Japan Holidays Authentic Japan Food Tour TOUR DATES: Sun 19th October — Fri 31st October 2014 From $5320 twin share basis excluding airfares & taxes Discover Food and Culture of the Land of Rising Sun Tour Inclusions The Japanese eat first with their eyes, pausing to appreciate the beauty of their cuisine and acknowledge the preparation involved, before *12 Nights Accommodation including Japanese allowing a morsel to pass their lips. Ryokan, Minshuku & Hotels *12 Breakfasts; 10 Lunches; 11 Dinners *Fully guided in Kyushu, Japan by Ken Takenaga, representative of Kumamoto Prefectual Government *English speaking guide and Japan Holidays escort *Cooking classes as per itinerary *All transportation as per itinerary *All admissions to tourist sites as per itinerary Authentic Japanese cooking is a refined cooking, with subtle and varied flavours. Although established around only four major ingredients: rice, fish, soy, and noodles, it offers a great diversity of original dishes. What most of us, outside of Japan, know of Japanese cuisine is merely the tip of the iceberg! Japanese cuisine, like the country itself has developed many layers and contrasts throughout an intriguing history that spans thousands of years. Despite the popularity of Japanese food in the West today, remarkably little is known about the history of this unique cuisine. This tour will provide the opportunity to experience the sights, tastes, aromas and philosophy behind this diverse cuisine. In this tour, you will learn and experience the food and dietary practices of the Japanese from earliest times to the present day. From actual cooking lessons to shopping at the Not Included: markets, on this tour we will study typical dishes, ingredients, methods *Transportation, entrance fees and/or meals on of preparation, origins, etiquette, the aesthetics of presentation, eating implements and cooking utensils. leisure days *International airfares and airport taxes *Travel Insurance For lovers of Japanese food, traditional dishes and regional specialties, along with everyday favourites of the 21st Century Japanese housewives, this tour is for you. RESERVATIONS—open until late September 2014 unless sold out. T—07 33002396 E—[email protected] or [email protected] www.japanholidays.com.au Sunday 19th October Saturday 25th October Arrive at Kansai International Airport (KIX). Check in at Hotel Shin Osaka. Evening supper can be arranged. Accommodation: Hotel Shin Osaka In 19th Oct – Out 20th Oct Breakfast at Minshuku. Immerse yourself with the locals in Gokanosho today and their life in the mountains. Inspect Takagi Tofu Factory which sells the famous tofu no misozuke—tofu preserved in bean paste. Followed by a cooking class by local Japanese ladies. Return to Minshuku. (B/L/D) Monday 20th October Buffet Breakfast at Hotel. Leave Shin Osaka for Kumamoto on a Shinkansen (bullet train). Upon arrival at Kumamoto Station, met by Ken Takenaga, Tourism Representative from the Kumamoto Prefectural Government. Check in at Riverside Hotel and drop off luggage then depart to a local restaurant for lunch. We shall visit the local food markets and shop in Kokai shopping district. Later we transfer to the city to a must-see Japanese food hall at Tsuruya department store. Walk back to Hotel & Dinner at local Japanese restaurant. (B/L/D) Accommodation: Riverside Hotel In 20th Oct – Out 23rd Oct Tuesday 21st October After buffet breakfast at Hotel, depart on foot for our "tourist" day in Kumamoto City. Visit Jyosai-En Cultural Center to learn about Lord Kato Kiyomasa and the building of the impenetrable Kumamoto Castle. Short walk to the Kumamoto Castle for viewing. Lunch at Honmaru Goten Palace. Enjoy the same kind of dish the Lord of Kumamoto used to have in the 17th century. Walk to Gyobutei Samurai House and view Suizenji Japanese garden. Return to Hotel by a local train. Dinner at local restaurant. (B/L/D) Wednesday 22nd October Buffet Breakfast at Hotel Depart Hotel by chartered bus for full day inspection of local agricultural and fruit farms. Visit Foodpal, a local food theme park to purchase foodstuff and beverage for lunch. BBQ at Maeda Farm with spectacular views of surrounding countryside for lunch. Afternoon free leisure time. Dinner at local restaurant. (B/L/D) Thursday 23rd October Buffet Breakfast at Hotel and check out of hotel. Leave Hotel by chartered bus for Mt. Aso, the world's largest caldera which is over 120km round and looks over the 5 craters. Arrive at Mt. Aso and inspect Nakadake (active volcano) if weather permits, or visit Aso Volcano Museum. Drive to Mr. Ono's beef farm and lunch at his restaurant. Enjoy the Hibachi and Yakiniku. Proceed to Aso Shrine and try "water tasting". Check in at Japanese Ryokan Sozankyo. Rest in the famous Onsen—hot spring spa before dinner. Dinner at Ryokan Sozankyo in Yukatas. (B/L/D) Accommodation: Ryokan Sozankyo In 23rd Oct – Out 24th Oct Friday 24th October Breakfast at Ryokan. Check out and depart for Gokanosho, the Home of the Last Samurai. In Gokanosho, experience how the local people have lived in this mountainous region of Japan for centuries. Lunch at Double Tree restaurant which specialises in local trout and buckwheat noodles. You can purchase local produce here. In the afternoon, learn how to make Soba (buckwheat) noodles at Minshuku Heike-so. (B/L/D) Accommodation: Minshuku Heike-so In 24th Oct – Out 26th Oct Sunday 26th October Breakfast at Minshuku. Leave Gokanosho and head to Yatsushiro City. Visit Moritaka Knife Factory, traditional makers of fine Samurai swords, to view hand-made production of internationally brand name knives. Visit Shohinken Tea house for tea ceremony. Lunch at local restaurant. Proceed to Matsushima, Amakusa Island. Inspect Aqua Culture Farm and taste fresh local seafood. Transfer to Hotel and enjoy the famous Teppanyaki Dinner. (B/L/D) Accommodation: Misaki-Tei In 26th Oct – Out 27th Oct Monday 27th October Leisurely Breakfast. Depart Hotel by chartered bus for an inspection of Amakusa Island. Lunch at Blue Sky restaurant viewing East China Sea. Transfer from Amakusa to Shimabara by ferry. Check in at Yumei Hotel, the Japan's first resort hotel established in late 1800. Enjoy the famous Onsen - Spa and Kaiseki Dinner. (B/L/D) Accommodation: Yumei Hotel In 27th Oct – Out 28th Oct Tuesday 28th October Leisurely Breakfast. Transfer to Kumamoto Station by shuttle bus / ferry. Depart Kumamoto for Kyoto on Shinkansen-Bullet train Enjoy a bento box on board for Lunch. Upon arrival in Kyoto, check in to hotel and this evening enjoy a Guided Walking Tour of Gion, the old district of Kyoto. Dinner at local Gion Restaurant. (B/L/D) Accommodation: Citadines Karasuma Gojo or similar In 28th Oct – Out 31st Oct Wednesday 29th October Breakfast at Hotel. Depart for Guided Tour Explore the Heart of Kyoto to visit Sanjusangen-do, Kiyomizu Temple, and Nishiki Market. (Lunch not included) In the evening, enjoy learning how to cook Japanese food at a local Cooking School and Dinner. (B/D) Thursday 30th October After Breakfast at Hotel, depart for a sake brewery in the countryside. Learn about traditional sake making and take a tasting tour in the centuries old sake brewery. Lunch at local restaurant nearby. Return to Hotel & free time for last minute shopping. Head to a local Izakaya and enjoy our last Dinner together. (B/L/D) Friday 31st October Breakfast at Hotel. Day at leisure until travel to Kansai International Airport for flight home. (B) END OF TOUR - SAYONARA