Culinary Japan

Day 1 : Tokyo

On arrival at Tokyo’s Narita Airport, you will be welcomed by your English speaking assistant. They will transfer you to your hotel by Narita Express rail service and local taxi.

Day 2 : Tokyo

Today you have a full day tour with your guide using public transport and local taxi. See Hamarikyu Garden and Tsukiji Outer Market before your hands-on sushi making experience and lunch. In the afternoon, visit Asakusa to see the temple and stroll the atmospheric Nakamise shopping street. Finish the day with a visit to Kappabashi Kitchenware Street, where local chefs buy everything from knives and ceramics to the ultra-realistic plastic models of food seen in restaurant windows.

Day 3 : Tokyo

Your day is free at leisure to explore the vibrant streets of Tokyo. This evening, make your way to the Kagurazaka, where your local guide will be waiting to take you on a walking dinner tour of the izakayas that the area is famous for (drinks also included).

Day 4 : Tokyo > Kanazawa

Today you can prepare a smaller overnight bag for your stay in Kanazawa, and your main luggage will be sent by overnight transfer to your Takayama ryokan. This morning you will be transferred by local taxi to Tokyo Station. Travel by bullet train to Kanazawa, where you will be welcomed on the platform by your guide, who will take you on a half day tour of the city using private vehicle. Learn more about the cuisine of Kanazawa at the city’s Omicho Market, then stroll through Kenrokuen, considered one of the top three landscape gardens in the country. Finish with a tea ceremony in the garden of a local temple. After some time to rest at your hotel, make your way to the port for your “ocean to table” dinner experience. After receiving the best seafood of the day from the local fishermen, stroll through town to a local sushi restaurant. Here, today’s catch will be transformed into your dinner.

Day 5 : Kanazawa > Shirakawago > Takayama

Today you will travel by regular scheduled highway bus from Kanazawa to Takayama. Along the way, you will have several hours of free time to see the famous thatched farmhouses of Shirakawago. Once in Takayama, enjoy a relaxing onsen soak at your traditional ryokan before an elaborate Hida Beef Kaiseki dinner.

Day 6 : Takayama > Hida Furukawa > Takayama

Today travel by local train to Hida Furukawa, where you will learn about countryside cooking in a local home. After your lunch, the rest of your day is at leisure to explore the traditional streets of both Hida Furukawa and Takayama. Dinner tonight is a beautiful Kaiseki dinner at your ryokan.

Day 7 : Takayama > Kyoto

Today you can prepare a smaller overnight bag for the first night of your stay in Kyoto, and your main luggage will be sent by overnight transfer to your Kyoto hotel tomorrow. This morning travel by train to Nagoya, where you will be welcomed on the platform by an English speaking assistant. They will help you select a bento box made of local Nagoya ingredients to enjoy for lunch on your onward train to Kyoto. On arrival in Kyoto, you will be welcomed on the platform by your guide, who will take you on a half day tour of Kyoto using private vehicle. Explore the city’s famous Nishiki food market, learn how to make traditional Japanese sweets (wagashi-making experience is shared with other guests), and stroll through the streets of Gion.

Day 8 : Kyoto > Wazuka & Nara > Kyoto

Enjoy a full day private tour with your guide, travelling by car to the Wazuka tea area. Walk through the tea plantations and enjoy a tea tasting with sweets. This afternoon, visit the old capital of Nara, including Todaiji Temple, Nara Deer Park and Kasuga Taisha Shrine. Visit a local mochi shop to witness the high-speed pounding required to make delicious yomogi mochi (mugwort rice cakes).

Day 9 : Kyoto

Enjoy a full day at leisure in Kyoto, known for its Buddhist temples, beautiful gardens and colourful shrines.

Day 10 : Kyoto > Osaka

Your morning is at leisure in Kyoto. This afternoon, travel by car with your guide for a private afternoon tour of Osaka, including a visit to the Yamazaki Whisky distillery, Dotonbori and Shinshaibashi food streets. Finish with a farewell dinner at a teppanyaki restaurant, including the local specialty of okonomiyaki, before returning to your hotel by local taxi.

Day 11 : Osaka

Today you will be privately transferred to either Kansai or Itami Airport in time for your onward flight, where arrangements conclude.