Dry Bonsai & Film Village | A Tailor-Made Cultural Program for Chinese VIP Guests

For globally active companies, welcoming overseas executives and VIP guests is a strategic opportunity to build trust and long-term relationships.

Many hosts face the same challenge:
Standard sightseeing no longer satisfies experienced visitors.
They want to experience the deeper essence of Japanese culture.

To meet these expectations, thoughtfully designed and meaningful experiences are essential.
This article introduces a bespoke incentive tour for Chinese corporate VIPs, curated by MOTENAS JAPAN, a specialist in tailor-made Japanese cultural experiences.

Client Background and Expectations

The request came from a Chinese global corporation planning an incentive trip for 13 participants, all of whom had visited Japan multiple times and held a strong interest in Japanese culture.

Their expectations were clear:

• To experience Japan’s aesthetics and spiritual depth
• To enjoy memorable experiences that go beyond sightseeing

They expressed interest in iconic cultural elements such as film villages, kabuki, and bonsai, while staying at a luxury hotel in Kyoto.
It was evident that they sought experiences worthy of a truly special stay.

Based on this background, the project began with a single goal:
to create a day that reveals the depth of Japanese culture through carefully connected experiences.

Schedule on the Day

• 9:45–12:00 Toei Kyoto Studio Park (Uzumas a Film Village)
• 12:30–14:30 Lunch with a Private Kabuki Performance
• 15:00–17:00 Dry Bonsai Workshop

※ Chion-in Temple evening illumination (added upon request)

Experience Highlights

Toei Kyoto Studio Park

There was initial concern about whether a film village would suit VIP guests. However, the experience proved to be far more engaging than expected, with guests wishing they had more time.

Walking through Edo-period streets used for film productions, guests enjoyed encounters with samurai and ninja attractions. For international visitors, the ability to step into the world of Japanese historical drama felt like premium entertainment.

A guide well-versed in international perspectives adjusted pacing and routes on the spot, greatly enhancing satisfaction. This flexible, guest-focused approach became a key factor in the overall success of the experience.

Private Kabuki Lunch Experience

While dining with maiko performers is relatively well known in Kyoto, inviting a kabuki actor to perform privately in a restaurant is an exceptionally rare experience.

The program began with a short introduction to kabuki history, followed by a live demonstration of white makeup, kumadori, and costume transformation—a process usually hidden backstage.

After the meal, guests enjoyed an intimate kabuki performance and commemorative photos.
Experiencing kabuki at such close range was described as “a Japanese cultural experience unlike any they had known”.

Dry Bonsai Workshop

One strong request from the guests was the desire to create bonsai with their own hands.

However, transporting living bonsai overseas—especially to China—poses strict quarantine challenges.
As a solution, MOTENAS JAPAN proposed “dry bonsai”, created from fully dried plant materials.

This approach offered three clear advantages:

• Hands-on creation
• Safe overseas transport
• A lasting interior piece that preserves memories of Japan

Each guest completed a one-of-a-kind work, and many commented that it would be a lifelong keepsake.
The experience resonated deeply thanks to its personal and small-group format.

Special Highlight: Chion-in Temple Illumination

After a full day of cultural experiences, the original plan was to head directly to dinner.
However, at the guests’ request, the schedule was adjusted to include a visit to Chion-in Temple’s evening illumination.

Softly lit temple grounds revealed a tranquil atmosphere completely different from daytime.
Though unplanned, this moment became a memorable and meaningful conclusion, showcasing the value of flexible, responsive hospitality.

What Makes MOTENAS JAPAN Different

MOTENAS JAPAN does not rely on fixed packages.
Planning always begins by considering who the guests are and what kind of experience will truly resonate with them.

In this project, film, kabuki, bonsai, and temple visits were each carefully shaped to match the guests’ interests. Interpreters and guides played a vital role by conveying not only language, but cultural meaning and emotional nuance.

This approach builds trust and enables calm, confident responses even in situations involving last-minute changes.

Creating One-of-a-Kind Japanese Cultural Experiences

What MOTENAS JAPAN values most is creating experiences exclusively for that moment and those guests.

Rather than following predefined sightseeing routes, each element was shaped through dialogue and understanding.
By layering experiences that respect guests’ expectations and sensibilities, MOTENAS JAPAN delivers one-of-a-kind Japanese cultural encounters.