DISCOVER EHIME 2025
Unique landscapes and craftsmanship found only here.
A journey to meet master craftsmen at Setouchi Retreat Aonagi
Unique landscapes
and craftsmanship found only here.
At Setouchi Retreat Aonagi
A journey to meet master craftsmen
July 13-14, 2025
Limited to 7 groups
Experience two tranquil days in Tadao Ando’s architectural space. This exclusive, limited-time plan offers a special encounter with the skills and passion of Ehime’s master craftsmen. From sake and wagashi to pottery – experience a journey to meet artisans who maintain traditions passed down for over 100 years while evolving their craftsmanship. Here lies a special moment that will leave a lasting impression.
Master Craftsmen You’ll Meet on This Journey
Mizuguchi Brewery | President Kosuke Mizuguchi
“From Dogo to the world. Sake brewing is culture creation.”
As the 6th generation head of the only sake brewery in Dogo, established in 1895, he collaborates with local farmers for sake rice cultivation and ventures into new challenges like craft beer and rum. Under the motto “From Dogo to the world, from the world to Dogo,” he maintains tradition while continuing to evolve. He will share his dedication as a brewery owner and his passion for sake making, while serving carefully selected rare sake.
Yamadaya Manju | Director Takamasa Takatsuji
“A single sweet carrying 150 years of history and future”
As the prospective 6th generation leader of a historic shop founded in 1867 that has focused on a single manju for over 150 years, he returned from Tokyo to Ehime to continue the tradition while promoting local charm. For this event, Mr. Takatsuji will present selected wagashi served with special cocktails to enjoy with the evening view. Savor the lingering sweetness along with his inspiring vision.
Joshua Kobo | Artist Tatsuhito Takenishi
“Capturing the blue of sea and sky in vessels. Pioneering new possibilities in Tobe ware”
While treasuring Tobe ware traditions, he pursues new expressions. His signature indigo “Joshua Blue” reflects natural landscapes, and his works are used in Aonagi Dining. In the gallery, Mr. Takenishi will guide you through the thoughts behind his works and their creation process, allowing you to experience the warmth of handcrafted art.
Two-Day Experience Program
DAY 1
Experience Aonagi,
and discover Ehime’s local sake and art
Wrapped in the gentle Setouchi breeze, we offer a special one-day stay to leisurely enjoy Ehime’s art and fine dining. Experience luxurious moments savoring local confections and cocktails while watching the quiet sunset and viewing the art scattered throughout the building. In the serene Setouchi landscape, your mind gradually unwinds. For dinner, we present kaiseki cuisine featuring Ehime’s rich ingredients paired with special sake selections from Mizuguchi Brewery. Enjoy the blissful harmony of cuisine and sake.
15:00
Check-in
Check in to Aonagi at 3 PM while feeling the gentle Setouchi breeze. In this space, originally designed as an art museum, your senses will be stirred from the moment of arrival by the artwork scattered throughout and Tadao Ando’s architecture. After check-in, join a facility tour including newly added art collections. Your time at Aonagi begins gently as you explore spaces filled with tranquility and simplicity.
Sunset Time
As the sun begins to set, gather at the infinity pool. Here, where the water’s surface connects the evening sky with the Seto Inland Sea, we serve Ehime’s Yamadaya Manju with refreshing citrus-based cocktails and non-alcoholic cocktails using green tea. In the stillness, your senses gently awaken.
19:30
Sake Pairing Dinner
As evening begins, a special one-night-only dinner unfolds. Welcoming Kosuke Mizuguchi, president of Mizuguchi Brewery – Dogo’s only sake brewery – who will share his passion for sake making and dedication to rice cultivation while guiding you through a sake pairing dinner. The meal includes special kaiseki dishes featuring sake lees from bag-hanging method, prepared exclusively for this evening. Enjoy the marriage of fine sake and cuisine engaging all five senses, orchestrated by Chef Honjo and Sommelier Imazu.
Special Lineup for This Event
- NIKITATSU2025 Nikitatsu Junmai Daiginjo (A local production collaboration with young Ehime farmers)
- Nikitatsu Junmai Ginjo Sakurahime Yeast (International Wine Challenge 2024 Junmai Ginjo Category Gold Award winner)
- NIKITATSU2024 Nikitatsu Junmai Daiginjo (Limited 130 bottles using exclusively Ehime ingredients)
- Nikitatsu Junmai Daiginjo Unfiltered Raw Sake Bag-Hanging Tobin-Kakoi (Limited 280 bottles of naturally dripped sake from suspended sake bags, without pressure, collected in special vessels)
- Nikitatsu Junmai Ginjo Nama-zake (Fresh sake not available for general distribution, specially offered for this day)
- Nikitatsu Iyo no Usuzumizakura Junmai (Served hot to experience the contrast with fresh sake)
DAY 2
Wake to tranquility,
as the journey to meet master craftsmen continues
The next day, visit Mizuguchi Brewery to experience the traditional techniques and passion of the craftsmen. Then, visit Joshua Kobo, which creates the Tobe ware used at Aonagi, to feel the warmth of handcrafted work. Experience two days of discovering Ehime’s charm through all five senses, gently filling your heart. Please join us for this beautiful time available only here.
08:00
Breakfast
The day begins with breakfast in the dining room bathed in Setouchi light. Gently awaken while surrounded by Aonagi’s tranquility as you enjoy a nurturing Japanese breakfast.
Morning Hours
Until departure, spend time as you wish – reading while viewing the sea from your room or immersing yourself in the art’s ambiance. Enjoy these luxurious moments of repose uniquely possible at Aonagi, where architecture, nature, and art harmonize.
11:00
Check-out
Departing Aonagi with fond memories, your journey continues to visit modern master craftsmen of Ehime at work.
13:00
Mizuguchi Brewery Tour
Visit the source of the sake you enjoyed the previous evening at Mizuguchi Brewery. Observe up close the process of rice becoming sake in this workplace where handcrafted techniques have been passed down for 130 years. Also tour areas showcasing new ventures in craft beer and rum production. Experience with all your senses the brewery’s spirit of evolution while preserving tradition for the future.
15:00
Visit to Tobe Ware Joshua Kobo
The journey concludes in Tobe Town, home to the ceramics used in Aonagi’s guest rooms. At Joshua Kobo, which creates Tobe ware featuring deep indigo on white porcelain, artist Tatsuhito Takenishi will guide you through the gallery. The world of Joshua Blue combines natural motifs with free expression. The vessels, blending traditional techniques with contemporary aesthetics, will evoke memories of your dining experiences at Aonagi.
precautions
*Transportation is provided on day 2 for guests using public transit.
*As this event involves alcohol, guests under 20 years old cannot be accommodated.
*As this event is limited to 7 groups, it may become fully booked early. If fully booked, please register on the waiting list on the reservation site for priority notification of future events.
