1:00–1:30 PM A Moment of Rest at Sumu.
Relax in the tranquil Japandi space and enjoy a quiet moment before the afternoon experience begins.
1:30–1:45 PM Iwafune-no-Mizu — Drawing the Water
Visit Iwafune-no-Mizu, the natural spring where Ueda Sōko is said to have sought tranquility in his later years.
Discover its connection to the warrior tea tradition and draw the water that will be used for your tea.
1:45–2:00 PM Life in Harmony with Nature
Walk through the rural landscape toward Sumu., taking in the seasonal scenery
while discovering how life in Asahara has long been shaped by its relationship with nature.
2:00–3:30 PM Ueda Sōko Ryū Warrior Tea — From Water to a Bowl of Tea｜Sumu.
Heat the water you collected from Iwafune-no-Mizu and experience tea according to the traditions of the Ueda Sōko Ryū.
In Sumu., a renovated traditional Japanese house reimagined in Japandi style, discover harmony with nature and others through a bowl of tea.
3:30–3:45 PM Reflection — Journaling
Take a quiet moment to reflect on the experience and put into words what “peace” and “harmony” mean to you.
3:45–4:00 PM Reflection — Dialogue & Q&A
Share your reflections and explore questions about tea culture, Asahara, and the experience.
4:00 PM Depart from Sumu.
4:15–5:00 PM Iemori — From Tea to Craftsmanship
Discover how the tea utensils used during your experience are made and gain insight into the craftsmanship and techniques behind each piece.
Afterwards, enjoy time to browse and purchase tea utensils and handcrafted items as a lasting connection to your experience.
5:00 PM Depart from Iemori
Return by private vehicle to your accommodation in Hiroshima or Hatsukaichi.
Around 5:40–6:00 PM Arrive at Your Accommodation
Carry the stillness of a bowl of tea with you — and a renewed sense of harmony with nature, with others, and within yourself.
Dress code
As the experience includes some walking, please wear comfortable clothing and walking shoes.
A kappōgi, a traditional Japanese apron, will be provided for you to wear during the onigiri-making experience.
Please let us know your height and clothing size in advance.
Payment
Payment in advance / Credit card JPY only
Booking deadline
Booking must be made at least 7 days before the experience date
Cancellation policy
・From 20 days prior to the experience date: 20% of the total experience fee
・From 14 days prior: 50%
・From 7 days prior: 100%
Cancellation fees are calculated based on the scheduled experience date.
Further remarks
Please let us know in advance if you have any sadō (Japanese tea ceremony) experience.
Due to unavoidable circumstances, programs or workshops are subject to last-minute changes and cancellations.
If you are more than 30 minutes late without prior notice on the day of your appointment, it will be automatically canceled.
In such cases, no refund will be issued.
Select a date &
make a reservation
Please press the button to request your reservation. We will check availability and notify you of the result.
Your reservation is confirmed only after you receive our confirmation notice.