This immersive 11-day Japan food tour provides a blend of history, culture, nature, and cuisine. Led by English-speaking private tour guides, you will travel through some of Japan's landmarks in captivating destinations, including Tokyo, Mount Fuji, Hakone, Kyoto, Uji, Nara, and Osaka. In addition to visiting famous attractions, you can also enjoy the delicious specialties of this magical country - ramen, sushi, Kaiseki Ryori, hot tofu, matcha… Learn how to make local food from hands-on cooking classes.
Highlights
Fully experience Japanese food culture from street food to haute cuisine.
Food cooking courses of sushi-making in Tokyo and Wagashi-making in Kyoto.
Visit the Gekkeikan Okura Sake Museum to learn about the history and culture of sake and to taste different kinds of sake.
Learn about Japanese tea culture from the Japanese tea ceremony and Uji tea experience.
Experience authentic Japanese ingredients at the local markets and exchange food culture with the locals.
Visiting world heritage sites and historical sites such as Fushimi Inari Shrine, Kiyomizu-dera Temple, Todaiji Temple, Osaka Castle, etc.
Take in breathtaking natural beauty in Mount Fuji, Mount Wakakusa, and Uji River.
Itinerary
Welcome to Tokyo! When arriving, you will be greeted by your private driver and transferred to your hotel. After checking in, you can enjoy the rest of the day exploring Tokyo at your own pace.
Meals: N/A
Accommodation: Tokyo
In the morning, spend some time exploring the Meiji Jingu Shrine. You can learn something about Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken. Immerse yourself in a quiet and sacred atmosphere when you wander in the beautiful surrounding forest. Enjoy a lunch of Japanese cuisine - ramen.
In the afternoon, travel to Sensoji Temple and try an omikuji fortunes to predict your luck. Stroll along the shopping street, Nakamise-Dori Street, selling traditional Japanese snacks and souvenirs. Explore the vitality of Tokyo at Akihabara and Ginza. Ascend the 333-meter-tall Tokyo Tower where you can take photos of extensive views of Tokyo at the observation decks.
Meals: B, L
Accommodation: Tokyo
This morning, you will be picked up by your private tour guide and visit Tsukiji Outer Market, famous for its tuna auction. Walk through the food market and choose the right ingredients for sushi-making. As you explore the market, you will delve into the history and culture of sushi.
Then you will learn how to make traditional Japanese sushi from a professional chef. Patient step-by-step instructions will also make you a sushi master. Feast on make-your-own sushi for lunch.
You will have the remainder of the day to explore on your own. You can visit some historical sites or continue your food tour in Tokyo.
Meals: B, L
Accommodation: Tokyo
This morning, you will enjoy breakfast at the hotel and then embark on a full-day tour of Mount Fuji. Head to Oshino Hakkai first. The water in the eight ponds comes from the snowmelt of the Mount Fuji's slopes. You can explore the village with Mt. Fuji in the background. Chureito Pagoda in Arakura Fuji Sengen Shrine is one of the most iconic spots for Mt. Fuji viewing and photography.
Delight in the spectacular Mt.Fuji when taking a boat trip on Lake Kawaguchi. You can also take in Mt. Fuji by Mt. Fuji Panoramic Ropeway. If you are lucky, you may have a chance to see "upside-down Fuji" from any lake surrounding Mt. Fuji.
After the Mt. Fuji tour, head to Hakone and check in to the hot spring hotel for a rest. For dinner, enjoy well-prepared Kaiseki Ryori (a traditional Japanese multi-course meal) at the hotel and sample seasonal ingredients and dishes.
Meals: B, D
Accommodation: Hakone
After breakfast, you will leave the scenic Hakone and take the Shinkansen (about 1 hour) to Kyoto, the cultural city of Japan. You need to buy the Shinkansen ticket on your own.
In the afternoon, you will visit the Gekkeikan Okura Sake Museum for a tour of Japanese sake. You can learn about the fascinating history of Japanese sake and find out how rice is made into sake. Listen to the song recordings sung by sake brewers. Then you can taste various flavors of sake.
For dinner, you will savor Yudofu (hot tofu). Yudofu is tofu simmered in light stock with soy sauce, ginger, scallion, and other ingredients. Go back to the hotel after dinner.
Meals: B, D
Accommodation: Kyoto
In the morning, head to Kinkaku-ji Temple, a glittering pavilion covered with gold leaf. Venture to Nijo Castle and walk on the amazing nightingale floor. The floor was built to prevent intruders from entering Nijo Castle. You can even hear the squeaky sound like birds! Discover hidden gems from rows of food stalls at Nishiki Market. Follow the aroma of food to find your favorite and fill your belly.
In the afternoon you will try on a kimono (traditional Japanese dress) and then head to a Japanese tea ceremony class. Learn some tea-drinking etiquette and enjoy a delicious Kaiseki Ryori. You will learn about Japanese food culture and tea ceremony culture.
Meals: B, D
Accommodation: Kyoto
Early this morning you will head to one of Kyoto's most iconic attractions, Fushimi Inari Shrine. Stroll through thousands of red-orange torii gates that lead up to Mount Inari. You can find a variety of stone fox statues, which are thought to be messengers of the Inari god. Then visit Kiyomizu-dera Temple where you can appreciate the Kyoto skyline and seasonal beauty from the nailless wooden stage.
After a walk along Sannenzaka and Ninenzaka, you will venture to Gion, a famous geisha district in Kyoto. You can explore quaint streets, historic buildings, and traditional teahouses.
In the afternoon, you will participate in a Wagashi-making course. Follow the teacher to learn how to make Wagashi (traditional Japanese sweets). Wagashi are often made into various shapes, such as seasonal flowers, fruit, leaves, and animals. You can taste it with a cup of green tea. The rest of the day is free for you to explore Kyoto.
Meals: B, L
Accommodation: Kyoto
Today you will spend a day exploring Uji. Start with Byodoin Temple and visit the Phoenix Hall which has two phoenix statues on its roof. Venture to Ujigami Shrine, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and appreciate the classic Shinto architecture. Notice ubiquitous rabbit images and get your rabbit omikuji fortune paper and rabbit souvenirs.
Uji is known as the tea capital of Japan. Matcha green tea is a must for a trip to Uji. You will visit a local tea garden and expand your knowledge of tea planting, picking, and culture. Try five different kinds of Japanese tea. Learn how to make tea and matcha.
Take a stroll along the Uji River and enjoy the natural beauty and relaxing atmosphere. You can taste Japanese cuisine with matcha, such as matcha soba noodles, matcha ice cream, and matcha cake.
At the end of the tour, you will transfer to Osaka and check in at the hotel.
Meals: B, L
Accommodation: Osaka
In the morning, you will make your way to Kasuga Taisha Shrine where you can appreciate stone lanterns and decorated lanterns along the way to the shrine. Head to Todai-ji Temple and visit the Todaiji's main hall (Big Buddha Hall) and the Great Buddha statue. Stroll in Nara Park and spot free-roaming deer. Follow the path behind Todai-ji Temple and climb up Mount Wakakusa. You can enjoy views of Nara City and get a different perspective on the scenic spots in Nara.
Meals: B, L
Accommodation: Osaka
After breakfast at the hotel, you will meet your private tour guide and embark on your day tour in Osaka, known as "Japan's Kitchen".
This tour starts with a visit to Osaka Castle Park. Enter Osaka Castle and listen to your private tour guide explain the magnificence of Osaka Castle. You will learn about some interesting history from the museum inside the main tower of the castle. Enjoy a leisurely walk in the gardens around Osaka Castle. For lunch, you will enjoy Wagyu Yakiniku (Japanese BBQ). Grill the pieces of beef on a griddle or charcoal grill. The smell of meat invites you to eat it.
In the afternoon, you will head to Kuromon Market where you can experience the daily life of Osaka residents. Discover various mouth-watering Osaka food, such as grilled scallops, takoyaki (ball-shaped Japanese snack), oden (Japanese hodgepodge dish), fruits, sushi, etc. Besides food, you can find all sorts of other things at the local market.
In the evening, you can taste authentic Japanese ramen at Ichiran Ramen.
Meals: B, L, D
Accommodation: Osaka
After breakfast, your 11-day Japan food tour will come to an end. You will taken to the airport for your flight home with wonderful memories.
Meals: B
Accommodation: N/A
Include/ Exclude
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Private local English-speaking tour guide and driver service
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Private air-conditioned car with ample space
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Private transfers from hotel to attractions, airport or train station
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All admission fees and expenses mentioned in the itinerary
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Hotel accommodation with breakfast
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Meals mentioned in the itinerary. Meals specified in itinerary as B=breakfast, L=lunch, D=dinner.
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Our 1-on-1 travel consultation and tailor-made service
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International flights not included in the itinerary
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Visa fees, if required
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Meals not included in the itinerary
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Optional excursions and activities not included in the itinerary
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Personal expenses
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Gratuities for guides and drivers
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Customs taxes, overweight baggage fees, baggage storage fees
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