The World of Nohgaku, UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage

Nohgagu is the oldest theatrical art in Japan with its origin goes back to the 14th century. Scripts written from the 14th to 16th centuries are still regularly played. Nohgaku integrates masks, costumes and various props in a dance-based performance requiring highly trained actors and musicians. It flourished under the patronage of Samurai rulers. Some of rulers played by themselves.

The Ueda Nohgaku Theater

Dance performance and sing and dance workshop by a professional Nohgaku performer, Yuki Kasada. A plot will be explained in English prior to the performance. (Lines are all in old Japanese)

Tea Tasting in a Traditional Japanese Tea Wholesaler

Green tea is a part of daily life in Japan. The standard process for making it has been established in the 18th century. The highest tea master grade holder (currently less than 20 holders in Japan), Yasuyuki Suda will demonstrate how to make tea in a teapot (tea prepared by infusion). Guests can sample various types of genuine Japanese loose-leaf teas. Japanese tea wholesaler “Hokodo” started their tea business almost 200 years ago.