This tour will visit with the priests of Yaji Hachimangu Shrine, who have handed down the Hayashiya Bugaku, and the Hayashiya family.The Hayashiya Bugaku is a component of the Japanese Heritage "Safflower Culture Supported by Yamadera" and is related to safflower. 

Visitors will learn about the connection between the Hayashiya Bugaku and safflower, as well as the historical story that transcends between regions, and their understanding of safflower will be further deepened in combination with the experience.

Recommended for

(1) People who would like to touch safflowers

In this tour, you can have valuable experiences such as picking safflowers and making safflower cakes.

This tour is especially recommended for people who like safflowers.

(2) People who want to have a heart-shaking experience

In this tour, you will experience safflower picking and making safflower rice cakes with Mr. Hayashi, a Shinto priest, and also make a formal visit to Yaji Hachimangu Shrine.

Through the exchange, you may learn deeply about safflower culture and the history of Yaji Hachimangu Shrine, and notice changes in your own emotions.

(3) People who want to be of help to others

The safflower picking season is short, lasting only about 10 days, and requires a lot of manpower. Picked safflowers are processed into safflower cakes, and the finished safflower cakes are used in various situations. What you have made will be used for others.

Tour Flow

1. meet at the Kahoku Town Chamber of Commerce and Industry

Please gather at the Kahokucho Chamber of Commerce and Industry by your own car or cab. We will guide you to the safflower field after everyone gathers and registers.

2.Picking safflowers in the safflower field

Mr. Hayashi gives us a lecture on how to pick safflowers.

The reason why we pick safflowers early in the morning is because safflower thorns are still relatively soft (i.e., less painful) in the morning due to morning dew. The thorns of safflowers are painful no matter what clothes you wear, but you will gradually get used to it (it depends on each individual).

3. Sweat it out at Hinanoyu

We will drive 5 minutes from the safflower fields to a hot spring bathing facility to wash off the sweat from safflower picking. Each participant will be given a bathing ticket. You will be given a ticket for each person to use, or you may choose not to use it this time and use it again.

The time you can take is about 45 minutes. Please think of it as a way to work up a sweat.

4. breakfast at a farmhouse restaurant

From Hinanoyu, we move on to Marume, where we will have breakfast. This is a farmhouse restaurant that serves healthy food using vegetables grown mainly by the owner himself.

It is not usually open, but if you are on a safflower-related tour, you must come! So they will open a special time for you!

We will have breakfast using safflower with plenty of vegetables, including safflower foam fu, which has a new texture.

5. official visit to Yaji Hachimangu Shrine and making Benimochi (red rice cakes)

After sweating it off and eating a meal, we will move on to Yaji Hachimangu Shrine when our bodies and minds are ready.

First, we will be purified and formally worship at the shrine. Please dress in a calm color so as not to be rude.

(Example: collared shirt or polo shirt, chinos, skirt, dress, etc.)

Afterwards, we will wash safflowers, make safflower cakes, and work while listening to Mr. Lin's stories about safflower culture and the Lin family dance and music.