Experience

About Experience

Rise, the host of Rise's House and a Nishio Tourism Ambassador, will handle booking arrangements, transportation, and interpreting.

To book an experience, please contact Rise via Instagram or on the reservation website.

Little Kyoto Private Walking Tour

Fee	8,000 yen for the first person, 4,000 yen per additional person
Place	Rise’s House
Duration	2 hours
Contents	The local experiences you’ll have around Rise's House are unique and cannot be found at typical tourist spots. In addition to exploring historical landmarks like Nishio Castle and temples, you'll have the opportunity to see everyday life in Japan up close, such as chatting with the grandmother at the nearby charcoal shop. These personal interactions and insights into the town’s deeper, hidden stories offer a richer, more authentic experience than you'd find on any tourist trail.

Private Tea Grinder & Tea Ceremony Experience

Fee	8,000 yen for the first person, 4,000 yen per additional person
Place	Rise’s House
Duration	2 hours
Contents	At Rise’s House, you can experience matcha in an authentic and immersive way. Using a genuine stone tea grinder borrowed from the Nishio Tea Cooperative, you'll grind your own matcha from high-quality tea leaves grown without pesticides by Mr. Akahori, a dedicated local tea farmer. Then, in the tea room, designed with the expertise of local artisans, you'll enjoy a simple tea ceremony accompanied by traditional Japanese sweets. For those who want to dive even deeper into Nishio’s tea culture, we also offer a private tour where you can meet Mr. Akahori himself and get an exclusive guided visit to his tea factory. This is a rare opportunity to learn firsthand from a local tea expert and see the matcha-making process up close.

Private Sake Tasting and Brewery Tour

Fee	10,000 yen for the first person, 5,000 yen per additional person (includes English guidance and transportation by Rise)
Place	Sonnoh Kuramoto
Duration	2 hours
Contents	You can go inside a local sake brewery with over 120 years of history and experience sake tasting. The young, enthusiastic owner will guide you through the entire sake-making process, sharing fascinating stories along the way. The brewery uses fresh water sourced from the mountain right in front of it, and you can even taste the pure well water used in the brewing process. If you find a sake you love, you can purchase a bottle to take home.

Private Factory Tour + Experience at Matcha Shop

Fee	10,000 yen for the first person, 5,000 yen per additional person (includes English guidance and transportation by Rise)
Place	Aoiseicha
Duration	2 hours
Contents	Aoi Seicha is the second-largest tea company in Nishio and also exports its high-quality matcha overseas. The knowledgeable owner and experienced staff are happy to answer any questions you may have. Inside, you'll find a variety of tea-related tools and products to explore. Seeing 120 tea grinders spinning simultaneously in the factory is truly impressive. After the tour, visitors can savor the finest matcha and tea sweets at the café and even try making their own matcha. Nearby, you’ll find a breathtaking panoramic view of tea fields, offering a perfect spot to immerse yourself in the beauty of Nishio’s tea culture.

Private Factory Tour & Matcha Tasting with a Local Farmer

Fee	10,000 yen for the first person, 5,000 yen per additional person (includes English guidance and transportation by Rise)
Place	Akahori Seicha
Duration	2 hours
Contents	You can see the entire process of turning harvested leaves into matcha. Mr. Akabori, a cheerful matcha farmer and the owner of his factory, will share fascinating stories about matcha production. He is dedicated to organic farming, ensuring the highest quality tea. Visitors can also enjoy a matcha tasting experience, comparing different flavors—some with a rich umami taste, others with natural sweetness, and some with a refreshing finish. Nearby, you’ll find a breathtaking panoramic view of tea fields, making it a perfect place to appreciate Nishio’s tea culture.

Private Eel Farm Tour

Fee	10,000 yen for the first person, 5,000 yen per additional person (includes English guidance and transportation by Rise)
Place	Isshiki Unagi
Duration	2 hours
Contents	You can tour an eel farm and experience grabbing an eel by hand. This is only possible in a place famous for its eels, which are among the best in the country in terms of quality and quantity. Actually, this activity is not available to the general public, but it is specially offered exclusively to guests of Rise's House.

Private Shrimp Cracker(Senbei) Making

Fee	10,000 yen for the first person, 5000 yen per additional person (includes English guidance and transportation by Rise)
Place	Maruhei
Duration	2 hours
Contents	You can try your hand at baking shrimp senbei at this 96-year old shop in Nishio City. While many shrimp crackers are now produced in factories, this is the only place in Nishio that continues to insist on hand-baking and uses only shrimp caught in Nishio! The freshly made shrimp crackers you make yourself are exquisite! You can bring them home!

Tatami Factory Tour & Mini Tatami Making with a Craftsman

Fee	10,000 yen for the first person, 5000 yen per additional person (includes English guidance and transportation by Rise)
Place	Sakagibara Tatami
Duration	2 hours
Contents	Step inside a 110-year-old tatami workshop and learn about the fascinating history of tatami, as well as the challenges faced by the modern tatami industry. A skilled craftsman with rare techniques, possessed by only a few in the region, will guide you through the process. You’ll see traditional craftsmanship in action and have the opportunity to make your own mini tatami, using almost the same method as creating full-sized tatami. These mini tatami make perfect photo stands or decorations and are a unique souvenir to take home!

Private Miso tour

Fee	6,000 yen for the first person, 3,000 yen per additional person (includes English guidance and transportation by Rise)
Place	Hatoya
Duration	1 hour
Contents	With Rise as your guide, you can freely explore a miso brewery founded in 1861. Touch the barrels, take in the rich aroma of miso, and enjoy tastings. You can dive deeper into the fascinating world of miso, a truly unique seasoning. You can also enjoy tasting a variety of different types of miso.If you are lucky, Rise can introduce you to the owner, whose ancestors were lords of Nishio Castle.

Traditional Yukata/Kimono Experience in a Japanese Garden

Fee	8,000 yen per person (includes English guidance and transportation by Rise)
Place	Watonagomikaya
Duration	2 hours
Reservation deadline	Please contact Rise at least 3 days in advance.
Contents	You can take photos in front of Shōkō-sō or Nishio Castle. A local professional will help you get dressed in a yukata or kimono. Since the area is usually quiet, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to capture beautiful photos!

Taiyaki making experience

Fee	10,000 yen for the first person, 5,000 yen per additional person(includes English guidance and transportation by Rise)
Place	Nagomidokoro「zen」
Reservation deadline	3 days in advance
Contents	Taiyaki is a popular Japanese street food that looks like a fish but is actually a sweet, crispy, and fluffy pastry. A lively old lady will teach you how to make taiyaki. This is the only place in the city where you can enjoy freshly made taiyaki.

Private Zazen Experience at a Local Temple

Fee	4,000 yen per person (includes English guidance and transportation by Rise)
Place	Sokakuji Temple
Duration	1 hour
Contents	Zazen is a traditional Japanese meditation practice aimed at calming the mind and focusing the spirit. It involves sitting quietly in a peaceful place, maintaining an upright posture, closing the eyes, and focusing on the breath. The goal is to let go of thoughts and attain inner peace.

Private Mandarin Orange Picking

Fee	10,000 yen for the first person, 5000 yen per additional person (includes English guidance and transportation by Rise)
Place	30 minutes away by car
Duration	2 hours
Contents	You can enjoy tangerine picking in a field with a view of the sea. You can learn about mandarin oranges and all kinds of agricultural products from a cheerful farmer. Of course, you can take them home and eat them. This activity is available from November to March.

Roast Mochi & Marshmallows at a 100-Year-Old Charcoal Shop

Fee	6,000 yen for the first person, 3,000 yen per additional person (includes English guidance by Rise)
Place	Mikawaya Charcoal Shop
Duration	1 hour~
Contents	Experience the warmth of Japanese hospitality with an 84-year-old local grandmother in a historic charcoal shop. Roast mochi and marshmallows over a traditional charcoal fire. Relax and chat with the kind-hearted owner—time flows at its own pace. Enjoy the nostalgic charm of a century-old building.

Joining a Local Taiko Club

Fee	8,000 yen for the first person, 4,000 yen per additional person
Place	Isshiki Center
Duration	7~9pm on Fridays
Contents	Have you ever heard Japanese taiko drumming? It's an incredibly powerful instrument that resonates deep within your body. You can experience authentic taiko drums by joining a local taiko club.