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Food Tours in Japan

Food Tours
食物
Food

Small Group Gourmet Food Tours, Japan

Our 2024 &2025 Food Tours of Japan are adventures, where you can see the sights and nature, experience the culture, and eat exceptional food.

Journey to the East’s Food Tours of Japan are a wonderful way to see Japan. Their foundation,’Washoku’, Japanese food, is UNESCO recognised as an Intangible Cultural Heritage.

The Japanese food has deep and complex traditions and is regionally based. That is why these culinary extravaganzas are staged in different regions of Japan, like Kyushu and Hokkaido.
One of our goals is to showcase the depth and breadth of the Japanese food culture from Michelin-starred restaurants through to excellent street food, as well as introducing some modern fusion delights.

Our Japan Food Tours are not just “eatathons”. We will introduce you to some amazing people, including some outstanding chefs and producers, show you beautiful landscapes and famous sites.

Along the way, you will learn the care and pride of generations old producers of Japanese ingredients such as soy sauce, green tea and vegetables. Other food-related cultures such as ceramics, knives, lacquerware are also all part of your experience on these culinary tours.

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

Sort by Tour Type
Sort by Tour Type
An exceptional 14-day culinary journey across Japan’s southern island of Kyushu in spring – meet local farmers and innovative chefs, eat at Michelin restaurant and local street cart, and visit centuries-old producers of Japanese sake and premium green tea
Next Departure 23rd Mar, 2025
Seafood, dairy, wagyu beef, fruit and vegetables, sake and whiskey, from Michelin-starred restaurants to ramen and street food, the 2025 Food Tour of Hokkaido Japan has it all! The tour also includes many personal experiences such as cooking traditional dishes with fishermen’s wives. Definitely, the Hokkaido Tour to brag about!
Next Departure 1st Jun, 2025
A gastronomic adventure through the island of Kyushu, fast-becoming Japan’s foodie destination for its fresh produce and culinary tradition and innovation.
Next Departure 14th Nov, 2025

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Food Tours Features

Japan Food Tours 2024 &2025

We have released a number of gourmet food tours of Japan. They operate in different parts of Japan and take maximum advantage of the seasonal food of the regions.
The Food Tour of Kyushu operates in spring with the cherry blossoms and in Autumn under the beautiful fall colours. The Kyushu tours will introduce you to some of the famous pottery and the influences of a number of countries on Kyushu’s history and culture.

To the north is the Food Tour of Hokkaido. This tour operates during May when the weather is pleasantly warm and the fresh food of the area is superb. It is a wonderful opportunity to learn about the culture in Hokkaido and the indigenous Aino people.

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

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.

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.

Related articles

Japanese home cooking recipes Vol.5 – Okonomiyaki

Japanese Home Cooking Recipes Vol.4 – Tempura

Japanese Home Recipes Vol.3 – Karaage and Potato Salad

Get in touch and book your next trip with Journey to the East