Bothie Social Club

Join us for a slow, seasonal lunch at one of Hida’s tiniest restaurants — a cozy spot with just seven seats and a deep love for local ingredients.

This is a simple gathering, no agenda, just good conversation and a chance to share a meal that reflects the shift into early summer — the micro-season between frogs start singing and worms surface.

The main languages spoken will be English (and Japanese) - but don’t worry, we all speak the language of good food.

Expect a delicious, gluten-free meal prepared with care and tuned to the changing weather. Vegan options available if booked in advance.

Whether you're new to the area or have lived here for years, this is a chance to connect over food and soak in the small details of the season together.

🪷 Limited seats – RSVP required
🥬 All food is gluten-free
🌿 Vegan options available – please note when you RSVP

We’ll meet at Kanokoya Cafe a few minutes before the booking and head in together.

Come early & have a stroll around the neighbourhood, visit the carpentry museum, check out the traditional candle shop & feed the koi fish in the famous Setogawa stream.

Come hungry, come curious.

Ride the quiet mountain backroads from Hida Furukawa to the UNESCO village of Shirakawa-go on a full-day countryside cycling trip. We’ll meet in Hida Furukawa the evening before, with the option to stay at a local guesthouse or ryokan (we can help with bookings).

After a relaxed night, we’ll set out early for a slow, scenic ride through forested hills, small villages, and winding roads — arriving in Shirakawa-go in time for a well-earned late lunch.

This is a free, social ride - not a tour - and there’s no fee to join. Just bring your curiosity and a willingness to pedal. If you need a bicycle or e-bike, let us know and we can help arrange a rental.

If enough people join, we’ll also coordinate a mini-bus to bring riders and bikes back to Hida Furukawa in the afternoon. Otherwise, we can help with onward travel or overnight stays in Shirakawa-go.

🚴 Free to join - no cost for the event itself
🚲 Need a bike? We can help you rent one (e-bikes available)
🛏️ Accommodation options in Hida Furukawa the night before – we’re happy to help you book
🍱 Lunch in Shirakawa-go (pay your own way, Gluten-free/vegan options available with notice)
🚌 Optional return transport – depends on group size

The main languages spoken will be English (and Japanese) - but don’t worry, we all speak the language of cycling.

Come ride with us, connect with the landscape, and take the slow road to somewhere beautiful.

Plan to travel to Hida Furukawa JR Station (15 mins from Takayama) , we'll organise details of where to meet once we know details about numbers