Culture & Cuisine of Japan

Upon arrival at Tokyo’s airport, our representative will be available to assist with transportation to your hotel, ensuring a smooth journey either by guiding you to the correct train or arranging for the appropriate shuttle bus service. The remainder of the day is free for leisure activities.

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Spend the day discovering Tokyo’s rich contrasts, guided by a local expert using the city’s efficient public transport. Start at Tsukiji Outer Market, a lively maze of sushi stalls and traditional food shops - ideal for tasting Tokyo’s culinary heritage. Continue to Hama-Rikyu Gardens, once a feudal lord’s estate, now a tranquil space where you’ll enjoy matcha in a lakeside tea house. Head next to Asakusa, the city’s historic heart, home to Senso-ji Temple and streets lined with old-world shops. Then explore Kappabashi, a fascinating street with shops selling knives, ceramics, and lifelike food replicas. End the day at Ameyoko-cho, a post-war black market turned bustling alleyway packed with local snacks and energy. (B,L)

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Begin your day with a hands-on soba-making workshop at a cooking studio in Tokyo's Tsukiji area, led by either Akila Inouye, founder of the Tsukiji Soba Academy, or one of its graduates. Learn to prepare the wheat mixture, work the dough, and cut it into 1.6 mm thick noodles. After the lesson, enjoy dining in tachigui style with the teacher and classmates.

The afternoon is free for leisure, whether relaxing at the hotel or exploring Shibuya, Harajuku, or Yanaka independently. Consider joining a Tokyo street food tour to experience the vibrant street food scene firsthand. With the guidance of an English-speaking local, explore hidden culinary gems nestled within the city's narrow streets. Contact us for more information and to add the tour price to your itinerary. (B,L)

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Today is a self-guided day. Depart from Tokyo station on Japan’s renowned Shinkansen (bullet train) bound for Nagano, a journey of just 90 minutes through the picturesque Japanese Alps.

Nestled in the Northern Alps, Nagano is known as the ‘Roof of Japan’ and is centred around the historic Zenkoji Temple, founded in the seventh century. The temple houses a revered Buddhist statue, with a copy displayed to the public every six years. Visitors can explore the temple's underground passage in search of the ‘Key to Paradise’, believed to grant enlightenment to those who touch it. Accommodation tonight will be at a shukubo (temple lodge), where guests can enjoy famous Buddhist cuisine.

Optional activities at Zenkoji include joining the goma fire ceremony for purification and practising zazen meditation. Contact us for more information and to add this experience to your itinerary. (B,D)

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Start the morning with a visit to Zenkoji Temple for the daily prayer service - an atmospheric ritual of rhythmic chanting and drumming that offers a glimpse into Japan’s living spiritual traditions. Afterwards, enjoy a nourishing vegetarian breakfast before travelling through the scenic Japanese Alps en route to Kyoto. This former imperial capital is steeped in history and charm, home to over 2,000 temples and shrines, including 17 UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The rest of the day is free to explore - wander through quiet lanes, discover hidden gardens, or simply take in the city’s timeless atmosphere at your own pace. (B)

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Explore Kyoto’s spiritual heart by public transport with a local guide. Start at Fushimi Inari Shrine, where thousands of orange torii gates climb through the forest - a striking symbol of devotion. Continue to Sanjusangendo, a long wooden hall lined with 1,001 golden statues of Kannon, each slightly different and quietly powerful. After lunch, step into the world of samurai at Nijo Castle. The ornate interiors and clever “nightingale floors” were designed to protect the shogun from silent intruders. Finish at Nanzenji, a quiet Zen temple where monks have lived since the 13th century. Its minimalist rock garden invites reflection and calm. (B)

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Enjoy a relaxed morning at your own pace before meeting your guide in the afternoon for a deep dive into Japanese food culture. Begin with a walk through Nishiki Market, Kyoto’s bustling “kitchen,” where you’ll explore stalls packed with fresh produce, spices, and regional specialities. Your guide will share insights into how these ingredients are used in everyday cooking. Then head to a traditional machiya townhouse for a sake tasting, learn about the brewing process and sample a variety of flavours. Finish with a hands-on cooking class where you’ll prepare sushi, miso soup, and seasonal dishes using time-honoured techniques. (B,D)

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After breakfast, board the bullet train for a smooth three-hour ride from Kyoto to Hakata, Fukuoka. In the evening, join your guide for a food-focused walking tour using public transportation. Start at the local fish market, where you’ll learn how residents choose the freshest catch and sample dried and deep-fried snacks. Continue to a bustling department store basement, or depachika, filled with regional delicacies and sweets. Next, try a unique “stand-and-eat” shop, popular with local workers on the go. End at the lively yatai food stalls - Fukuoka’s famous open-air eateries where the food is excellent and the atmosphere warm and sociable. (B,D)

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Today is a self-guided day in Fukuoka, a lively city known for its food culture, waterfront parks, and friendly atmosphere. Explore the buzzing Nakasu district or stroll through Ohori Park’s lakeside paths. Visit Fukuoka Castle ruins for panoramic city views, or pop into the Kyushu National Museum to learn about the region’s role in Japan’s early international relations. Shop for local snacks at Hakata Station’s depachika or unwind at a neighbourhood café. Prefer a bit more structure? Let our travel specialists know if you'd like to add an excursion today - they can advise on options and confirm pricing. (B)

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You have a free morning before your scheduled bullet train to Osaka, Japan’s kitchen and a city that thrives on food, nightlife, and character. After checking in, explore on your own - stroll along neon-lit Dotonbori, take in skyline views from Umeda Sky Building, or explore the shops and food stalls of bustling Umeda and Kitashinchi.

In the evening, meet your guide at Tenma Station for a guided Osaka food tour using public transportation. Begin with a walk through Japan’s longest shopping street and a visit to a bustling local market, where locals shop for everyday meals. First stop: a classic tachinomi, a standing bar packed with Osaka’s after-work crowd. Sample small plates like miso-braised beef and pickled fish, with a drink in hand. Then head to a lively izakaya for kushikatsu - crispy skewers dipped in savoury sauce plus sashimi and sake. End at a homestyle joint serving grilled yakitori and simmering oden stew, washed down with beer or sake. A real taste of Osaka’s food culture.

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Join a full-day guided tour of Osaka using public transportation to explore the city’s mix of history, waterways, and vibrant culture. Start at Osaka Castle, an iconic symbol of the city with sweeping views, intricate design, and a fascinating past tied to feudal Japan. Then take a relaxing cruise along the Okawa River, passing riverside parks and historic buildings like the red-brick Mint Museum. In the afternoon, return to Namba and dive into the colourful chaos of Dotonbori. Wander past neon signs and hidden backstreets to uncover some of Osaka’s lesser-known gems, including the Kamigata Ukiyo-e Museum, which houses rare Edo-period woodblock prints. Stroll through Hozen-ji Yokocho’s narrow alleys lined with traditional eateries and izakaya. Tucked at the end is Hozen-ji Temple, where worshippers splash water on a moss-covered deity - an atmospheric end to a rich, local experience. (B)

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