All Reviews for Cultural Experiences

You have to wait outside until the designated time. Since you wait on the road, it's fine to arrive just in time, but it's a bit of a tricky location as it's on the second floor of the building. The lunch bento arrived, and the catering staff was at the reception. The maiko also arrived by taxi about ten minutes earlier. The seating consists of simple tables and chairs, with four people per row, and indeed, the seats closer to the maiko are better if you pay a higher amount.

Once the bento was brought to the table, the event started somewhat casually. The people who were there to experience the tea ceremony began, while those there for lunch started eating on their own, and then the maiko's tea ceremony began. After the ceremony, there was a Q&A session with the maiko, followed by a commemorative photo session with her. I wondered about the traditional games, but it turned out that the event was already over.

It ended surprisingly quickly.

時間迄外で待たされます。道路上で待つからギリギリで行ってもいい位ですがビルの２階だから少しわかりにくい場所ではありました。ランチの弁当が届き仕出し屋さんが受付していました。舞妓さんも10分位前にタクシーで乗り付けました。座席は簡単なテーブルと椅子席一列4人でやはり前の方が舞妓さんに近く金額をあげれば良い席になります。
テーブル席に仕出し弁当が運ばれて何となく開始して、お茶のお手前だけ体験する人達に合わせて、ランチの人はなんとなく勝手に食べ始め、舞妓さんのお手前が始まりました。お手前終わると舞妓さんへの質疑タイム、その後舞妓さんとの記念撮影して、アレお座敷遊びは？と思いましたが、もう終了との事でした。
びっくりする位早く終わりました。

The workshop is easy to locate. The instructor was very patient and encouraging. It was an eye opening experience for us and make us appreciate the difficulty and precision needed for hand made cut glass. Encourage all to give it a try, no matter the outcome.

This was my first time booking with Beltora, and I received a courteous email just before my trip. The weather was clear on the day of the experience. Surrounded by the peak of autumn leaves, my friends and I were moved by the kind and gentle demeanor of the boatman, allowing us to enjoy a very elegant and happy escape from our daily lives. Thank you very much!

今回初めてベルトラさんで予約、直前にもメールを頂き丁寧に対応して頂きました。当日は快晴。紅葉のピークで最高のシチュエーションの中、船頭さんの優しく穏やかな対応に同行の友人達も感動し、とても優雅で幸せな非日常を味わう事ができました。ありがとうございました！

The person in front spread their smartphone cover wide and blocked the aisle, with only about one-third of their upper body visible. I couldn't see the seated姿 at all.

I participated with the understanding that I was in the very back seat.

The maiko did their job well. Thank you.

I was left dissatisfied with the response from the organizers about "if you pay an additional fee..." Even if I pay the extra fee, I would still be blocked, right?

Is it acceptable for the person in front, who is being greedy, to be satisfied while those behind cannot see?

I've taken the time to come here, and I've paid money, so I want to see the performance.

I left, citing "I want to do some sightseeing" as my reason, but it was a waste of time.

What is a "sen-sha-fuda"? I did not receive one.

前の方がスマホをカバーまで広げて
通路まで遮り続け
舞う姿も上半身3分の1程度。
座った姿は全く見えず。

最初に1番後ろの席という事を納得した上で参加しました。

舞妓さんはしっかりお仕事をされていました。
ありがとうございました。

運営側の『追加料金を払えば…』という対応に不満が残りました。
追加料金を払っても遮られたままでしょ？

後ろの人は見えなくても
前の欲張りな上客が満足すればよろしいでしょうか？

時間を割いてきていますし

お金は支払っていますので
舞う姿は見たいですよ。


『観光したいので』と理由をつけて退席しましたが時間の無駄でした。

千社札？とは何でしょうか？
いただいていません。

It was a school trip after 50 years, just as the guide said. I didn't have much interest in the national treasure statues during my student days, but at this age, I found myself intrigued and had a fulfilling experience directly appreciating their magnificence.

ガイドさんの言う通り50年ぶりの修学旅行でした。学生時代には余り興味もなかった国宝の仏像もこの歳になって興味も湧きその素晴らしさに直に触れて観られた充実した観光でした。

We experienced this as a family of four, with my husband and our two daughters, who are a working adult and a high school student. It was definitely not something easy, but with the help of a kind, attentive, and fun teacher, we struggled through and managed to create something we were satisfied with. There was a booth set up for photographing our creations, and it was truly a thoughtful experience. We had a fun and memorable time.

主人と社会人・高校生の娘２人の４人家族で体験させていただきました。
やっぱりそう簡単なものではありませんでしたが、親切で丁寧で楽しい先生に助けてもらいながら、悪戦苦闘の甲斐あって、自分なりに満足なものが出来上がりました。
作品を撮影するブースが用意されていて、本当に至れり尽くせりで、楽しくて思い出深い時間を過ごさせていただきました。

It was difficult, but it was interesting to see personalities come out. Colored glasses are challenging. Next time, I want to adjust with clear glasses. I will definitely go again!

難しいけど、性格が出るのが面白かった。色付きのグラスは難しいね。
次回は透明のグラスで調整したいと思います。
必ずまた行きます！

First, I chose a glass and practiced the carving technique. After that, I selected a beginner-friendly design, sketched it out, and carved the glass. I couldn't carve as well as the sample, but I think I did quite well. Even if I made mistakes, I received advice, which allowed me to come up with my own solutions. Those who struggled with carving difficult lines had the staff help them with corrections.

The staff's explanations were easy to understand, and I was able to get started right away. There were also foreigners present, but the instructions were given in English, so anyone can participate.

This time, I used a clear glass included in the experience fee, but next time I would like to try a colored glass for an additional fee. Since the room isn't very spacious, it's better to wear a mask.

まずグラスを選び、削り方の練習をしました。その後初心者向けのデザインから選んで、下書きをしてグラスを削りました。見本のようには削れませんでしたが、結構うまくできたと思います。失敗してもアドバイスがもらえるので、自分なりに工夫してできました。難しい線を削るのに失敗した方は、スタッフの方に修正してもらってました。
スタッフの方の説明がわかりやすく、すぐできました。また、外国人もいましたが、英語で説明されていたので、どなたでも体験できます。
今回は体験料に含まれている無色透明のグラスでやりましたが、今度は有料の色付きグラスでやってみたいです。
部屋があまり広くないので、マスクは着用した方が良いです。

The meal was an ordinary catering service. The maiko, who said she had only been in the profession for five months, seemed to tremble in her fingertips and around her knees while dancing. I felt sorry for her. I think it would be better to include a note in the experience recruitment stating, "This will take place in a section of a building," as it would change the expectations of those who apply. After the event, when I chatted with other participants, it seemed they had a similar impression.

食事はありふれた仕出し。入ってまだ5ヶ月と言ってた舞妓さんは、踊りの時には指先や膝付近が震えていました。可哀想な気がしました。体験募集の中で、「ビルの一画で行ないます」と断り書きを入れた方が、応募してきた方の期待の持ち方が違うと思います。終了後に他の参加者と雑談を交わしたら、同じような印象を持たれたようでした。

Excellent staff who spoke good English. The craft itself is interesting and intricate, and I was told about the history of plastic food and the materials used alongside getting the hands-on experience crafting a very realistic Japanese curry. It's an offbeat activity all ages can enjoy, and something very unique to Japan. I found the price very affordable and would recommend anyone to go. 10/10.

I walked a lot, but it turned out to be a very fulfilling day. The guide's explanations were educational, and they lent me a parasol. The driver was also a warm person, and the staff from Nara Kotsu were excellent.

沢山歩きましたが、すごく充実した1日になりました。ガイドさんの解説は勉強になるし、日傘を貸して下さったり、運転手さんも温かい方で奈良交通のスタッフさん最高でした。

I was in the back seat, but I was very satisfied to be able to play with the maiko! I asked the staff to take a video of us while we were playing. I don't think there are many opportunities like this, so it was a very valuable experience. Thank you very much!

後ろの席でしたが舞妓さんとお座敷遊びできて大満足です！スタッフの方にお願いして、お座敷遊びしているところを動画を撮ってもらいました。こんな機会中々ないと思うので、とても貴重な体験をさせていただきました。本当にありがとうざいました！

The instruction was very easy to understand. Even when I made mistakes, the teacher covered for me, and I was able to produce a very good piece of work.

とてもわかりやすく教えてくださいました。ミスしても先生がカバーしてくださり、とてもよい作品が仕上がりました。

We used it for our marriage registration date and my husband's birthday, and it became a wonderful memory! I think the food that can be served on a boat is limited, but everything was delicious, and the view was amazing! I would love to use it again.

入籍日＆夫の誕生日に利用させて頂きましたが大変良い思い出になりました！
船上で出せる料理って限られると思うんですがどれも美味しかったですし景色も最高でした！
また利用させて頂きたいです。

I only learned of Edo Kiriko Art a few days before arriving in Japan. I was very excited to see a workshop to make your own glass.the workshop was in English and we were able to practice before making our own creations. They also have a little photo studio set up to take nice photos of your glass afterwards. Overall a very fun experience and have something unique to take home.

Since it was still early in the season and there were no autumn leaves yet, we were able to enjoy a nearly private experience on the houseboat on the river! Despite the early morning, a water convenience store came by, and since we hadn't prepared any food, we were able to enjoy a moment of luxury. The person who rowed the boat was also entertaining, and it felt like they were talking the whole time. It was an experience I would recommend to my friends.

時期的にまだ紅葉がなく、朝イチだったのもあり、川をほぼ貸し切りの状態で屋形船に乗れました！朝早かったにもかかわらず水上コンビニも来てくれて、食べ物をなにも用意してなかったのでひと時の贅沢な時間を過ごせました。
船を漕いでくれた方のトークもおもしろくずっと喋っていた気がします。友人に勧めたい体験でした。

I thought it would be nice to wear a yukata in a hot spring town, so I made a reservation since I could experience it here. The photos turned out great, and wearing a yukata really matched the atmosphere of Shuzenji, making it a wonderful memory!

The staff were very friendly and easy to talk to, and they helped me choose a yukata. Thank you very much. When I visit Shuzenji again, I would like to experience the dressing again.

浴衣で温泉街いいなぁ〜と思っていたら、
こちらで体験出来るということで予約しました。
写真も、浴衣なので修善寺の街にあってて、とても素敵な思い出になりました！

お店の方も、とても気さくで話しやすく浴衣選びなどを一緒に行っていただきました。
ありがとうございました。
修善寺に行った際には、また着付け体験したいと思います。

I had a very enjoyable two and a half hours at the tea house, eating delicious kaiseki cuisine while chatting with the maiko and watching a dance performance. I might have made the proprietress a bit flustered because I got so caught up in the fun conversation that I ate slowly. I'm not sure what the typical maiko experience at a regular tea house is like, but being told that it was a special opportunity to enjoy a maiko performance, which is something you usually wouldn't get to see in a lifetime, was a rare and valuable experience.

お茶屋さんて美味しい懐石料理をたべながら舞妓さんと色々とお話をして、舞を一曲見たとても楽しい2時間半でした。
楽しい話に気を取られて食べるのが遅くなりちょっと女将さんを慌てさせてしまったかもしれません。
普通のお茶屋での舞妓遊びはどういうものなのかは知らないですが一言さんお断りと言われ、通常では一生垣間見る事のない舞妓遊びがアクティビティとして堪能出来たのはまたとない貴重な体験でした。

I had a great time. I wondered how the locations for watching the maiko performances are decided. The two participants were closer, while those with three or four people were at the ends, which felt a bit awkward.

とても楽しかったです。舞妓さんの舞を観れる場所が、どうやって決まるのか❓と❓思いました。二人参加の方が近くて，3人4人の人達は、端の場所でしたので、少し違和感を感じました。

The teacher was very kind and taught us thoroughly. I participated with a friend. I had more fun than I imagined and was very satisfied. On the way back, we even talked about coming again together.

先生はとても丁寧に教えてくれました。友達と参加しました。想像以上に楽しめて満足でした。
帰りに友達とまた来ようねって話しまでしました。

My daughter, who is in elementary school, dressed as a maiko for her traditional dance class and performed "Seasons of Kyoto," so we participated for reference. During the Q&A session, we learned tips on how to dance cutely and got to enjoy some traditional games, which was a lot of fun! (My daughter even won, haha!) At the end, we were treated to a performance of "Seasons of Kyoto," and I was moved by the maiko's thoughtfulness! Honestly, when I first entered the venue, I thought, "Huh? Is this it?" and didn't have high expectations, but I never imagined I would be this satisfied. Right after it ended, my daughter asked, "When can we come to see the maiko again?" It was definitely worth the trip from the same place as the maiko!

娘（小学生）が習い事の日舞で舞妓さんの格好をして
「京の四季」を踊るので、参考にと参加しました。
質問タイムでは踊りをかわいく踊るコツを
教えてもらったり、
お座敷遊びをさせてもらったり大満喫！
（娘さん勝っちゃった（笑））
最後に京の四季まで踊って頂いて、
舞妓さんのお心遣いに感動しました！！
正直会場に入ったとき、「え？ここ？」みたいな感じで
あまり期待せず参加し始めましたが、
まさかこんなに満足できるとは思いませんでした。
娘も終わった直後に
「次はいつ舞妓さんに会いに来る？」と。
舞妓さんの出身地と同じところから
わざわざ参加した甲斐がすごくありました！

Although the design was far from the sample, it was a fun experience that even beginners could enjoy, and it became a very memorable experience! Thank you very much! ♪

サンプルのデザインには程遠いものの、初心者でも楽しく取り組むことができて、とても思い出に残る体験になりました！ありがとうございました♪

I participated in this trip with my middle school son. It was a journey that also served as a culmination of our research on Asuka culture and Tenpyo culture. We were able to visit various famous sites that are usually hard to access on our own, and the guide's explanations were easy to understand, making it a wonderful trip. Along the way, we enjoyed lunch and had some thin tea, and the appropriate breaks were also appreciated. Additionally, there were considerations for COVID-19 measures, allowing us to spend the day comfortably. Thank you very much.

中学生の息子との二人旅で、参加しました。飛鳥文化、天平文化の調べ物学習の仕上げも兼ねた旅でしたが、自分ではアクセスしにくい名所を次々と巡る事ができ、またガイドさんの説明もわかりやすく、とても良い旅になりました。途中、昼食や、薄茶を頂いくこともでき、適度な休憩もあった事も、よかったです。また、コロナ対策にも配慮されており、気持ちよく一日過ごせました。ありがとうございました。

I enjoyed a delicious steak course on the sunset dinner cruise. In addition to the course, there was a buffet with salads and rice, so I was full. The weather was great, but clouds appeared just before the sunset. The photo is of the sunset taken 20 minutes before it set!

サンセットディナークルーズにて

美味しいステーキコースを楽しみました。
コースの他にサラダやライスなどバイキングで満腹
とてもいいお天気だったけど夕陽が沈む直前に雲が出てきてしまった
写真はサンセット２０前の夕陽です！

I rented a yukata for the first time. There were many patterns, colors, and types of obi to choose from. They also did a simple hairstyle for me. The staff was very kind and attentive, which was great. There were many options for men's yukata as well, so I recommend it for couples! ✨

初浴衣レンタルをしました。
浴衣の柄、色、帯の種類など沢山ありました。
髪の毛も簡単にですが、結っていただきました。
大変、スタッフさんも優しく丁寧でよかったです。
男性の浴衣も沢山種類があったのでカップルにおすすめでした✨

I experienced a yakatabune (houseboat) for the first time. It was a very beautiful boat, and since it had a sunken kotatsu, I was able to spend my time comfortably. The food was also very delicious, and I was surprised at how quickly they brought the drinks when I ordered. The restroom was clean and tidy as well. The night view from the water was breathtaking and looked different from what I had seen before. Next time, I would like to ride during the cherry blossom season.

はじめて屋形船を体験しました。とても綺麗な船で、掘りごたつになっているため快適に過ごせました。お料理もとてもおいしく、飲み物もオーダーすればすぐに運んできてくれて驚きました。トイレも綺麗で清潔でした。水辺からの夜景は今までとは違った見え方で感動しました。今度は桜の時期に乗船したいです。

Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, the infection prevention measures were well implemented, and since it was by reservation, there was no overlap with other customers. They efficiently helped me get dressed, and I was able to borrow a bag and a parasol that matched my kimono, making my stroll around Shuzenji very enjoyable and leaving me with wonderful memories. The response over the phone was also kind and courteous, allowing me to use the service comfortably. If I may share one suggestion, when I took off my clothes, they were placed in a bag provided, but I felt it would have been better if they had been hung on a hanger to avoid wrinkling.

コロナ禍でしたが、感染予防対策はしっかりされており、予約制なので他のお客様と重なる事もなく手際良く着付けてくださり、着物に合わせてバックや日傘も貸して頂けたので修善寺の散策がとても楽しく素敵な思い出として残りました。
電話連絡での対応も親切丁寧で、気持ちよく
利用することができました。
ひとつだけ希望を伝えさせて頂きますと、脱いだ服を用意して頂いたバックに入れるのですが
ハンガーに掛けて置いて下さるとシワにならなくて良かったかなと感じました。

Since the location is a gravel road that goes further down into the mountains, I was unsure what to expect, but when I arrived at the parking lot, I saw a cabin and a sauna house, which made me feel relieved, haha. The guide was very kind and explained the origins of the waterfall practice, and when it came time for the waterfall ritual, I felt purified. It was a great experience for my training.

場所が山の中でさらに下っていく砂利道なので、どんな場所だと思っていましたが、駐車場に着くと、小屋やサウナハウスが見え、安心しました笑
ガイドの方もとても親切で、滝行の由来等説明してくださり、いざ滝行も
清められたと思います。良い修行が出来ました。

We participated as a family, and each of us was taught carefully, allowing us to complete the project successfully. The children were able to experience one of the traditional crafts, and it seems they were able to appreciate the skill of the artisans and the importance of passing down techniques from various perspectives. We immediately started using what we made at home, and it seems to have become a favorite.

家族で参加しましたが、一人ひとりに丁寧に教えて下さり、無事に完成でしました。
子供達に伝統工芸の一つとして体験させることができ、職人さんの凄さや、技術の継承など色々な視点で感じることができたようです。
早速家に帰って使っています。お気に入りになったようです。

Despite being about 30 minutes late due to my circumstances, I was able to participate (although the time was shorter). The design, which seemed difficult at first, turned out to be manageable, and since it's not something I can do often, it was a very valuable experience that became a great memory.

こちらの都合で30分程遅れたにも関わらず、参加させて頂きました。(時間は短くなりましたが)
でも難しそうに思えたデザインも案外いけましたし、中々できる事ではないのでとても貴重な体験をさせて頂き、良い思い出になりました。