【by RBS student】Taste of Tradition: Home-Style Japanese Bento Cooking at an Ancient Temple in Kobe SATOYAMA
Discover the lesser-known rural side of Kobe, a city famed for its bustling port, and experience the unique terroir. Join us for an immersive journey at Mudōji Temple, a historic sanctuary home to nationally designated Important Cultural Property Buddhist statues. Here, you’ll cook authentic Japanese home-style Bento-box using fresh local ingredients. Enjoy the rare opportunity to harvest produce in the fields, connecting directly with the land that nurtures Kobe’s bounty. Let your senses guide you as you taste, touch, and experience the true essence of Kobe’s countryside. Accommodation options are also available for your consideration. Please click the link below for more details and reservations. 1,Farm stay https://kobenourism.book.ntmg.com/products/7462feb8-1313-58c1-84ec-a9322d36604e?lng=en-US 2, Stay an old Japanese-style house & guided local tour https://kobenourism.book.ntmg.com/products/2c822959-ae0d-5066-85e6-29d6d62f7370?lng=en-US ----------------------------------------------------------------------- *This program is produced by KOBE NOURISM and guraduate of Ritsumeikan University Business School Master of Administration in Tourism management. Ayaka Usui, an RBS graduate, leads KOBE NOURISM, an organization working to revitalize rural areas of Kobe City through tourism. This excursion is our first step in creating new inbound tourism experiences, and we’re excited to welcome you. Your feedback is highly appreciated! *All images are for illustrative purposes only.
Adult/Child (ages 8+)
JPY 14,000
Days of Week
Sun
Duration
duration_hours
Highlights
1
Hands-On Japanese Cooking：Harvest fresh seasonal vegetables and make your own delicious Japanese bento-box with a local mother and daughter, passionate about Japanese cuisine.
2
Traditional Bento Lunch with Scenic Views：Savor the bento you made inside a traditional Japanese building, surrounded by stunning natural scenery.
3
Mudoji Temple – History and Nature：Explore Mudoji Temple with its Heian-period statues and thatch-roofed buildings, and take a moment to relax in the peaceful mountain atmosphere.
Outline
8:50
Meet guide at Swissôtel Nankai Osaka
The guide will welcome you in the lobby of Swissôtel Nankai Osaka
9:00
Take the train and bus from the city to the countryside of Kobe.
First, we will head to central Kobe using public transportation. Just a 30-minutes train ride from central Kobe, and you'll step into a completely different landscape. Hop on the local train and bus to your next destination and feel as if you've traveled back in time. *Please note that the itinerary may change depending on public transportation schedule adjustments.
10:50
Harvesting experience at Meguri farm
Enjoy a short walk of approximately 10 minutes from bus stop. Visit Meguri Farm and meet Ms. Hiroe Oguri, the owner of Meguri Farm, who’s both a passionate farmer and a tea ceremony master. In the quiet hills of Yamada, she grows grapes, lemons, and around 50 kinds of seasonal vegetables. Enjoy harvesting locally grown seasonal produce and use it to create delicious dishes afterward.
11:30
Arrive at Mudōji Temple and have short break
A walk of about 20 minutes takes us to our next stop, Mudō-ji Temple, during which you can sense the contrast in atmosphere from the city. Step into Mudoji Temple, a serene Buddhist temple with Heian-period statues (710–1185 AD) designated as National Important Cultural Properties. Explore the grounds, featuring traditional thatch-roofed building, and enjoy a rare blend of history, culture, and nature. Take a moment to relax and soak in the peaceful mountain atmosphere.
12:00
Bento-box making
Join a cooking experience with a local mother and daughter who love Japanese cuisine! Using freshly harvested seasonal vegetables, you’ll discover the joy of making traditional Japanese bento boxes and learn how to prepare simple, delicious dishes that you can easily recreate at home.
13:30
Lunch time
Enjoy the bento you’ve prepared while surrounded by traditional Japanese architecture and taking in the stunning scenery.
14:30
Free time
You can spend some time here exploring on your own. Admission to the cultural treasures is 500 yen. Witnessing these heritage statues up close is simply breathtaking—an experience words cannot capture.
15:00
Travel back to the town
16:00
The tour ends at Sannomiya station, the center of Kobe.
Tour end at Kobe city subway “Sannomiya Station” Your guider make sure you know what to do to complete your journey smoothly. *Google map https://maps.app.goo.gl/My56zovwBJ23SZVV8
Checkin Times / Locations
Checkout Times / Locations
16:00
Sannomiya Station
Kobe city subway “Sannomiya Station” https://maps.app.goo.gl/My56zovwBJ23SZVV8
Plan Information
- What's Included
- Lunch
- Local tour guide
- What's Not Included
- Transportation costs : Round trip 2,050JPY (Outbound 1,370JPY, Return 680JPY)
- Admission to Mudoji temple's main hall : 500JPY (optional)
- Restrictions
- Please let us know if you are allergic to anything or can't eat certain foods.
- What to Bring
- clothes that are easy to move in
- Additional Info
- Local guides will accompany you.
- Group size: The maximum group size for this tour is 12 persons. (Minimum participants required: 5 persons)
- The event will take place rain or shine, with some adjustments to the program if necessary.
- Program Planning & Operations – KOBE NOURISM
- 11 Nishihata, Shimo-Tanigami, Yamada-cho, Kita-ku, Kobe, Hyogo, Japan
- mail：info.kobe.nourism@gmail.com
- Facebook：https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61561108336371
- Minimum Participants
- 5
Cancellation Policies
- Until 23:59, 14 days prior: 0%
- Until 23:59, 8 days prior: 20%
- Until 17:00, 4 days prior: 50%
- After 17:00, 4 days prior: 100%