Tailor-made culinary tour across Japan

A private car transfer from Tokyo Airport brings you to the Tokyo Prince Hotel in the heart of the city, setting the tone for a seamless Japan travel experience.

After settling into your room, meet your English-speaking local guide for a relaxed walking tour of the neighborhood. For dinner, your guide will select a restaurant suited to your preferences, where you can enjoy sushi, sukiyaki, or tempura.

Begin your day with a tailored culinary experience at Tsukiji Outer Market, often called Japan’s food town. Wander among stalls offering fresh seafood, sample traditional snacks, and take part in a hands-on sushi-making session before enjoying a sushi lunch at your own expense.

In the afternoon, explore the Asakusa district and visit historic Senso-ji Temple, then take in panoramic city views from Tokyo Skytree, the tallest structure in Japan, highlights that many travelers associate with a Tokyo trip.

In the evening, unwind on a dinner cruise along the Sumida River, enjoying the illuminated skyline and, in season, cherry blossoms reflected on the water.

Travel by bullet train from Tokyo to Takayama, a well-preserved 17th-century Edo town in the Japanese Alps, with a journey of approximately five hours combining high-speed and regional rail.

Takayama is known for its historic streets, traditional sake breweries, and prized Hida wagyu beef, making it an ideal stop for food lovers and culture seekers alike.

Visit Hida Folk Village, an open-air museum of thatched-roof farmhouses that showcases traditional building techniques developed for heavy snowfall. Each home serves as a living exhibit, displaying everyday tools, personal belongings, and opportunities to learn about regional crafts and rural life.

Begin your day at the Takayama morning market in Gifu Prefecture, where local farm women display seasonal produce from early morning. Sample distinctive pickles, miso wrapped in leaves, preserved fish, aromatic spices, and the soft marshmallow treat, owara tamaten, while meeting the producers behind them, moments that echo the spirit of a Secrets of Japan trip.

Continue to a family-run sake brewery to taste a range of varieties and learn about the sake-making process. Gifu Prefecture’s alpine climate and crystal clear mountain water form the pure foundation of Japan’s signature drink, creating a tasting that connects flavor, place, and tradition.

Travel by bullet train from Takayama to Kanazawa in approximately two hours. Upon arrival, join a leader-guided orientation walk before exploring the 17th-century Kenrokuen Garden, known for its elegant bridges, ponds, and teahouses, where you may enjoy freshly whisked matcha.

Continue through Kanazawa’s historic chaya gai district, where beautifully preserved wooden teahouses still host traditional geisha music and dance. Often considered one of the best places to visit in Japan, Kanazawa also offers the option to join an evening culinary walk with your leader to sample Sea of Japan seafood, from prized snow crab to sweet local prawns.

Begin your day at Omicho Morning Market, where Kanazawa’s leading food producers gather. Fresh seafood from Ishikawa Prefecture arrives daily from the nearby port, filling nearly 200 stalls and market eateries that serve rice bowls, sushi, and local specialties.

In the afternoon, travel by express train from Kanazawa to Osaka in approximately two and a half hours. The comfortable journey offers time to unwind as you transition from Kanazawa’s historic charm to Osaka’s energetic atmosphere.

Upon arrival, dive into the city’s celebrated food culture in the Dotonbori district, wandering along neon-lit canals and sampling street food favorites such as conveyor belt sushi, Osaka-style okonomiyaki, kushikatsu, and iconic takoyaki.

Rise early for a scenic train journey from Osaka to Koya-san, a three-hour ride into the spiritual heart of Shingon Buddhism and a meaningful highlight of your Japan itinerary.

Founded by Kobo Daishi in the 8th century, Koya-san offers a deeply atmospheric blend of sacred history and thoughtfully tailored experiences. Visit Okunoin, the mausoleum of Kobo Daishi, before settling into a traditional shukubo temple lodging.

Spend the night immersed in monastic life, with evening meditation and early morning prayers alongside resident monks. Temple accommodations combine simple comfort with an authentic cultural experience rooted in centuries-old tradition.

Travel by bullet train from Koya-san to Kyoto via Osaka on a comfortable journey of approximately four and a half hours, allowing time to relax before exploring Kyoto’s cultural highlights.

Upon arrival, join your leader for an orientation walk through the glass-covered Nishiki Market, sampling pickled vegetables preserved in fermented rice, delicate Kyo-wagashi sweets, and fragrant Uji green tea, while browsing handcrafted knives and local souvenirs.

In the afternoon, wander Gion’s narrow streets to learn about geisha culture and, with a bit of luck, catch a glimpse of a geiko or maiko in full dress. An optional dinner provides an opportunity to enjoy Kyoto’s signature cuisine.

Today, take part in a hands-on cooking class in Kyoto held in a beautifully renovated 100-year-old kyo machiya, a traditional wooden townhouse. Learn authentic recipes and enjoy the meal you prepare in a tranquil garden setting.

In the afternoon, visit Nijo Castle, a 17th-century wooden fortress, followed by the serene Kinkaku-ji Temple set within landscaped gardens, gaining deeper insight into Kyoto’s history and aesthetics. Conclude the day in the Gion district with a refined tea ceremony.

After check out, relax during a private transfer to Kansai International Airport, with time to reflect on the flavors and experiences of the Kansai region.

Our personalized service ensures a smooth and unhurried farewell to Japan. Before departure, receive final recommendations and a few local keepsakes to inspire your next journey.