Yakuzen Organic Harvesting, Cooking & Lunch in Asuka, Nara

Yakuzen is a type of medicinal cooking based on ancient Eastern principles that seeks to nourish both body and soul. In this experience led by a team of yakuzen specialists, you can get acquainted with these long-standing traditions and experience their benefits firsthand.

You’ll travel to the lush fields of Asuka in Nara Prefecture. Once Japan’s first capital, Asuka is now an incredibly picturesque rural area. Here, you’ll be introduced to the essential ingredients that make yakuzen cuisine as you harvest traditional Yamato mountain vegetables at a local farm. Next, you’ll attend a lecture on yakuzen cuisine led by Professor Kyoko Onishi, an expert with over three decades of experience teaching yakuzen principles in Europe. Professor Onishi will share fascinating insights on traditional Chinese medicine, including cooking and plating techniques. Your experience will conclude with a fresh lunch made with fresh seasonal ingredients.

Experience flow:
- Meet your host at Asuka Station
- Travel to Taru Taru Farm, where you will experience harvesting organic vegetables free of pesticides or chemical fertilizers and gain a deeper appreciation for the ingredients that are the basis of yakuzen cuisine
- Move onto the picturesque Nara Sakura no Sato hotel for a session on yakuzen cuisine led by Professor Kyoko Onishi
- After cooking, enjoy a special lunch