Grand Mercure Wakayama Minabe Resort & Spa, an all-inclusive resort hotel overlooking the Pacific Ocean in Minabe-cho, Hidaka-gun, Wakayama Prefecture, will hold a variety of events in December 2026 that people of a wide range of ages can enjoy, covering fermentation, art, music and model trains. The programs are open not only to overnight guests but also to local residents and day visitors. The lineup runs from a wellness program where participants learn about fermentation, to live painting, a music experience in the chapel and a model train running event for families, offering memorable moments during the festive season.
Events for the Festive Season
Koji Making and Fermentation Retreat: Making Salt Koji or Soy Sauce Koji
In this wellness program, through a lecture on the theme of gut health, making either salt koji or soy sauce koji, and a tasting of fermented dishes, participants learn about the appeal of fermentation and how to bring it into their daily meals.
Participants can learn while handling koji and deepen their knowledge of how to include fermented foods in everyday life. The fee includes use of the large public bath, so participants can relax in the hotel's hot spring after the event.
- Date: Sunday, December 6, 2026
- Time: 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM
- Venue: Special event venue, 2nd floor
- Open to: Overnight guests and day visitors
- Fee: ¥8,000 per person (tax included)
- Capacity: 10 people
- Included: Use of the large public bath
- Reservations and details: https://grand-mercure-wakayamaminabe-resortandspa.jp/plan/kojiworkshop/
Notes:
- Advance reservation is required. Please pay the participation fee in cash on the day.
- For cancellations on the day, 100% of the participation fee will be charged.
- If the minimum number of participants has not been reached 7 days before the event, it may be canceled.
- This event does not guarantee any health or therapeutic effects.
Feel "This Very Moment" Through Art: ICHIGO ICHIE Live Painting
The hotel will host the live painting performance "ICHIGO ICHIE," which has drawn attention since Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan. It is an art performance of about 25 minutes that combines a large "circle" painted by Czech-born contemporary artist Vit Kodousek (ヴィート・コデューセック) with music and narration. Audiences can watch the work come into being right in front of them, and in the second half they also take part in creating the piece. Completed by the people who gather at that place on that day, it is an "ichigo ichie" (一期一会) art experience that will never be the same twice.
- Date: Saturday, December 12, 2026
- Time: 1) 4:00 PM, 2) 6:00 PM, 3) 8:00 PM
- Venue: Lobby, 1st floor
- Open to: Overnight guests and day visitors
- Fee: Free
- Details: https://grand-mercure-wakayamaminabe-resortandspa.jp/plan/livepainting1212/
Note: The content may change without notice.
Chapel Concert Vol. 3: An Evening Chapel Concert by Wakayama-Born Nazuki'
As the third installment of the chapel concerts held at the hotel, a special concert will be given by saxophonist Nazuki' (なづき), who is from Wakayama Prefecture. The rich sound of the saxophone spreading through the quiet chapel will color an evening of the festive season. Overnight guests can attend free of charge as part of the all-inclusive stay, and day visitors can attend as well.
- Date: Saturday, December 19, 2026
- Reception: 6:00 PM
- Concert time: 7:00 PM to 7:30 PM
- Venue: Chapel, 1st floor
- Open to: Overnight guests and day visitors
- Fee: Free for overnight guests / ¥2,000 for day visitors (tax included)
- Reservations and details: https://grand-mercure-wakayamaminabe-resortandspa.jp/plan/chapelconcert1219/
Notes:
- Overnight guests: limited to the first 30 on the day.
- Guests who are not staying overnight must make an advance reservation through the dedicated reservation form. Payment is by cash only on the day.
16-Gauge Model Train Running Event
This is a two-day-only event in which 16-gauge (16番ゲージ) model trains run on a special course. Visitors can see the finely recreated model trains running up close, and they can also bring their own 16-gauge cars and run them.
The event can be enjoyed by model train fans as well as by children and families trying model trains for the first time.
- Dates: Saturday, December 26 and Sunday, December 27, 2026
- Time:
- December 26 (Sat): overnight guests 3:00 PM to 9:00 PM, day visitors 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM
- December 27 (Sun): overnight guests 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM, day visitors 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
- Venue: Special event venue, 2nd floor
- Open to: Overnight guests and day visitors
- Fee: Free
- Details: https://grand-mercure-wakayamaminabe-resortandspa.jp/plan/ngagesoukoukai/
Notes:
- If you would like to bring in and run your own model train, please let the staff know.
- Running conditions and content may change without notice.
- When it is crowded, you may have to wait for your turn to run.
About Grand Mercure Wakayama Minabe Resort & Spa
This all-inclusive resort hotel stands in Minabe-cho, the area with the most active ume (plum) production in Wakayama Prefecture, according to the website of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries. Buffet-style breakfast and dinner, drinks including alcohol served at dinner and in the lounge, and local confections are included in the accommodation rate. From various places in the hotel, including the guest rooms, the open-air bath and the foot bath fed by hot spring water, guests can look out over the grand scenery of the Pacific Ocean and enjoy a resort stay away from the bustle of everyday life.
The open-air hot spring bath, where guests can bathe while feeling the sea breeze
Steamed whole Ume Madai (梅真鯛) sea bream / dinner
The "Family Superior Twin" room, equipped with a projector
- Address: 348 大目津泊り, Yamauchi, Minabe-cho, Hidaka-gun, Wakayama Prefecture 645-0012
- Tel: 03-6627-4732 (Reservation Center)
- Access: About 10 minutes from JR Minabe Station by the free shuttle bus for overnight guests only (advance reservation required), or about 10 minutes by car from Minabe IC
- Official website: https://grand-mercure-wakayamaminabe-resortandspa.jp/
Information is current as of October 28, 2026.
