10-Day Japan Foodie Itinerary

  • Day 1: Tokyo Food Tour
    10:00 AM, 5 miles from hotel

    Experience the traditional cuisine of Japan on this food tour, including sushi, ramen, and yakitori. Visit the Tsukiji Outer Fish Market and learn about the history of Japanese food. Finish off with some wagashi (Japanese sweets) at a local confectionery store.

  • Day 2: Sake Brewery Tour
    9:00 AM, 20 km from Tokyo

    Visit the Sawanoi Sake Brewery and taste some of Japan's famous rice wine. Learn about the brewing process and the history of sake. Afterwards, enjoy a Japanese BBQ lunch at a nearby restaurant.

  • Day 3: Kobe Beef Dinner
    6:00 PM, 320 km from Tokyo

    Take a bullet train to Kobe and indulge in some of the world's best beef. Try Kobe beef prepared in various ways at a local restaurant. Afterwards, take a stroll through Kobe's historic Kitano district.

  • Day 4: Kyoto Food Market Tour
    10:00 AM, 80 km from Kobe

    Take a train to Kyoto and explore Nishiki Market, also known as "Kyoto's Kitchen". Sample local delicacies such as tsukemono (pickled vegetables), tofu, and wagashi. Afterwards, visit the nearby Nijo Castle.

  • Day 5: Cooking Class
    11:00 AM, 3 km from hotel

    Learn to make traditional Japanese dishes in a cooking class. Choose from options such as sushi, tempura, or ramen. Afterwards, enjoy the dishes you made for lunch.

  • Day 6: Hiroshima-style Okonomiyaki
    6:00 PM, 350 km from Kyoto

    Take a bullet train to Hiroshima and try the city's famous okonomiyaki (savory pancake). Choose from various toppings such as pork, shrimp, and cheese. Afterwards, visit the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park.

  • Day 7: Fukuoka Street Food Tour
    10:00 AM, 170 km from Hiroshima

    Experience the street food of Fukuoka on this tour. Try regional specialties such as mentaiko (spicy cod roe), tonkotsu ramen, and yakitori. Afterwards, visit the nearby Ohori Park.

  • Day 8: Sapporo Seafood Market
    11:00 AM, 1150 km from Fukuoka

    Take a flight to Sapporo and visit the Nijo Market. Sample fresh seafood such as sea urchin, scallops, and crab. Afterwards, visit the nearby Odori Park.

  • Day 9: Sapporo Beer Museum
    2:00 PM, 8 km from Nijo Market

    Learn about the history of Japanese beer and taste some of Sapporo's famous brews at the Sapporo Beer Museum. Afterwards, head to the Sapporo TV Tower for a panoramic view of the city.

  • Day 10: Matcha and Wagashi Tasting
    10:00 AM, 5 km from hotel

    End your trip with a traditional Japanese tea ceremony. Taste various types of matcha and wagashi while learning about the history and cultural significance of this ritual. Afterwards, do some last-minute shopping or visit a nearby temple.

Time and Cost Estimates

  • Tsukiji Outer Fish Market (2.5 hrs, Free)
  • Sawanoi Sake Brewery (3 hrs, ¥3500)
  • Kobe Beef Dinner (3 hrs, ¥15000)
  • Nishiki Market (2 hrs, Free)
  • Cooking Class (3 hrs, ¥8000)
  • Okonomiyaki Dinner (2 hrs, ¥2000)
  • Street Food Tour (3 hrs, ¥5000)
  • Nijo Market (2 hrs, Free)
  • Beer Museum (2 hrs, Free)
  • Tea Ceremony (2 hrs, ¥6000)

  • Total Estimated Costs: ¥41600

Transportation

Transportation in Japan is efficient and reliable. Trains and buses are available to nearly every destination, and taxis are readily available in urban areas. A 7-day Japan Rail Pass costs ¥29110 for unlimited train travel, and regional passes are also available. Uber is not widely available in Japan, but other ride-sharing services such as Didi and Rakuten are. Expect to pay around ¥200-300 for a one-way subway or bus ride in most major cities.

Useful Tips

If you have more time, consider taking day trips from Tokyo to nearby destinations such as Kamakura, Nikko, or Hakone for more unique culinary experiences. If you have less time, consider cutting out some of the destinations and spending more time exploring some of the cities in greater depth.

Airports

Narita International Airport (NRT) is located in Chiba Prefecture, 60 km east of Tokyo. It is the primary international airport serving Tokyo and is connected to the city by trains, buses, and taxis. Haneda Airport (HND) is located in Tokyo and primarily serves domestic and regional flights. It is connected to the city by trains, monorails, and buses.

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