The History, Aesthetics, and Philosophy of the 15th Generation of the Mito Tokugawa Family:
Tokugawa Collection and Tea Ceremony Experience
©The Tokugawa Museum, ©EVOKE81
This is one of the initiatives supported by the Japan Tourism Agency’s FY2023 supplementary budget project “Unique Experience in Japan.”
This special event offers an immersive experience in Japanese history. At the Tokugawa Museum, home to 30,000 precious artifacts from the Mito Tokugawa family, guests will have the rare opportunity to meet the 15th-generation descendant and hear about the family’s history and aesthetics. Additionally, guests can privately view three selected artifacts, such as calligraphy, lacquerware, and pottery, in the VIP room. There is also a tea ceremony experience in an exclusive tea room, wearing high-quality kimonos made by Japanese artisans, along with samurai helmet, sword, and armor experiences. A guided tour will be provided, and guests can enjoy lunch and original Japanese sweets.
*You can also customize the plan according to your wishes.
Model Plan Description
PLAN 1 / Full-Day Plan
From ¥340 000 (¥374 000 tax included) / From 2 people（Approx. 6 hours）
- Private viewing of two selected artifacts in the VIP room, with a discussion by the 15th-generation descendant of the Mito Tokugawa family
- Samurai helmet experience, and one person in the group can try on armor (up to 100 cm waist, additional charge)
- Tea ceremony in an exclusive tea room, wearing a high quality kimono crafted by Japanese artisans
- Gourmet lunch (choice of eel, traditional Japanese lunch box, or vegetarian lunch box) and original Japanese sweets box from a popular local confectionery
- Interpreter guide is available
PLAN 2 / Half-Day Plan A
From ¥250 000 (¥275 000 tax included) / From 2 people（Approx. 4 hours）
- Private viewing of two selected artifacts in the VIP room, with a discussion by the 15th-generation descendant of the Mito Tokugawa family
- Samurai helmet experience
- Gourmet lunch (choice of eel, traditional Japanese lunch box, or vegetarian lunch box) and original Japanese sweets box from a popular local confectionery
- Interpreter guide is available
PLAN 3 / Half-Day Plan B
From ¥198 000 (¥217 800 tax included) / From 2 people (Approx. 4 hours) Start at 10am and 1pm
- Guided tour of the museum with explanations provided by the staff
- Tea ceremony in an exclusive tea room, wearing a high quality kimono crafted by Japanese artisans
- Gourmet lunch (choice of eel, traditional Japanese lunch box, or vegetarian lunch box) and original Japanese sweets box from a popular local confectionery
- Interpreter guide is available
Additional Information
- Pickup service from the hotel or local meeting point is available upon request.
- Optional events can be added the following day. Please inquire for more details.
*You can also customize the plan according to your wishes.
OPTIONAL EVENT
Exploring Historic Sake Breweries
Ibaraki Prefecture
Ibaraki Prefecture is home to several must-visit sake breweries. One of these is the oldest brewery in Japan, known for preserving tradition while constantly innovating. Their sake is highly acclaimed worldwide, with some bottles fetching prices as high as 6 million yen, comparable to the finest wines like Romanée-Conti. Another brewery is famous for its high-quality plum wine, a specialty of Ibaraki, which has won numerous awards and is considered the best in Japan.
Event Highlights:
- Visit two historic sake breweries and receive a lecture at each.
- At the first brewery, enjoy a special menu with tastings of three rare and globally renowned sake varieties.
- At the second brewery, tour the archives and brewery, followed by tastings of unique plum wine.
- Guided by an interpreter.
- Transportation by car.
*You can also customize the plan according to your wishes.
Included in the Fee:
= Full-Day Plan =
– Viewing of exhibits at the Tokugawa Museum
– Private viewing of two items from the Tokugawa family’s collection, with a lecture by a Tokugawa descendant in the VIP room
– Experience wearing a kabuto (samurai helmet)
– Kimono dressing experience
– Tea ceremony experience at the tea room “Tokgetsutei” while wearing kimono
– Lunch (choice of eel bento, shokado bento, or vegetarian bento)
– Original Japanese sweets
– Interpreter guide
= Half-Day Plan A =
– Viewing of exhibits at the Tokugawa Museum
– Private viewing of two items from the Tokugawa family’s collection, with a lecture by a Tokugawa descendant in the VIP room
– Experience wearing a kabuto (samurai helmet)
– Lunch (choice of eel bento, shokado bento, or vegetarian bento)
– Original Japanese sweets
– Interpreter guide
= Half-Day Plan B =
– Viewing of exhibits at the Tokugawa Museum
– Kimono dressing experience
– Tea ceremony experience at the tea room “Tokgetsutei” while wearing kimon
– Lunch (choice of eel bento, shokado bento, or vegetarian bento)
– Original Japanese sweets
– Interpreter guide
Minimum Number of Participants:
2 people *For 1 person or groups of 10 or more, please contact us for consultation.
Schedule
= Full-Day Plan =
Approximately 6 hours
1. Arrive at Tokugawa Museum on the day
2. Viewing of exhibits at the Tokugawa Museum
3. Viewing two items in the VIP room
4. Experience wearing a kabuto, and one person can try on armor
5. Lunch
6. Kimono dressing
7. Tea ceremony experience
8. Japanese sweets and a traditional tea time
= Half-Day Plan A =
Approximately 4 hours
1. Arrive at Tokugawa Museum on the day
2. Viewing of exhibits at the Tokugawa Museum
3. Viewing two items in the VIP room
4. Experience wearing a kabuto
5. Lunch
6. Japanese sweets and a traditional tea time
= Half-Day Plan B=
Approximately 4 hours
1. Arrive at Tokugawa Museum on the day
2. Viewing of exhibits at the Tokugawa Museum
3. Kimono dressing
4. Tea ceremony experience
5. Lunch
6. Japanese sweets and a traditional tea time
*Please note that the order of events may change.
Cancellation Policy:
50% fee if canceled 30 days before the event, 75% from 29 to 8 days before, and 100% fee from 7 days before the event or for no-shows. If the event is canceled due to our circumstances, we will refund your payment.
Payment Method:
Please pay in advance by credit card.
Participant Requirements:
Must be 12 years or older
Reservation Deadline:
1 month in advance *For reservations within one month, please contact us.
Notes:
– The event may be canceled due to various circumstances. In that case, we will refund your payment.
– Armor wearing is limited to a waist size of up to 100 cm.
– Please inform us of any allergies or dietary restrictions when making a reservation through the contact form.
– If coming by private car or rental car, please inform us at the time of reservation through the contact form.
– Please consult with us regarding photography during the experience.
– Foreign travelers are requested to enroll in travel accident insurance.
Venue:
Tokugawa Museum
1-1215-1 Mikawa, Mito City, Ibaraki Prefecture, 310-0912, Japan
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