Excursion Japanese lunch with geishas at old aoyama villa tour at Otaru

Old Aoyama Villa

A short drive by motor coach takes you to the restaurant, where you to the Old Aoyama Villa which is surrounded by lovely flowers in the garden. This stately villa was built by the Aoyama family that made a fortune on herring fishing. Every possible luxurious material was used to build the house and interior furnishings were equally lavish. The restaurant in the villa serves local herring cuisines. Guests must remove their shoes upon entry at the Old Aoyama Villa.

Geisha Performance

After seeing the villa, enjoy a traditional Japanese lunch. While you dine, you will be entertained by geisha: skilled Japanese female performers. The word originates from "gei" or "art," and "sha" or "person" who are educated in the ancient traditions of art, dance and singing. Geisha emerged as an important part of Japanese culture during the 18th century and were highly valued and popular among Japan's upper classes. Admire this rare treat as the geisha perform while bedecked in colorful costumes and makeup.

Otaru Canal

Proceed to the Otaru Canal which is the symbol of Otaru City. The historic 1.5-km long canal provides both a nostalgic look at the Otaru of yesteryear and unique shopping and dining experiences. The canal was created by a sea reclamation project beginning in 1914 and is lined with stone warehouses from that time. Once the capital of Hokkaido in Japan's Meiji Period, Otaru was known as the "Sakhalin of Japan" for its busy maritime trade with Russia. The shipping warehouses have been preserved and the canal is always photogenic no matter what the season. The promenade along the canal has numerous fancy shops and fine restaurants and is illuminated by a series of gaslights.

Points of interests

Points of interest seen on this excursion may include: Otaru, Old Aoyama Villa, Traditional Japanese Lunch, Conversation Opportunity with Geisha, Otaru Canal, Time for Self Exploration

Note

Please note: This tour involves a moderate to extensive amount of walking of approximately 1.5kilometres or 0.9 miles at times over uneven and cobblestone surfaces and about 60 steps in total to negotiate at the visited sites and a few to get on/off the coach. It is not suitable for guests with limited mobility or those who utilise a wheelchair. Lunch served during this tour includes a Japanese style set menu. For dietary restrictions please contact the on board Shore Concierge Team upon embarkation. Please be advised that special dietary requests or menu substitutions may be not be possible to accommodate in this program. Guests must be at least 21 years old to be served alcoholic beverages. Lightweight, comfortable clothing with flat, closed-toe walking shoes and sun protection are recommended. Guests must remove their shoes upon entry at the Old Aoyama Villa, the lunch venue. Space on this tour is very limited; we suggest you book in advance to avoid disappointment. Local Tour Guides tend to have a strong accent therefore we urge flexibility.