Program
Encounter the god of cooking in the ancient hocho-shiki kitchen knife ceremony
- Recommended for:
- Those with an interest in cooking or in Japanese culture
- Estimated budget
- From 28,350 yen
- Difficulty level
- ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
- THEME
- Experience the roots of Japanese culture with a visit to Takabe Shrine and a demonstration of the hocho-shiki
The hocho-shiki kitchen knife ceremony has been passed down over generations since the Heian period (794–1185). This will be a once-in-a-lifetime chance to gain a new appreciation and gratitude for the food we eat, in the sense that “to eat is to receive life.”
This is by far one of Minamiboso’s most popular tours, in which you will have the opportunity to visit Takabe Shrine, the only shrine in Japan dedicated to the Shinto god of cooking, and experience the ancient hocho-shiki. This ceremony is still performed at the Imperial Palace and shrines across Japan, but there are not many places where you can witness it as a tourist. Anyone is welcome, whether you want to experience Japanese culture firsthand, learn about food and nutrition, or pray to the god of cooking for your own cooking skills to improve. The program includes a Japanese-style lunch with plentiful seafood from Minamiboso, and a chance to have your photo taken the traditional clothes worn in the hocho-shiki.
- SCHEDULE
-
11:50 Meet
12:00 Go to the restaurant/lunch (Japanese banquet dishes)
13:00 Watch the hocho-shiki
14:30 Visit Takabe Shrine
15:40 Tour finishes at JR Chikura Station
- Photogenic
- Rainy days: OK
- With meal
- Children: OK
[Required time] Approx. 3 hours 50 min.
[Availability] From 2 people
*Please book at least one week in advance.
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The hocho-shiki is performed in a solemn setting. The priest, dressed in ancient court clothing, skillfully fillets a fish using a special kitchen knife and chopsticks, without once touching the fish.
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Every year, many food manufacturers, sake brewers and cooks visit Takabe Shrine, which is dedicated to cooking and kitchen knives, to pray for an improvement in their cooking skills. Local fishermen also offer up their prayers here for a bumper catch.
祈っています。
Chikura Tourist Information Center (inside JR Chikura Station)
0470-44-3581
ACCESS
Car→Approx. 40 min. from Tomiura Interchange on the Futtsu-Tateyama Road
Expressway bus→Tokyo Station Yaesu Exit→Expressway bus bound for Tateyama→Get off at JR Chikura Station
Train→Near JR Chikura Station on the JR Uchibo Line