2025.11.10

[Mercure Wakayama Kushimoto Resort & Spa] Started offering an experience program to experience food and people using yuzu, a local resource in the Hirai district of Kozagawa-cho, Wakayama Prefecture, “Musubibito-Yuzu connects with Yumi Kuraoka”

In the Hirai district with a population of 73, we will learn from Yumi Kuraoka, who spins the charm of the region into the future. Reservations start from Friday, November 7, 2025

Mercure Wakayama Kushimoto Resort & Spa, an all-inclusive resort hotel located on a hill overlooking the Pacific Ocean (Kushimoto-cho, Higashimuro-gun, Wakayama Prefecture / General Manager: Kazunori Tanaka) will start offering the original experience program "Musubibito-Yuzu Connected with Yumi Kuraoka". We prepared a retreat time that warms both mind and body, such as making original spices curry using yuzu, lunch with local dishes made by local mothers, and experiencing a hand bus with yuzu incense.

■Overview of "Musubibito-Yuzu Connected Hometown Learning from Yumi Kuraoka"

Reservation start date: Friday, November 7, 2025
Period of implementation: Every month, Wednesday and Friday from December 1, 2025 to March 31, 2026
Exclusion period: December 17, 2025 (Wednesday) to January 2, 2026 (Friday)
Implementation time: From 10:00 (approximately 2 hours)
Venue: Koza River Yuzu Hirai Village "Yuzu School"
Price: 6,000 yen per person (including tax)
What is included in the experience: Hand bath or foot bath of Yuzu and Yomogi, experience of making original spice curry, lunch, two kinds of spices using Yuzu
Number of people: 2 to 10 people
Target Age: Over 6 years old
Reservation: Reservation required at least 11 days prior to the event date
URL： https://mercure-wakayamakushimoto-resortandspa.jp/sightseeing/musubibito_yuzu/
Remarks: The contents of the experience and lunch may differ depending on the season and purchase situation.
The mugwort used for hand bath and foot bath is the family Asteraceae. Bathing for those who are allergic to the bacterium 　　　Please refrain from it.

■What is "Musubibito"?

Considering urban areas and tourist centers around Japan as "Omoya" and beautiful areas that are not yet known as "Hanare", "Mercure Wakayama Kushimoto Resort & Spa" is a hotel located in an area that can be said to be "Hanare". "#Hanare Journey" is a style of travel where you can enjoy the scenery rich in nature, the traditions and culture rooted in the area, and the interaction with local people. One way to enjoy this #Hanare Journey is the original experience program "Musubibito". In this program, people who are familiar with the region and continue to preserve tradition and culture are referred to as "Musubibito" and play a role in connecting customers with their communities. In Grand Mercure in Japan, programs have been developed at hotels such as the source hunter in Beppu Bay, the salt craftsman in Awajishima, the Kumano Kodo Guide in Minabe Wakayama, and the charcoal craftsman in Tosa Kochi in Mercure.

#About the journey: https://accor-resorts-japan.jp/concept/
About Musubibito: https://accor-resorts-japan.jp/musubibito/

■Background of the project-Touch the background of the yuzu industry inherited in the region and learn the wisdom of hot activities-

In this project, Yumi Kuraoka, Representative Director of Koza River Yuzu Hirai no Sato, who actively engages in yuzu cultivation and processing business with the aim of revitalizing the region, will be invited to Musubibito to provide food and wellness experiences using yuzu together with local mothers. Through the making of original spice curry using Hirai's yuzu and the time to warm from the core of the body by hand bus, not only learn about the background and food culture of the yuzu industry that has been handed down to the region, but also in daily life after travel It is a content that can bring back the wisdom of hot activities that can be used. We propose a "retreat trip that warms both mind and body" that is recommended for those who tend to forget the time to care for their body in busy days.

Reference: Koza River Yuzu Hirai no Sato https://yuzusato.jp/
Wakayama LIFE https://www.wakayamagurashi.jp/

*1 【Knowledge time】https://tisikijikan.com/wakayamaken-area-population-matome/#toc2
*2 [Koza River Town Directory] http://www.town.kozagawa.lg.jp/pdf/r3tyouseiyouran.pdf
*3 As of October 1, 2025

■Mr. Yumi Kuraoka Profile

Representative director of the agricultural union corporation "Koza River Yuzu Hirai no Sato". Based on the desire to `` make use of what can only be done here and the local resources unique here to energize the depopulated area, '' we will develop industrial promotion and processing business centered on `` Yuzu '', a local treasure We are developing and continuing activities to connect our hometown to the future. Yuzu products born in Hirai no Sato value the aroma and gentle taste of the ingredients without using additives as much as possible so that important families such as children and grandchildren can eat with peace of mind. In recent years, he says that he is delighted to see the spread of the charm of the region gradually through sales in France and exchanges with repeat customers from all over the country. In the future, we aim to create a system that allows both energy and food to become independent in the community, and we are working hard every day to further revitalize the region.

■Point of the program

1.　Warm your body with a hand bath of Yuzu and Yomogi

This program starts with an experience of warming the body with a hand bath using yuzu and yomogi while drinking yuzu tea and resting. (You can choose either a hand bath or a foot bath.) Dry fresh wormwood grown in this area and soak it in warm hot water boiled in a wood stove to the wrist to promote blood circulation throughout the body, improve cold and relax. In addition, we will add essential oil made from local yuzu and Shioya no Teshio, which is cooked only with firewood, making use of the blessings of Kuroshio. Yuzu is rich in aromatic ingredients such as limonene and α-pinene, and is said to have antibacterial, anti-inflammation, and blood circulation promotion. With the power of wormwood, yuzu and salt, it warms the cold body from the core (*). While relaxing in a refreshing citrus and wormwood scented space, you can enjoy conversations with Mr. Kuraoka and local people, and spend a relaxing time.

Mr. Kuraoka will explain the history of the Hirai district, a rare yuzu production area in Honshu, the characteristics of yuzu grown in areas blessed with the clear stream of the mountains and the Koza River, and cultivation and processing methods in an easy-to-understand manner. In addition to tasting, you can also learn more about the good work of Yuzu on the body.

 

＊Reference: Tokyo Gas Urban Life Research Institute Urban Life Report “Susume of Comfortable Bus Life”

2.　Spice curry making with original spices using yuzu

This is an original spice blended with yuzu from Hirai, Kozagawa-cho, where you can experience handmade spice curry that warms from inside your body. This spice was specially prepared by Chikako Tatehata, the spice coordinator master who runs the "spice cafeteria javajava" in Iwade City, Wakayama Prefecture, utilizing the scent of yuzu. It is characterized by the freshness of the yuzu that feels slightly. Contains 13 kinds of spices in addition to yuzu, such as chili pepper (chili pepper), which is said to have a function to enhance metabolism and improve blood flow, and cinnamon, which is perfect for warm activity that improves blood circulation and sweats. Curry is a body-friendly recipe with a light finish mainly made of fresh vegetables and chicken without using flour or butter. During cooking, Mr. Kuraoka and local mothers will teach you not only the features of the original spices, but also the recipes using yuzu, from the unexpected use of yuzu to the standard dishes, so it can be used in everyday dishes You can also learn how to do it.

3.　Lunch time that warms both body and mind with local cuisine prepared by local mothers

After cooking, it is lunch time with spices curry made by ourselves, dressing salad using yuzu, and local dish "Narae" made by local mothers. The local dish "Narae" is a dish that has been popular in this area for a long time, combining burdock, radish, carrot, etc. with fried oil. Root vegetables used in cooking are rich in vitamins that promote blood circulation, so they are said to have the effect of preventing and improving cold, making them perfect for warm activity. Adding a little effort to the standard deliciousness, we will add the fresh and fragrant yuzu squeezed juice harvested this year. With the spices curry with the scent of yuzu and the gentle taste of "Naraae", you can feel the body warm and warm after meals, and spend a relaxing time interacting with local mothers.

4.　2 kinds of spices made with yuzu as a souvenir, warm life at home

■Access to experience place "Yuzuno School" and surrounding information

In the rich nature of Hirai, where the greenery of the mountains and the clear stream of the Koza River flow, there is a "Yuzuno School" that makes use of the old school building. It is about 50 minutes by car from the hotel to Yuzu school. When you pass through the seaside road of Kushimoto, you will have a quiet time where you can hear the babbling of the river running along the clear stream Koza River and the voice of birds.
On the way, there are unintentionally breathtaking views, such as the national natural monument "Singichiiwa" and "Kosenji" where a large ginkgo towers with an estimated age of 400 years and a height of about 30 meters. Especially from late November to early December, the best time to see the autumn leaves, and the scenery of the golden ginkgo and the Koza River wrapped in clear air will further deepen the appeal of your trip.

Reference: Kozagawa Town Tourism Association https://kozagawakanko.jp/

■Mercure Wakayama Kushimoto Resort & Spa

Located on a hill in Kushimoto, the southernmost part of Honshu, rich in nature, a location overlooking the Pacific Ocean. From the open-air bath, look at the morning sun and the starry sky, forget the time, and have a pleasant time. In addition, sports events taking advantage of the warm climate are thriving at the town-run general ground adjacent to the hotel. Marine sports where you can experience the nature of Kushimoto, such as diving, kayaking and fishing, are also popular areas.

※From December 22, 2025 (Winter Solstice) to January 3, 2026, Mercure Wakayama Kushimoto Resort & Spa prepares "Yuzuyu" with fragrant Yuzu of "Koza River Yuzu Hirai no Sato" at a large public bath. Please welcome a calm New Year while being wrapped in the scent of yuzu raised in the rich Koza River.

[Location] 1184-10, Kushimotocho Sangodai, Higashimuro-gun, Wakayama 649-3510, Japan
【TEL】 03-6627-4730 (Reservation Center)
[Access] About 3 minutes by car from JR Kushimoto Station, about 15 minutes on foot
Official Website https://mercure-wakayamakushimoto-resortandspa.jp/