A Secret Feast of
the Kumano Navy

This premium tour traces the path of the Kumano Navy, heroes of the Genpei War. Cruise the waters they once crossed, then enter the Sandanbeki Caves, their stronghold reserved for you, to enjoy traditional performance and cocktails crafted from local flavors. An unforgettable night awaits.

prologue

Departure

Board a small boat and set out as the Kumano Navy once did on their way to battle. The sea is close ― spray striking your face, the boat heaving with each swell, the salt air sharp and alive. It is raw, immediate, and far beyond what any sightseeing ship can offer.

The tense waters

As you draw near the towering Sandanbeki Cliffs, the sheer rock walls rise before you, waves crashing violently at their base. Beneath these cliffs lie the hidden caves that once served as the Navy’s stronghold. The closer you come, the more the power of sea and stone closes in—echoing the tense approach of warriors bound for battle.

Landing

Victorious from battle, the Kumano Navy returned to their stronghold in the Sandanbeki Caves. On this tour, you will follow in their wake — not simply gazing from above as ordinary visitors do, but approaching the cliffs by boat as the warriors once did.The moment the cavern looms before you, waves crashing at the base of the towering rock, you are swept into the very scene of their landing. It feels as if you, too, are stepping ashore with the fleet, caught between triumph and tension at the edge of history.

The Secret Feast

Victory Feast in the Caves

As the sun sinks toward the horizon, the Kumano Navy returns in triumph to their stronghold at Sandanbeki, soldiers eager to celebrate their hard-won victory. They rush into the great hall of the caves, where drink and laughter await.There, you are drawn into their world. Guided by a storyteller who has long watched over these caverns, you will hear the hidden history of the caves themselves. Between the crash of waves and the glow of light, the space transforms — at once a banquet hall of warriors and a living stage of memory.

Revelry in Victory

With cups of sake in hand, the warriors begin their feast, voices echoing through the cave. To honor the Kumano Navy for their valor, yamabushi mountain ascetics — long connected with the fleet through bonds of faith and friendship-step forward to offer their performance. What starts as simple celebration soon reveals something deeper: the spiritual bond that once united the warriors of the sea with the guardians of the mountains.

Kyogen

Kyogen
Performance

Experience Kyogen, a traditional comic theater with a history of over 650 years. Performed through witty exchanges between actors, it has long been loved by townspeople as laughter for everyday life. In the cavern’s vast chamber, the performers’ distinctive voices echo against the stone walls, transforming the space into an astonishingly immersive stage. A once-in-a-lifetime encounter with this living tradition awaits.

Bar Time

Luxurious
Mixology Cocktails

Indulge in cocktails created by Hidekazu Takeda, a master at the forefront of Japan’s mixology scene. Using select ingredients from Wakayama, each drink is artfully crafted to capture the region’s richness in its most refined form. Served by your own private bartender at a counter shaped like a boat of Kumano Navy, every glass becomes a performance in itself — an experience as luxurious as it is unforgettable.

Exclusive Mixology Experience

Savor original cocktails crafted from local Wakayama ingredients, available only in this private setting. Designed by Hidekazu Takeda, a leading pioneer of Japanese mixology, each glass offers a rare taste of luxury.

Conversation

Cultural Exchange

A storyteller weaving the history of caves and the Kumano Navy. A master of Japanese tradition. A storyteller who has worked on stages around the world. These storytellers will share their stories with you, and you will have a unique tour experience.

Reserve Your
Exclusive Voyage

Dare to step into the world of the Kumano Navy — this is your chance to claim the caves, the feast, and the night as your own. Book now and set sail on a once-in-a-lifetime adventure.
We look forward to welcoming you aboard.

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