Meihodo - A secret Samurai Complex in the Aso Countryside

【OUTLINE】

You can learn Bushido surrounded by the fertile nature of Aso.

【HIGHLIGHTS】

• Experience samurai culture while basking the grandeur of nature in this one-of-a-kind, authentic zen and budo compound, built for dedicated study of the samurai arts
• Learn from an expert well-versed in bushido, the code of honor developed by Japanese samura
• Put yourself in the shoes of a samurai and meditate peacefully, attend a Japanese tea ceremony, or even try swinging a Japanese katana.
  

【SCHEDULE】

[Experience Details] (3h)
Demonstration / Introduction 30 minutes (Karate, Iaido, Stick, Weapon)
Dogi / Clothes (10 minutes)
Iaido practice lesson 30 minutes
↓ ※ Travel around 10 minutes while strolling in the dojo
Zen experience 3 minutes per person (about 10 minutes)
Tea ceremony / behavior, questions and answers (MAX 8 people, 30-40 minutes)
Change of clothes
Take a photo in front of a large drum

【DETAILS】

Meihodo is a sprawling, 56,000 sqm compound at the base of Mt. Aso consisting of over 20 buildings and 138 rooms to recreate an authentic Edo-era samurai residence.
Meihodo was initially built in 1997 as a private training facility for teaching and preserving the traditional Japanese arts. It is only recently that a limited number of visitors are now being allowed into the facility.
Your tour will include performances of a number of traditional Japanese arts, and you will also be taken to see some of the extremely precious historical artifacts (some dating back 800 years) on display at the facility.

【THINGS TO NOTE】

• Time：3 hours
• Meeting point：Meihodo
  1943-28 Nagakusa, Aso City, Kumamoto Prefecture 869-2231
• Access： 
  The next door of Kenjin-juku
  Catching a taxi or getting a rental car is necessary.
  
• Language support：Japanese, English(option)
• Included：Clothes(Dogi, Hakama)
• Excluded：English speaking guide (optional), Taxi (optional)
• Free Wi-Fi：×
• Toilet (Western style)：〇
• Option：
  ・English speaking guide
  ・Pickup and drop-off between Kumamoto-city and the venue (2-8 people)
• Other things to note：If you choose an optional pickup and drop-off , fill in the booking form with a meeting point and the address where you want us to come.

【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.