Small-Group Japan Food Tour

Arrive in Tokyo and transfer to your hotel. The rest of the day is free at your own leisure.

• Hotel Description

Explore Tokyo using public transportation, making it easy to see the city like a local. Start in Asakusa, a district where history blends with daily life. Walk along Nakamise Street, lined with shops selling snacks and traditional crafts, and visit Sensoji Temple, Tokyo’s oldest and most famous Buddhist temple. Then head to the Edo-Tokyo Museum, where interactive exhibits reveal how the city evolved from a small town to a modern metropolis.

Lunch is included: try monjayaki, a Tokyo-style savoury pancake cooked at your table with cabbage, seafood, or meat. In the afternoon, continue to Shibuya to see its famous crossing and vibrant streets. The day ends with a teppanyaki dinner, where skilled chefs grill fresh ingredients right in front of you. (B,L,D)

• Hotel Description

Explore Tokyo using public transportation and discover the city’s rich flavours and traditions. Begin at Tsukiji Outer Market, a lively hub of fresh seafood, local snacks, and traditional Japanese ingredients. Wander through long-established shops and sample delicacies along the way. Next, visit the Imperial Palace, the residence of Japan’s Imperial Family, and enjoy a peaceful stroll around its manicured gardens and scenic moats. Lunch is a hands-on sushi-making experience. Learn traditional techniques from professional chefs, watch their impressive knife skills, and even grind and taste fresh wasabi before enjoying the sushi you’ve made yourself.

In the afternoon, explore Ginza, Tokyo’s stylish shopping and entertainment district, known for luxury boutiques, department stores, and chic cafés. Dinner is included at an izakaya, a lively Japanese pub, where you can try small plates like grilled skewers, sashimi, and tempura, paired with sake or beer, immersing yourself in Japan’s casual dining culture. (B,L,D)

• Hotel Description

Enjoy breakfast at your hotel before a day at leisure to explore Tokyo on your own. You could visit neighbourhoods that interest you, sample street food, discover hidden cafés, or browse speciality shops. Art lovers might enjoy the contemporary galleries in Roppongi, while those seeking nature can stroll through Shinjuku Gyoen or the peaceful grounds of Meiji Shrine. This is your chance to tailor the day to your interests, whether it’s culture, shopping, or simply immersing yourself in the city’s unique atmosphere. (B)

• Hotel Description

After breakfast at your hotel, your luggage will be shipped from Tokyo to Kyoto (one piece per person) for a stress-free journey. Travel by bullet train to Nagoya, approximately 1.5 hours, with the chance to enjoy spectacular views of Mt. Fuji if the weather is clear.

In the afternoon, take a half-day guided tour of Iga by private vehicle. Visit Iga Castle, a historic fortress surrounded by scenic grounds that reveal Japan’s feudal past. Then explore the Iga-ryu Ninja Museum, where you can see authentic ninja tools, learn about legendary techniques, and try some ninja skills yourself. Dinner is included at your hotel: a Japanese-French course crafted from local ingredients, combining refined culinary techniques with the flavours of the region. (B,D)

• Hotel Description

After breakfast at your hotel, enjoy a full-day guided tour of Ise by private vehicle. Begin at Ise Jingu, Japan’s most sacred Shinto shrine, where the serene atmosphere and elegant wooden architecture offer a glimpse into centuries of spiritual tradition. Then wander through Okage Yokocho, a lively historic street filled with traditional shops, local snacks, and artisan souvenirs.

Along the way, learn about salt production, a vital part of Japanese cuisine and Shinto rituals, and discover how this humble ingredient connects flavour with centuries-old traditions. Lunch is included during the tour, giving you a taste of local specialities. End the day with dinner at your ryokan, where seasonal ingredients and refined Japanese cooking create a memorable culinary experience in a traditional setting. (B,L,D)

• Hotel Description

After breakfast at your ryokan, take a full-day guided tour of Shima by private vehicle. Meet the Ama divers, Japan’s legendary female free-divers, and enjoy freshly caught seafood at a traditional Ama hut, experiencing a unique part of local culture. Visit a working bonito smokehouse to see traditional techniques preserved over generations, offering a fascinating insight into Japanese culinary craftsmanship.

Continue to Yokoyama View Point for panoramic views of Shima’s dramatic coastline, where sparkling waters meet rugged cliffs, a perfect spot for photos and to appreciate the natural beauty of the region. Return to your ryokan for dinner, enjoying seasonal ingredients prepared in traditional style for a memorable evening. (B,L,D)

• Hotel Description

After breakfast at your ryokan, transfer to Toba Station for your journey to Kyoto by express train, approximately 2.5 hours. Along the way, relax and enjoy the scenery as the landscape transitions from coastal views to Japan’s cultural heart in Kyoto. This travel day is designed to be easy and comfortable, with your luggage already managed and the train providing a smooth connection. (B,D)

• Hotel Description

Enjoy a full-day guided tour of Kyoto by private vehicle. Begin at Kinkakuji, the Golden Pavilion, where the gold-leaf exterior shimmers against the surrounding pond and gardens, creating one of Japan’s most photographed and serene scenes. Next, visit the Arashiyama district on Kyoto’s outskirts, famous for its enchanting bamboo groves, riverside views, and charming streets lined with traditional shops and cafés. Take time to enjoy Kyoto’s matcha-flavoured treats as you explore, from delicate sweets to creamy drinks.

Lunch is included: savour shojin ryori, traditional Buddhist vegetarian cuisine. Prepared with seasonal ingredients, simple flavours, and beautiful presentation, it offers a mindful dining experience that reflects respect for nature and an appreciation for each ingredient. (B,L)

Start the day with breakfast at your hotel, then experience a Japanese tea ceremony. Learn how each movement and gesture in the tearoom reflects tradition and mindfulness, surrounded by simple seasonal decor that emphasises calm and focus. Afterwards, take a half-day guided walking tour through Kyoto’s local streets. Visit shops selling tsukemono (pickles), miso, and soy sauce, and discover “hakko,” Japan’s centuries-old fermentation culture that shapes much of the country’s cuisine. Gain insight into the techniques and flavours behind these essential ingredients. Lunch is included during the tour.

The afternoon is free to explore Kyoto at your own pace - wander quiet alleys, visit temples, or enjoy a café. This flexibility lets you shape the day to your interests while soaking in Kyoto’s unique atmosphere. (B,L)

• Hotel Description

After breakfast at your hotel, enjoy a free morning to explore Kyoto at your own pace, then travel by private vehicle to Osaka, arriving in the city in the early afternoon.

Take a guided walking tour of Osaka, starting at Shinsaibashi, the city’s bustling shopping street, and continuing to the lively Namba district. Experience the energetic atmosphere, with neon lights, crowded streets, and local life all around. Visit the depachika, the basement food halls of department stores, where you can see a dazzling selection of fresh produce, gourmet treats, and regional delicacies, an authentic taste of Osaka’s rich food culture. (B)

• Hotel Description

After breakfast at your hotel, enjoy a free morning to explore Osaka at your own pace or relax before your afternoon excursion. Travel by private vehicle to Kobe for a guided tour of the city. Begin with a walk to Nunobiki Falls and learn about Kobe’s famous water - its purity, why it stays fresh even across long journeys, and how the steep slopes of the Rokko Mountains create naturally hard water.

Continue to a local sake distillery to discover the history and brewing process of sake, finishing with a tasting of this traditional Japanese drink. Dinner features Kobe beef, a world-renowned delicacy prized for its tenderness, marbling, and rich flavour, offering a truly iconic taste of Japan and a memorable finale to your journey. (B,D)

• Hotel Description

After breakfast at your hotel, a private transfer will take you to Kansai International Airport for your onward journey. (B)