Japan is famous the world over for its gastronomic and cultural delights and this journey explores the many different highlights. This itinerary combines unique cookery classes, including a lesson from an expert soba chef and a sushi making masterclass, with some of the country’s finest cultural treasures.
Alongside this, plenty of time will be spent experiencing Japanese cuisine including a visit to Fukuoka – Kyushu’s culinary capital, and Osaka’s famous Dotonbori restaurant quarter. Some days on this journey will be spent with a local guide with the remainder of the holiday self-guided.
Tokyo – Kanazawa – Kyoto – Fukuoka – Osaka
Trip Highlights
- Enjoy a soba noodle experience in Tokyo where you will prepare and eat the noodles
- Visit a restored samurai house in Kanazawa home to a traditional garden and tearoom
- Participate in a cookery class in Kyoto and learn to make rolled sushi with the chef
- Sample local dishes during a food tour of Fukuoka, the culinary capital of Kyushu Island
- Take a scenic cruise along Okawa River and enjoy a foodie tour of Dotonbori in Osaka
Itinerary
Day 1
Depart the UK
Today depart the UK on the flight to Tokyo.
Day 2
Arrive Tokyo
On arrival in Tokyo you will be met by a representative who will assist with transportation to your hotel which will either be a shuttle bus or a train. Japan’s capital city has significantly grown from the small 16th century fishing village it once was to a sprawling metropolis with a futuristic skyline, dazzling neon advertisements and surging crowds. The city is a melting pot of cultures and today shares a unique blend of ultramodern and tradition, mixing historic Buddhist temples and deep-rooted culture with soaring skyscrapers and 24-hour sushi bars. Acclimatise this afternoon and relax at your hotel or wander through Tokyo’s bustling streets.
Park Hotel Tokyo
Mandarin Oriental, Tokyo
Day 3
Tokyo
An early start today as you head with a local guide to Tsukiji Outer Market, the world-famous market filled with traditional shops, seafood stalls and top-quality restaurants. No visit to Tsukiji is complete without sampling the fresh sushi on offer. Continue to Hama-Rikyu Teien which was once the private garden of an Edo-period lord but now is a tranquil compound open to the public. Stroll through the beautiful grounds to a traditional tea house that overlooks the lake and enjoy a cup of matcha whilst your guide explains the rituals surrounding Japanese tea ceremonies. Travel to Asakusa, the city’s oldest Geisha district which is also home to Senso-ji, Tokyo’s most revered Buddhist temple. Enjoy a tempura lunch in Asakusa before heading to Kappabashi where the streets are lined with kitchenware shops selling Japanese knives and serve ware. Ending the tour at Ueno’s Ameyoko-cho – a bustling market filled with shops and stalls selling fresh fish, spices and local snacks.
- Breakfast,
- Lunch
Park Hotel Tokyo
Mandarin Oriental, Tokyo
Day 4
Tokyo
Today discover the secrets of the Japanese soba buckwheat noodle with a special half-day cooking course in the company of an expert soba chef. The chef will take time to explain how to correctly prepare and make this staple of Japanese cuisine and provide other pointers throughout the course of the lesson. At the end of the class the soba noodles will be cooked and served for lunch. Eat them tachigui style, the belief that standing up is the best way to enjoy soba. In the afternoon you are free to explore Tokyo maybe visiting the electronics district of Akihabara or spending time in Tokyo’s world class museums and art galleries. We can also further arrange sushi making classes, sake tasting experiences and more.
- Breakfast,
- Lunch
Park Hotel Tokyo
Mandarin Oriental, Tokyo
Day 5
Tokyo to Kanazawa – by train
Today is a self-guided day. This morning take the Shinkansen Bullet train to Kanazawa. Winding through the mountains of the Japanese Alps, this is one of the most scenic train journeys in Japan. In the 17th century this beautiful castle-city was Japan's wealthiest developing into a thriving centre for culture and the arts. Today, the coastal city of Kanazawa still has a well-preserved geisha and samurai culture. This afternoon you may wish to visit the beautiful Kenroku-en Gardens, which are considered one of the finest horticultural gardens in Japan. You can also visit a tea house to experience a traditional tea ceremony.
- Breakfast
Sainoniwa Hotel
The Hotel Sanraku Kanazawa
Day 6
Kanazawa
Today explore Kanazawa with a local guide and understand the role of the samurai in Japanese society and history. Start in a beautifully preserved quarter where samurai and their families resided centuries past and visit a local samurai museum where the exhibition halls house a marvellous collection of armour and weapons as well as paintings and calligraphy created by the well-educated samurai elite. Continue to a restored samurai house where you can experience their domestic life with examples of traditional gardens and tea ceremony rooms on display. You will also visit a local who has inherited several katana swords.
- Breakfast
Sainoniwa Hotel
The Hotel Sanraku Kanazawa
Day 7
Kanazawa to Kyoto – by train
Today is a self-guided day. This morning leave Kanazawa and travel by train to Japan’s cultural capital Kyoto. Home to an astonishing 2,000 shrines and temples, including seventeen UNESCO World Heritage Sights, Kyoto became capital of Japan in 794 AD remaining so until 1868. A highlight of any visit to Japan, roughly one out of four of the country’s national treasures can be found in the city. This evening you may wish to take a culinary tour of Kyoto. Explore the historic geisha district of Gion and visit three type of restaurants to sample the local cuisine and enjoy the different atmospheres.
- Breakfast
Noku Kyoto
The Thousand Kyoto
Day 8
Kyoto
Today explore Kyoto’s with a local guide. After breakfast visit one of the city’s most famous sites, the Fushimi Inari Shinto Shrine, where thousands of orange torii gates stretch up the mountainside. Continue to Sanjusangendo, a less-visited temple where 1001 life-sized Buddhist statues stand in the world’s longest wooden building. After lunch at Nishiki Market travel to Nijo Castle, an ornamental palace built for the shogun in the early 1600s. Walk the halls, see the audience chambers and experience what it was like to visit the military ruler of Japan in the samurai era. The final stop of the day is at Nanzenji Zen Temple, a quiet retreat where monks have lived since 1291, which is also known for its beautiful Zen rock garden.
- Breakfast
Noku Kyoto
The Thousand Kyoto
Day 9
Kyoto
This morning continue to explore the city independently. You may wish to visit Kyoto’s famous golden temple Kinkaku-ji, or the beautiful Arashiyama Bamboo Forest, that is located just outside of the city. After a morning at leisure meet your guide and visit the mile-long Nishiki covered food market. With its endless number of interesting food stores, this is the ideal place from which to buy the ingredients for your cooking class. Leave the market and stroll through one of Kyoto's traditional neighbourhoods to the class. Enjoy sake tasting upon arrival at the machiya (traditional wooden townhouse) before starting the class where you will cook your own evening meal and will learn to make rolled sushi, miso soup and Japanese-style salad.
- Breakfast,
- Dinner
Noku Kyoto
The Thousand Kyoto
Day 10
Kyoto to Fukuoka – by train
This morning take the bullet train to Fukuoka, the culinary capital of Kyushu. Meet your guide this afternoon where you will learn about the food culture of the island. The first stop will be at the fish market and here you will sample a variety of dried and deep-fried fish. Move on to a depachika where delicatessens, confectioners and other food counters are located before experiencing a stand-up eating shop. Finally visit the famous yatai street food stalls, an integral part of Fukuoka food culture where you can try traditional Japanese dishes including tempura and oden as well as local Kyushu delicacies.
- Breakfast,
- Dinner
ANA Crowne Plaza Fukuoka
Day 11
Fukuoka – visit Dazaifu
Today is a self-guided day. This morning we would recommend visiting Dazaifu, a city established in the 7th century which became the location of the Kyushu government for more than 500 years. Stop at the Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine, which was built on the site of Sugawara Michizane’s grave and is the most important Tenmangu shrine in Japan. Continue to Komyozenji Temple which was established in the middle of the Kamakura period by a member of the Rinzai sect of Japanese Buddhism. It is famous for its gardens; the front garden is composed of fifteen rocks whereas the rear includes plants, moss, rocks and pebbles to resemble land and water. In the afternoon you may wish to take a cycling tour of Fukuoka visiting the Old Town.
- Breakfast
ANA Crowne Plaza Fukuoka
Day 12
Fukuoka to Osaka – by train
Today is a self-guided day. Take the train to Osaka, Japan’s third biggest city, which is a flamboyant, fun-loving place with an extensive food culture. Osakans’ love good food and with its futuristic skyline is the epitome of a modern Japanese city. This evening enjoy a guided food tour of the city where you will visit three types of establishments and sample delicacies such as miso beef, pickled fish, sashimi, yakitori skewers, hot pot and sake.
- Breakfast,
- Dinner
Osaka Marriot Miyako Hotel
W Osaka
Day 13
Osaka
With a local guide, today explore Osaka. Starting at Osaka Castle, the city’s best-known landmark, which is famous for its architectural design and cherry blossom trees in spring. Take a scenic cruise along Okawa River where you can enjoy views of Nakanoshima Park and the red-bricked Mint Museum. In the afternoon walk through Dotonbori, the main restaurant destination, where you can sample everything from fugu puffer fish to takoyaki – an Osakan street-food favourite. Make a stop at Kamigata Ukiyo-e, a one-of-a-kind museum that permanently displays the woodblock-printed blocks and paintings. Finish the tour at Hozen-ji Yokocho, an area of narrow alleys filled with more than 60 izakayas.
- Breakfast
Osaka Marriot Miyako Hotel
W Osaka
Day 14
Osaka to the UK
This morning take the airport shuttle bus to the airport to catch flight back to the UK.
- Breakfast
Extending your stay...
Discover the temples of mysterious Koyasan, the headquarters of the Shingon sect of esoteric Buddhism. There are over one hundred temples and shrines here and stays are in traditional shukubo temple lodgings. Koyasan can be reached by train and cable car from Osaka.
Extend your stay in Kanazawa by an extra night and include a visit to nearby Shirakawa-go. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, delightful Shirakawa-go is renowned for its thatched gassho-zukuri farmhouses which offer a fascinating insight into traditional rural Japanese village life.
Matsumoto is famous for its magnificent castle and is around a four-hour journey by train from Tokyo. Framed by the snow-capped Japanese Alps, Matsumoto Castle is over 500 years old and is one of the country’s oldest fortresses. Explore the castle’s interior and surrounding grounds.
Experience the delightful Kiso Valley by hiking the historic Nakasendo Trail. An ancient highway that once connected Kyoto with Tokyo, this portion of the trail is particularly beautiful as it passing well-preserved post towns and traversing some of the region’s finest scenery.
Guide to Price
14 days from £4990 - £6390 per person
What's Included
- International flights
- Train travel as specified
- Hotel accommodation and taxes
- English speaking guides where specified
What's Not Included
- Visas
- Travel Insurance
- Expenses of a personal nature
- Meals unless specified
from £4990 - £6390
Travel Information
Getting There
British Airways, Japan Airlines, ANA and Virgin Atlantic all offer direct flights from London Heathrow to Tokyo, the Japanese capital. Indirect flights are available from most major UK airports to Tokyo and other Japanese cities including Osaka and Nagoya with flights connecting in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Doha, Hong Kong and other main Asian cities.
Flying Times From UK
Flight times from the UK to Japan range from 12 to 14 hours for direct flights. Connecting flights with stopovers can take considerably longer.
Time Zone
Japan is +9 hours ahead of GMT.
Visa Requirements
UK citizens do not require a visa before arrival in Japan as long as the visit lasts less than 90 days and does not include periods of paid work. Those wishing to stay longer will need to obtain a visa prior to travel.
Do’s & Don’ts
Japanese culture is complex and often confusing for foreign visitors to get to grips with However, it is well worth diving in to and the locals will appreciate any effort you make.
Remember to bow in almost any social situation, from saying hello to taking leave and saying thank you. Bow with hands at the sides and with a deep nod of the head. Japanese people are, on the whole, very polite so while they might not outright chastise tourists for forgetting to bow, you can be sure they will respect you more if you do!
Japanese matted flooring does not work well with muddy shoes – most people will expect you to take shoes off in their private housing, in traditional ryokan hotels and even in some public areas like restaurants and temples.
When drinking from a shared bottle, usually rice wine or sake, pour for others and wait for someone to pour for you as pouring for yourself is considered impolite.
The Japanese people value privacy and are generally reserved in public so noisy phone calls or shouting is frowned upon.
Money
The currency of Japan is the Yen. Yen comes in notes or coins, in 1, 5, 10, 50, 100 and 500 denominations for coins and 1,000, 2,000, 5,000 and 10,000 notes. Japan has been making efforts to move away from cash as a system but in rural areas or traditional places they may not accept credit or debit cards. Currency exchange in Japan is easy and reliable ATM machines are found throughout the country.
Tipping
Tipping is not a custom in Japan and if you leave a tip do not be surprised to see someone run out after to return your money or refuse with a polite bow. A guideline for tipping your drivers and guides will be advised prior to travel.
Food & Drink
Japanese cuisine has a long tradition and is renowned the world over – since 2001 Japan has had the most Michelin starred restaurants in the world. Japanese food usually centres on rice, noodles, fish and vegetables with many kinds of broths and soups. Japan is also famous for its excellent sushi bars which have since been exported in various forms around the world. The Japanese love to drink green tea which is consumed in the traditional Japanese tea ceremony. A widely consumed alcoholic beverage is a rice wine called sake, beer is also common and Japanese whisky has become more popular, and respected, in recent years.
Accommodation
In all main Japanese cities the range of accommodation is extensive and there will always be a wide-range of different options. All major internationally recognised hotel companies are present in Japan and many of their flagship properties can be found in Tokyo. Further afield, in provincial towns and cities, accommodation is usually in smaller, independent, Japanese owned hotels. In nearly all cases hotels will be very modern in both style and design. To fully experience the culture and hospitality no visit to Japan is complete without a stay in a ryokan – a Japanese-style inn. Found throughout the country, ryokans vary greatly in quality and style but all will have a special Japanese atmosphere with tatami floors, futon beds, traditional cuisine and hot spring ‘onsen’ baths.
Shopping
Shopping in Japanese cities is a hectic and busy experience but one you will not forget. You will find crowded streets and a huge variation of shops from high end fashion stores to teenage manga comic book emporiums and everything in between – all splashed with bright neon lights. Tokyo is world renowned for its street-wear and style scene, so for the latest fashions head to the districts of Harajuku and Shibuya. In contrast for the latest technology, Ginza is the place to visit. Outside major cities, shopping is more traditional, with many markets and locally made goods.
Suggested Reading
A recommended book is ‘Gateway to Japan’, published by Kodansha, although there are many other detailed guides available, including ‘The Donald Richie Reader: 50 Years of Writing on Japan’, by a westerner who has lived in Tokyo for over 50 years. Good works of fiction about Japan include anything by Haruki Murakami, David Mitchell's ‘Number9dream’ and ‘Who is Mr Satoshi?’ by Jonathan Lee.
Health
Your doctor is the best person to advise you on staying healthy whilst abroad but current recommended vaccinations are Hepatitis A, Typhoid, Tetanus and Diphtheria. Yellow Fever is compulsory, but only if you have visited an affected Yellow Fever area within 5 days prior to your arrival. In some instances anti-malarial tablets may also be needed. For current information on health advice you may wish to visit the National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) website Travel Health Pro on https://travelhealthpro.org.uk/. The Medical Advisory Services for Travellers Abroad (MASTA) website (www.masta.org) is also a useful resource.
Travel Advice
For current information on Japan the best resource is the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice) which is a comprehensive resource and updated regularly. We would also recommend visiting the Safer Tourism Foundation website (safertourism.org.uk) before you travel and will be happy to address any questions or concerns you may have.
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