Journey with Your Heart!
Heartvoyage K&M by Office K&M
A friendly farm restaurant owner,
a passionate chef,
and producers passing on traditions.
Young farmers building communities,
nature-loving experts, and
yamabushi bridging the spiritual and human.
Many years of working as Office K&M, I've met charming locals whose stories I want to share with Yamagata visitors.
Shonai has famous shops and hotels, but the
true magic lies in the warmth and wisdom of
its people.
Their life philosophies and heartfelt smiles
make every encounter unforgettable,
and I'd love you to experience this firsthand.
How Did Our Journey Begin?
The story of Heartvoyage K&M started with a
collaboration with Megurun Corporation.
Back in 2017, they teamed up with Wonder
Trunk Co. to take on Yamagata Prefecture’s
"Spiritual Culture Tourism Project." This gave me the chance to work as a program producer, developing spiritual culture programs,
including Yamabushi training experiences, for Western audiences.
Spiritual culture here includes the traditions of
Shugen-do, Buddhism, dragon god worship,
Samurai culture, and respect for agriculture.
These elements define Yamagata's spirit
and way of life.
Meeting locals who embody this spiritual culture laid Heartvoyage K&M’s foundation.
We forged strong ties with local transportation providers, temple accommodations, and hot spring inns to enrich our travel experiences.
After the project, we set up travel services
as Japan's gateway for inbound tourists.
In April 2024, "Heartvoyage K&M" was launched, offering unique programs and tours with
local and international agencies and tourism
operators.
-
Trek with
Yamabushi -
Zen at Zenpoji
-
Kurokawa Noh
Village
-
Mountain
Foraging -
Yamadera
Hidden Path -
Standing Zen
Kyudo
Program Develop and Custom
Creating programs for international visitors is
more than just translating Japanese
experiences.
Each country and region has its own unique
culture and history, so we fine-tune each
program to suit our visitors’ backgrounds.
At Heartvoyage K&M, we work closely with
travel agencies in Europe, America, and Asia
to offer personalized itineraries and custom
programs.
Our bilingual attendants ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience for all our guests.
From Branding to Travel Tours
Some of our travel experiences have grown from product branding initiatives.
For example, the "Kuromoji Forest Tour" in Oguni Town and the "Dadacha-mame Harvest
Tour" in Tsuruoka City started as product
branding projects and blossomed into immersive experiences.
Meeting the passionate people behind these
products and experiencing their world
firsthand helps visitors appreciate the charm
that words alone can’t convey.
These experiences create lasting memories,
turning visitors into lifelong fans.
Our "Kuromoji Forest Tour" has become a
weekend favorite, attracting many eager
participants every week.
Beyond Yamagata
This photo is from a PR event at the "Yamagata Pavilion" in Taiwan. We joined forces with yamabushi, farmers, and chefs to
promote Yamagata.
We also create tours and handle PR outside Yamagata and abroad. Some of our projects include:
- Heritage Yamadera and Safflower Tours
- Developing the Yamadera English guide program
- Establishing the Yamadera guide group "Yamaderans"
- Creating bento for Yamadera guided tours
- Script development for the Niigata Garden Road program
- Crafting production experience scripts for the Tsubame-Sanjo area
- Organizing and participating in international events
Partnering with Tsuruoka Join
We’ve teamed up with "Tsuruoka Join," a local group with a shared vision, to offer heartfelt
and immersive experiences together.
Tsuruoka Join Official Website
Tent Sauna
Enjoy a unique tent sauna experience in the
beautiful Shonai landscape.
Gourmet Delight
Share a special dinner with local producers
and travelers for an unforgettable evening of
connection and conversation.