discover | japanspire

Go Deeper into Hiroshima and Beyond

Discover private experiences shaped by the people,
traditions, landscapes, and craftsmanship of Hiroshima and the surrounding region.

From sacred mountain practice and traditional performing arts to swordsmiths,
rural communities, and outdoor adventures,
Japanspire connects travelers with experiences that go beyond the familiar.

Miyajima Sacred Mountain Training

Experience a different side of Miyajima through a full day of traditional mountain practice on sacred Mt. Misen. Guided by a Yamabushi leader, the journey combines walking, reflection, and practices rooted in a living spiritual tradition.

Full day · Private · English interpretation

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Shrine Kagura

Encounter Hiroshima’s vibrant Kagura tradition through a private performance arranged at a local shrine. Experience the mythology, music, dance, and dramatic storytelling up close, with opportunities to interact with the performers.

Private performance · FIT / Groups · By arrangement

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The Heart of the Japanese Sword

Meet the swordsmiths keeping one of Japan’s most remarkable craft traditions alive. From private encounters and sword appreciation to hands-on forging and multi-day craftsmanship, each experience offers a different way into the world of the Japanese sword.

Private · Master swordsmiths · Hands-on experiences

Hiroshima Country Cycling

Leave the city behind and explore rural Hiroshima by e-bike. Ride through farmland and mountain communities while discovering the landscapes and everyday life of the countryside.

4 hours · E-bike · Small group

Start with the familiar.
Discover something deeper.

Hiroshima and Miyajima are among the region’s best-known destinations. Explore the essential sights with a private guide, or add an experience that reveals another side of these places.

Hiroshima & Miyajima
Private Touring

Discover Hiroshima and Miyajima with a private guide, with itineraries tailored to your interests, pace, and travel style.

Private · English / French · Tailor-made

Miyajima
Sacred Mountain Training

Go beyond Miyajima’s familiar sights and experience Mt. Misen as a sacred landscape through traditional Yamabushi practice.

Full day · Private · English interpretation

Discover another side of Hiroshima

Beyond the city, mountain communities and
farming landscapes offer a different perspective on life in Hiroshima.

Hiroshima Country Cycling

Explore rural Hiroshima by e-bike, riding through farmland, mountain roads, and small communities while discovering everyday life in the countryside.

4 hours · E-bike · Small group

Shrine Kagura

Experience Hiroshima’s powerful Kagura tradition through a private performance at a local shrine and personal interaction with the performers who keep the tradition alive.

Private performance · FIT / Groups · By arrangement

Rural Homestay

Stay with local hosts and experience everyday life in the countryside through meals, conversation, and time spent together.

Overnight · Private · Local interaction

Samurai Legacy

Explore Japan’s warrior traditions through samurai armor, sword movements, and guided practice in rural Hiroshima.

Approx. 2 hours · Private / Small group

The Heart of the Japanese Sword

Meet the people keeping Japan's swordmaking tradition alive.

From private encounters to multi-day craftsmanship programs, these experiences offer rare opportunities to meet licensed swordsmiths and discover the skill, philosophy, and dedication behind the Japanese sword.

Forge with Johan Leutwiler

The World's First Non-Japanese Licensed Swordsmith

Step inside Johan Leutwiler’s working forge and experience traditional Japanese sword forging firsthand. Strike hot steel under his guidance and hear about his remarkable journey from Switzerland to becoming a licensed swordsmith in Japan.

2 hours · Private · Hands-on forging · English / French

The Essence of Forging

with Master Swordsmith Sadanao Mikami

Enter the world of a master swordsmith and discover the techniques and philosophy behind the creation of a Japanese sword.

2 hours · Private · Hands-on forging

The Pinnacle of Sword Appreciation

with Master Swordsmith Sadanao Mikami

Experience Japanese swords at close range through an intimate appreciation session guided by the swordsmith himself.

1.5–2 hours · Private · Sword appreciation

3-Day Katana-Steel Knife Crafting

with Master Swordsmith Sadanao Mikami

Spend three days working alongside Master Mikami to create your own knife from traditional Japanese sword steel.

3 days · Private · Hands-on craftsmanship

An Audience with Master Swordsmith Yoshihiro Kubo

Meet one of Japan’s leading contemporary swordsmiths and discover his approach to traditional swordmaking. Hear about his craftsmanship and experience the beauty and exceptional quality of his swords up close.

2 hours · Private · Sword appreciation

Experience the landscape,
not just the view.

From river gorges to mountain landscapes, discover Hiroshima through experiences that bring travelers directly into its remarkable natural surroundings.

Sandankyo Gorge River Trek

Step into one of Hiroshima’s most dramatic natural landscapes with a local nature guide, exploring the river and gorge from within.

Approx. 2.5 hours · Active · Equipment included

Sandankyo Scenic Nature Trek

Spend more time immersed in Sandankyo’s forests, rivers, cliffs, and changing landscapes on a longer guided journey through the gorge.

Approx. 5 hours · Moderate / Active

Myth, Iron & the Sword

Journey from Hiroshima into Shimane, following a story that connects Japanese mythology, traditional ironmaking, sacred places, and the origins of the Japanese sword.
Explore the sacred landscapes of Izumo, discover the heritage of tatara ironmaking, and meet local people keeping the region’s traditions alive.

Private · Multi-day · Tailor-made

Looking for more than a single experience?

Japanspire can add local experiences to an existing Hiroshima itinerary or create a tailor-made journey connecting Hiroshima with the surrounding region.
We work with couples, families, small groups, and travelers with special interests, as well as travel professionals planning private journeys for their clients.
English-speaking guiding, French-speaking guiding upon request, private transportation, and regional logistics can also be arranged.

CONTACT US

LET'S CREATE THE RIGHT EXPERIENCE

The experiences shown here are only part of what we can arrange.
Tell us about your trip, your interests, and the journey you are planning.
We can recommend experiences and arrangements that fit your needs.

Experience Design

Jonah Oshio

j-oshio@japanspire.com

+81 80 5784 5726

Miyajima Sacred Mountain Training

Shrine Kagura

The Heart of the Japanese Sword

Hiroshima Country Cycling

Start with the familiar. Discover something deeper.

Hiroshima & MiyajimaPrivate Touring

MiyajimaSacred Mountain Training

Discover another side of Hiroshima

Hiroshima Country Cycling

Shrine Kagura

Rural Homestay

Samurai Legacy

The Heart of the Japanese Sword

Meet the people keeping Japan's swordmaking tradition alive.

Forge with Johan Leutwiler

The World's First Non-Japanese Licensed Swordsmith

The Essence of Forging

with Master Swordsmith Sadanao Mikami

The Pinnacle of Sword Appreciation

with Master Swordsmith Sadanao Mikami

3-Day Katana-Steel Knife Crafting

with Master Swordsmith Sadanao Mikami

An Audience with Master Swordsmith Yoshihiro Kubo

Experience the landscape, not just the view.

Sandankyo Gorge River Trek

Sandankyo Scenic Nature Trek

Myth, Iron & the Sword

Looking for more than a single experience?

CONTACT US

LET'S CREATE THE RIGHT EXPERIENCE

Jonah Oshio

Start with the familiar.
Discover something deeper.

Hiroshima & Miyajima
Private Touring

Miyajima
Sacred Mountain Training

Experience the landscape,
not just the view.