Morning picking of safflower and making safflower rice cakes with a priest -including official visit to Yaji Hachiman Shrine and safflower breakfast

In early July, safflowers bloom in Yamagata. This is an experience to pick safflowers, which can be said to be the very essence of Yamagata culture, wash them (saffuri), and make safflower-dyed rice cakes (safflower dyes). You can experience safflower cul

Morning picking of safflower and making safflower rice cakes with a priest -including official visit to Yaji Hachiman Shrine and safflower breakfast
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 safflowersIn 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 experienceIn 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 othersThe 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 IndustryPlease 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 fieldMr. 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 HinanoyuWe 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 restaurantFrom 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. 
Address
山形県Kahoku Town, Nishimurayama-gun654-1 Yachi Gassando
Telephone Number
023-654-6699
Opening Times
Prices
Travel Fee
per person 3,800 yen
Adults and elementary school students and older are the same price.
All prices include tax.

■Cancellation fee
Cancellation on the day before the tour: 50%.
Cancellation on the day of the event: 100%.

Payment Method
Credit card payment at the time of reservation
Payment by credit card at the time of reservation

Maximum number of participants: 8
Minimum number of participants: 2
Duration
6 hours and 30 minutes (may vary slightly)
Notes
【Included in the tour】
Picking safflowers, necessary items for the experience (basket, special gloves), bathing, formal visit to the temple, making safflower rice cakes, safflower morning set meal, guide, insurance.

【Things you should bring】
Field
・Clothes that can get dirty (long sleeves and long pants as thorns are painful)
・Towel for wiping sweat (it is quite hot in the field)
・Sunshade hat
・Sneakers are also OK if you don't mind getting dirty.

Bath
Towel and necessary items for bathing
Change of clothes (for formal visits, wear a collar, long pants, and socks)

TOHOKU TOURISM PROMOTION ORGANIZATION

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