Feast your way from Tokyo to Kyoto on a food lover’s adventure
Take your tastebuds on a 12-day culinary journey through Japan’s most delicious hotspots, relishing the contrasting flavors of the land of the rising sun. Uncover the secrets of sushi in Tokyo, experience the monastic cuisine of Koya-san, explore the tantalizing takoyaki stalls that line Osaka’s vibrant streets and take part in a traditional obanzai cooking class in Kyoto. From temples to tempura, shrines to sashimi, seafood markets to sake breweries, join a local leader on a food-focused adventure that has all the best Japanese ingredients.
Accommodation
Hotel (8 nights), Ryokan (2 nights), Monastery (1 night)
Included Activities
Tokyo - Welcome dinner
Tokyo - Asakusa guided walk & Sensoji Temple
Tokyo - Tsukiji Outer Market & Sushi Tasting
Tokyo - Art of Sushi-making class
Takayama - Hida Folk Village
Hida-Furukawa - Sake Brewery visit
Takayama - Morning Market visit
Kanazawa - Leader-led orientation walk
Kanazawa - Kenroku-en Garden
Kanazawa – Chaya gai district walking tour (Day 5 or Day 6)
Kanazawa - Omicho Market
Osaka - Dotombori Tour
Osaka – Tour of Kuromon Market and Doguyasuji Arcade
Osaka – Depachika visit
Osaka – Okonomiyaki experience
Koya-san - Okuno-in Mausoleum
Kyoto - Gion District walk
Kyoto - Nishiki Market walk
Kyoto - Leader-led orientation Walk
Kyoto - Obanzai cooking class
Kyoto - Private Tea Ceremony experience
April 2 - 12, 2025
$6,065 per person for double occupancy room; Deposit $400 per person
Take part in a truly unique Obanzai cooking class in Kyoto. This ancient style of multi-course feast focuses on using locally grown seasonal produce and reducing waste.
Learn the tricks of the trade when you take part in a hands-on sushi making class in Tokyo and a super tasty okonomiyaki demonstration in Osaka.
Get a fresh perspective on Japanese cuisine when you explore the stalls of seafood and produce markets in Tokyo, Takayama, Kanazawa, Osaka and Kyoto.
When you’re not busy eating, enjoy iconic experiences like the shinkansen bullet train, Hida folk village, Kenroku-en garden and Kyoto’s Gion district.
Sip back and relax when you visit a sake brewery in the alpine town of Hida-Furukawa and learn about the importance of tea during a private ceremony in Kyoto
Is this trip right for you?
The cuisine of Japan includes a lot of meat and seafood. For vegetarians and vegans we recommend reviewing the itinerary and inclusions to ensure that you will be able to fully participate and enjoy this trip. We also have many other trips to Japan which can accommodate a range of dietary requirements.
In some destinations you may be staying in a ryokan, which is a Japanese-style inn. It’s a great taste of tradition, however not everyone finds futon mattresses on the tatami mat floor, tiny bathrooms and proximity to other guests as comfortable as more western-style hotels and beds. Read more about ryokans in the ‘Accommodation’ section of the Essential Trip Information.
This trip involves a lot of walking, 10km/6mi or more each day. You’ll also be going up and down stairs frequently, particularly at train stations. Bring comfortable walking shoes and be prepared to spend a lot of time on your feet.
We recommend packing light and smart for this trip as you'll be required to carry your own luggage between train stations and to hotels, which can include going up and down multiple flights of stairs in crowded areas. There’s an optional luggage transfer offered on this trip so if you’d like to take up this option, bring a small backpack or overnight bag for one night.
Itinerary
Day 1 Tokyo
Konnichiwa, welcome to Japan! Between the freshest ingredients and generations of culinary know-how, this is a country that really celebrates the art of eating well. And as for Tokyo, where your adventure begins – it’s a food lover’s dream. A welcome meeting will take place at 6pm tonight where you’ll meet your local leader and fellow travelers. If you get to Tokyo with time to spare, you may like to head out to explore the different sides of the city, from fascinating museums to neighbourhood backstreets lined with izakaya and karaoke bars. After your meeting, it’s time to get acquainted with local cuisine over a welcome dinner with your group. Fancy some perfectly grilled yakitori skewers or super tasty soba noodles? You’re in the right place. Once dinner’s done and stomachs are full, perhaps head out to explore Shibuya's tiny backstreets in search of sake or local cocktails. Accommodation
Smile Hotel Kyoto Shijo (1 night)
Included Activities
Tokyo - Welcome dinner
Meals Included
Dinner
Special Information It’s very important that you attend the welcome meeting as we will be collecting insurance details and next of kin information at this time. If you are going to be late please let your travel agent or hotel reception know. Ask reception or look for a note in the lobby for more information on where the meeting will take place. NOTE: There isn't much free time in Tokyo once the trip begins, so consider booking an extra night or two before the trip starts if you wish to cover anything not included in the itinerary.
Day 2 Tokyo
Kick off the day with a walk around the famous Tsukiji Outer Market, where seafood from Tokyo's largest wholesale fish market is delivered and ready to sample daily. Afterwards, learn the art of sushi making first-hand – it's the quintessential Edo-era specialty and possibly Japan's most famous culinary gift to the world. Hear about the history of sushi, how to choose the best fish, learn proper slicing and rice making techniques and sample some seriously fresh sushi. Then, enjoy free time to explore the historic Asakusa area. Stop by Senso-ji, the city’s oldest temple, founded almost 1400 years ago. If you’ve got a sweet tooth, then Asakusa is the place to get your sugar fix. Try fried sweet potatoes tossed in sugar and soy or sweet red bean paste sandwiched between baked pancake batter (yes, it’s as good as it sounds!). Tonight, why not head to Tsukishima to tuck into one of Tokyo's most traditional dishes, monjayaki (a type of savoury pancake). Accommodation
Smile Hotel Kyoto Shijo (1 night)
Included Activities
Tokyo - Asakusa guided walk & Sensoji Temple
Tokyo - Tsukiji Outer Market & Sushi Tasting
Tokyo - Art of Sushi-making class
Meals Included
Breakfast
Lunch
Special Information The wholesale fish market, previously located at Tsukiji, moved to a new location in Toyosu in late 2018. On this trip we continue to visit the old, atmospheric Tsukiji Outer Market, which still functions as a fresh fish and produce market for the public, but we do not visit the new wholesale market.
Day 3 takayama
Leave Tokyo in your dust as you take a bullet train to the charming 17th-century Edo town of Takayama, located in the Japanese Alps. The region is famous for its traditional streetscapes, sake breweries and Hida-gyu (Hida wagyu beef), the beef from a black-haired cattle breed that has been raised in Gifu Prefecture for at least 14 months. On arrival, visit the nearby Hida Folk Village, an outdoor museum where the traditional thatched-roof architecture unique to the area has been put on display. With each house like its own self-contained museum, discover personal items, traditional tools, and learn the techniques used to build farmhouses that could withstand fierce winters. For the next two nights, you’ll stay in a traditional ryokan (Japanese inn), where you’ll also get to dine on regional Takayama delicacies. Popular local dishes include mitarashi dango (rice dumplings roasted in soy sauce), houba miso (miso vegetables cooked in magnolia leaf) and chuka soba (Hida's favourite noodle dish). Accommodation
Ryokan (1 night)
Included Activities
Takayama - Hida Folk Village
Meals Included
Breakfast
Dinner
Special Information
Today’s total travel time is approximately 5 hours.
Rooms are equipped with thin futon mattresses that are spread on tatami mats for a comfortable night's sleep and baths are in traditional Japanese communal style.
Day 4 takayama
The Gifu Prefecture is known for its excellent high-altitude vegetables, which you’ll discover today on an exploration of the morning markets. Dating back 600 years, stalls of seasonal produce are set up by women from local farms early each morning. Look out for the unique local style of pickles, bags of miso wrapped in leaves, genkotsu ame (soybean candy), preserved fish, spices, and the delicious marshmallow treat of owara tamaten. Later, take a short local train ride to the neighbouring Hida-Furukawa, another alpine town known for its relaxed pace and tree-lined canals. Here, visit a local sake brewery where you’ll learn the secrets of this culturally significant alcoholic drink (and sample some yourself, if you fancy). Gifu's alpine climate and crystal-clear mountain waters are perfect for creating Japan's signature liquor. Back in Takayama for dinner, you'll be able to sample some more of the town's iconic dishes. Accommodation
Ryokan (1 night)
Included Activities
Hida-Furukawa - Sake Brewery visit
Takayama - Morning Market visit
Meals Included
Breakfast
Dinner
Day 5 kanazawa
Take the train towards Japan's northern coastline to the historic city of Kanazawa. Having avoided much of the destruction of World War 2, it's a place where modern and traditional Japan go hand in hand. On arrival, join your leader on an orientation walk before visiting 17th-century Kenroku-en Garden, a highly intricate landscaped acreage of bridges, ponds, waterfalls, fountains and tea houses that are beautiful no matter the season. Perhaps stop for a cup of freshly whisked matcha tea on your stroll through the extensive grounds. If time allows, you might get the chance to visit the Chaya gai district, with its well-preserved streets of old wooden tea houses, and where geisha continue to perform music and dance for small private functions. In the evening, join your leader for an optional dinner to sample local dishes bursting with regional flavour, particularly fresh seafood from the Sea of Japan. The unique blend of warm and cold currents create the perfect conditions for a wide variety of fish and shellfish year round, including the famed Kano crabs and sweet prawns. Accommodation
Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
Kanazawa - Leader-led orientation walk
Kanazawa - Kenroku-en Garden
Kanazawa – Chaya gai district walking tour (Day 5 or Day 6)
Optional Activities
Kanazawa - Matcha tea JPY750 or green tea JPY350 with sweets (Kenroku-en Garden) - Free
Meals Included
Breakfast
Special Information
Today’s total travel time is approximately 2 hours.
Day 6 Osaka
Hungry? Good! This morning you’ll pay a visit to Omicho Market, where the city's quality food producers gather. Seafood from Ishikawa Prefecture is brought in from the port every morning and, as well as sold fresh, there are a number of restaurants in the market which whip it up into rice bowls or sushi – almost 200 stalls to get lost in! Later, hop on an express train to Osaka, Japan’s third-largest city and unofficial culinary capital. There are sprawling shopping hubs and tiny backstreets full of restaurants and bars, serving up local delicacies as well as Japan's answer to fast food. Osaka is credited with the first kaiten-zushi (conveyer belt sushi) restaurants. The city is also renowned for its take on okonomiyaki (fried savoury pancakes), kushikatsu (deep fried meat and vegetables on skewers) and perhaps its most renowned dish, takoyaki (a hot snack of shredded octopus, pickled ginger and spring onion cooked into batter). After checking into the hotel, take a walk through Osaka’s unmissable Dotombori district, sampling some street food as you stroll along its neon-lit canals. Accommodation
Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
Kanazawa - Omicho Market
Osaka - Dotombori Tour
Meals Included
Breakfast
Special Information
Today’s total travel time is approximately 2.5 hours.
Day 7 osaka
Visit Osaka’s lively Kuromon food market for a morning walk through the quirky Doguyasuji Arcade, where you can pick up some kitchen gadgets (or plastic food!) and all the Japanese bowls you’d ever need. Later, pop into a depachika – the food basement hall of one of Japan's department stores – which is a treasure trove for food lovers, given the endless range of products beautifully displayed. It’s one of the best ways to understand what locals eat on a daily basis. Today, you’ll also learn about one of Osaka’s signature dishes and try your hand at perfecting okonomiyaki. This evening, take a dive into Osaka’s twisting back alleys and experience one of the city’s typical tachinomi bars (drinking while standing), perhaps sharing a few drinks with your travel pals. Accommodation
Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
Osaka – Tour of Kuromon Market and Doguyasuji Arcade
Osaka – Depachika visit
Osaka – Okonomiyaki experience
Meals Included
Breakfast
Lunch
Day 8 Koya-San
Rise early, hop on the train and venture into an important region for Shingon Buddhism. Founded in the 8th century by the revered Buddhist saint Kobo Daishi, Koya-san has been a centre for religious activities for over 1200 years. On arrival, visit Okuno-in, the mausoleum of Kobo Daishi. Your unique accommodation tonight is in one of the many temples still operating here. You’ll stay alongside Buddhist monks and follow their routine of evening meditation and morning prayers. Temple lodgings, known as shukubo, have facilities similar to Japanese ryokans. Rooms are equipped with thin futon mattresses that are spread on tatami mats for a comfortable night's sleep. Tonight, enjoy an introduction to shojin ryori, or monastic cuisine, prepared by novice monks. Shojin ryori was popularised in Japan in the 13th century by Zen monks from China. Shojin ryori is plant-based, and prohibits inclusion of meat and fish, following the teaching that it is wrong to kill living animals. Instead, meals are prepared with seasonable vegetables and wild plants from the mountains. Accommodation
Monastery (1 night)
Included Activities
Koya-san - Okuno-in Mausoleum
Meals Included
Breakfast
Dinner
Special Information
Today’s total travel time is approximately 3 hours.
Temple lodgings, known as shukubo, have facilities similar to Japanese ryokans. Rooms have thin futon mattresses that are spread on tatami mats for your night's sleep.
There are no western bathing facilities at the monastery. Instead, bathing occurs in a traditional onsen. This two-step Japanese experience is quite unique but often a highlight for travelers. The first step is to thoroughly clean yourself, then to enjoy a soak in a communal bath. As bathing suits are not permitted, it may seem intimidating at first, but once you are used to it, you will come to appreciate this longstanding cultural tradition. For those who are more sensitive about public bathing, your leader can suggest times when you are likely to have more privacy.
Today you have the option to send your main luggage direct to Kyoto (at your own expense) and pack a smaller bag for your one night stay at Koya-san. This is recommended for travellers with larger baggage. Please speak
Day 9: Kyoto
Today you’ll make your way by train to Kyoto, a city regarded as the cultural heart of Japan. Before Tokyo, Kyoto was the capital of Japan for over 1000 years. On arrival, get acquainted with this beautiful city on an orientation walk with your leader, taking a stroll through the glass-covered walkway of Nishiki Market. It’s here that you’ll find a range of Kyoto's regional specialities like pickled vegetables hidden beneath layers of fermented rice, ornate Kyo-wagashi (Kyoto sweets), Uji green teas, as well as souvenirs and a renowned hand-crafted knife shop. Later in the afternoon, take a step back in time on a walk through the narrow streets of Kyoto's charming Gion district and learn about the city’s geisha culture. If you’re lucky you might spot geiko (geisha) or maiko (apprentice geisha) in their elaborate dress and makeup. Join your leader for an optional dinner to sample some of Kyoto's trademark cuisine. Accommodation
Karasuma Kyoto Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
Kyoto - Gion District walk
Kyoto - Nishiki Market walk
Kyoto - Leader-led orientation Walk
Meals Included
Breakfast
Special Information Today’s total travel time is approximately 4.5 hours.
Day 10: Kyoto
Kyoto is a city that takes food seriously. Today, you’ll experience the simple pleasures of obanzai ryori in a cooking class. Perhaps not as well-known as kaiseki, this ancient style of a multi-course Japanese feast has strict rules that must be adhered to. It must be simple and follow a seasonal approach. At least half of the ingredients must be Kyo-yasai (Kyoto heirloom vegetables grown locally), and the meal should embody the spiritual elements of genuine things, such as balance. Obanzai is increasingly gaining popularity in Kyoto as people seek to ensure that this special culinary tradition is preserved. Once you’ve prepared your meal, you’ll get to enjoy the fruits of your labour at lunch. The afternoon is free for you to explore at your own pace. You could find a theatre putting on shows of Noh, Kabuki or Bunraku puppetry, or a traditional maiko dance. If you’re still hungry, why not try some yudofu hotpot, using Kyoto's smooth tofu perfected over centuries by Buddhist monks. With so many other options, your local leader is there to help you make the right choice. Accommodation
Karasuma Kyoto Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
Kyoto - Obanzai cooking class
Optional Activities
Kyoto - Fushimi Inari Shrine - Free
Kyoto - Kinkakuji Temple Visit - JPY400
Kyoto - Nijō-jō - JPY1000
Kyoto - Sanjusangendo Temple - Free
Meals Included
Breakfast
Lunch
Day 11: Kyoto
Today you’ll explore the traditions, culture and history behind tea, which plays a critical part in traditional Japanese society. Learn about the long-lived customs surrounding this brew, which is more than simply a drink, and discover the difference between the fine matcha powdered tea served in the tea ceremony and the other varieties of green tea commonly enjoyed in Japan, from everyday houjicha and genmaicha to premium gyokuro. The careful symbolism of Japanese society reaches its peak in the tea ceremony and today you’ll attend a private ceremony with a long-time practitioner of this art in Kyoto. Learn about the importance of the preparation and cleaning of tea utensils, the bow on receiving a cup of freshly whisked tea and the three clockwise turns before a sip is taken. After this experience, take some time to explore this ancient city yourself before rounding off your adventure with a celebratory dinner with your group leader and travel pals. Accommodation
Karasuma Kyoto Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
Kyoto - Private Tea Ceremony experience
Meals Included
Breakfast
Dinner
Day 12: Kyoto
With no activities planned for today, your Japanese food adventure comes to an end after breakfast this morning. Meals Included
Breakfast
Specifications
A Single Supplement is currently not available for this trip due to limited rooms at many of our properties.
While we endeavour to cater for specific dietary requirements, some meals and food activities are set in advance and may be difficult to adjust. If you have dietary resitrictions, this may not be the best tour for you
We are currently unable to book pre or post trip accommodation at our start and finish point hotels due to limited room availability. We recommend booking a hotel of your choice through Good Life Travel by Danielle.
A 7 day Japan Rail Pass is included in the price of your trip (validated on Day 3). For those wishing to stay and travel longer in Japan after the trip, a Japan Rail Pass extension (total 14 days or 21 days) is available for purchase at time of booking. You can't purchase the rail pass or extension after arriving in Japan.
It is essential that you pack light and compact for rail travel in Japan. There are size restrictions for luggage on Shinkansen trains. Luggage from 160cm to 250cm may require an additional JPY1000 oversize luggage fee per train journey. Luggage over 251cm will NOT be permitted on the Shinkansen trains at all. Please notify your tour leader at your Welcome Meeting if your luggage is from 160cm to 250cm so they can make the necessary arrangements.
Airport shuttle service between Kyoto and Kansai Airport is not included. Please request information to add airport transportation or upon arrival, your leader will be able to advise on best ways of getting to Kansai Airport in Osaka.
Travelers must be at least 15 years of age. Anyone under the age of 18 must have an adult over age 18 accompanying them and sharing a room.
Rates are priced based upon double occupancy rooms. If you are a solo traveler, you will be paired in a room with another solo traveler and charged the double occupancy rate unless you request your own room for an additional cost.
Price does not include flights. You are responsible for arranging your own flights. Please provide flight confirmation information once purchased.
Deposits $350 per person. Balance is dues 60 days prior to travel.
Travel Insurance is not included but required in order to participate on any of our trips. When travelling on a group trip, you will not be permitted to join the group until evidence of travel insurance has been sighted by your leader, who will take note of your insurance details. When selecting a travel insurance policy we require that at a minimum you are covered for medical expenses including emergency evacuation and repatriation. A minimum coverage of $200,000 is required. Good Life Travel by Danielle will recommend a comprehensive AIG Travel insurance plan (see link below) or a Chubb Insurance plan. We strongly recommend that the policy also covers personal liability, cancellation, curtailment and loss of luggage and personal effects.
Pre tour hotel nights in Tokyo or Post tour hotel nights in Kyoto are not included. Contact our travel agent, Danielle, if you would like to add hotel nights to your package.
All travelers must have received a full COVID-19 vaccination with the final dose given at least 14 days before the start of the tour. A scan of your COVID 19 vaccine card or documentation from your physician or pharmacy are required to be uploaded in the system prior to travel. In addition, vaccines are required to enter the country. You will be asked by the airline to upload proof prior to travel.
Deposit Requirements
Deposits $400 per person. Balance is dues 60 days prior to travel. The deposit will be processed for the minimum amount required to secure the booking unless otherwise indicated by the traveler or if within the 60 days prior to travel. Naturally, you can give us a call with any questions.
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Based on your total trip cost of $12,000, your estimated payments are:
First payment of $549.14 due today followed by 24 equal monthly payments of $549.14 beginning next month.
To provide this estimated monthly pricing, Uplift uses a sample APR of 13.88%. Your actual loan APR will be determined with your application and will determine final monthly payment amount. No late fees and no penalty for early repayment.
The total estimated finance charges are $1,728.50
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