Tohoku Expansion to Akita and Yamagata Offers Inbound Travelers New Locations for Cultural Exploration in Japan

Recently developed products, including a private fine-dining course held at a miso factory and a Yamagata-style tool blacksmith observation, diversify cultural experiences available to travelers seeking to explore Japan’s Tohoku region.

Akita Prefecture, located in the northwestern region of Tohoku on Japan’s main island, annually attracts a huge number of travelers for their representative seasonal events, such as Akita City’s Kanto Lantern Festival, Omagari City’s Hanabi Fireworks Festival, and sakura cherry blossom viewing-related experiences held in Kakunodate during the spring. However, while these events themselves draw in an impressive amount of visitors, the number of travelers visiting Akita outside of these special occasions is relatively low.

While, comparatively, Yamagata Prefecture experiences a greater flow of steady inbound visitors, both public and private sectors are nonetheless seeking further ways to consolidate the prefecture’s image as a unique travel destination and utilize the natural resources available within the region In addition, Yamagata Prefecture is also concentrating on promoting and expanding tourism that showcases the exceptional charm and engaging cultural narratives only available within the area, aiming for further development of travel related to experiential consumption.

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 addresses the tourism-related issues experienced by both prefectures.

The Latest Cultural Experiences Launched

**150-Year-Old Miso & Soy Sauce Factory Tour & Fermentation-Focused Fine Dining:**
Guided by a skilled culinary artisan, observe the production of one of Japan’s fundamental flavors at a factory that blends traditional recipes with innovative techniques and enrich your understanding of fermentation culture within Japan. Then, indulge in an evening of dining and drinks in an artfully decorated, historical Japanese building.

**Traditional Geisha Performance and Local Dining Experience in a Historical City:**
Located in Yuzawa, a once-flourishing mining town with ample hot springs and a rich history, experience the revitalized culture of geisha entertainment within Akita. Paired with cuisine highlighting local dishes, such as the beloved favorite kiritanpo, guests can enjoy traditional performances and artful conversion while savoring regional flavor.

**Sake Brewery Tour & Tasting Catering to Everyday Tastes & Elevated Refinement:**
Pursuing a level of refinement yet unachieved by other brewers, this pioneering sake brewery features premium sake with a polishing ratio of 1%, while still reigning as an uncontested favorite for the local community. Observe the brewery’s behind-the-scenes production process on a private guided tour, then enjoy sampling an array of sake that embodies the effort and passion of the brewers.

**Yamagata Blade *Uchihamono* Forge Sustaining a Craft with a 650-Year History:**
A delicate balance of design and function, hammered and shaped by hand to suit each customer’s unique specifications, uchihamono blade forging is a unique Yamagata craft originating more than 6 centuries in the past. Observe a third-generation bladesmith at work in the forge, learn about the traditional metalworking process straight from an expert, and receive a representative gift forged by the master.

Facing the Future:

The startup’s planned expansions include both the development of domestic areas, such as Akita and Yamagata in Japan’s Tohoku region, as well as advancement of operation 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.

Tohoku Expansion to Akita and Yamagata Offers Inbound Travelers New Locations for Cultural Exploration in Japan

The Latest Cultural Experiences Launched

Facing the Future:

About Deeper Japan

Company Information