Japan gastronomic vacation
Highlights
Tokyo | Matsumoto | Takayama | Kanazawa | Kyoto | Kii Peninsula | Funicular railway to Mount Koya | Night in Buddhist temple lodgings | Osaka | Private cookery class | Kaiseki multi-course feast
Travel Team
If you'd like to chat about this vacation or need help finding one we're very happy to help. The Travel Team.
Toll free 1-866-821-6866 Calling from outside the US? rosy@responsibletravel.comDeparture information
Responsible tourism
As the pioneers of responsible tourism, we screen every trip so you can travel knowing your vacation will help support conservation and local people.
Most of the journeys on this itinerary are taken by local train or bus to minimise carbon emissions. Wherever possible, we encourage clients to use Japan’s excellent and efficient public transport system. Hotel staff in Japan are aware of environmental issues, so do look out for recycling bins in the hotels and also outside convenience stores. We give all clients the phrases to refuse a plastic bag and other non-essential items.
All of our customers receive a list of tips for going green in Japan. We encourage clients not to overuse the air conditioning in summer or heating in winter. Tap water is safe to drink in Japan so you can avoid buying bottles of water from the ubiquitous vending machines. Our Info-Pack provides lots of recommendations for local restaurants and shops.
Japanese culture makes much of the changing of the seasons and the food you’ll eat on this trip is sure to reflect this. Your guides will be sure to pick restaurants where the menu offers locally grown, seasonal specialities keeping those food miles down and introducing you to the best Japanese cuisine.
The Impacts of this Trip
One of the highlights of the Gastronomic Adventure is a stay in traditional temple lodging at Mount Koya. In addition to being a completely unique experience for the guests, we are pleased to promote and support a simpler way of life in accordance with Buddhist teachings. All of the food here is strictly vegetarian; fresh, healthy and locally sourced.
In Takayama, you’ll stay at traditional ryokan accommodation, owned and run by one family and enjoy a home-made kaiseki feast. In Kyoto, you’ll take part in a cookery course in the teacher’s own home kitchen. This is a rare glimpse into local Japanese culture and is a great opportunity to make a new friend in a relaxed friendly environment.
In Tokyo and Kyoto you'll spend time with local English-speaking Japanese guides who will give you the lowdown on each city and tips for the best speciality foods to try. They will recommend restaurants that you might be otherwise too scared to try, translate the menu for you and introduce you to new dishes. There a number of local, family-run restaurants and bars that we have a very good relationship with and encourage our clients to visit on our trips.
Most of the journeys on this itinerary are taken by local train or bus to minimise carbon emissions. Wherever possible, we encourage clients to use Japan’s excellent and efficient public transport system. Hotel staff in Japan are aware of environmental issues, so do look out for recycling bins in the hotels and also outside convenience stores. We give all clients the phrases to refuse a plastic bag and other non-essential items.
All of our customers receive a list of tips for going green in Japan. We encourage clients not to overuse the air conditioning in summer or heating in winter. Tap water is safe to drink in Japan so you can avoid buying bottles of water from the ubiquitous vending machines. Our Info-Pack provides lots of recommendations for local restaurants and shops.
Japanese culture makes much of the changing of the seasons and the food you’ll eat on this trip is sure to reflect this. Your guides will be sure to pick restaurants where the menu offers locally grown, seasonal specialities keeping those food miles down and introducing you to the best Japanese cuisine.
The Impacts of this Trip
One of the highlights of the Gastronomic Adventure is a stay in traditional temple lodging at Mount Koya. In addition to being a completely unique experience for the guests, we are pleased to promote and support a simpler way of life in accordance with Buddhist teachings. All of the food here is strictly vegetarian; fresh, healthy and locally sourced.
In Takayama, you’ll stay at traditional ryokan accommodation, owned and run by one family and enjoy a home-made kaiseki feast. In Kyoto, you’ll take part in a cookery course in the teacher’s own home kitchen. This is a rare glimpse into local Japanese culture and is a great opportunity to make a new friend in a relaxed friendly environment.
In Tokyo and Kyoto you'll spend time with local English-speaking Japanese guides who will give you the lowdown on each city and tips for the best speciality foods to try. They will recommend restaurants that you might be otherwise too scared to try, translate the menu for you and introduce you to new dishes. There a number of local, family-run restaurants and bars that we have a very good relationship with and encourage our clients to visit on our trips.
1 Reviews of Japan gastronomic vacation
Reviewed on 28 Oct 2019 by Gareth Jones
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Exploring a wide range of parts of Japan and trying our hand at things like sushi making and noodle making
2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
It is a great way to maximise your time in Japan. Having the logistics worked out for you by a specialist who knows the country really helps to get more out of your time while the self-tour aspect means it is still under your won control and not confined by tour groups. That element of flexibility allows you to make the vacation your own
3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
It could be said that our interaction with the tourist locations and some of the classes like noodle making helped the local economy but honestly speaking it is not possible to make an argument that this trip reduced environmental impact or supported conservation even though we used our own chopsticks and recycled our waste.
4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
The company tailored the trip very well to our needs and as a result we had a great experience
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