Experience Details
Connected to the mainland by a small strip of sandbar, Aoshima Shrine is one of the holiest sites in Miyazaki Prefecture —up until 1737, the island was deemed so sacred that only priests were permitted to visit it. It’s also one of the most beautiful, with its blazing orange facade and dramatic sloping roofs, surrounded by thick jungle standing between it and the sea.
While the shrine is usually closed by 5:30 pm, on this experience you’ll receive exclusive after-hours access. After registration at Aoshima Beach Park, the evening starts with a traditional kagura performance — a ceremonial dance to summon the gods that often involves the reenactment of certain Japanese legends and folktales.
Then it’s a tour through the shrine at dusk with the chief priest himself, Nagatomo Yasutaka. The priest will personally take you through the grounds where only holy men once trod, explaining the mythos and history of the sacred site as you bow through torii gates and step over thresholds. From holy ground, gaze up at the Milky Way in the cool night breeze, lulled by sounds of the rolling surf.
The experience concludes with a gourmet dinner by Chef Kashiwada Kojiro, the recipient of a Michelin star in 2011. For an extremely limited time, Chef Kashiwada returns to his native Miyazaki to prepare a seven-course menu at this after-dark dining experience at Aoshima Shrine. It promises to be a beautiful fusion of both his immaculate technique and Miyazaki’s most premium ingredients, including Miyazaki wagyu beef, local Miyazaki caviar and the coveted ise-ebi spiny lobster.
The menu comes paired with four cocktails from the mind and shaker of one of Japan’s leading mixologists: Nagumo Shuzo, the founder of Memento Mori, one of the World’s 50 Best Bars. Mr Nagumo promises to redefine participants’ conceptions of what a cocktail is and can be, incorporating fresh Miyazaki fruit into his recipes and turning it into something never before tasted.
Inclusions
Guided tour of Aoshima Shrine and kagura dance performance
Seven-course dinner and four-glass cocktail pairing
Exclusions
Transportation to and from the venue
Additional costs incurred during the experience, such as additional food, drinks or souvenirs
Meeting Point and Meeting Time
Meet your host directly at the location, at Aoshima Beach Park. Further information and a Google Maps link will be provided upon booking.
Remarks
For those who would prefer non-alcoholic options, soft drinks are available in place of cocktails. Please enquire on the day itself at the venue.
Please arrive 15 minutes before the experience start time.
Please refrain from wearing strong perfume or cologne.
The experience is unable to accommodate specific dietary requirements.
The pictures of the meal and cocktail are purely for illustrative purposes. Please note that there is a possibility that the exact menu content on the day itself may change.
Cancellation Policy
Cancel your booking at least 1 month before the experience start time to receive a full refund minus a 3.2% transaction fee.
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