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Tour Itinerary
Day 1-2 Tokyo
On the evening of day one there will be a group meeting with your tour leader followed by dinner. Some people choose to arrive into Tokyo a few days before the start date of the tour to spend time exploring this modern, dynamic hub.
Day two is an early start and today you will be getting to work making soba noodles and exploring the famous Tsukiji fish market where more than 400 different types of sea food are sold!
Day 3-4 Takayama
After a comfortable train journey you will arrive at Takayama where you will find traditional inns, sake breweries, specialised cuisines and ancient temples. During your time you will be able to soak up the incredible sights of this delightful village nestled amongst the Japanese Alps. At meals discover the secrets of san sai ryori (a mountain vegetable), miso, Hida beef and local sake. Each morning at 6am the local market begins, as it has done for the past 600 years, and during a visit you will be able to try some of the more unusual local specialities.
Day 5-6 Koya-san
Here you will be able to join the resident monks in zazen meditation during your two-night stay in a Buddhist monastery. Try out the local speciality, shojin ryori, a vegetarian dish that has been prepared in this region for over 1,200 years!
Day 7-8 Osaka
This is your chance to try two somewhat interesting dishes – takoyaki – octopus balls, and fugu – poisonous pufferfish! Check out Dotonburi, the city’s main eating area where there are plenty of opportunities to ‘kuidaore’ (eat til you drop)!
Day 9-10 Hiroshima
This city is full of reminders of it’s tragic past and there will be time to wander the monuments and museum dedicated to Hiroshima and international peace, as well as the ruins of A-dome, one of 11 structures left partially standing after the nuclear blast of 1945.
Later on, try the city's famed okonomiyaki (cook-it-as-you-like-it, Japanese-style pancake) as well as its renowned smoked oysters and momiji manju, a type of stuffed pastry.
Day 11-14 Kyoto
On the way to Kyoto you will stop at Himeji-jo castle, a five story structure of incredible architecture that’s provides an interesting insight into ancient life in Japan. Once in Kyoto you will learn how to prepare the seasonal specialities of the ancient capital during a Japanese cooking class. In and around the city is a wealth of cultural and historic attractions such as todai-ji temple, the world’s largest wooden building home to a 16m high Buddha, or Kiyomizu-dera, an ancient temple and crystal-clear water fall, whose waters are believed to have therapeutic properties.
Please note: The itinerary is subject to change, particularly during October and November when heavy rains are likely.
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