Upcoming Tours - Global Palate Adventures Culinary Immersion Tours
Global Palate Adventures Culinary Immersion Tours

Global Palate Adventures creates small group tours and custom trips for travelers who want to experience new cultures through local food and wine.

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Japan 2026

Flavors of the Rising Sun

Japan 2026

Japan Highlights

8 nights Exploring the Food, History & Culture of Tokyo, Kyoto, Nara, and Osaka

Taste

Ramen Shops – Izakayas – Local Markets – Tea House – Sake Brewery

Explore

Food Market Tours – Imperial Palace – Sacred Deer

Learn

Hands-on cooking class – History of Sake – The Perfect Matcha – Hospitality Culture
Join our small group immersive journey through Japan, where every bite reveals centuries of tradition and every city offers its own flavorful identity. From the bustling streets of Tokyo to the serene temples of Kyoto and the food-loving energy of Osaka, we’ll dive deep into the heart of Japanese cuisine and culture. Taste your way through ramen shops, izakayas, markets, and tea houses; take part in hands-on cooking experiences and elegant kaiseki dinners; and discover the stories behind sake, matcha, and the art of hospitality. On a day trip to Nara, we’ll visit the famous sacred deer and sample our way through a sake brewery. Come with us and experience the delicate balance of old and new that makes Japan unforgettable.

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May 8-16th, 2026

Pricing

$6,795 per person, double occupancy
If you’d like your own room, the Single Supplement is $995
Deposit of $1,000

With our “peace of mind” registration policy, your deposit (minus 3%) will be refundable for 14 days. 

View Itinerary

This trip will have a maximum of 12 guests.

Itinerary

Day One - May 8th, 2026

Arrivals and Private Transfers to Hotel
Private airport transfers to our 4-star hotel in the heart of Tokyo. We’ll gather for an orientation then head to our welcome dinner and a first taste of Tokyo’s food scene. Meals – D included

Day Two - May 9th, 2026

Shibuya & Shinjuku
We’ll start our day with a guided walk through the bustling streets of Shibuya, stopping at a specialty café to learn about Japan’s distinctive approach to coffee, from bean selection to brewing techniques. For lunch we’ll visit a unique vending machine ramen shop, where you’ll choose your ramen style and toppings from a ticket machine, a common setup in Tokyo known for its quick service and high-quality bowls. Before dinner we’ll tour the Shinjuku neighborhood, stopping by Omoide Yokocho, known for its tiny yakitori stalls, and Golden Gai, a maze of small, themed bars. Dinner will be at a restaurant specializing in Japanese curry, a thicker and milder version of Indian curry, made with a rich, slow-cooked roux and served over rice, often paired with crispy katsu or stewed beef. Meals – B, L, D included

Day Three - May 10th, 2026

Tsukiji’s Food Town & Imperial Palace Tour
Our day starts with a guided food tour through Tsukiji’s outer market, where vendors offer fresh seafood, grilled skewers, and traditional snacks, giving you the chance to taste and learn about local ingredients before the crowds arrive. We’ll continue to Hamarikyu Gardens, a former feudal lord’s retreat with scenic ponds and seasonal flowers, where we’ll stop at a tea house to enjoy matcha paired with mochi sweets. Next we’ll visit the Imperial Palace grounds for a guided walk around the bridges and stone walls that surround the emperor’s residence; before exploring Akihabara, Tokyo’s hub for electronics, anime, and gaming, where you can browse shops filled with vintage consoles, collectible figurines, and themed cafés. We’ll end the night at an izakaya, a lively Japanese pub where we’ll share small plates like grilled skewers, sashimi, and tempura, often paired with sake or beer. Meals – B, L, D included

Day Four - May 11th, 2026

Geisha Tea Ceremony
Today we’ll depart Tokyo for a morning 3-hour train ride to Kyoto, Japan’s former capital and a city known for its preserved temples and centuries-old cultural traditions. Our Kyoto experience will start with a tea ceremony with an apprentice geisha, who will demonstrate the precise movements and customs behind this centuries-old practice. Next we’ll stroll through Gion, Kyoto’s geisha district, where narrow streets lined with wooden machiya houses lead to hidden teahouses and small shrines, offering a glimpse into Japan’s time-honored culture. Our dinner will be a traditional kaiseki dinner, a multi-course Japanese meal that showcases seasonal ingredients through a carefully curated selection of small, artfully presented dishes. Meals – B, L, D included

Day Five - May 12th, 2026

Kyoto Food Market
Our day starts with a visit to the Nishiki Market, an energetic shopping street known as “Kyoto’s Kitchen,” where we’ll sample local specialties like Japanese fish cakes and other regional snacks. Next is a sake tasting at a local shop, where we’ll sip and learn about Japan’s rich history of their specialized rice wine. The afternoon will be spent visiting artisan craftsman stores, seeing the historic Tenman-gu Shrine dedicated to the god of learning, and a walk along the Kamo River to explore Pontocho, a narrow alley filled with small restaurants and teahouses. We’ll end the day with Kyoto-style okonomiyaki, a savory pancake made with cabbage, batter, and a variety of toppings, cooked fresh on a griddle right at the table. Meals – B, L, D included

Day Six - May 13th, 2026

Nara Park
Today we’ll take a short train ride to Nara Park, where hundreds of free-roaming deer, considered sacred messengers of the gods, bow in exchange for special crackers. We’ll visit to the Todai-ji Temple, home to the Great Buddha, a towering bronze statue housed inside one of the world’s largest wooden buildings, a structure that has stood for centuries as a symbol of Japanese Buddhism. For lunch, we’ll enjoy Nara-style udon, known for its rich broth. At the Nara Hotel we’ll have afternoon tea, a classic spot where we’ll learn more about Japan’s tea culture with views of a peaceful garden. Finally we’ll visit a sake brewery to experience Nara’s brewing tradition, sampling different varieties made with pure spring water while learning about the centuries-old techniques that give them their distinct flavors. Free evening back in Kyoto. Meals – B, L included

Day Seven - May 14th, 2026

Osaka
We’re off to Osaka today! After another short train ride, we’ll check into our Osaka hotel and have free time for lunch. Then we’ll visit Osaka Castle, a fortress surrounded by spacious gardens, where we’ll learn about its role in Japan’s feudal past and take in the amazing views from the top of the main tower. Next is a guided food tour around Dotonbori, the heart of Osaka’s food scene, often considered the best place in the country for street food, where we’ll try local favorites like takoyaki (octopus-filled dough balls), kushikatsu (deep-fried skewers), and okonomiyaki (savory pancakes). Meals – B, D included

Day Eight - May 15th, 2026

Cooking Class & Farewell Dinner
Today we’re starting off with a hands-on cooking class in a local home, where we’ll learn to prepare traditional Japanese dishes while gaining insight into local ingredients and cooking techniques. You’ll have a free afternoon in Osaka to explore at your own pace, with options such as visiting the Kuromon Ichiba Market, taking a river cruise for a scenic view of the city, or wandering through Shinsekai, a nostalgic district known for its colorful signs, entertainment arcades, and famous kushikatsu restaurants. Our farewell dinner will be at a local restaurant featuring classic Japanese dishes. Meals – B, L, D included

Day Nine - May 16th, 2026

Departure
Check out of our hotel and head to the airport with a private transfer for your flights home or to your next adventures. Meals – B included

Included

  • Eight nights in 3 unique 4* hotels
  • Breakfast daily, six lunches, seven dinners, including wine and gratuity
  • Domestic transfers between Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka
  • Private experiences with local, English-speaking guides, and a GPA tour host
  • Gratuities for tour guides, drivers, and group restaurant experiences
  • Wine included in all group experiences
  • Private transfers between Tokyo and Osaka airports and our hotels

Excluded

  • Airfare to/from Japan
  • ​Travel insurance is required by our local partners. We are happy to offer Travelex Insurance. Reach out here for a quote.
  • ​Food and beverages not listed on our itinerary
  • ​Additional gratuities (such as hotel services) not listed above
  • ​Additional nights’ lodging; we can arrange it for you pending availability