Highlights
- Learn more about Japan's culinary scene with a traditional cooking class
- Explore the age-old traditions of the tea ceremony in Kyoto
- Sample varietals of saké in Saojo, one of Japan's largest saké-producing regions
- Feast on Osaka's best street food with a tour of it's famous gastronomy scene
- Cruise along the mystical shores of Hiroshima's Miyajima island
Brief Itinerary
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Tokyo, Explore | Tokyo |
| Day 2 | Guided City Highlights Tour, Traditional Japanese Cooking Class | Tokyo |
| Day 3 | Nakameguro Neighborhood Foodie Tour, Sushi Making & Wagyu Beef | Tokyo |
| Day 4 | Train to Kyoto, Traditional Tea Ceremony, Visit Local Temples & Gion District | Kyoto |
| Day 5 | Bamboo Groves of Arashiyama, Dinner at Hiiragiya Ryokan | Kyoto |
| Day 6 | Nishiki Market, Sushi Class, Train to Hiroshima | Hiroshima |
| Day 7 | Hiroshima Gardens, Saijo Saké Brewery Tour | Hiroshima |
| Day 8 | Cruise to Miyajima, Train to Osaka, Gastronomical Adventures in Osaka | Osaka |
| Day 9 | Day Trip to Nara, Tour Osaka Restaurants | Osaka |
| Day 10 | Depart Osaka |
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Tokyo, Explore
Welcome to Japan! Your flight lands in the vibrant capital city of Tokyo, known for its blend of modern and traditional, with neon-lit skyscrapers, historic temples, and an endless assortment of enticing cuisines. Once you've checked in at your hotel and had a chance to regroup, you're free to head out and explore some of what this great city has to offer.
If you're in need of sustenance after the long journey, start in Omoide Yokocho, an alley in the Shinjuku district, where you can eat like a local and dine yokocho-style. The term translates as "alley," but also refers to izakaya, which are small, tucked-away establishments that serve drinks and snacks. Here, you'll find rows of restaurants where you can try dishes such as yakitori (chicken skewers) or eel skewers, as well as marinated tuna or motsu nikomi (beef shank). Once you've eaten your fill, take a walk through Shinjuku Gardens, the oldest of its kind in the entire country.
Visit the Metropolitan Government Observatory for views of Mount Fuji if the weather is clear, and If you're still hungry, you can stop in at the Shinjuku Higashiguchi Yokocho food hall, which has nearly 20 eateries spread across three floors. Finish the evening in the Kabukicho district, full of lively bars, fun robot restaurants, and pachinko parlors (game arcades). Be sure to look for the giant Godzilla head and claw "attacking" the Toho Cinema.
Day 2: Guided City Highlights Tour, Traditional Japanese Cooking Class
The morning begins with a guided city tour via Tokyo's public transport. Meet your guide and head out, starting with a visit to Senso-ji, which dates back to the seventh century and is considered one of Tokyo's most significant Buddhist temples. Visit the temple's main hall, and if you like, you can pray to the Kannon enshrined there just like the locals do or pick up an omikuji (fortunes written on strips of paper). Walk along Nakamise-dori, a street adjacent to the temple that's lined with shops and food stands, and grab a snack or purchase some traditional katanas (swords) as souvenirs.
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
Day 3: Nakameguro Neighborhood Foodie Tour, Sushi Making & Wagyu Beef
Today starts with a tour of the neighborhood of Nakameguro. This picturesque district located along the Meguro River is home to authentic Japanese fare, galleries, museums, and upscale indie shops selling custom art pieces. Your guide will translate Japanese menus as you try different food items, with stops at a classic candy maker, a saké shop, and a vintage kimono store. Learn more about the history of the district as you go, and if you happen to be there in spring, the tunnels of cherry blossoms along the river are definitely photo-worthy.
Afterward, spend some time practicing your sushi skills with a sushi-making class. Discover the secrets of the perfect sushi roll as you and a small group of students prepare rice, stock, and fillings, then devour the rolls you created along with spicy wasabi, miso soup, and green tea.
Be sure to save up your appetite for this evening, as you'll be taking a guided food tour through Shinjuku, checking out some of the eateries you may have missed when you first arrived. Visit a restaurant known for its Wagyu beef, cooked on a shichirin (charcoal barbecue grill). Wagyu is a Japanese delicacy, whose soft fat creates a low melting point and allows for wonderful flavor. Then, stop at another restaurant that teaches you how to grill the beef yourself so you can try it at home. For dessert, wind down with sweet treats such as ice cream or crêpes at one of the neighborhood cafés.
Day 4: Train to Kyoto, Traditional Tea Ceremony, Visit Local Temples & Gion District
You're off to the city of Kyoto! This cultural powerhouse of a city is known for its historic traditions, geisha entertainers, and a multitude of temples, gardens, and palaces. Make your way to the train station in the morning and board a Shinkansen bullet train for the two-hour ride. Upon arrival, you'll be met by a driver and escorted to your hotel, and once you've gotten settled, you'll experience one of Kyoto's most renowned traditions: the tea ceremony.
Head to Ninenzaka, part of the Higashiyama district, where you'll meet your local tea expert at a machiya (wooden house). After your hosts explain the ceremony and what to expect, you'll get a formal introduction to the history of this highly ritualized tradition while sipping fragrant and flavorful tea.
After the ceremony, visit the temple of Kiyomizu-dera, one of the historic monuments of Kyoto, as well as nearby Koodai-ji and Chion-in temples. Take a walk in Maruyama Park, then continue to the geisha and entertainment district of Gion. Have dinner at a tatami room and watch a geisha dance performance while a maiko (apprentice geisha) explains the process of studying and practicing to become a geisha.
Day 5: Bamboo Groves of Arashiyama, Dinner at Hiiragiya Ryokan
See more of Kyoto on your own today, starting with Arashiyama, a serene district located just outside the city. Visit Sagano Bamboo Grove, a natural bamboo forest that encompasses more than 3,800 acres (1,537 ha) and has walking paths and trails that take you through the towering stalks. See the popular Togetsu-kyo, whose name translates to "Moon Crossing Bridge," then ascend to Iwatayama Monkey Park, home to a troop of more than 100 Japanese macaques. Watch these curious creatures at play, and you may even have an opportunity to feed them.
Make your way back to Kyoto for lunch, then visit Kinkaku-ji, a Zen Buddhist temple with a large golden pavilion. Walk the peaceful grounds, and be sure to visit the temple's top floors, which are completely covered in gold leaf. Stop at Ryoan-ji temple, known for its Zen garden, and if you have time, continue to Nijo Castle, once the home of Tokugawa Ieyasu, the first shogun of the Edo period.
Your taste buds are in for a real treat tonight as you dine at Kyoto's Hiiragiya Ryokan, which has hosted artists, politicians, and members of the imperial family since it was founded in 1818. During dinner, traditionally dressed servers will bring out a series of artfully prepared dishes, allowing you to savor each course of this delicious meal.
Day 6: Nishiki Market Tour, Sushi Class, Train to Hiroshima
Start your day with a visit to Kyoto's 400-year-old Nishiki Ichiba Market. There are more than 100 stalls and shops crammed into this long, narrow street, selling anything and everything. Watch the daily thrum of market life and get in line with the locals to try some of Kyoto's signature dishes, such as yu dofu (boiled tofu) and nishin soba (noodles with dried herring), as well as delicious soy milk doughnuts, sticky rice cake, or homegrown pickles.
Afterward, burn off all that food with some power shopping! Visit downtown Kyoto's shopping mecca at the Teramachi and Shinkyogoku arcades. If you're a fan of animé and manga, walk along Teramachi-Kyogoku Street and check out the endless shops and boutiques, all filled with fun animé merchandise. Be sure to stop in at Animate Kyoto for rare collectors' items, and if you've got luxury on your mind, don't miss the Hublot Boutique. You can also enjoy a quick lunch at the quirky Kichi Kichi Omurice restaurant, a small spot that serves up a variety of local and Western-style dishes.
Later today, you'll have another chance to perfect your sushi-making techniques with a Kyoto chef. Meet with your instructor and create sushi with fish that's already cut and prepared, while you learn about the specific fish cuts and proper assembly of the sushi roll. Enjoy a meal of your own creation, paired with various Japanese spirits, then you're off to the train station, where you'll take a 2.5-hour ride to your next destination, Hiroshima. Relax at your Hiroshima hotel this evening, or step out on your own to explore the city.
Day 7: Hiroshima Gardens, Saijo Saké Brewery Tour
Get to know historic Hiroshima, a city with a storied past and rich culture. While perhaps most known for the tragedy of the atomic bomb that largely destroyed it in World War II, modern Hiroshima is a major urban hub with some incredible cultural sights. Start your first day here with a self-guided tour of the city's many gardens, which makes for a peaceful morning and offers a bit of serenity amid the bustling pedestrian traffic and busy streets.
Take a walk through Shukkeien Garden, a 12-acre (4.85 ha) park with a large pond, winding pathways, and several inlets and bridges. In the spring, you'll also get to enjoy beautiful cherry blossoms throughout. Then head to Hijiyama Park, a large, forested city park on a hill that overlooks the whole city. The park is also home to more than 1,200 cherry trees planted in small pockets around the grounds, making it a popular place for both locals and tourists during cherry blossom season. You can also stop in at Hannover Garden, which is located near Hiroshima Castle.
Later, get ready to learn the ins and outs of saké-making with a brewery tour. Meet up with your guide and head to Saojo, located just outside of the city and one of Japan's largest saké-producing regions. Visit a saké brewery and see the fermenting and brewing process, as your guide explains more about the traditions, history, and culture tied to this age-old beverage. Spend some time in the tasting rooms trying different varietals, then head back to Hiroshima in time to grab dinner at a local restaurant.
Day 8: Cruise to Miyajima, Train to Osaka, Gastronomical Adventures in Osaka
Make the most of your last morning in Hiroshima with a cruise to Miyajima, a small island in Hiroshima Bay. Known as the "Island of the Gods," Miyajima is a mystical place, covered in thick forests and ancient temples. You'll take a 45-minute ferry ride out to the island, then tour around it via private sailboat, making stops to visit the elegant Shinto shrines that are only accessible via waterways. The highlight of the tour is Itsukushima-jinja, a shrine built over water with boardwalks connecting its main hall and prayer halls. At high tide, the giant torii gate appears to float in the ocean.
After the tour, make your way to the station for your train to the port city of Osaka, Japan's third-largest city, where you'll find sleek architecture, historic sites, and hearty street food. Once you've checked in at your hotel, take a deep dive into the city's culinary scene with a guided food tour. Osaka's nickname is "Kuidaore City,' meaning "to ruin oneself with food," and you're sure to agree once you get a taste of the food here. Feast on Kobe beef served grilled or tecchiri (boiled with vegetables in seaweed stock), and try local fare such as ramen and sushi, finishing with some matcha ice cream.
You also have the option of taking a cooking class, where you'll learn to make okonomiyaki, a Japanese savory pancake from the Kansai region. Together with a local chef, you'll create these delectable pancakes made with wheat flour batter and ingredients such as cabbage, vegetables, and seafood. Sit down with the chef to enjoy your meal, while they regale you with the stories and history of Osaka's food-centric culture.
Day 9: Day Trip to Nara, Tour Osaka Restaurants
See what's beyond the city this morning as your local guide takes you to the peaceful greenery of Nara, known for its historic sites, gardens, parks, and friendly local deer. There are tons of walking trails around the park area, one of which takes you through Mount Kasuga Primeval Forest and features more than 175 different types of trees. Visit Todai-ji temple, home to the giant Daibutsu Buddha statue, and visit with the deer, who are quite likely to approach and let you feed them.
Arrive back in Osaka and visit the Umeda Sky Building, which towers 500 feet (173 m) tall. Ride the elevator up to the 39th floor for panoramic views of the city. Then, see the iconic Osaka Castle, where you'll find a wealth of information on Japan's rich history, including dioramas that depict various battles. As the sun sets, take a walk through the neon lights of Dotonbori, a popular entertainment district with bars, restaurants, and clubs.
Later this evening, you're off to experience more of Osaka's food and culture, visiting three restaurants in the Tenma and Kyobashi neighborhoods. These off-the-beaten-path locales offer different small-plate dishes, which you'll try under the expert advice of your guide, alongside drinks and conversation. This is a great opportunity to get away from the tourist hotspots and enjoy an authentic Japanese meal.
Day 10: Depart Osaka
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