Activities
Luxury incentives in Japan
SHINOGI DMC designs luxury incentive experiences in Japan for top performers, VIP clients and executive committees: a private tea ceremony in Kyoto, a Zen session with a monk, an exclusive sumo stable visit, a private Tokyo Bay cruise, a stay at an Okinawa resort. Small groups, rare access, dedicated interpreters and seamless logistics.
Tokyo
Lake Ashi cruise and Owakudani ropeway
Hakone's great classic, arranged for a group: crossing Lake Ashi aboard one of Hakone's three "pirate ships", in the special-class cabin or on a private charter, then a ropeway ride above the steam vents of Owakudani, with Mount Fuji as a backdrop on a clear day.
2.5 to 3.5 hours (cruise, ropeway and stop at Owakudani) · 10–300 pax
From ¥15,000 per person
Hakuba
Ski lessons by level and snowshoeing in Hakuba
A snow day where everyone finds their place: ski or snowboard lessons in small level groups with English-speaking instructors at the resorts of the Hakuba Valley, and a guided snowshoe walk through the beech forest for those who do not ski.
Half day (2.5 to 3 hours) or full day · 6–150 pax
From ¥18,000 per person
Okinawa
Stargazing on Ishigaki, a certified dark-sky park
A guided evening under the sky of Iriomote-Ishigaki National Park, certified as a Dark Sky Park by the International Dark-Sky Association in 2018, the first in Japan. Loungers, blankets and red lights at an unlit site, with a guide who tells the story of the constellations and, depending on the season, the Southern Cross.
1.5 to 2 hours, in the evening · 2–60 pax
From ¥12,000 per person
Kyoto
Incense workshop and introduction to kodo
An introduction to kodo, the Japanese art of 'listening' to incense, followed by a workshop where each participant blends their own fragrance from aromatic woods and spices and leaves with a scented sachet.
About 2 hours · 4–30 pax
From ¥31,500 per person
Kyoto
Private kaiseki dinner in a Kyoto ryotei
A seasonal kaiseki dinner served in a private room of a traditional Kyoto ryotei, with each course, its tableware and its meaning explained through an interpreter.
About 2.5 hours · 4–60 pax
From ¥42,500 per person
Kyoto
Group kimono experience in Kyoto
Professional kimono dressing for the whole group, men and women, followed by a walk and photo session in the historic lanes of Higashiyama, with a guide and an optional photographer.
About 2 hours · 4–60 pax
From ¥24,000 per person
Kyoto
Forge your own Japanese knife in Kyoto
In a Kyoto blacksmith's workshop, each participant heats, hammers and shapes the blade of their own knife, then leaves with it, engraved with their name.
About 3 hours · 2–24 pax
From ¥45,500 per person
Kyoto
Maiko and geiko evening in Kyoto
A private kaiseki dinner in one of Kyoto's teahouse districts, with traditional dance, conversation and ozashiki games hosted by maiko and geiko, with an interpreter at your side.
About 2 hours · 6–80 pax
From ¥45,500 per person
Kyoto
Zazen meditation in a Kyoto temple
A zazen session guided by a monk in the meditation hall of a Kyoto Zen temple, reserved for your group, followed by tea and an interpreted conversation about the practice.
About 1 hour 45 minutes · 4–40 pax
From ¥20,500 per person
Okinawa
Private boat charter and Yaeyama island-hopping from Ishigaki
A day at sea with a boat and crew reserved for the group: a crossing to Taketomi village, guided snorkeling in the Sekisei Lagoon, Japan's largest coral reef, and Kabira Bay explored by glass-bottom boat, since swimming is not allowed there.
Half day (3 to 4 hours) or full day (6 to 7 hours) · 4–120 pax
From ¥25,000 per person
Osaka
Chopsticks making workshop
With a woodworking craftsman, each participant shapes their own pair of chopsticks with a hand plane, chooses a finish (natural oil or lacquer) and leaves with a gift box engraved with their name.
About 2 hours · 6–50 pax
From ¥49,500 per person
Osaka
Sakai knife workshop
A visit to a knife workshop in Sakai, a whetstone sharpening demonstration and personalised engraving of a Japanese kitchen knife that each participant takes home.
About 2 hours (excluding transfer) · 4–30 pax
From ¥75,000 per person
Tokyo · Kyoto
Samurai experience
An introduction to Japanese sword arts in a dojo, led by an experienced practitioner: etiquette, handling a training sword, kata and a reflection on bushido.
90 minutes to 2 hours · 6–80 pax
Tokyo
Sumo stable experience
Watch the morning practice (asa-geiko) of a Tokyo sumo stable, then share chanko nabe, the wrestlers' hot pot: a rare immersion arranged through our partners and subject to the tournament calendar.
About 3 hours, early morning, meal included · 4–30 pax
Kyoto · Tokyo
Corporate tea ceremony
A tea ceremony led by a chado teacher in a tea house or private room, with the gestures explained and each participant whisking their own bowl of matcha.
60 to 90 minutes · 6–60 pax
Tokyo
Tokyo Bay cruise
A private dinner cruise on Tokyo Bay, aboard a traditional yakatabune or a modern restaurant boat, with views of Rainbow Bridge, Odaiba and the illuminated skyline.
2 to 2.5 hours on board · 20–300 pax
Tokyo
Geisha evening in Tokyo
A Japanese dinner in a private room, with geisha from Tokyo's traditional districts performing dance to shamisen music, leading ozashiki party games with guests and joining the conversation, with an interpreter.
About 2 hours · 6–60 pax
From ¥36,500 per person
Tokyo
Ikebana workshop in Tokyo
A Japanese flower arrangement class led by an ikebana teacher: composition principles, a demonstration, then each participant creates their own arrangement with seasonal branches and flowers.
About 1.5 hours · 4–40 pax
From ¥43,000 per person
Tokyo
Kodo incense ceremony in Tokyo
An introduction to kodo, the Japanese art of “listening” to incense: aromatic woods explained, the censer passed around, a scent-matching game, then each participant blends their own incense to take home.
About 1.5 hours · 4–30 pax
From ¥38,500 per person
Tokyo
Kabuki and noh introduction with a live performance
A kabuki and noh experience in Tokyo: a specialist presents masks, costumes, make-up and codified gestures, then the group attends an act of kabuki or a noh play together.
About 2 hours (introduction and one act of a performance) · 6–40 pax
From ¥37,000 per person
Tokyo
Kintsugi workshop with an artisan
In this kintsugi workshop in Tokyo, a lacquer artisan explains the Japanese art of repairing ceramics with gold, then guides each participant through the repair of a small piece they keep as a souvenir.
1.5 to 2 hours · 6–40 pax
From ¥44,000 per person
Tokyo
Toyosu market tour and sushi session with a chef
A morning that starts at dawn at Toyosu wholesale market, with the tuna auction and the wholesalers' aisles explained by a guide, followed by a private sushi session with an experienced chef.
About 4 hours, from 5:00 to 9:30 am · 6–40 pax
From ¥55,000 per person
Kyoto
Zen garden leadership session, Kyoto
A short Zen retreat for executive teams in a Kyoto temple: seated meditation (zazen), reading a dry landscape garden and a conversation with a monk about attention, decision-making and leadership.
2 to 3 hours, half day with meal possible · 6–40 pax
What makes a luxury incentive in Japan
In Japan, luxury is less about display than about access and precision: a temple room opened for you alone, a master who takes time to explain, a meal served in step with the season. These moments are rarely bookable online; they depend on long-standing relationships.
We favor groups of 10 to 40, split when needed, to preserve the quality of the welcome.
Example experiences
- Kyoto: private tea ceremony, leadership session in a Zen temple, kaiseki dinner.
- Tokyo: sumo stable morning practice, private yakatabune cruise, sushi workshop with a chef.
- Okinawa: beachfront resort, private hārī race, dinner on the beach.
- Anywhere: samurai training in a dojo, calligraphy with a master.
Service and discretion
Each group has a dedicated project manager, professional interpreters and private vehicles (vans or chauffeured sedans). Timings are planned to avoid the busiest hours at popular sites, especially in Kyoto.
Participant data, dietary preferences and personal requests are handled confidentially.
Frequently asked questions
What budget for a luxury incentive in Japan?
The budget depends mostly on hotels, season and the number of private experiences. As a guide, experiences alone often range from €150 to €400 per person; we quote the full program on request.
When is the best season for an incentive in Japan?
Spring (late March to May) and autumn (October to November) offer the best conditions but also the highest hotel demand. Okinawa works well from April to June and in October–November, outside peak typhoon season.
Can we combine Tokyo, Kyoto and Okinawa?
Yes. Tokyo to Kyoto takes about 2 hours 15 minutes by Nozomi shinkansen, and Okinawa is about a 2.5-hour flight from Tokyo or Osaka. We recommend at least 6 to 7 days for all three.
Are exclusive experiences guaranteed?
Private access (temples, sumo stables, masters) depends on the hosts' calendars and is confirmed only after their written agreement. We always propose an alternative of equivalent standing.