Micro-Stay program: Ōno Bi-ju
About the Micro-Stay program
What Is Ōno Bi-ju?
The new style of travel we offer is called “Bi-ju®” (Micro-Stay.)
“Bi-ju®” is a way to enjoy travel as if you were a local for a week: we welcome you as “local residents” for a micro-stay in the idyllic setting of the Ōno Basin.
Experience the charm of this region through the “Spirit of Yui”—a tradition of mutual support that Ōno City takes pride in—as well as its diverse culture (brewing, traditional crafts, agriculture, religion, and more), deep interactions with residents, hands-on experiences and daily life activities.
We offer an authentic experience you won’t find through conventional tourism.
Access to Ōno
From Fukui Station | Travel time: approx. 1 hour
Fukui Station (JR Etsumi-Hoku Line) → Ōno City
Please refer to this page for information on how to get to Fukui.
Stages
The four Stages of Enjoying Life in Ono City
- Stage 1
- Exploring the Neighborhood
Explore the neighborhood where you’ll be living to get to know it better. It's the occasion to find out what kinds of stores are there and meet the locals. 
- Stage 2
- Enjoying hands-on experiences in Town
Ōno City is home to a variety of shops where residents gather. By becoming an "apprentice" at a shop you like, you can enjoy an authentic experience of the local life. 
- Stage 3
- Taking a Short Trip Around Town
Visiting popular sites, including buildings of historical and cultural significance and tourist attractions, to deepen your understanding of the town. 
- Stage 4
- Building a thriving community
As members of a community, it’s important to take action for the common good of the area. As residents of the town, help fostering local initiatives and make your new community a better place to live in. 
Micro-Stay Schedule
Day 1
- 10:17 Arrival at "Echizen-Ōno Station"
- Take the single-car train on the Etsumi-Hoku Line from Fukui Station and get off at "Echizen-Ōno Station"♪
This is where your adventure begins! 
- 2:00 p.m. Making Business Cards
- Let's make a business card to promote yourself as a member of the community!
- 4:00 p.m. Stroll through Town
- To get to know the town where you’ll be living, take a stroll through it! You’ll learn what kinds of shops are located around your base—your lodging—and meet the people living nearby.
- 7:00 p.m. Japanese Lesson
- Learn some everyday conversation phrases in Japanese to deepen your connections with the local residents!
Day 2
- 10:00 Welcome Ceremony
- The ceremony will be held at the historic Shinoza Shrine. We will report your arrival to the deities and pray for safety during your stay, marking the official beginning of your brief residence as members of the town.
- 2:00 PM Sharing the Joys of Daily Life
- Zendō-ji Temple is known among locals as the “Lord’s Temple.” It is a Jōdo-shū temple and serves as the family temple of the Doi clan, who ruled the Ōno Domain for approximately 200 years during the Edo period. At this historic temple, participants will engage in hands-on experiences with incense appreciation, calligraphy, and matcha tea. They will also learn how to prepare tsukemono—traditional Japanese pickled side dishes—by pickling them in a rice bran bed.
- 4:00 p.m. Seasonal Doll-Making Workshop
- Japan has many seasonal festivals that have developed over the course of its four distinct seasons. In particular, during the Doll's Festival (Hina Dolls) and the Boys’ Festival (May Dolls), people display dolls to pray for the healthy growth of children. We invite you to experience Japan’s traditional doll culture.
Day 3
- 9:00 a.m. Zen Meditation Experience
- The Zuisho-ji is a temple of the Soto Zen school that draws on the teachings of zazen. Under the guidance of the head priest, you will practice zazen and then enjoy a breakfast of shojin ryori—a vegetarian Buddhist meal centered on morning rice porridge—prepared according to traditional etiquette. This morning Zen experience will help you bring balance to your mind and body.
- 11:00 a.m. Local Cuisine Workshop
- You’ll experience cooking with “taro,” a local specialty. We’ll prepare simmered taro and “noppei-jiru” soup. You’ll enjoy seasonal dishes made with fresh, in-season ingredients.
- 7:00 PM Kagura Performance and Workshop
- The Shinosa Shrine Sato-Kagura, with a history spanning over 800 years, features a lion dance performed to pray for a bountiful harvest. Through watching and participating in the Kagura, you can experience the traditional folk performing arts that remain in the local community.
Day 4
- 5:30 a.m. Tour of Echizen Ōno Castle, one of Japan's Three Great “Castles in the Sky”
- The Ōno Basin is surrounded on all sides by mountains. Echizen Ōno Castle is a hilltop castle that stands on Mount Kameyama (elevation: 249 m) in the center of Ōno City. The castle town spreads out at its base, and on days when the town is shrouded in a sea of clouds and only Mount Kameyama appears to float above it, “Echizen Ōno Castle: The ‘Castle in the Sky’” comes into view.
- 1:30 p.m. Local Apprenticeship: Shippo Enamelwork
- Shippo Enamelwork (also known as cloisonné) is a traditional craft in which a glass-like glaze is applied to a metal surface and then fired. Its origins date back many centuries, and the world’s oldest example of cloisonné is the golden mask of King Tutankhamun. You’ll learn the techniques from local cloisonné artisans and experience the charm of this craft for yourself.
Day 5
- 9:00 AM: Local Apprenticeship: Sushi-Making Experience
- When people think of sushi, they usually imagine raw fish slices shaped into a ball with vinegared rice, but the Edomae-style sushi differs in that it never serves fish completely raw: instead, it always involves an extra step—such as marinating the fish in soy sauce or firming it with vinegar—before serving.
You’ll learn these techniques from local sushi chefs and experience the unique appeal of this style for yourself.
- 1:30 p.m. Kimono Dressing and Anuma Dance Experience
- Under the guidance of the local preservation society, participants will have the opportunity to try their hand at traditional dances from the Anuma Odori—such as “Yankorase” and “Shichōi Chōi”—that have been passed down in the former Izumi Village (eastern part of Ōno City).
Day 6
- 10:00 Nature Experience (Snowshoeing)
- Put on some snowshoes—a piece of equipment for walking on snow—and take a walk through this winter wonderland ♪ You’ll get to see natural scenery that’s different from what you find on ski slopes, and maybe even find the tracks of small animals.
- 5:30 p.m. Stargazing
- Minami-Rokuroshi (in the northern part of Ōno City) has been selected as the region with the most beautiful starry sky in Japan. In recent years, it has been designated as a “Dark Sky Reserve,” a UNESCO World Heritage Site for starlit skies. Guided by a stargazing expert, you’ll relax in a hammock while observing the starry sky.
- 7:00 p.m. Stargazing Tour
- A guide will teach you all there is to know about the starry sky visible from Minami-Rokuroshi.
Let’s gaze up at the most beautiful starry sky in Japan! 
Day 7
- 9:00 a.m. Mochi-pounding
- During the Japanese New Year, people offer mochi to the gods. They perform the auspicious ritual of pounding mochi to pray for the prosperity of their descendants and their households.
- 11:00 a.m. Departure Ceremony
- We'll report to the gods that your temporary stay has come to a successful conclusion.
Outline
Overview of Ōno Bi-ju
Organizer
Ōno Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Application Period
Scheduled to begin in spring 2025
Number of Days in Ōno
This program is designed as a 6-night, 7-day stay to allow participants to deeply experience local life and community interaction.
If you wish to participate for a shorter period due to scheduling conflicts, please contact us to discuss your options.
Number of Applicants
Groups of 2 or more
Fees
If you are interested, please contact us.
Important Information Before Purchasing/Booking
This tour requires a minimum of 2 participants. If this number is not met, the tour may be canceled with full refund provided notification is given at least 35 days in advance.
This tour is designed for group travel, and the price is per person based on single occupancy.
Price Breakdown
Included: ○ Service fee ○ Admission fees ○ Guide fee ○ Activity fees ○ Professional instruction fees
Not Included: × Accommodations × Driver × Meals × Bus × Beverages × Personal expenses
Cancellation Policy
No cancellations, changes, or refunds allowed
Reservation Process
1. Reservations
Please fill out the required information to make a reservation. (Reservation form available here - Japanese only)
2. Information
Upon receiving your request, we will provide information on availability, rates, and the details of your stay.
3. Payment & Reservation Confirmation
Your reservation is complete once payment is made via credit card or bank transfer.
4. Ōno Bi-ju
Please enjoy a special time in the Town of Yui!
For reservations and inquiries, please visit our official website (in Japanese and Traditional Chinese).