Hidden Flavours of Japan Small Group Tour

Arrive in Japan’s vibrant capital and meet your guide and fellow travellers at a centrally located hotel. In the evening, step into the energy of Tokyo’s streets, where towering neon signs and the hum of the city set the scene for your journey. We’ll head to a local restaurant for a welcome dinner, introducing you to the flavours of Japan and the group you’ll be travelling with. It’s the perfect start to an unforgettable adventure. (D)

Accommodation: Western-style hotel

Travel to Kanazawa by train, a historic city on the Japan Sea coast, once the seat of the influential Maeda Clan. Known for its grand castle and rich cultural heritage, the city offers a blend of history and refined cuisine. At Omicho Ichiba, the heart of local food culture, explore the vibrant market with a chef, discovering fresh regional ingredients.

Afterwards, take part in a hands-on cooking class in a traditional Japanese home, turning these ingredients into delicious dishes. Dinner is at leisure, allowing time to enjoy the city’s local flavours. (B,L)

Accommodation: Japanese-style hotel

Today, travel by private motorcoach to Gokayama, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its unique gassho-zukuri farmhouses with steep, thatched roofs. Nestled in a remote mountain region, Gokayama’s villagers still live by ancient traditions, gathering wild mountain vegetables and cultivating their crops.

Venture into the mountains with a local plant hunter, collecting seasonal delicacies, before visiting Mr. Nakanishi’s home, where he grows rice for brewing sake. Tasting the rich, homemade doburoku sake is a highlight, and you'll learn to prepare mountain dishes that complement the sake perfectly. (B,L,D)

Accommodation: Minshuku (family-run guesthouse)

After a traditional Japanese breakfast, travel by bus to Shirakawa-go, a UNESCO World Heritage Site famous for its stunning gassho-zukuri houses with steep thatched roofs. After lunch, head to Takayama, a charming town nestled in the Hida mountains. Known for its beautifully preserved old town, Takayama offers a glimpse into traditional Japan with its crafts, including yew-wood carvings, Shunkei lacquerware, and pottery.

In the evening, enjoy a kaiseki dinner at a family-run ryokan. This multi-course meal celebrates seasonal ingredients, carefully prepared to highlight their natural flavours. Each dish is thoughtfully presented, with colours, combinations, and tableware all reflecting the elegance of Japanese culture. (B,D)

Accommodation: Ryokan (traditional Japanese inn)

Start the day at Takayama’s morning market, where vibrant stalls overflow with fresh produce and local crafts. Afterwards, visit a sake brewery and savour the rich, smooth flavours of the region’s finest brews. For lunch, indulge in tender, melt-in-your-mouth Hida beef, a regional speciality.

In the afternoon, explore the charming old town with its preserved merchant houses and narrow streets full of character. The town's peaceful atmosphere invites leisurely strolls, offering glimpses of Takayama's timeless beauty. The evening is free, allowing time to wander and savour the local sights at your own pace. (B,L)

Accommodation: Ryokan (traditional Japanese inn)

Board the train in Takayama with an ekiben (train bento box) en route to Ōsaka, once known as the "nation’s kitchen." Renowned for its vibrant street food scene, Ōsaka is home to takoyaki, okonomiyaki, and other beloved dishes. In the heart of Namba, visit a hidden sake shop where the owner, a passionate sake expert with over 10,000 bottles, shares his dedication to preserving traditional brewing methods.

The evening’s dinner features sakana, delicacies specially chosen to pair perfectly with carefully selected sake, offering a true taste of the region’s rich culinary heritage. (B,D)

Accommodation: Western-style hotel

Take the local train to Sakai City, historically famous for samurai swords and now celebrated for its exceptional kitchen knives. On foot, visit a local smith where the art of forging knives is demonstrated up close. Witness the intense heat and sparks as craftsmen fold steel and sharpen blades with precision. Learn the meticulous techniques used to maintain these knives and perhaps purchase a finely crafted souvenir.

In the evening, return to Osaka, where the rest of the day is free to explore or relax, with dinner at leisure, allowing time to savour the city's culinary delights. (B)

Accommodation: Western-style hotel

Awaji, the birthplace of the Japanese archipelago, holds deep historical significance as the land where gods Izanagi and Izanami created the first island. Known as a miketsukuni, Awaji has long provided food for emperors. Begin the day at a bustling fish auction and visit a local seafood producer.

For lunch, enjoy a coastal feast prepared by a chef who transforms local ingredients into a ‘foodscape,’ a natural landscape on the plate. If the weather changes, lunch will be served in a charming café or a traditional building. The evening offers a stroll through the port’s backstreets, immersing in Awaji’s local drinking culture. (B,L,D)

Accommodation: Onsen hotel (hot spring hotel)

Return from Awaji Island to Uji, a region renowned worldwide for its exquisite green tea. Visit the birthplace of Nagatani Sōen, the inventor of sencha, where a guided tea tasting reveals the complexities of traditional flavours. For lunch, savour chajiru, a dish celebrated as a ‘100-year food’ by Japan's Agency of Cultural Affairs, a testament to its rich history.

Later, immerse yourself in the artistry of a traditional Japanese tea ceremony, where each movement reflects centuries of cultural heritage. The evening is free to explore at your own pace, with dinner at leisure, allowing time to savour Uji’s serene atmosphere. (B,L)

Accommodation: Western-style hotel

Kyoto, celebrated for its washoku cuisine and refined kaiseki dishes, invites a culinary adventure. Begin the day at Nishiki Market, a vibrant food haven known as ‘Kyoto’s Kitchen.’ Wander through stalls offering fresh seafood, pickled vegetables, tea, sweets, and local ceramics. Next, experience the art of cooking in a traditional okudo-san, an earth oven seldom seen in modern kitchens.

After a satisfying lunch, enjoy free time to explore the historic streets of Kyoto at your own pace. The day concludes with a farewell dinner in central Kyoto, where the flavours of the city’s culinary mastery leave a lasting impression. (B,L,D)

Accommodation: Western-style hotel

After breakfast at the hotel in Kyōto, the tour concludes. Your guide will provide information on your journey to the airport for your flight home, or offer suggestions if you're continuing your travels in Japan. (B)