Japan Real Food Adventure - 11 Days

Konnichiwa! Welcome to Japan. Between the freshest ingredients and generations of culinary know-how, this is a country that celebrates the art of eating well. Your adventure begins in Tokyo – a food lover’s dream. You’ll have a welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight, where you’ll meet your local leader and fellow travellers. 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 (casual bars serving small share plates) 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 you’ve eaten your fill, maybe head out to explore Shibuya's backstreets in search of sake or a couple of local cocktails.

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. After, learn the art of sushi-making firsthand – 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 fix. Try daigaku imo (fried sweet potatoes tossed in sugar and soy) or dorayaki (sweet red bean paste sandwiched between baked pancake batter). Tonight, why not head to Tsukishima to tuck into one of Tokyo's most traditional dishes, monjayaki (a savoury pancake with a gooey, cheese-like texture).

Take the train towards Japan's northern coastline to the historic city of Kanazawa. Having avoided much of the destruction of WWII, it's a place where modern and traditional Japan go hand in hand. On the train, you’ll be treated to ekiben for lunch (a bento box popularly sold on trains). When you arrive, join your leader on an orientation walk around the city, followed by a visit to the Chaya-gai district. With its well-preserved streets and old wooden tea houses, this is where geiko (geisha) 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 creates the perfect conditions for a wide variety of fish and shellfish year-round, including the famed Kano crabs and amaebi (sweet prawns).

This morning after breakfast, visit the lush, 17th-century Kenroku-en Garden – an intricately landscaped acreage of bridges, ponds, waterfalls, fountains and tea houses that are beautiful no matter the season. Maybe stop for a cup of freshly whisked matcha on your stroll through the expansive grounds. Then, take a walk around Omicho market – the hub of Kanazawa’s food culture. Explore the stalls and seek out the best seasonal ingredients, learning how to spot the freshest seafood and vegetables along the way. Then, head to a local home for a cooking class with an expert foodie. Pick up some tips and tricks on how to cook local cuisine, learn the history of Kanazawa’s favourite foods and then enjoy the fruits of your labour for lunch. This afternoon, you’re free to explore Kanazawa at your leisure.

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. When you arrive, get acquainted with this gorgeous city on an orientation walk with your leader and take a food tour under the stained-glass roofs of Nishiki Market. This 400-year-old market is the perfect spot to pick up a few local street eats for lunch, so you’ll follow your local leader and pick out a few favourites – maybe try tako-tamago (translating to octopus egg, this must-try is a savoury surprise of candied baby octopus with a quail egg inserted into the head after cooking!), beef sushi, matcha sweets or tamagoyaki (an omelette sometimes filled with cabbage, carrots, green onions and pickled ginger). Later, make your way to the narrow streets of Kyoto's charming Gion district to learn about the city’s geiko culture. If you’re lucky, you might spot geiko or maiko (apprentice geisha) in their elaborate dress and makeup. Tonight, join your leader for an optional dinner to sample some of Kyoto's trademark cuisine, like nishin soba (soba noodles with dried herring) or gyu katsu (beef cutlet).

Today, gear up for a daytrip to Uji – this small city between Kyoto and Nara is a cultural hub famous for its green tea. Known for its superior quality since the 1100s, a hot cup of Uji’s green tea is a must-have while you’re here, so you’ll be taken to a local tea farm for an insight into the growing and harvesting process. Hear about the history of Japan's tea cultivation and production, then taste five different Japanese teas as you learn how to brew sencha and matcha using traditional utensils. After, you'll take a leader-led walk around Uji City, stopping along the way to visit the Ujigami Shrine – the oldest surviving shrine in Japan, constructed during the height of the Fujiwara clan’s power between AD 794 and AD 1192. Then, enjoy some free time to explore at your own pace.

Tuck into breakfast this morning, then head out to visit the Fushimi Inari Shrine, where you’ll have some time to wander through the iconic torii gates. Snap a few pics, then head to a local sake brewery, where you’ll learn how the specialty drink is made and get to try some too, of course. You might even like to pick up a bottle to take home. The rest of the day is free for you to enjoy Kyoto however you like.

Rise early, hop on the train and venture into the centre of Shingon Buddhism. Founded in the 8th century by the revered Buddhist saint Kobo Daishi, Koya-san has been a hub of religious activity for over 1200 years. When you arrive, visit Okuno-in – the mausoleum of Kobo Daishi. Your special accommodation tonight is in one of the many temples still operating here. You’ll stay alongside Buddhist monks and follow their routine of morning prayers. Tonight, enjoy an introduction to shojin ryori – monastic cuisine – prepared by novice monks. Shojin ryori was popularised in Japan in the 13th century by Zen monks from China. The cuisine is plant-based and prohibits the inclusion of meat and fish, following the teaching that it is wrong to kill living animals. Instead, meals are prepared with seasonal vegetables and wild plants from the mountains.

Hop on public transport this morning to Osaka – Japan’s third-largest city and the unofficial culinary capital. Sprawling shopping hubs and tiny backstreets full of restaurants and bars serve up local delicacies here, as well as Japan's answer to fast food (Osaka is credited with the first kaiten-zushi, or conveyer belt sushi restaurants). When you arrive, visit the lively Kuromon Market for a morning walk through the quirky Doguyasuji Arcade, where you can pick up some kitchen gadgets (or unusual plastic food replicas) and all the Japanese bowls you’ll ever need. You’ll also learn about one of Osaka’s signature dishes – okonomiyaki – and try your hand at perfecting it. A tasty okonomiyaki lunch will be included afterwards. This evening, maybe venture into Osaka’s twisting back alleys and experience one of the city’s typical tachinomi (standing bars), maybe sharing a few drinks with your travel pals.

Have some breakfast this morning, then pop into a depachika – the basement-level food hall of one of Japan's department stores. This is a treasure trove for food lovers, given the endless range of products beautifully displayed. It’s also one of the best ways to understand what the locals eat on a daily basis. Wander the Dotonbori district with your group this afternoon in the heart of Osaka. This bustling district, known for the iconic glowing signs all over the canal, is the go-to destination for local nightlife, delicious cuisine and diverse shopping options. Enjoy a few included snacks along the way, then you’re free for the afternoon to continue exploring at your own pace. Regroup with your fellow travellers tonight for a farewell dinner of kushikatsu (skewered meat and vegetables, battered and deep fried).

With no further activities planned, your trip comes to an end after breakfast this morning. You’re free to leave any time after check-out, but your adventure doesn’t have to end here! Osaka has so much to explore – it’s recommended you stay a few extra days and continue to feast on the city’s many foodie favourites. Just speak to your booking agent ahead of time to organise additional accommodation.