Further Expansion in Tohoku, Japan’s Unspoiled North

Deeper Japan releases 4 new products in Yamagata and Akita, including a lantern workshop tour and benibana safflower dyeing atelier visit, expanding the range of cultural experiences offered in the Tohoku region.

Deeper Japan, a service operated by Deeper Travel Co., Ltd that provides online reservations for traditional cultural experiences for inbound visitors to Japan, works in direct collaboration with artisans, artists, and nature guides from areas all across Japan. The release of 4 new cultural experiences in Akita and Yamagata expands Deeper Japan's range of products offered, as well as increases opportunities for travelers to connect with authentic Japanese culture in a wider variety of regions.

Deeper Japan’s business model, which discovers local, hidden culture and refines the content into high-quality, value-added experiential products seamlessly accessible to inbound travelers, actively encourages exploration of a greater range of areas and time spent traveling through the various regions within Japan, including the Tohoku.

The Latest Cultural Experiences Launched

**Kanto Festival Lantern Masterclass**
The Kanto Festival, held annually in Akita City in early August, is one of Japan’s major summer festivals and features about 10,000 illuminated lanterns stacked on towering poles, paraded around town. Each lantern is handmade using traditional techniques, vividly colored with emblems of each local neighborhood, and repaired by artisans every year. Visit the lantern workshop that decorates Akita’s most famous matsuri and hear the stories of the master craftsman and the centuries-old history of the craft.

**Benibana Safflower Dyeing & Weaving Masterclass**
Safflower, the vivid, golden prefectural flower of Yamagata, transforms into a stunning magenta color after oxidizing, and when used in dyes, results in a range of rich crimson and ethereal pink hues. A fabric that’s been a favorite of Heian aristocrats and daimyo lords alike, Yonezawa safflower textiles are both bright and elegant. Observe master artisans at work, dyeing and weaving, at this historic atelier, before experiencing dyeing firsthand. In the summer, even enjoy harvesting safflower directly from the field.

**Katana Sword Forge Observation & Masterclass**
Nestled into the field where the famed Battle of Sekigahara, a clash that resulted in the start of Japan’s Edo period, is a katana sword forge that’s been in operation for over 40 years. Surrounded by the heat of the flames and the sound of hammer striking metal, observe a master swordsmith continuing the legacy of bravery and valor, and learn more about the expertise level of craftsmanship involved in creating katana swords.

**Shottsuru Fish Sauce Factory Tour & Tasting**
Experience a taste of traditional Akita flavor at a *shottsuru* factory, a representative Tohoku seasoning made from fermenting fish. While once made almost exclusively from *hatahata*, a regional fish, current culinary craftsmen now utilize a variety of species of fish as ingredients in this savory sauce. Immerse into local culinary culture with this factory tour & tasting, witnessing the production process of *shottsuru*, and learning more about the changes and modern challenges the industry faces.

Facing the Future:

The startup’s planned expansions include the development of domestic areas, such as Tohoku, as well as the advancement of operations into overseas markets, with a primary focus on European and East Asian countries for the first round of growth.

Deeper Japan’s current business model implemented in Japan’s domestic market, which focuses on transcending differences in language and cultural values to provide enriching travel experiences, will be utilized as a standard to foster travel infrastructure in other locations. This development aims to provide enhanced experiential products to a wider range of intellectually curious travelers worldwide.

About Deeper Japan

Deeper Japan is a brand operated by Deeper Travel Co., Ltd that allows visitors to Japan to seamlessly book traditional cultural experiences that are otherwise difficult to access. By carefully selecting high-quality cultural and immersive natural experiences, and directly collaborating with skilled craftsmen and artists at the forefront, Deeper Japan promotes mutual understanding between different cultures through travel and actively preserves tradition and diversity.

Focus is primarily given to small groups of guests, providing an opportunity for deeper interaction between craftsmen and guests rather than large-scale, superficial experiences. Additionally, certified interpreter guides are employed to ensure interpretation in the guests' native languages whenever possible. Approximately 80 percent of Deeper Japan's clientele comprises independent travelers from Europe, the United States, and Australia.

Through partnerships with non-profit organizations, collaborations with NGOs, and alliances with local governments and tourist associations, Deeper Japan assists in supporting regional economic development and the conservation of cultural heritage.

Further Expansion in Tohoku, Japan’s Unspoiled North

The Latest Cultural Experiences Launched

Facing the Future:

About Deeper Japan

Company Information