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    Sushi making Japan

    Food tours in Japan
    made for you

    Enjoy delicious food tours in Japan, handpicked for you by experts

    Journey through Japan’s exquisite culinary landscape

    Your Japan food tour is about much more than just eating – it’s a window into Japanese values of respect, ritual, seasonality and the pursuit of perfection.

    Your introduction to Japanese gastronomy and culture will usually begin in Tokyo. Sample fresh sushi at Tsukiji’s outer market, slurp authentic ramen in the city’s numerous yokochō (food alleyways) and head to the Ginza district for a tour of the Food Courts, called ‘depa-chika’, in the basements of high-end department stores. Our knowledgeable guides in Tokyo will also take you to the Nihonbashi district to enjoy a traditional tea ceremony, and can recommend the best, most exciting, restaurants – Tokyo currently has the highest number of Michelin-starred restaurants in the world.

    Visit Kyoto to explore the Geisha district of Gion and countless temples and shrines. Explore historic sake breweries, take a cookery class in a private home, enjoy a unique Japanese Buddhist meal of Shojin Ryori at a serene mountain retreat, and head to the Nishiki market for local delicacies.

    Stop in Osaka, the ‘Kitchen of Japan’ to taste its celebrated street food and explore the cultural hub of Kanazawa before staying overnight in a traditional ryokan in the countryside around Yamashiro and Yamanaka. Here you can soak in a hot spring bath and enjoy a traditional multi-course kaiseki dinner.

    Our expert travel designers take care of the details to ensure that your food tour in Japan is seamless – and personalised to you.

    Highlights

    Visit the Nihonbashi district in Tokyo to experience a traditional tea ceremony

    Explore Kyoto’s Fushimi Inari shrine and the areas famous sake breweries

    Make nigiri sushi, temari and seaweed wrapped maki sushi at one of Tokyo’s best restaurants

    Experience Japan’s artful culinary tradition with a traditional kaiseki dinner experience at a ryokan in Yamashiro and Yamanaka

    Share a shojin ryori meal with Buddhist monks at Tenryu-Ji Temple near Kyoto

    From street food to Michelin-starred restaurants, Japan’s food is exciting and deeply connected to the country’s history and culture. Come for spring blossom, but stay for ramen, sushi and sake – and never forget that slurping noodles is considered good manners.

    Lucy Bate headshot

    Lucy Bate

    Travel Designer

    Luxury accommodation in Japan

    There are many incredible places to stay in Japan. Here are some of our favourites, handpicked by our travel designers:

    Why book with Jacada?

    Personalised design illustration image

    Personalised design

    We’ll plan your trip around your specific interests, tastes and preferences, providing helpful tips and honest advice based on first-hand knowledge of the destination.

    Authentic experiences illustration image

    Authentic experiences

    Our expert guides and brilliant travel concierges are hand-picked to provide a genuine experience, bringing your destination to life with care and passion.

    Responsible travel illustration image

    Responsible travel

    Our luxury trips are designed with responsible travel principles that prioritise travel experiences that are both good for you and good for the planet.

    Ready to plan your adventure?

    Whatever you want from your Japan food tour, our team of expert travel designers are ready to help.

    Where to go

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    Kanazawa

    Centred around a magnificent 17th-century castle are ancient neighbourhoods like the Nagamachi samurai district and the atmospheric Chaya geisha entertainment quarter.

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    Kyoto thumbnail

    Kyoto

    The ‘City of Ten Thousand Shrines’ is Japan's former imperial capital and traditional ryokan showcasing centuries-old craftsmanship stand shoulder-to-shoulder with towering skyscrapers.

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    Osaka thumbnail

    Osaka

    Japan's third-largest city and major commercial hub, this full-bodied metropolis brims with contemporary architecture, animated nightlife and exceptional street food.

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    Tokyo thumbnail

    Tokyo

    A dazzling sci-fi cityscape with an ancient soul, Japan's capital city pulses with excitement beneath bright neon lights against the majestic backdrop of Mount Fuji. Tokyo has more Michelin stars than any other city in the world.

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    Yamashiro and Yamanaka thumbnail

    Yamashiro and Yamanaka

    Celebrated hot springs resorts on the prestigious Kaga onsen circuit in the picturesque countryside between mountains and sea, where visitors have sought healing for body and mind for more than 1,300 years.

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    When to visit

    Japan is a year-round destination. Visit in March and April to catch the cities cloaked in cherry blossom and from October to November to see the maple trees explode in clouds of orange and red. August in Japan is best for Natsu Matsuri (summer festivals), though it can be very hot in the big cities.

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    Cherry blossom

    March–April

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    Hiking Mount Fuji

    July–mid September

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    Autumn leaves and harvest

    Mid-September–December

    When is the Best Time to Visit Japan?

    When is the Best Time to Visit Japan?

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    Plan your trip to Japan

    Whatever you want from your food tour in Japan, our team of expert travel designers are ready to help.

    Plan with peace of mind

    When you book a trip in today’s world there’s a lot to think about. But with the right advice and expert planning, you can do it with confidence.

    If you book to travel with us but your plans are impacted by circumstances you can’t control, we’ll change your reservation or cancel your booking for a full credit towards future travel.

    Find out more
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