2025.11.10

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

In the Hirai district with a population of 73, the “Onkatsu Retreat” program learns from Arimi Kuraoka, which 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 Hometown" from December 1, 2025 (Monday). We have prepared a retreat time that warms your mind and body, such as making original spice curry using yuzu, lunch with local dishes made by local mothers, and experiencing a yuzu fragrant hand bus.

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

Reservation start date: Friday, November 7, 2025
Period of implementation: Every month, water and Friday from December 1, 2025 to March 31, 2026
Exclusion Period: December 17, 2025 (Wednesday) - 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)
Content included in the experience: Yuzu and Yomogi hand bath or foot bath, original spice curry making experience, lunch, 2 kinds of spices using Yuzu
Number of people: 2 to 10 people
Target Age: 6 years or older
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 wormwood used for hand bath and foot bath is the bacterium. Bathing for those who have allergies 　　　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 contact with local people. One of the ways 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 called "Musubibito" and play a role in connecting customers with their communities. In Grand Mercure in Japan, programs have been developed at hotels such as "source hunters" in Beppu Bay, "salt craftsman" in Awajishima, "guide of Kumano Kodo" in Minabe Wakayama, and "coal 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 to know the wisdom of hot activities-

In this project, with the aim of revitalizing the region, Arimi Kuraoka, Representative Director of Koza River Yuzu Hirai no Sato, who actively engages in yuzu cultivation and processing business, 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 the background and food culture of the yuzu industry that has been handed down to the area, but also in daily life after travel It is a content that can bring back the wisdom of hot life 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 bodies 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

■Profile of Yumi Kuraoka

Representative director of the agricultural union corporation "Koza River Yuzu Hirai no Sato". Based on the desire to `` what can only be done here and to make use of the local resources unique here to rejuvenate the depopulated area, '' industrial promotion and processing business centered on `` Yuzu '', a local treasure We are developing and continuing activities to connect 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 that the appeal of the region gradually expands 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 gently 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 wormwood while drinking yuzu tea and taking a rest. (You can choose either a hand bath or a foot bath.) Dry fresh wormwood grown in this area and soak it in warm water boiled in a wood stove to the wrist to promote blood circulation throughout the body and improve the cooling and relax. In addition, we will add essential oil made from local yuzu and Shioya no Teshio, which uses the blessings of the Kuroshio Current to cook seawater with only firewood. Yuzu is rich in aromatic ingredients such as limonene and alpha-pinene, and is said to have antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and blood circulation promotion. With the power of wormwood, yuzu and salt, it warms the cold body from the core (*). While relaxing in the refreshing scent of citrus and wormwood, you can enjoy conversations with Mr. Kuraoka and local people and spend a relaxing time.

Mr. Kuraoka will explain the history of the Hirai area, 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

With original spices blended using yuzu from Hirai, Kozagawa-cho, you can experience handmade spice curry that warms from inside your body. This spice was specially formulated by Chikako Tachibana, the spice coordinator master who runs the spice cafeteria javajava in Iwade City, Wakayama Prefecture, making use of the scent of yuzu. It is characterized by the freshness of yuzu that feels slightly. Contains 13 kinds of spices in addition to Yuzu, such as chili pepper (chili pepper), which is said to improve metabolism and improve blood flow, and cinnamon that is perfect for warm activity that improves blood circulation and has a sweating effect. 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 original spices, but also the unexpected use of yuzu to classic dishes, recipes using yuzu happily, 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 "Naare" is a dish that has been popular in this area since ancient times, combining burdock, radish, carrot, etc. with fried fried chicken. 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. In addition to the standard deliciousness, we will add a juice squeezed with fresh and fragrant yuzu harvested this year. With a spice curry with the scent of yuzu and a gentle taste "Narae", you can feel the body warms after meals, and you can spend a warm time interacting with local mothers.

4.　2 kinds of spices using yuzu as a souvenir, warm activity at home

■Access to the place of experience "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 "Yuzu School" that makes use of the old school building. It is about 50 minutes by car from the hotel to Yuzu school. If 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 "Singlestone" and "Kosenji", where a large ginkgo with an estimated age of 400 years and a height of about 30 meters. In particular, 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 the hill of Kushimoto, the southernmost tip 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 your time, and have a pleasant time. In addition, sporting events that take 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 will prepare "Yuzuyu" with fragrant Yuzu of Koza River Yuzu Hirai no Sato at the public bath. Please welcome a calm New Year while being wrapped in the scent of yuzu grown 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/