Small Group Food Tours of Japan – Culinary Tours & Multi-Day Food Experiences
Discover Japan’s Cuisine with Immersive Culinary Tours
Experience the best small group food tours of Japan, designed for travelers seeking deeper culinary adventures. Unlike typical Japan food tours that last only a few hours, our multi-day Japan culinary tours (8–12 days) go beyond simple tastings to offer cultural immersion and unforgettable gastronomic experiences.
Join Journey to the East for an exclusive small group Japan food tour 2026, limited to just 6–8 guests for personalized exploration. Taking an expert-curated culinary tour Japan will guide you through the heart of Japanese cuisine, connecting you with local culture, history, and people. Visit family-run ryokans, vibrant regional markets, artisanal sake breweries, working farms, and hidden restaurants that showcase Japan’s culinary heritage.
Our food tours Japan have limited annual departures to coincide with the most spectacular times of year, such as spring ‘sakura’ or cherry blossom and autumn harvest in Kyushu, and early summer in Hokkaido.
Explore our selection of small group food tours of Japan below for detailed itineraries, seasonal highlights, and booking information. Reserve your spot today for an unforgettable Japanese culinary tour and immerse yourself in the true flavors of Japan.
Tour Type
Signature
Our Signature tours offer the most comprehensive cultural exposure.
Discovery
Our Discovery tours provide up-and-close encounters with traditional life and natural landscapes into the more remote regions of Japan.
Comfort
With a focus on comfort and ease, our Comfort tours deliver an authentic experience with a few extra creature comforts to make for a more relaxed and supported trip.
Seasons
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Food Tours Features
What Makes Our Food Tours Different
✔ A multi-day food tour of Japan takes the opportunity to offer the experience of a wide ranging cuisine as a platter from which you can to explore the life, culture and history of Japan – a complete holiday in Japan and some of its best food
✔No big groups – maximum 8 guests per tour to access very local experiences like a dinner seat at mobile street cart or little local restaurant.
✔ Taste a range of some of Japan’s best food – from simply the best ramen to an amazing Michelin star restaurant in the middle of rice paddies
✔ Departures limited to a few select dates per year – selected to experience regional and seasonal specialties
✔ Access to specialist suppliers, markets, brewers, and family-run kitchens – imagine the personal memories created when cooking with local fishermen’s wives
✔ Travel with qualified guides – amazing companionship sharing deep food knowledge and having local ties
✔ Emphasis on cultural and regional context – not just eating
FAQs About Our Food Tours In Japan
Q: Do I need to be a serious foodie to join?
A: Not at all. These tours are for anyone curious about food and culture. We welcome travelers who simply love good meals and great company.
Q: Do Japanese consider it rude not to eat all on your plate?
A: Pushing something to the side or not being able finish your meal is well understood and not considered impolite. Food presentation is as greatly admired as is the taste.
Q: Can you cater for dietary needs or allergies?
A: Our food tours are carefully curated to visit small special places that may not be able to offer alternatives. So, if setting aside what you cannot take doesn’t answer your needs, let us know your needs early, and we’ll let you know if the food tour is viable for you..
Q: How much walking is involved?
A: Most tours involve some gentle walking (market visits, town strolls), but we avoid long or strenuous routes.
Q: Are drinks and alcohol included?
A: Tasting fees (e.g. sake, wine) are usually included. Other drinks at meals are pay-as-you-go.
Q: Will we visit cultural sights too?
A: Absolutely. Food is our focus, but you cant eat all day, so there is plenty more time for your tour add to your experience in Japan . The culture, the history behind it and the natural beauty, indeed every tour has its own special touch
Why travel with us
At Journey to the East we are committed to providing authentic and most memorable experiences in Japan – for both Small Group Tours and custom-built Private Tours. Whether it is your first visit or you have been several times to Japan, you will always find something new and have special experiences with Journey to the East. Our travel style is chosen to immerse you in the culture and landscape of the country and expose you to a rich variety of unique experiences.
We do this by taking you beyond the tourist hotspots to explore the lesser-known parts of Japan. Our tours are designed to strike the right balance between the classic highlights and local secrets, the urban and the rural, the historic and the contemporary, and in doing so, reveal the true heart of Japan.
With Journey to the East, you will have fun and be safe on your deeply rewarding journey through this endlessly fascinating country!
We are specialists that just handle tours within one country, Japan. Whether you are from the USA, Canada, UK, Australia, New Zealand or beyond we meet you at the airport upon arrival into Japan and ensure a smooth and stress-free time in a foreign land.
Accommodation styles
Ryokans
Ryokans is a Japanese style accommodation, mostly consists of Japanese style rooms with tatami matt floor and futon bedding, and private ensuite. Some ryokans have a western style room with beds. A Japanese style room always has a low table and flat cushions to sit on, but the room may or may not have chairs. Most ryokans have an additional large public bath for guests and includes kaiseki style dinner. Breakfast can be Japanese style (rice, miso soup, fish etc.) or western style buffet.
Western Style Hotels
Size and standard vary from 5-star large international chains to regional small business hotels. Generally, in Japan twin rooms (two single beds) are more common than double rooms (one double bed), and some hotels in regional cities only have twin rooms. Room sizes are generally smaller in cities. Also beds and pillows tend to be firmer than those in western countries.
Minshuku
A minshuku is a type of Japanese guesthouse, often family-run, that offers a more intimate and budget-friendly experience than a traditional ryokan. Accommodations often feature Japanese-style rooms, and bathrooms and toilets are often shared by guests. Staying in a minshuku offers a chance to connect with local families, learn about their way of life, and experience Japanese hospitality.
Shukubo (temple lodging)
The vast majority have Japanese style rooms and shared bathroom although there are limited number of temples with a western bedroom with ensuite. The stay at shukubo includes Buddhist vegetarian dinner and breakfast. Dinners are served early, around 5pm. They are run by monks, and facility and services are basic. Guests can attend morning service in the main hall.
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