A marche to enjoy Japanese culture
The true essence of Japan, carrying on the history of the samurai, lives not in tourist spots overflowing with visitors, but in the everyday life of quiet towns such as Sakura, a historic castle town. Just 30 minutes from Narita Airport, we offer a special experience available only here, where you can encounter the many forms of Japanese culture still alive in Sakura and the people who continue to support them.
In the kimono dressing and armor experience, you can try wearing kimono, Japan’s traditional attire, and immerse yourself in the graceful manners and culture unique to Japan while actually dressed in it. You can also touch and wear samurai armor, a symbol of samurai culture, allowing you to feel the presence and history of warriors from the past more closely. It is a special experience where you can enjoy photography while experiencing Japanese history and culture firsthand.
Japanese accessory workshops are also an important part of the Japanese Culture Marche. You may choose either ① or ② below. The menu can be decided on the day at the venue.
① Mizuhiki Experience: Tie Your Wishes Together This is a hands-on class in mizuhiki, a traditional Japanese craft, carefully guided by a skilled mizuhiki artist. Choose your favorite color from a variety of colorful mizuhiki cords and create either an accessory or a decorative mizuhiki wreath. Enjoy a special Japanese cultural experience that lets you encounter techniques and aesthetics handed down since ancient times while giving shape to the feelings that connect people.
② Karesansui Zen Art Together with a specialist guide, you will place stones and moss and draw patterns in the sand, appreciating Japanese aesthetics while expressing your own miniature universe. In the stillness, this is a special experience to calm your mind and reconnect with your true self. You may choose either ⓐ a plaster kit that can be hardened on the same day and taken home as a finished piece, or ⓑ a white sand kit that allows you to continue enjoying making sand patterns again and again after the experience.
③ ④ Other Japanese Cultural and Artist Works At the venue, you can also view and purchase works by other artists, including incense and accessories remade from kimono fabric (additional charges apply).
A closer look
Packages
Kimono Stroll
Maximum number of participants per reservation: 3–6 people
Japanese Culture Marche preserves many classical kimono and obi passed on by local residents. Many are made of pure silk, and each features exquisitely beautiful patterns that are truly one of a kind. They have a charm completely different from the newly made, mass-produced kimono often seen in tourist destinations.
Female participants in particular can choose their own unique combination of kimono, obi, and other accessories from a wide range of options while receiving advice from our specialist staff. You will then be dressed by properly trained staff.
After that, you will head out for a stroll to historical sites that remain in the old castle town.
● Assistent service / language support: We will help you board a taxi at the nearest station (Keisei-Sakura Station) and take you to the dressing venue. (Taxi fare is at the customer's expense.) ● Dressing: Includes tabi-style socks with a choice of cute patterns. ● Stroll: Travel by taxi to the historical sites. Visit the samurai residence district (admission included) and stroll along Hiyodori-zaka, then return to the dressing venue.
1) In summer, the experience will be conducted in yukata. 2) In the event of rain, the strolling locations may differ.
Please arrive wearing a V-neck T-shirt and leggings.
Reservations are accepted for dates at least two months in advance.
Please allow one week from your request until confirmation of bookings for each content item.
Kimono Stroll with Special Samurai Guide
Maximum booking size: 3 to 6 people
Mr. Komatsu is himself a descendant of a samurai family and is highly knowledgeable about samurai history and culture. During the kimono stroll, he will dress in samurai attire and provide detailed guidance about the samurai residences and Hiyodorizaka.
In addition, Mr. Komatsu is trained in swordsmanship, and at Hiyodorizaka he will act like a bodyguard for guests while also demonstrating impressive samurai action performances.
● Assistent service / language support: Support for taking a taxi at the nearest station (Keisei Sakura Station). We will arrange for you to be taken to the dressing venue. (Taxi fare is to be paid by guests.) ● Kimono dressing: Includes tabi-style socks with cute patterns to choose from. ● Stroll: Travel by taxi to the historic site. Visit the samurai residences (admission included) and stroll through Hiyodorizaka. ● Special Samurai Guide: Mr. Komatsu, dressed in armor, will welcome you at the samurai residences and provide a special guide to samurai history and the history of Sakura, while also performing samurai action demonstrations.
1) In summer, the experience will be conducted in yukata. 2) In case of rain, the strolling locations may differ.
Please arrive wearing a V-neck T-shirt and leggings.
Reservations are accepted for dates at least 2 months in advance.
It takes about 1 week from your request to the confirmation of bookings for each content item.
Japanese Culture Marche Workshop
Maximum number of participants per reservation: 6
Among the members of the Japanese Culture Marche are many instructors who offer workshops on creating a variety of decorative items and accessories that carry on Japanese cultural traditions. You may choose and enjoy one of the following experiences: (1) Mizuhiki crafting experience to tie wishes together, or (2) Karesansui Zen Art creation.
● Assistent service / language support: We provide taxi boarding assistance at the nearest station (Keisei-Sakura Station) and will arrange transportation to the kimono dressing venue. (Taxi fare is to be paid by the customer.) ● At the venue, you can also purchase works by other artists, such as incense and kimono-remake accessories (additional charges apply).
Reservations are accepted for dates at least 2 months in advance.
Please allow up to 1 week from your request to confirmation of each content booking.
Armor and Samurai Attire Experience
Maximum number of participants per reservation: 2 to 5 people
With support from Mr. Komatsu, a descendant of a samurai family, you can actually wear authentic armor. In this armor experience, you may choose your preferred set from medieval and early modern armor and immerse yourself in the world of the samurai.
In addition, based on samurai teachings passed down in a family that served as martial arts instructors, you can learn about period-specific ways of equipping the armor and proper etiquette and movements.
● Assistent service / language support: Pickup by taxi at the nearest station (Keisei-Sakura Station) and transfer to the dressing venue. ● Dressing: Includes tabi-style socks with a choice of cute patterns. ● Stroll: Travel by taxi to the historic site (taxi fare to be paid by the customer). Includes a stroll through the Samurai Residences (admission included) and Hiyodori-zaka Slope. ● Armor dressing support ● Venue usage fee
Reservations are accepted for dates at least two months in advance.
Please allow one week from your request for confirmation of bookings for each content item.
Venue details
| Name | Wabunka Japanese Culture Marche |
| Address | 233 Shinmachi, Sakura, Chiba 千葉県 佐倉市 新町233 Google Maps |
| What's included | 1. Course fee
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| What's not included | 1. Additional purchases outside the course
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| Booking notes | 1. The set menu contents and images are for reference only.
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| Cancellation policy | Cancellations made up to 3 days before the date of use will incur a 50% charge of the reservation fee.
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