Participants Wanted for a 2-Day, 1-Night Trial Tour

“Buddhist statue carving” is a traditional craft that has been passed down through generations in Southern Yamanashi.

This 2-day, 1-night trial tour invites you to discover not only the craftsmanship itself, but also the artisans’ passion and the deeper connections between the statues, the wood, the forests, and the faith that gives them meaning.

From forest to wood.
From wood to the artisan’s hands.
And from their hands, into a form of prayer.

Come and experience the depth and beauty of Japanese traditional culture—a story that can only be told here in Southern Yamanashi.

Trial Tour Overview

Tour Date	November 27 (Fri) – November 28 (Sat), 2026 2 Days / 1 Night
Meeting & Drop-off Location	Kawaguchiko Station GoogleMAP
Meeting Point	November 27 (Fri), 11:30 AM (scheduled)
Drop-off Point	November 28 (Sat), 3:30 PM (scheduled)
Participation Fee	Free of Charge Expected Regular Price: ¥80,000–¥120,000 per person
Application Period	September 1 (Tue) – November 13 (Fri), 2026
Accommodation	Traditional Japanese House in Southern Yamanashi Nakatomi Betsumune GoogleMAP ※Rooms may be shared with other tour participants. ※Male and female participants will stay in separate rooms.

Participation Fee

Participation in the trial tour is free of charge.

The organizer will cover the costs of activities, accommodation, and transportation included in the tour itinerary.

Participants are responsible for their own round-trip transportation costs to and from Kawaguchiko Station, the meeting and drop-off point, as well as any personal expenses.

What We Hope to Share Through This Journey

Southern Yamanashi is a region blessed with rich forests and a spiritual culture centered around Mt. Minobu. Against this backdrop of nature and faith, traditional crafts such as Buddhist statue carving have been passed down through generations.

At the heart of this tour are Buddhist statue carving and the artisans who carry on this tradition.

Unlike a typical craft workshop, the purpose of this journey is not simply to carve a Buddhist statue. You will learn about the wood used as the material, explore its connection to the region’s nature and spiritual traditions, visit an artisan’s workshop, and experience firsthand the skills, philosophy, and dedication behind the craft.

“Why did this culture emerge and take root in this particular region?”

By exploring not only the craft itself but also the story and cultural background behind it, this journey offers a deeper understanding of Japan’s traditional craftsmanship.

From the Forest to a Form of Prayer

01｜Discover the Forest

The journey begins in the forests of Southern Yamanashi.

Visit a local forest and learn about the different types of trees, their characteristics, forestry, and the relationship between the mountains and the people who live here.

You will also discover the types of wood used for Buddhist statue carving and learn about the natural environment from which the materials used by artisans originate.

---

02｜Discover the Connection Between Nature and Faith

For centuries, people in Japan have lived in harmony with nature, holding a deep sense of respect and reverence for mountains and the natural world.

In Southern Yamanashi, this connection can be seen in the region’s mountains and forests, as well as in the spiritual traditions centered around Mt. Minobu.

Rather than simply experiencing nature, this journey explores how the natural environment has shaped local culture and become deeply connected to faith and prayer.

03｜Experience the Artisan’s Craftsmanship

At the heart of this tour is the art of Buddhist statue carving.

You will visit an artisan’s workshop and observe the carving process, traditional tools, and craftsmanship up close.

You will also hear directly from the artisan about their approach to creating Buddhist statues and their work, with an opportunity to try a small part of the carving process yourself.

Rather than focusing solely on the hands-on experience, this tour places importance on respecting the artisan’s authentic work and skills, and gaining a deeper appreciation of their true value.

04｜Stay in the Region and Experience Its Culture

You will stay in a traditional Japanese house in Southern Yamanashi.

Rather than simply visiting tourist attractions and leaving at the end of the day, staying overnight allows you to experience the atmosphere, daily life, and unique character of the region.

Through nature, local food, culture, and interactions with local people, you will experience what it truly means to spend time in Southern Yamanashi.

2-Day, 1-Night Itinerary

DAY 1｜Discover the Story Behind the Forest and Wood

11:30　Meet at Kawaguchiko Station
↓
12:00　Travel to Southern Yamanashi
Enjoy the scenic views around Lake Motosu along the way
↓
13:00　Lunch Featuring Local Cuisine
↓
14:00　Forest Walk & Forestry Experience
Learn about different types of trees, local forestry, the relationship between mountains and people, and the region’s spiritual traditions.
↓
17:30　Check-in at a Traditional Japanese House
↓
18:30　Dinner & Cultural Exchange

DAY 2｜From Wood to a Form of Prayer

7:30　Morning Walk & Experience the Tranquility
↓
9:00　Breakfast
↓
10:00　Visit a Buddhist Statue Carving Workshop
Meet the artisan, tour the workshop, observe the carving process and traditional techniques, and try your hand at carving.
↓
13:00　Lunch
↓
14:00　Reflection on the Journey
↓
14:30　Depart for Kawaguchiko Station
↓
15:30　Tour Ends at Kawaguchiko Station

The itinerary, schedule, and activities are subject to change.

Trial Tour Participants Wanted

This is a trial tour currently in development, with the goal of launching it as a full-scale tourism experience for international visitors in the future.

By participating in the tour, you will be asked to share your feedback on the activities, storytelling, transportation, accommodation, pricing, and overall experience. Your feedback will help us refine and improve the tour before its official launch.

Who We’re Looking For

International Participants

International travelers visiting Japan and foreign residents living in Japan are welcome to participate.

We especially welcome those who are interested in Japanese traditional culture, craftsmanship, nature, and experiencing life in rural Japan.

Those Who Can Share Their Experience on Social Media

We are looking for participants who can share their experiences and the highlights of the tour through Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, blogs, or other platforms.

Selection will be based not only on the number of followers, but also on the quality and style of your content and how well it aligns with the concept of this tour.

Travel Agencies & Tourism Professionals

We welcome professionals involved in the development and sales of travel packages and experiences for international visitors to Japan.

Participants will experience the tour firsthand and provide feedback on its potential as a travel product, including opportunities for future sales and distribution.

Requirements for Trial Tour Participants

To help us develop and improve this tour for its future launch, we kindly ask participants to cooperate with the following:

• Complete a questionnaire after the tour
• Participate in interviews or feedback sessions if requested
• Share your tour experience on social media or other platforms
• Provide honest feedback on the tour content, pricing, and overall experience
• Cooperate with photography and video recording during the tour

We will confirm your consent in advance before using any photos or videos for promotional purposes.

Application & Selection Process

Application Period
September 1 (Tue) – November 13 (Fri), 2026

Applications will be reviewed, and participants will be selected based on how well their interests and activities align with the purpose of the tour, as well as the nature of their social media or other content.

Please note that submitting an application does not guarantee participation.

Selected participants will be contacted individually by the tour organizers.

Applications may close before the stated deadline if we receive a sufficient number of applications.

How to Apply

Discover the art of Buddhist statue carving and the craftsmanship passed down through generations in Southern Yamanashi.

Over two days, this journey explores not only the craft itself, but also the forests, wood, faith, and local way of life that have shaped this tradition.

November 27 (Fri) – 28 (Sat), 2026

2 Days / 1 Night · Free for Trial Tour Participants
※Round-trip transportation to and from Kawaguchiko Station is at the participant’s own expense.