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Japan Tours - Gourmet Traveller
What do I get?
14 days - Japan tours (Tokyo to Kyoto)
Tokyo, market visits, Takayama, Koya-san, Osaka, Hiroshima, Kyoto, cooking classes A culinary journey into Asia's most enigmatic land. With so many different methods of Japanese cooking to sample, from okonomiyaki to Sapporo crab, there is no end to the variety and beauty of the art that is Japanese cuisine. Be tempted by tempura and savour your sushi as we explore the bustling markets and take a trip through Japan's heart, soul and taste buds!
Accommodation
Traditional inns (11 nights), monastery (2 nights)
Transportation
Japan tours - Bus, bullet train, express train, walking, cable car.
Budget
Allow USD250 for meals not included. See Trip Notes for spending money.
Itinerary
Days 1-2 Tokyo
The endless energy of Tokyo is a delight for the senses. At its gastronomic centre is Tsukiji fish market, supplying seafood for around 12 million customers each day.
Days 3-4 Takayama
Nestled in the mountains, beautiful Takayama offers Japanese temples, traditional crafts, hospitable inns, specialised cuisine and sake breweries. Here we visit the 600-year-old morning market and discover the secrets of local specialities such as san sai, miso, Hida beef and soba noodles.
Days 5-6 Koya-san
The mist-shrouded atmosphere is surreal at the temples of Koya-san, one of Japan's holiest mountains. Stay in a beautiful monastery with the resident monks, sampling their deliciously intricate vegetarian cuisine and taking part in zazen meditation.
Days 7-8 Osaka
On the great rice plains of Kansai, Japanese history was born. Reminders of the past remain in the heart of modern, vibrant Osaka where the people are renowned for enjoying life and their food. The brave can try the local takoyaki (octopus balls), said to be the best in Japan, and there is an opportunity to visit a 'fugu' restaurant to sample the poisonous blowfish dish - at your own risk of course!
Days 9-10 Hiroshima
The delights of self-cooked okonomiyaki cuisine end a sobering yet inspiring day in Hiroshima. Nearby on Miyajima Island, the vermilion 'floating' torii of Itsukushima-jinja is one of Japan's most famous sites.
Days 11-14 Kyoto
We travel to Kyoto, via Himeji-jo Castle. This sight to behold was built in 1580 and offers a great insight into ancient life in Japan. Encapsulating over a thousand years of history itself, Kyoto is a modern city with traditional enclaves of temples and palaces, gardens and geishas, incredible art and Japan's most refined cuisine.
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The air holidays and flights shown, which you can arrange on statravel.co.uk are ATOL protected by the Civil Aviation Authority, except when tickets for scheduled flights are sent to you within 24 hours of payment being accepted. Our ATOL number is ATOL 3206. ATOL Protection extends primarily to customers who book and pay in the United Kingdom. Click on the ATOL logo if you want to know more. We are also fully bonded with ABTA (our ABTA number is 99209).
