After a scrumptious breakfast, start the day with a bus tour of Tokyo. Hop on our private bus and have a glance at the avant-garde mega city. It is a great introduction to Tokyo, the world’s largest metropolis with a population of 39 million. En route, we witness iconic places such as the National Diet Building, the Imperial Palace, Rainbow Bridge, Tokyo Tower, Ginza, and more.

Lunch en route (Japanese set meal）

After lunch, we will visit the old quarter of Tokyo, Asakusa. Enjoy a walk through traditional craft shops and street-food stalls along Nakamise Street gateway to Tokyo’s oldest Sensō-ji temple.

Followed by Kappa Bashi, aka Kitchen Town, a haven for home cooks and professional chefs. Explore the roughly 800m-long street as there are hundreds of shops catering to every conceivable need for cooking, baking, dining, drinking, and serving – and that’s not counting the side streets, which have dozens more specialty shops.

Dinner: Shabu Shabu

Today, we will split up into four groups (6 to 8 guests in a group), and each group will be led by a bilingual local guide. We will be using Tokyo’s sophisticated subway and trains to Omote Sando, Meiji Shrine, and Shibuya. For the best view of Tokyo, visit Shibuya Sky from 230 meters above ground at this 360° open-air observation deck at the rooftop of Shibuya Scramble Square.

Lunch: Ramen, Udon, Gyoza, street food etc. Up to the group preference.

Dinner: Izakaya (Japanese Tapas style bistro)

This morning, we will forward our main luggage to Shodo Island. Guests need to pack two nights’ necessities in a small bag and ship the main luggage to Shodo Island.

After arranging the baggage, we visit Toyosu Fish Market and Tsukiji Outer Market.

Lunch: Sushi Lunch at Toyosu/Tsukiji

After lunch, we stroll along Ginza,

Dinner: Sumida River dinner cruise.

Enjoy the Tempura course meal and a night view of Tokyo from a traditional Japanese boat.

Transfer to Osaka by Shinkansen.

After breakfast, check out the hotel and move our way to Osaka, Japan’s 2nd biggest city. Enjoy the Shinkansen ride for 2.5 hours.

A city with a former nickname of “Japan’s Kitchen”, best known for its food fun and nightlife—with some history and culture peeking through. Enjoy the unique personality of any other Japan’s capital city.

Lunch: Okonomi Yaki & Takoyaki. We will try our hands at making our own Osaka’s soul food, Okonomiyaki.

After lunch, visit Kuromon Market. A traditional marketplace filled with tantalising scents, foods and pure Osaka energy. Kuromon Market is a covered public market that stretches around 600 meters parallel to Sakaisujidori Street in the Minami area of Osaka. The market has about 150 shops that predominantly sell fish, meat and produce, with other shops also purveying traditional sweets and low priced clothes and homeware. The market dates back to the Edo Period, and today makes for an atmospheric place to stroll around and try street foods.

For dinner, we try Osaka’s popular dish Kushikatsu.

Then, guests can enjoy its lively night in Namba after dinner.

Before leaving Osaka, we pay a visit to the Osaka Castle, founded in the late 1500s, which still stands majestically today and symbolises Osaka’s power.

Lunch: Obento Box on the bus. Transfer by ferry (3h20m).

Shodoshima, the name literally means “small bean island”, which refers to the soybean as the island has traditionally been a producer of soy sauce and now is even better known for its olive plantations utilising its Mediterranean atmosphere. The island offers beaches, resorts, coastal sceneries and a mountainous interior with one of Japan’s most celebrated gorges, the Kankakei Gorge.

Dinner: Regional degustation dinner at the hotel.

Also, for the next two nights, enjoy Japan’s soothing culture, Onsen (Hot Spring Bath), in the hotel.

Today, we will drive around the island to visit two food producers and one scenic location.

Soy Sauce

Shodoshima has been producing soy sauce for over 400 years. Today, visit one of the oldest Soy sauce-making families on the island. Learn the history of Soy Sauce and how it plays a significant role in Japanese cuisine.

Somen

Along with soy sauce, Shodoshima also has a history of producing over 400-year-old Somen (silky thin wheat noodles). Production thrived through a bustling maritime trade that made ingredients easy to come by, as well as plentiful salt and water nearby for making the noodles.

We will try our hands at making Somen and have it for lunch. 

Afternoon, take a ropeway up to Kankakei for a panoramic view of the Setouchi Inland sea and dotted islands.

Tonight, we will have a break from Japanese cuisine and will have western cuisine using local produce. The restaurant is run by local farmers and overlooks their olive farm and Setouchi inland sea.

Private bus transfer for the whole day.

First stop at Fushimi Inari, Kyoto’s most iconic scene, the endless path of vibrant vermillion gates that line the approach to Mt. Inari, dedicated to the deity of a good harvest and success in business. After praying for great success for your business, we make our way to Fushimi’s sake-producing district for lunch with sake-tasting.

Lunch: Sake-tasting lunch

Followed by Matcha（Green Tea Powder) making experience in the picturesque riverside town of Uji. Uji is a prime setting in the 11th-century literary masterpiece The Tale of Genji. Well-known for the tea fields producing the finest green tea, tea shops and sacred sites.

Dinner: Sukiyaki

This morning, we will split into small groups and visit a couple of places. The first stop is Aritsugu in Nishiki Food Market. A Japanese knife and cooking utensil producer, founded in 1560. It has been highly regarded by professional chefs all over the world. Then Depachika, aka “Food Heaven”. It translates as the basement of a department store, overflowing with everything from delicatessen-style goods to gourmet treats. It showcases everything and anything Japanese food. Guests pick up their lunch. Lunch on the bus. Afternoon excursions to the west side of Kyoto, Golden Temple, and Sagano.

As a grand finale, a traditional Kaiseki dinner with Maiko and Geiko

The following morning is check-out. You will embark on your next destination. Kyoto to Kansai International Airport (80min)