Culture and Cuisine

Welcome! Please be prepared to meet in the lobby at 5:30pm to depart for your welcome dinner. The dinner reservation time will be finalized closer to your trip date. If you plan on arriving today, we recommend flying into Tokyo-Narita International Airport (NRT).

Following breakfast, a 20 minute public transit ride leads you to the tranquil Meiji Shrine, where you'll partake in Shinto rituals. Then, you'll explore the vibrant streets of Harajuku's Takeshita Street, diving into its eclectic fashion and culture scene. After some downtime at the hotel, the evening promises a culinary adventure in the Meguro neighborhood with a street food tour, where you'll savor dishes like Tempura, okonomiyaki or seafood, and ramen, experiencing Tokyo's diverse flavors. Each segment of the day, from cultural immersion to gastronomic exploration, is seamlessly connected by public transportation, rounding off with a return to your hotel.

• Meiji Shrine

  Hop on public transportation for 20 minutes to arrive at Meiji Shrine. Connect with Japan’s heritage as you enter the nearly 40-foot high gate that leads into tranquil grounds dedicated to Emperor Meiji (1867-1912) and his wife. You’ll wash your hands in accordance with the Shinto ritual of cleansing, then observe the rituals and prayers that take place here.

  10:30· 60 min· Tokyo
• Harajuku Visit

  After visiting the Meiji Shrine, you’ll walk across to Harajuku Takeshita Street. Experience the vibrant energy of Tokyo's Harajuku district as you stroll along Takeshita Street, a bustling hub of fashion and culture. Immerse yourself in the eclectic atmosphere as you browse through trendy boutiques, quirky cafes, and colorful street food stalls. From fashion enthusiasts to foodies, Takeshita Street offers a unique and memorable shopping and dining experience in the heart of Harajuku. The guide will take you around the area as well as give you some time to explore on your own. You’ll then take 20 minute public transportation back to the hotel for some downtime before this evening’s street food tour.

  11:30· 60 min· Tokyo
• Shinjuku Evening Street Food Tour

  This evening you will explore the lively Shinjuku area on foot for a fascinating foodie adventure! Beginning either from your hotel or meeting spot pre-determined by your guide, you will join local crowds in this world-famous foodie’s paradise to hunt for iconic and unique local snacks that will fill up your dinner experience. Three stops will be made at various Japanese pubs and eateries where you will sample izakaya food such as Yakitori, Tempura, as well as some other surprising unique local treats that you normally would not encounter. The type of food items sampled during this tour will largely be meat-based with a few vegetable & seafood items. *Please note that Japanese cuisine frequently uses ingredients with animal products and/or gluten, therefore vegetarian, vegan, and gluten free diets CANNOT be accommodated.

  17:30· 180 min· Tokyo

Begin your day with an early luggage drop-off at 7:30am in the hotel lobby for a transfer to Kyoto, ensuring you have a small overnight bag packed for immediate needs. The day's adventure starts with a public transit ride to the Tsukiji Fish Market, a vibrant hub for seafood lovers, offering a glimpse into Tokyo's rich culinary scene. Next, hop back on public transit to a Nigiri Sushi Making Class, where you'll dive into sushi artistry and craft an assortment of Nigiri for lunch. The afternoon unfolds with a public transit ride to Asakusa where you'll experience the traditional shitamachi vibe, exploring Nakamise Street's charming stalls and the culinary and souvenir delights of Kappabashi Kitchen Street, culminating in a visit to the historic Sensoji Temple. Your day wraps up with a public transit return trip to the hotel, leaving you the evening to relax at your leisure.

• Tsukiji Fish Market

  In the morning, take a 40 minute public transit to Tsukiji Fish Market, once the world's largest wholesale fish and seafood market, renowned for its bustling atmosphere and the wide array of seafood available. Though the wholesale market moved to Toyosu in 2018, Tsukiji's outer market continues to thrive, offering a rich selection of fresh seafood, produce, and a variety of Japanese food stalls and restaurants. This area remains a must-visit destination for food enthusiasts looking to immerse themselves in Tokyo's vibrant culinary scene.

  08:45· 135 min· Tokyo
• Nigiri Sushi Making Class

  From the Tsukiji Fish Market takes a 40 minute public transit to the Nigiri Sushi Making Class. Dive into the world of sushi artistry! Explore the global phenomenon of sushi before putting your skills to the test under the guidance of a seasoned instructor. You'll learn the intricacies of preparing and constructing this quintessential Japanese dish. Together, the group will craft a variety of Nigiri, featuring sushi rice crowned with choices like raw fish, squid, shrimp, or octopus, embracing the rich diversity of this culinary tradition. *Please note that Japanese cuisine frequently uses ingredients with animal products and/or gluten, therefore vegetarian, vegan, and gluten free diets CANNOT be accommodated.

  12:00· 180 min· Tokyo
• Asakusa Visit

  From lunch you’ll take public transit for 45 minutes to arrive in Asakusa. Discover Tokyo's traditional shitamachi atmosphere by exploring this unique area. Wander through Nakamise Street, one of the city's most venerable shopping lanes, then take in the culinary delights and souvenir offerings of Kappabashi Kitchen Street. Your journey will lead you down Nakamise Street, a thoroughfare dotted with vendors offering charming trinkets and local snacks, all the way to the historic Sensoji Temple. Following this cultural immersion, the adventure continues to Kappabashi Street, renowned for its extensive collection of kitchenware—from plates and knives to pans and even meticulously crafted fake food. Then take 45 minutes public transfit back to the hotel for an evening at leisure.

  15:30· 150 min· Tokyo
• Transfer · Tokyo → TYO

  Be prepared to drop off your luggage at 7:30am in the lobby before today’s activities as a luggage transfer will take your bags to Kyoto. Please pack a small overnight bag of necessities.

  other · 10 min

Your day begins with breakfast, followed by a 45 minute public transit journey to Tokyo Station, where you'll board the Shinkansen Bullet Train for a 2 hour and 40 minute ride to Kyoto. Upon arrival in Kyoto, a brief 10 minute public transit trip will bring you to your hotel for check-in. Next, you embark on a 30 minute public transit adventure to Nishiki Market. Here you can explore over one hundred shops and restaurants and have lunch on your own. Then head to Higashiyama area, immersing yourself in Kyoto's historical and cultural heart. Visit the ancient Yasaka Shrine, a site of serenity and spiritual significance over 1,350 years old, and meander through streets of historically restored shops. Your day concludes with a 30 minute return trip to the hotel, where you can relax and reflect on the day's enriching experiences.

• Nishiki Market Visit

  Take 15 minute public transit to Nishiki Market. Nishiki Market, often referred to as "Kyoto's Kitchen," is a vibrant five-block long shopping street lined with more than one hundred shops and restaurants. This bustling marketplace is famous for its unique and diverse offering of seasonal foods, local specialties, and Kyoto's traditional dishes, providing a feast for the senses. Visitors can indulge in the lively atmosphere, sample local delicacies, and witness the rich culinary culture of Kyoto, making it an essential experience for food enthusiasts exploring the city. You’ll have free time here to explore and have lunch at your own expense.

  13:15· 135 min· Kyoto
• Higashiyama Area and Yasaka Shrine Visit

  From the hotel you’ll take a 30 minute public transit to the Higashiyama area. Discover Kyoto's historical and cultural essence with a visit to the ancient Yasaka Shrine, a serene and spiritually significant site over 1,350 years old. Wander through Kyoto's carefully preserved streets, lined with historically restored shops that reflect the city's rich past and vibrant former life. Your exploration leads to Yasaka-jinja Shrine, one of Kyoto’s most cherished and revered religious landmarks. Nearly always alive with energy, the shrine draws countless devotees who come to seek blessings and pray for good fortune. A visit to this iconic Shinto shrine not only offers a glimpse into Japan’s spiritual traditions but might also bring a bit of good luck your way.

  15:45· 75 min· Kyoto
• Transfer · Tokyo → Kyoto

  Take 45 minute public transit to the Tokyo Station where you will board the Shinkansen Train for 2 hours and 40 minutes to arrive in Kyoto. Once in Kyoto, you’ll take a short 15 minute public transit ride to the hotel for check in.

  train · 135 min

Start your day with breakfast, followed by a luggage drop-off for transfer to Osaka. Then head to UNESCO World Heritage site, Kiyomizu Temple, known as the Pure Water Temple due to its location by Otowa Waterfall's three streams, each offering blessings for love, success, or longevity. Engage in the ritual of drinking from these streams with traditional cups, but heed the advice against consuming from all three to avoid being seen as greedy, emphasizing the importance of selective blessings that align with your life's desires, thereby connecting you deeply with Kyoto's spiritual heritage and natural beauty. Afterward, participate in a traditional Japanese Tea Ceremony, a 30 minute transfer via public transit, where you'll experience the spiritual and meticulous art of Cha-no-yu, aimed at cultivating harmony and inner peace through the careful preparation and enjoyment of tea. The tea ceremony will end around noon where you are free to get lunch on your own with the afternoon at your leisure.

• Kiyomizudera Temple Visit

  This morning, take public transit 45 minutes to the UNESCO World Heritage site, Kiyomizu Temple. The shrine is known as the Pure Water Temple due to its location by Otowa Waterfall's three streams, each offering blessings for love, success, or longevity. Engage in the ritual of drinking from these streams with traditional cups, but heed the advice against consuming from all three to avoid being seen as greedy, emphasizing the importance of selective blessings that align with your life's desires, thereby connecting you deeply with Kyoto's spiritual heritage and natural beauty. Explore the temple grounds, then take 30 minute public transit to enjoy a traditional Japanese tea ceremony.

  08:00· 150 min· Kyoto
• Japanese Tea Ceremony

  From Kiyomizudera, you’ll take public transit 30 minutes to participate in a Japanese Tea Ceremony. Delve into the heart of Japanese culture with the Sao or Cha-no-yu, a ceremonial tea service that embodies a profound display of spirituality and meticulous skill honed over centuries. This traditional ceremony is more than a mere act of serving tea; it is a spiritual journey that aims to cultivate harmony, respect, purity, and tranquility. Practitioners of Cha-no-yu meticulously prepare tea using time-honored equipment, from the careful selection of the tea leaves to the precise temperature of the water, each step is performed with deliberate mindfulness and grace. The intimate setting of the ceremony allows guests to immerse themselves in the moment, experiencing a sense of inner peace and connection as they savor the warm, freshly prepared tea. Then take a 20 minute transfer back to the hotel.

  11:00· 60 min· Kyoto
• Transfer · Kyoto → KYO

  Be prepared to drop off your luggage at 9:30am in the lobby before today’s activities as a luggage transfer will take your bags to Osaka. Please pack a small overnight bag of necessities.

  other · 60 min

Your day begins with breakfast, followed by a swift 10 minute public transit ride to the train station, where a 30 minute train journey takes you from Kyoto to Osaka. Upon arrival, a 20 minute public transit trip leads you to your hotel in Osaka. The culinary adventure unfolds with a 20 minute ride to start the Osaka Street Food Tour, immersing you in the city’s rich street food culture. Explore Shinsekai's retro charm with kushikatsu tastings, then dive into the heart of Osaka’s food scene in Dotonbori with iconic takoyaki. The tour culminates in a memorable farewell dinner featuring 8-9 courses of exquisite Japanese cuisine, including Wagyu Hot-pot and Chicken Karaage, with all-you-can-drink soft drinks, providing a lavish finale to your journey. After dinner, a leisurely 15 minute walk brings you back to the hotel, rounding off the day with a blend of cultural exploration and gastronomic delight.

• Osaka Street Food Tour

  Take a 20 minute public transit to embark on an enticing Osaka Street Food Tour, where your taste buds will be treated to the vibrant flavors of the city's bustling streets. The adventure begins in Shinsekai, a nostalgically retro downtown area, where you'll savor kushikatsu, delicious Japanese-style skewers that are a must-try local delicacy. From there, the journey takes you to the heart of Osaka's food scene, Dotonbori, to indulge in takoyaki, the iconic octopus balls that epitomize the city's street food culture. The tour ends with a sit-down farewell dinner, consisting of 8-9 courses that showcases the finest of Japanese cuisine, including a Wagyu Hot-pot, Chicken Sashimi, and Chicken Karaage, among other exquisite dishes. This culinary exploration not only offers a taste of Osaka's rich food heritage but also provides a memorable farewell to the city's gastronomic delights. *Please note that Japanese cuisine frequently uses ingredients with animal products and/or gluten, therefore vegetarian, vegan, and gluten free diets CANNOT be accommodated.

  14:00· 240 min· Osaka
• Transfer · Kyoto → Osaka

  Take 10 minute public transit to the train station and then take a 30 minute train from Kyoto to Osaka. Upon arrival, take a 20 minute public transit to the hotel in Osaka.

  train · 60 min

All good things must come to an end, but only until your next adventure! Enjoy a final breakfast and then make your own way onward. If departing directly from the hotel, we recommend flying out of Kansai International Airport (KIX).