PRODUCTS
At the foot of the Kita Alps, winter is not something to escape, but something to live with. This immersive retreat invites guests into a snowbound satoyama village-NYUKAWA-, where warmth gathers around an irori hearth, forests are walked slowly with local artisans, and meals begin not in the kitchen, but in the frozen fields. Wearing traditional snowshoes, guests harvest daikon beneath the snow, learn how people here have lived in harmony with harsh winters for generations, and transform simple ingredients into nourishing dishes shared by the fire. This is a quiet, grounding experience — a rare opportunity to step out of modern time and rediscover a way of life shaped by stillness, resilience, and respect for nature.
This experience offers deep mental rest through slowness, silence, and seasonal immersion. Guests are not “shown” winter — they live it, making it ideal for travelers seeking retreat, reflection, and disconnection from daily life.
From snowshoeing into forests with local craftsmen to cooking with freshly harvested winter vegetables, every activity reflects real seasonal practices still alive in rural Japan. Nothing is staged; everything is lived.
Guests engage directly with artisans and residents who maintain traditional forest management and winter food culture. These personal encounters create emotional depth and lasting memories that cannot be replicated elsewhere.
The retreat embodies principles of harmony with nature, minimal impact, and respect for local rhythms — long before sustainability became a concept. It resonates strongly with eco-conscious, culturally curious travelers.
The experience can be curated as a half-day immersion, a full-day retreat, or combined with private stays in traditional houses, onsen bathing, tea or Zen practices — making it easy to integrate into bespoke luxury journeys.
Relaxation , Immersion , Nature Just 20 minutes from Takayama, this serene satoyama experience begins at a traditional farmhouse retreat in Nyūkawa, at the foothills of the Northern Alps.
Guests wander gently through the forest on traditional snowshoes before unwinding over a rustic lunch by the irori hearth —a relaxing immersion into the everyday rhythms of Japan’s satoyama life.
One of the defining features of this tour is a peaceful lunch enjoyed in a heritage Japanese country home built in the architectural style of Hida-Takayama, serving as your private retreat for the day.
Gathered around a glowing irori hearth, guests gently toast rice cakes over embers and share a comforting miso soup simmered with seasonal vegetables — a simple, mindful ritual that invites you to slow down and immerse yourself in the relaxed rhythms of satoyama life.
This plan offers an optional craft experience using timber sourced from Hida-Takayama.
Together with a local artisan, guests shape a piece of raw wood into a pair of chopsticks — carving directly from a log and experiencing each step of the process by hand.
The simple, rhythmic act of carving invites you to clear your mind and focus fully on the moment, creating a deeply calming and restorative experience.
Kyohei Yamakoshi（TreeTrunk）
Born and raised in Takayama, I have a deep passion for climbing and mountaineering. My fascination with the history and culture of my hometown began during my university years, where I researched Takayama’s traditional machiya townhouses and the gassho-zukuri farmhouses of Shirakawa-go. To share these wonders with global travelers, I studied English in Canada before returning to Hida Takayama in 2015 to begin my guiding career. Today, I lead walking tours through Shirakawa-go and Takayama, and nature expeditions in the Northern Alps and Goshikogahara—a hidden gem at the foot of Mount Norikura. I spend my days scouting undiscovered paths, eager to show you the endless hidden charms that the Hida region has to offer!
Tomoko Sugiyama
Affiliation: Flying Peaks / Guiding Experience: 5 years
Credentials: Licensed Hida Regional Guide-Interpreter
Born and raised in Takayama, I spent my 20s based in Oregon, USA, riding as a professional snowboarder. In 2017, I brought my love for the outdoors back home, guiding international guests on cycling tours through the heart of Takayama. Now, as a licensed regional guide-interpreter, I curate countryside cycling tours and evening food walks around the region. Operating as a true “field entertainer,” I am passionate about high-value storytelling, crafting meaningful and unforgettable cultural narratives that bring the landscapes of Takayama to life for every guest.
(JP)
Tour Dates and Programs
DAY 01
Tour Operator Club Tourism International Inc.
This tour is a custom-made travel package. > Once we receive your request through this website, we will tailor the itinerary to suit your specific needs and provide you with a customized price quote.