Things to do

Everyday at Shunyoso we offer a variety of activities that allow guests to have the perfect relaxation vation. Our bounty of activities makes Shunyoso an unique and luxurious place to visit in Awaji Island. We would like to offer you a number of activities for you and your family to enjoy together. 

Upon your request, we will prepare a menu of various experiences to learn traditional skills or knowledge and refine your mind during your planned stay period. Please feel free to consult with us about the Japanese cultural experiences such as flower arrangement, tea ceremony, kimono dressing, traditional sweets making, cooking, etc., a dinner party to enjoy the island’s bounty, a wedding party, or a house tour to fully enjoy the craftsmanship found everywhere at Shunyoso. 

House Tour (History, Culture and Design): Complimentary for guests, up to 2 hours
You will have a chance to learn the essence of the Japanese traditional house, it functions, and how the former owner came to build this magnificent building during the war turmoil. If you are planning to go to Kyoto or other traditional sites, you will have a much greater idea how to appreciate the traditional houses wherever you go.
SDGs House Tour
 (sustainability efforts): Complimentary for guest, 20 minutes, combinable with House Tour
You will learn how we are trying to help achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) from decarbonization, eliminating the use of plastics, recycling, composting, to improving the welfare of the local communities while preserving both the tangible and intangible culture.

Kimoto Dressing: From JPY50,000 per person, require advanced booking
We can help contact a local rental kimono store to make a fun time. This will require you check in the store the day before to make sure you get the right ones of your choice. More selections are available for women while man has limited stock on what you can ware highly dependent on your physical size.

Photography and Movie Shooting: From JPY100,000 half a day for photographer hire
You may want to consider combining with the kimono dressing to make the best out of this day. Kindly consult with us in advance so that we can help make an appointment with a local professionals.
Tea ceremony: Casual JPY6,000 per person, Full-scale from JPY50,000 per person including catering lunch
The teahouse ‘Fugetsu-an’ for a full-scale tea ceremony or casual version of tea ceremony can be enjoyed. You will learn how to bow, rotate your tea bowl, make a sound on the last sip, walk right in the Japanese tatami room, among other must-knows to appreciate our tea culture.

Local Cooking: From JPY10,000 per person, seasonal and variable by food selection, half a day
For warm months especially from May to August, you can harvest from the near-by mountain some fresh leaves to make local rice case with red beans, the locals favorite sweets. You can also combine multiple days to learn the basics of the Japanese cooking. If planned ahead, we can also harvest bamboo shoots early morning. We can also go to a local store to purchase local food so that you can replicate the dishes at home.
Meditation: Complimentary, just ask the owner upon arrival
The best time to meditate is early morning. You will seek nothingness with your eyes closed to appreciate that you are made to live in this environment. Starting from 15 minutes to hours, we can help you select the best place for the day to meditate, the way we do. Hope this experience leads you to the next enlightenment.
Calligraphy: From JPY15,000 including paper, ink, and brushes with an instructor, minimum 2 persons
We often hear that you can be totally illiterate in Japan even when you can speak a dozen language. It will be wonderful to learn how to greet oneself, but also if you can how to write things in Japanese with a brush with an ink, the traditional way. We will hire a local professional if you book in advance for this special experience.

Jumbo Brush Calligraphy: From 20,000 per person including paper, ink, and brushes with an instructor, minimum 2 persons
Once you learn how to draw our kanji, the Japanese characters, then you are ready for an unique opportunity. The finished drawing can go to your bedroom or to hang it as a memory of your lifetime. You will be amazed with your hidden talent for sure!

Flower viewing (seasonal): Complimentary, ask the owner for availability
Shunyoso boast of having some kind of flowers throughout the year as our garden has been created for the host more than 80 years ago to have him appreciate the aesthetic element. You can be a poet viewing the full-bloom flowers or withering flowers which we believe the both show their beauty.

Bamboo harvesting, curing, and fence making (December and January),From JPY10,000 per person per half a day, ask the owner for availability
The winter is fun in the bamboo forest. It is when the bamboo is sleeping and the best time to harvest, cure, and make crafts. Depending on the week in winter, you will be able to experience a part if not the entire process of bamboo craft from harvesting.