Australia
USA
Self-Guided Adventure
Tailor-made
Gastronomic Adventure
14 Nights: from US$6084 per person (twin share) Trip Code: GADS
This trip will take you on a gastronomic journey across Japan, from Tokyo to the Japanese Alps. Combining the tenets of freshness, variety and appearance, Japanese cooking never fails to delight the senses - and this trip is jam-packed with opportunities to experience it at its best. Read more >
This gastronomic adventure begins in Tokyo before journeying through the Japanese Alps to the cultural capital of Kyoto, with stays at your own traditional townhouse and a Buddhist temple lodging along the way. Needless to say, there will be a mouth-watering array of food opportunities and experiences in every location.
On your first night, you will eat out in a typical izakaya - Japan's idiosyncratic take on pub dining. These lively establishments are the preferred after-work dinner spot for Japan's legions of salarymen, and one of our Insider staff will accompany you for this experience to translate the menu and explain the all-important dining etiquette! Later in Tokyo we'll also take you on a guided lunchtime safari through the capital's best ramen joints.
In Osaka, you'll be treated to a mouth-watering evening tour of the city's street food with our resident local guide. In Kanazawa you'll visit a typical Japanese house for a lesson in Japanese home cooking, whilst in Matsumoto you'll try your hand at making the local specialty, soba noodles, before checking out the town's impressive "Black Crow" castle. The highlight in the Japanese Alps is a private dinner prepared by your own chef in your machiya townhouse.
Aside from these foodie experiences, there will be plenty of time to explore the many sides of Tokyo, discover the charms of traditional towns in the Japanese Alps, get in touch with your spiritual side at Mount Koya, and wonder at the 17 UNESCO World Heritage Sights in the historic capital of Kyoto.
Throughout the trip we can make advance reservations for you to eat at Japan's best restaurants. We have lots of recommendations for great places to eat across the whole country from Michelin star sushi restaurants to tiny standing bars and street food stalls that only the locals know. From sushi to Kobe beef, from ramen to yakitori, from green tea Kit-Kats to sake - we have every confidence that this will be a gastronomic adventure to savour.
Dietary requirements: We know that not everyone enjoys or can eat the same food. But don't worry, we can adapt the itinerary to suit various dietary requirements, so just let us know and we'll tailor it to you. Do bear in mind that some dietary restrictions might mean that certain accommodation won't be the best choice for you, but we have plenty of alternative suggestions.
Please note: This trip is designed to start in Tokyo (either at Tokyo Narita or Tokyo Haneda Airports) and finish in Osaka with a departure from Osaka Kansai Airport. For this you will need an "open-jaw" flight ticket into Tokyo and out of Osaka Kansai. Alternatively if you would prefer to fly home from Tokyo we can tailor the itinerary to take you back to the capital - please contact us for more details.
What's included
- 14 nights' accommodation (three nights Japanese-style)
- Breakfast every day, five lunches and five evening meals
- Transport between all destinations
- Airport transfers by private car
- Manaca transport card with 2,500 yen credit for city transport
- Dinner and drinks with a guide at a Tokyo izakaya
- Private guided lunchtime ramen experience
- Soba noodle-making class
- Private chef for Kaiseki dinner in Hida Furukawaw
- Shojin ryori vegetarian dinner at Mount Koya temple stay
- Evening street food tour of Osaka
- Eight-hour private guide service in Tokyo and Kyoto including lunch and entrance fees
- Private cooking class in Kanazawa
- InsideJapan Tours' restaurant reservation service
- Pocket WiFi device
- Your personalised InsideJapan Info-Pack
What's NOT included:
- International flights
- Local transport (taxis, subways etc) unless otherwise specified
- Entrance fees unless otherwise specified
- Baggage handling and luggage forwarding
Trip Highlights
- Take a guided ramen safari through Tokyo
- Try Buddhist shojin ryori at Mount Koya
- Make your own soba noodles
- Enjoy a kaiseki dinner made by a private chef in your own townhouse
- Take a street food tour of Osaka
- Have a cooking lesson in Kanazawa
For more information email us: [email protected] or call: + 44 117 244 3380
What, where, when and how...
Gastronomic Adventure - 15 Days
Gastronomic Adventure - 15 Days - Day by Day
Gastronomic Adventure - 15 Days - Accommodation
Gastronomic Adventure - 15 Days - Experiences
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Day 1-3
Discover a Japanese institution at an izakaya, check out the city's top sights with an expert local guide, and treat yourself to the world's best ramen on a guided lunchtime safari.
Welcome to Japan! On arrival at at the airport you will be driven by private car to your hotel. You'll be staying close to the Yurakucho and Shimbashi on one side, home to dinky noodle bars and eateries beloved by salarymen, and the glitzy Ginza district on the other.
The rest of the day will be free to explore at your leisure. Hamarikyu Gardens are nearby, offering you the opportunity to try a tea ceremony in the traditional teahouse overlooking the lake. From here we recommend taking the waterbus along the Sumida River to Asakusa, the most traditional district of Tokyo.
This evening, one of our Tokyo "Insiders" will take you out for dinner at a local izakaya restaurant for an introduction to Japanese cuisine, where they will show you some more unusual dishes and guide you through the etiquette of dining out in Japan. After dinner, let your Insider know if you fancy checking out some of the local bars as well.
On your second day you will be exploring Tokyo with a private local guide. The itinerary is completely flexible and your guide will have lots of great ideas for the day – as well as being on hand to answer any questions about Japanese culture, language and food. Take advantage of this time to visit Meiji Shrine, people-watch in Yoyogi Park, discover the museums of Ueno and much more. Lunch with the guide is included and your personalised Info-Pack will include lots of suggestions if you would like to think of some ideas in advance.
On day three we'll introduce to a self-proclaimed ramen obsessive who'll take you on a special lunchtime tour hopping between ramen joints! The rest of the day is free to continue discovering Tokyo at your leisure.Overnight: Gate Hotel Tokyo
-
Day 4
Try your hand at the art of noodle-making in the highland town of Matsumoto, famous for its impressive original samurai castle.
The next stop on your itinerary will be Matsumoto, accessible by direct express train from Tokyo passing through the mountains of Nagano. The "Black Crow" castle here is one of Japan's finest, and looks particularly impressive set against its dramatic, mountainous backdrop.
We will arrange a soba noodle-making class for you this afternoon at a 130-year-old shop near the castle. Here you will be able to try your hand at making Matsumoto's speciality dish before spending the rest of the day exploring the town's traditional quarter or visiting the art museum. If you are feeling brave, try Matsumoto's other speciality – basashi (raw horse) – for dinner!Overnight: Buena Vista Hotel
-
Day 5-6
Ease the pace as you wander old wooden streets and sip local sake in the alpine town of Hida Furukawa.
Today you will take a scenic bus ride through the Japanese Alps to Takayama. Known for its traditional craft districts and the Hida Folk Village with its steeply-thatched buildings, Takayama is certainly a sharp contrast to Tokyo! You'll be back here for a day of sightseeing tomorrow; for now, you'll continue on the last bit of your journey with a 15-minute train ride to Hida Furukawa. It doesn't see the foot traffic that Takayama does, and we think that's a good thing! Here you'll get a more down-to-earth alpine town stay combined with some exceptional gastronomic experiences.
Dinner tonight will be a sumptuous kaiseki multi-course meal prepared with local ingredients by your own chef in your traditional machiya townhouse. The chef can cater to any dietary requirements so you're sure to enjoy it.
After a restful night in your machiya you will have a full day to discover to head over to Takayama. We recommend a visit to the Festival Float Museum where you can find out about the town's famous spring and autumn festivals. The lively morning markets along the river are worth exploring for fresh produce and souvenirs such as the local sarubobo good luck charm, and a wander through the old wooden buildings of the Sannomachi area will reveal plenty of sake breweries where you can sample Takayama's other specialty.
For dinner back in Hida Furukawa, we'll arrange an izakaya tour with a local who is passionate about promoting tourism in his community.Overnight: Iori Machiya Stay
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Day 7-8
After a morning in the picturesque mountain village of Shirakawago, journey on to the gardens city of Kanazawa, known for its fresh seafood.
Next you will take a bus to Shirakawago, a UNESCO World Heritage Site famous for its traditional gassho-zukuri farmhouses – some of which are more than 250 years old.
After exploring the village, you will continue on by bus to Kanazawa on Japan's western coast. Here you will have a full afternoon to explore the old Nagamachi samurai quarter, the traditional teahouse districts, the spectacular Kenrokuen (one of Japan's top three landscape gardens), or perhaps the intriguing 21st Century Art Museum. Most importantly, don't miss Omicho good market where you can find all manner of weird and wonderful fish and vegetables.
Your Info-Pack will include details on all these sights as well as restaurant suggestions for dinner.Overnight: Hyatt Centric Kanazawa
-
Day 9-11
Go geisha-spotting, eat elaborate kaiseki cuisine and visit local markets – all in Kyoto, the “City of Ten Thousand Temples”.
Travelling south from Kanazawa by express train, you will arrive in Kyoto around lunchtime with the rest of the day to discover the city. Kyoto was the capital of Japan for over 1,000 years, so it's no surprise that the city is steeped in history and packed full of fascinating sights. Shrines, temples and gardens – 17 of which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites – are to be found on every corner, and you may even spot a geisha in the Gion district at dusk!
This evening we will arrange a reservation for you at the Tempura Endo Yasaka, one of InsideJapan's favourite restaurants. The restaurant is famous for its tempura dishes: lightly battered vegetables and seafood served piping hot with dipping sauce, salt or grated radish. (Please note that while we will make the Tempura Endo reservation, you will need to pay on the day for this meal.)
The next day, a private local guide will meet you at your hotel to take you on a full day tour of the city. There is no better way to get to know Kyoto than by experiencing it with a knowledgeable local, and you'll visit a mixture of major highlights – such as Kinkaku-ji's Golden Pavilion and Kiyomizu-dera – and less frequented locations like the gardens at Tofuku-ji. Lunch with the guide is included.
On your final day in Kyoto you will be at leisure. You can further explore Kyoto; we recommend relaxing by the Hozugawa River and bamboo groves in the Arashiyama district, or shopping for gifts in the streets around the Higashiyama temple area. Or you can head out of the city on a day trip, perhaps to sample to savoury okonomiyaki pancakes of Hiroshima, or journey south to Nara via Uji, a small town famous for its green tea.Overnight: Celestine Kyoto Gion
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Day 12
Get in touch with your spiritual side as you stay at a shukubo temple lodging and try traditional Buddhist cuisine at mysterious Mount Koya, the home of Shingon Buddhism.
The next stop on your adventure is Mount Koya, the spiritual home of Shingon Buddhism. You will take the train to the Kii Peninsula followed by the funicular railway to Mount Koya, arriving in time for the afternoon ritual at your shukubo temple lodging.
The eerie but beautiful Okunoin mausoleum, home to thousands of tombstones set amongst towering evergreen trees, makes for a hauntingly atmospheric visit – especially at dusk or in the early morning.
The temple where you'll be staying serves an elaborate, vegetarian shojin ryori feast in the evening, consisting of konyaku (root vegetable jelly), tempura vegetables, chrysanthemum flowers, tofu, noodles, and much more.Overnight: Ichijo-in
-
Day 13-15
Wrap up your adventure in Osaka, the foodie capital of Japan
After breakfast and morning prayers at your temple lodging you will exchange the tranquillity of Mount Koya for bold, brash Osaka - and there could hardly be a more striking contrast.
Your final day will be free to continue exploring Osaka. We suggest visiting Osaka Castle or the architecturally dizzying Umeda Sky Building. Then in the evening, our resident local guide will be introducing you to the food paradise of Dotonbori on a street food tour of the city. The district you'll be exploring is where Osakans come to celebrate when their local baseball or football team win the league – or just whenever they can think of an excuse! Dinner is included tonight, and you'll have the opportunity to try all the local specialties – from kushikatsu (skewered vegetables and meat dishes), to takoyaki (the famous octopus balls) to okonomiyaki (Japanese-style pancakes).
On your last morning a private car will take you to Osaka Kansai Airport for your flight home.Overnight: Royal Park Iconic Osaka Midosuji
-
Day 1-3
Discover a Japanese institution at an izakaya, check out the city's top sights with an expert local guide, and treat yourself to the world's best ramen on a guided lunchtime safari.
Welcome to Japan! On arrival at at the airport you will be driven by private car to your hotel. You'll be staying close to the Yurakucho and Shimbashi on one side, home to dinky noodle bars and eateries beloved by salarymen, and the glitzy Ginza district on the other.
The rest of the day will be free to explore at your leisure. Hamarikyu Gardens are nearby, offering you the opportunity to try a tea ceremony in the traditional teahouse overlooking the lake. From here we recommend taking the waterbus along the Sumida River to Asakusa, the most traditional district of Tokyo.
This evening, one of our Tokyo "Insiders" will take you out for dinner at a local izakaya restaurant for an introduction to Japanese cuisine, where they will show you some more unusual dishes and guide you through the etiquette of dining out in Japan. After dinner, let your Insider know if you fancy checking out some of the local bars as well.
On your second day you will be exploring Tokyo with a private local guide. The itinerary is completely flexible and your guide will have lots of great ideas for the day – as well as being on hand to answer any questions about Japanese culture, language and food. Take advantage of this time to visit Meiji Shrine, people-watch in Yoyogi Park, discover the museums of Ueno and much more. Lunch with the guide is included and your personalised Info-Pack will include lots of suggestions if you would like to think of some ideas in advance.
On day three we'll introduce to a self-proclaimed ramen obsessive who'll take you on a special lunchtime tour hopping between ramen joints! The rest of the day is free to continue discovering Tokyo at your leisure.Overnight: Gate Hotel Tokyo
-
Day 4
Try your hand at the art of noodle-making in the highland town of Matsumoto, famous for its impressive original samurai castle.
The next stop on your itinerary will be Matsumoto, accessible by direct express train from Tokyo passing through the mountains of Nagano. The "Black Crow" castle here is one of Japan's finest, and looks particularly impressive set against its dramatic, mountainous backdrop.
We will arrange a soba noodle-making class for you this afternoon at a 130-year-old shop near the castle. Here you will be able to try your hand at making Matsumoto's speciality dish before spending the rest of the day exploring the town's traditional quarter or visiting the art museum. If you are feeling brave, try Matsumoto's other speciality – basashi (raw horse) – for dinner!Overnight: Buena Vista Hotel
-
Day 5-6
Ease the pace as you wander old wooden streets and sip local sake in the alpine town of Hida Furukawa.
Today you will take a scenic bus ride through the Japanese Alps to Takayama. Known for its traditional craft districts and the Hida Folk Village with its steeply-thatched buildings, Takayama is certainly a sharp contrast to Tokyo! You'll be back here for a day of sightseeing tomorrow; for now, you'll continue on the last bit of your journey with a 15-minute train ride to Hida Furukawa. It doesn't see the foot traffic that Takayama does, and we think that's a good thing! Here you'll get a more down-to-earth alpine town stay combined with some exceptional gastronomic experiences.
Dinner tonight will be a sumptuous kaiseki multi-course meal prepared with local ingredients by your own chef in your traditional machiya townhouse. The chef can cater to any dietary requirements so you're sure to enjoy it.
After a restful night in your machiya you will have a full day to discover to head over to Takayama. We recommend a visit to the Festival Float Museum where you can find out about the town's famous spring and autumn festivals. The lively morning markets along the river are worth exploring for fresh produce and souvenirs such as the local sarubobo good luck charm, and a wander through the old wooden buildings of the Sannomachi area will reveal plenty of sake breweries where you can sample Takayama's other specialty.
For dinner back in Hida Furukawa, we'll arrange an izakaya tour with a local who is passionate about promoting tourism in his community.Overnight: Iori Machiya Stay
-
Day 7-8
After a morning in the picturesque mountain village of Shirakawago, journey on to the gardens city of Kanazawa, known for its fresh seafood.
Next you will take a bus to Shirakawago, a UNESCO World Heritage Site famous for its traditional gassho-zukuri farmhouses – some of which are more than 250 years old.
After exploring the village, you will continue on by bus to Kanazawa on Japan's western coast. Here you will have a full afternoon to explore the old Nagamachi samurai quarter, the traditional teahouse districts, the spectacular Kenrokuen (one of Japan's top three landscape gardens), or perhaps the intriguing 21st Century Art Museum. Most importantly, don't miss Omicho good market where you can find all manner of weird and wonderful fish and vegetables.
Your Info-Pack will include details on all these sights as well as restaurant suggestions for dinner.Overnight: Hyatt Centric Kanazawa
-
Day 9-11
Go geisha-spotting, eat elaborate kaiseki cuisine and visit local markets – all in Kyoto, the “City of Ten Thousand Temples”.
Travelling south from Kanazawa by express train, you will arrive in Kyoto around lunchtime with the rest of the day to discover the city. Kyoto was the capital of Japan for over 1,000 years, so it's no surprise that the city is steeped in history and packed full of fascinating sights. Shrines, temples and gardens – 17 of which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites – are to be found on every corner, and you may even spot a geisha in the Gion district at dusk!
This evening we will arrange a reservation for you at the Tempura Endo Yasaka, one of InsideJapan's favourite restaurants. The restaurant is famous for its tempura dishes: lightly battered vegetables and seafood served piping hot with dipping sauce, salt or grated radish. (Please note that while we will make the Tempura Endo reservation, you will need to pay on the day for this meal.)
The next day, a private local guide will meet you at your hotel to take you on a full day tour of the city. There is no better way to get to know Kyoto than by experiencing it with a knowledgeable local, and you'll visit a mixture of major highlights – such as Kinkaku-ji's Golden Pavilion and Kiyomizu-dera – and less frequented locations like the gardens at Tofuku-ji. Lunch with the guide is included.
On your final day in Kyoto you will be at leisure. You can further explore Kyoto; we recommend relaxing by the Hozugawa River and bamboo groves in the Arashiyama district, or shopping for gifts in the streets around the Higashiyama temple area. Or you can head out of the city on a day trip, perhaps to sample to savoury okonomiyaki pancakes of Hiroshima, or journey south to Nara via Uji, a small town famous for its green tea.Overnight: Celestine Kyoto Gion
-
Day 12
Get in touch with your spiritual side as you stay at a shukubo temple lodging and try traditional Buddhist cuisine at mysterious Mount Koya, the home of Shingon Buddhism.
The next stop on your adventure is Mount Koya, the spiritual home of Shingon Buddhism. You will take the train to the Kii Peninsula followed by the funicular railway to Mount Koya, arriving in time for the afternoon ritual at your shukubo temple lodging.
The eerie but beautiful Okunoin mausoleum, home to thousands of tombstones set amongst towering evergreen trees, makes for a hauntingly atmospheric visit – especially at dusk or in the early morning.
The temple where you'll be staying serves an elaborate, vegetarian shojin ryori feast in the evening, consisting of konyaku (root vegetable jelly), tempura vegetables, chrysanthemum flowers, tofu, noodles, and much more.Overnight: Ichijo-in
-
Day 13-15
Wrap up your adventure in Osaka, the foodie capital of Japan
After breakfast and morning prayers at your temple lodging you will exchange the tranquillity of Mount Koya for bold, brash Osaka - and there could hardly be a more striking contrast.
Your final day will be free to continue exploring Osaka. We suggest visiting Osaka Castle or the architecturally dizzying Umeda Sky Building. Then in the evening, our resident local guide will be introducing you to the food paradise of Dotonbori on a street food tour of the city. The district you'll be exploring is where Osakans come to celebrate when their local baseball or football team win the league – or just whenever they can think of an excuse! Dinner is included tonight, and you'll have the opportunity to try all the local specialties – from kushikatsu (skewered vegetables and meat dishes), to takoyaki (the famous octopus balls) to okonomiyaki (Japanese-style pancakes).
On your last morning a private car will take you to Osaka Kansai Airport for your flight home.Overnight: Royal Park Iconic Osaka Midosuji
Trip Reviews
Self-Guided Adventure Gastronomic Adventure
Read more >Extremely impressed and happy with the itinerary. The organisation was faultless
Self-Guided Adventure Gastronomic Adventure
Read more >Excellent service. Our trip ran like clockwork, and was a truly wonderful experience. We wouldn't hesitate to travel with InsideJapan again.
Tour Gallery
Trip Reviews
Self-Guided Adventure Gastronomic Adventure
Read more >Extremely impressed and happy with the itinerary. The organisation was faultless
Self-Guided Adventure Gastronomic Adventure
Read more >Excellent service. Our trip ran like clockwork, and was a truly wonderful experience. We wouldn't hesitate to travel with InsideJapan again.
5.0 out of 5 from 4 reviews Show all Gastronomic Adventure Reviews
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