Japan's Samurai History, Culture and Cuisine

Explore Ryogoku, the center of Japan's sumo world! Accompany your guide to Ryogoku, home to the Kokugikan Sumo Stadium and most of Tokyo's sumo heyas, or stables. All rikishi or wrestlers belong to these heyas and you can visit one of them to see how they live, eat and train. Get up close and personal with these giant men and watch their morning training session, also called asa geiko. Watch the less eminent wrestlers, who wake up earliest in the morning, put in some practice before going about their assigned duties, while high-ranking wrestlers practice between 7 and 10 am. After several hours of warm up and technique practice, watch the wrestler's indulge in a game of ‘King of the Castle’ - one wrestler stays inside the ring and fights with all the others until he is defeated! As the end time for training is in flux, the tour disbands at the stable. You will need to make your own onward arrangements. (Time of the day: Morning, Duration: 2 hrs; Shared Transfer; Fitness Level: Moderate; Subway and local trains available. Please note that you will have to sit on tatami matting as seats are unavailable. Small children may not be allowed. Please observe absolute silence so as not to disturb the wrestlers. This tour is not available in March, July and November.)

Discover delicious local dishes on a gourmet tour of Tokyo. Meet your guide at the hotel and head to one of the famous culinary streets near your hotel. Bite into delicious yakitori, chicken grilled on skewers and served with salt or “tare” (a variety of sweet soy-based sauce). Try several popular dishes including Sashimi, monjayaki or okonomiyaki, crispy Japanese fried chicken and braised vegetables and seafood, based on your preferences. At the end of dinner, bid goodbye to your guide, or stay longer to try more dishes, if you wish to. (Duration: 4 hrs; Time: 1730 hrs; Group size: Max 8 guests; Meal included: Light dinner including a round of yakitori and one drink; Other food will depend on the restaurants visited. Please inform of dietary restrictions, if any. If you choose public transport, your pick up will be at the hotel with no drop off, and the tour will disband at the final eatery.)

Today you will take a guided tour with a local guide to the beautifully preserved old town of Takayama and the UNESCO site Shirakawa-go village. Start the day with a visit to the local Miyagawa Market along the Miyagawa River in the old town. Most stands sell local crafts and farm products such as vegetables, pickles and flowers. Take a walk in the district called San-machi Suji, the traditional home of Takayama merchants and sake brewers, which has been preserved in almost exactly the same state as 200 or 300 years ago. Here are inns, shops and taverns which trace their history back many generations. Visit the Takayama Jinya. Because of its valuable timber resources, the Hida Region around Takayama was put under direct control of the Tokugawa Shogunate in 1692. The Takayama Jinya served as the local government office, headed by the officials dispatched from Edo. The present building complex includes various rooms for administrative purposes, offices, kitchens, toilets, bath rooms, residential space, a court room and storehouses. It was in official use until 1969, and is now open to the public as a museum. End the morning by stopping at a sake brewery and enjoy a tasting on Japan’s national tipple. Takayama’s sake is renowned nation-wide, thanks to the clear water of the surroundings. In the afternoon reach Shirakawa-go region. Your guide will show you around the village, famous for its traditional gassho-zukuri farmhouses, some of which are more than 250 years old. Gassho-zukkuri translates as ‘Praying Hands’, as the farmhouses' steep thatched roofs resemble the hands of Buddhist monks pressed together in prayer, and are designed to withstand the heavy snows which fall in the region. After the visit, you will separate from your guide and return by car to Takayama or get dropped off in Kanazawa. (Full Day; Private Activity & Transfers; Fitness level: Easy; Please wear comfortable shoes)

Enjoy the unique experience of participating in an authentic tea ceremony with a sado or tea art host at a charming Japanese tearoom. Gain insights into the art and history of the ceremony as the assistant of the host speaks about its significance in Japanese culture. Step into the tearoom and pick up the nuances of participating in a private Japanese tea ceremony. Savor every minute of the nearly hour-long experience that guides you to the heart of Japanese aesthetics and tradition. (Duration: 2 hrs; Transfers by taxi; Fitness Level: Easy. Please do not wear perfume or cosmetics with a strong aroma. Tea ceremonies involve kneeling on tatami mats but chairs can be provided on advance notice.)

Revel in the traditional sights, smells and sounds of feudal Japan’s best preserved city, in the company of your local guide. Visit the many UNESCO World Heritage sites dotting Kyoto, beginning with the Kinkakuji Temple, originally built for the Shogun. At his request, the Shogun’s villa was converted into a Buddhist Temple after his death. Discover the magnificent 15th century Nijo Castle with its splendidly preserved medieval gardens from Japan’s Edo period. Admire the many details and typical architectural features of the old monument, before walking down to the bustling Nishiki Market. Eat your heart out at this food street payable on spot, also known as 'Kyoto's Kitchen', lined with innumerable restaurants and traditional eating houses! Try out typical local delicacies such as pickles, dried fish and sushi. Also visit the beautiful Arashiyama bamboo grove. (Full Day; Private activity & Public transport; Time: 0900 hrs; Duration: 8 hrs. Please wear comfortable walking shoes; Fitness level- Moderate; Food tasting to be paid by the guests on spot).

Learn the way of the sword! This is your opportunity to come face to face with the history and lifestyle of the feared samurai warriors of ancient Japan. Study the Bushido code they lived by, learn about the strict requirements of etiquette and honor they survived under and take up your katana, the famous samurai sword, to learn the basics of Kenbu, the highly stylized sword dance that samurai used in practice as a concentration tool, under the watchful eyes of a proficient Kenbu master. (Duration: 1.5 hrs; Time: 0930 or 1100 or 1230 or 1400 hrs; Private Activity; Transfers not included; Fitness Level: Easy.)

Explore the rich culinary heritage of Kyoto with a market visit, sake tasting and a cooking lesson. Stroll through the vibrant, 400-year old Nishiki market with over 100 stalls selling food, ingredients, and kitchenware. Help your guide in choosing the ingredients needed for your cooking class. Walk along the quaint back lanes of Kyoto to a Machiya – a traditional townhouse – and taste Japanese rice wine or sake. Continue on foot to another traditional wooden townhouse to try your hand in cooking rolled sushi. After the lesson and the cook, enjoy a meal of sushi, miso soup, cooked salad, and seasonal fruits before you call it a day. (Duration: 3.5 hrs; Time: 1430 hrs; Private Activity; Dinner (food cooked during the lesson) included; Group size: Max 7 guests; Private lesson; Self-organized transfers. Please inform if you have any dietary restrictions).

Discover the gastronomical delights of this vibrant metropolis, often called the food capital of Japan. Accompany your guide and make use of public transport to reach the food districts of Shinsekai or Dotonbori. Walk down pedestrian-only streets lined with vibrant eateries and bars. From ramen bars to restaurants, see the spots most frequented by locals. Sample an array of local snacks including takoyaki or fried octopus and okonomiyaki, a type of savory pancake. Get a taste of kushikatsu or skewered meats and vegetables, and enjoy a refreshing drink. You could also ask your guide to stop at a traditional izakaya bar or any of the typical local hangouts before it’s time to head back. (Duration: Half Day; Starting Time: 1130/1700 hrs; Private Activity; Shared Transfers; Tastings Included; Fitness Level: Easy; Entrance Fees Included; This tour involves use of public transport for transfers; Hotel pick up and drop off is in Dotonbori or Shinsekai area; Please note that this street food tour is not suitable for people with food allergies or strict dietary requirements)