Spirit of High-ranking Samurai! Experience to know the heart and skills of Kyudo

【OUTLINE】

This is a tour to experience the mental and physical training that the Samurai has done through the Kyudo (archery) experience at a venerable shrine.
You can join the activity without worry since we have invited international students to international exchange events and held archery experience.
Native English tour guides are available, we also provide pick up and send back service to Kanazawa Station.

【HIGHLIGHTS】

• A valuable experience taught by a 7-dan (black belt) Kyudo instructor (There are some circumstances that the instructor might be changed to another dan-holder.)
• Learn the samurai's spirit from the Kyudo experience
• Authentic Kyudo facility located on the grounds of a historic shrine
• Get to know the legends and local history
• Native English tour guides are available, we also provide transportation service from Kanazawa Station
  

【SCHEDULE】

Pick up at Kanazawa Station → Ataka Sumiyoshi Shrine → Visit and get explanation of the history of the shrine → Experience Kyudo at the Kyudo Hall → Finish → Move back to Kanazawa Station

【DETAILS】

You can experience the training that the samurai actually did in Ishikawa prefecture, the land of samurai. Since the 17th century, Kanazawa was the third-largest city after Tokyo and Kyoto, having the largest territory in the Hokuriku Region. Arts, traditions, and advanced culture had developed in Ishikawa prefecture with the efforts of high-ranking samurai. It is said that their spirit, as great warriors and sophisticated men of culture, had been cultivated through archery training since childhood.

The tour begins with visiting a historic shrine. This shrine is said to be the only place in Japan where the guardian spirit provides you with the energy and fortune to overcome all the difficulties throughout your life. There is a folklore that a famous samurai broke through an impregnable barrier with the help of the guardian spirit about 800 years ago. This story is still being performed as a famous Kabuki all over Japan. You can deepen your understanding of the history surrounding this area by visiting the historical sites around the shrine and the scenery overlooking the vast expanse of the Sea of Japan.

After that, you will enter the archery hall within the shrine premises and begin your Kyudo lecture. Practice hard under the instruction of the archery master, and you will surely gain new inspiration from the spirit and skills of Bushido. There are many other heritage sites built during the samurai era that have been preserved by the prefecture. Sightseeing around this area after the experience is also recommended.
This plan comes with native English tour guides, so you don't need to worry about communication. We also offer round trip transportation service from and back to Kanazawa Station.
Let's enjoy a fulfilling Hokuriku trip with many attractions and activities you can try in the area.

【THINGS TO NOTE】

• Time：4 hours (2 hours of archery experience)
• Meeting point：JR Kanazawa Station West Exit
  1-1 Kino Shinbomachi, Kanazawa-shi, Ishikawa-ken 　920-0858
  
• Access：About 3 hours on the Hokuriku Shinkansen from Tokyo Station
  
• Language support：English, Japanese
• Included：Full Kyudo gear for the activity, Kyudo lectures, Native English tour guide, Transportation service and other expenses included in the tour
• Excluded：Archery suit（HAKAMA), Other personal expenses not included in the tour
• Items to bring：Socks, Long pants, Tops without buttons (T-shirt, sweatshirt, etc.)
• Participation requirements：
  ・13 years old or older
  ・Those who can draw a bow by themselves
  ・Those who can follow the instruction given by the instructor
  
• Free Wi-Fi：×
• Toilet：○（Western Style）
• Other things to note ：
  ・ The archery ground is considered a sacred place, so it is prohibited to make a loud noise.
  ・ Be sure to follow the instructions for safety requirements.
  ・ You might get scratches on your fingers when you shoot an arrow. Please feel free to ask for a bandage to instructors.
  

【CANCELLATION POLICY】

7 to 4 days before the tour date 40% of the tour price
3 to 2 days before the tour date 60% of the tour price
The day before the tour date, on the day of the tour 100% of the tour price
※Right after the online settlement is made, a cancellation fee of 10% will be incurred in case of cancellation.
※The cancellation fee includes handling charges.