Cuisine and Culture of Japan – Page 1

9533 Rancho Palmas Dr. Las Vegas NV 89117 * 800-377-7481 * esprittravel.com * CST#1020919-40 * IATAN 29-678342

Day 1 Depart USADay 1 Depart USADay 1 Depart USADay 1 Depart USA Day 2 Arrive TokyoDay 2 Arrive TokyoDay 2 Arrive TokyoDay 2 Arrive Tokyo Transfer by private car to our four-star downtown hotel in the centrally located Marunouchi district and adjacent to Tokyo Station. Brief meet and greet orientation in the evening. Accommodations: Marunouchi Hotel Meals included: None Day 3 TokyoDay 3 TokyoDay 3 TokyoDay 3 Tokyo After breakfast in hotel, depart to tour the historic Tsukiji Tsukiji Tsukiji Tsukiji Outer Outer Outer Outer MarketMarketMarketMarket****, for an introduction to the building blocks of Japanese cooking, with snacking and shopping opportunities. At a sushi sushi sushi sushi making making making making classclassclassclass, we will observe techniques for preparing fish and make our own sushi for lunch. This afternoon we will visit the Roppongi DistrictRoppongi DistrictRoppongi DistrictRoppongi District and one of the city's most interesting contemporary art museums, amid futuristic architecture. Tonight’s dinner is informal izakayaizakayaizakayaizakaya (Japanese pub-style) cuisine. ****Although the Tsukiji Fish MarketTsukiji Fish MarketTsukiji Fish MarketTsukiji Fish Market is scheduled to close in October 2018, Tsukiji’s fascinating Outer MarketOuter MarketOuter MarketOuter Market will remain, with stalls selling fish, produce, seasonings, prepared foods and tableware lining its many narrow alleys. As of this writing, procedures for visitors to the new ToyosuToyosuToyosuToyosu Fish MarketFish MarketFish MarketFish Market, across Tokyo Bay, were not officially announced and may change by the time of the tour. This itinerary may be updated pending further word. Accommodations: Marunouchi Hotel Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4 TokyoDay 4 TokyoDay 4 TokyoDay 4 Tokyo We begin the day with an architectural architectural architectural architectural walkwalkwalkwalk through the Marunouchi and Ginza Marunouchi and Ginza Marunouchi and Ginza Marunouchi and Ginza districtsdistrictsdistrictsdistricts (including the Kitte Building and Tokyo International Forum), Japan’s priciest real estate of buildings designed by some of the world’s top architects, arriving in time for a department store opening ceremony. After free time to experience a depachikadepachikadepachikadepachika (department store basement food floor), we will have lunch at a longstanding soba noodle restaurant and journey northeast to the AsakusaAsakusaAsakusaAsakusa neighborhood, center of Tokyo’s historic shitamachi (downtown). We will visit Sensoji TempleSensoji TempleSensoji TempleSensoji Temple and NakamiseNakamiseNakamiseNakamise----doridoridoridori shopping street, where many street foods are sold including freshly roasted sembei (rice crackers) and manju (bean-paste dumplings). From here it is a short walk through side streets to the Kappabashi Kappabashi Kappabashi Kappabashi restaurant supply districtrestaurant supply districtrestaurant supply districtrestaurant supply district, known for its lifelike plastic models of foods. Dinner tonight is tempura served by a master in the classic counter style at one of Tokyo's top tempura specialists. Accommodations: Marunouchi Hotel Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Cuisine and Culture of Japan – Page 2

9533 Rancho Palmas Dr. Las Vegas NV 89117 * 800-377-7481 * esprittravel.com * CST#1020919-40 * IATAN 29-678342

Day 5 TokyoDay 5 TokyoDay 5 TokyoDay 5 Tokyo This morning we will journey across town to Meiji ShrineMeiji ShrineMeiji ShrineMeiji Shrine, one of the largest in Japan’s native Shinto religion, for a blessing of our tour involving kagura (traditional court dance and music) and sake. From here we proceed to the Axis Axis Axis Axis BuildingBuildingBuildingBuilding for a presentation at the highly innovative Nuno textile studioNuno textile studioNuno textile studioNuno textile studio and free time to visit other design shops in the building selling contemporary design tableware, knives, interior goods and more. Today’s lunch is traditional traditional traditional traditional kaisekikaisekikaisekikaiseki cookingcookingcookingcooking. The remainder of the day is at leisure to explore nearby museums or shops in the Omote-Sando or Shibuya areas (a short ride away) or elsewhere around town. Dinner will be on your own this evening; you may wish to have the concierge arrange dinner at one of Tokyo’s nearly 200 Michelin-star restaurants, or venture out on your own to explore. Accommodations: Marunouchi Hotel Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch Day 6 KanazawaDay 6 KanazawaDay 6 KanazawaDay 6 Kanazawa This morning we will depart to nearby Tokyo Station for a chance to experience Japanese ekiben (train station bento) culture and purchase a bentobentobentobento lunchlunchlunchlunch to eat on board the ShinkansenShinkansenShinkansenShinkansen (bullet train) to the beautifully preserved city of KanazawaKanazawaKanazawaKanazawa, near the coast of the Sea of Japan. After arrival, we will visit the Nagamachi Samurai DistrictNagamachi Samurai DistrictNagamachi Samurai DistrictNagamachi Samurai District and shops selling Kanazawa-style wagashiwagashiwagashiwagashi (sweets), followed by the HigashiHigashiHigashiHigashi----ChayaChayaChayaChaya----gai gai gai gai former geisha districtformer geisha districtformer geisha districtformer geisha district. Dinner this evening will be a kaisekikaisekikaisekikaiseki dinnerdinnerdinnerdinner including regional specialties of KagaKagaKagaKaga----style cuisinestyle cuisinestyle cuisinestyle cuisine. Our hotel is conveniently located steps from sights, shops and restaurants. Accommodations: Kanazawa Tokyu Hotel Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner Day 7 KanazawaDay 7 KanazawaDay 7 KanazawaDay 7 Kanazawa This morning we depart early for KenrokuKenrokuKenrokuKenroku----enenenen, the former pleasure garden of Kanazawa Castle and considered one of Japan’s top three strolling gardens. After a visit to the Ishikawa Prefectural Museum Ishikawa Prefectural Museum Ishikawa Prefectural Museum Ishikawa Prefectural Museum of Traditional Craftsof Traditional Craftsof Traditional Craftsof Traditional Crafts, enjoy lunch of your choosing among the stalls and restaurants of the landmark Omicho MarketOmicho MarketOmicho MarketOmicho Market, nicknamed Kanazawa’s kitchen. Our afternoon visits begin with the inspiring D.T. Suzuki MuseumD.T. Suzuki MuseumD.T. Suzuki MuseumD.T. Suzuki Museum, dedicated to the Kanazawa native who helped spread Buddhist teachings around the world, followed by free time to tour the cutting-edge exhibits and architecture of the 21212121stststst Century Century Century Century Museum of ArtMuseum of ArtMuseum of ArtMuseum of Art, by the Pritzker Prize-winning SANAA team. The remainder of the day is free for craft shopping, sightseeing and dinner on your own at one of Kanazawa’s many fine restaurants. Accommodations: Kanazawa Tokyu Hotel Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch

Cuisine and Culture of Japan – Page 3

9533 Rancho Palmas Dr. Las Vegas NV 89117 * 800-377-7481 * esprittravel.com * CST#1020919-40 * IATAN 29-678342

Day 8 KyotoDay 8 KyotoDay 8 KyotoDay 8 Kyoto After breakfast we will head by express train to Kyoto, and then to the mountainous Arashiyama DistrictArashiyama DistrictArashiyama DistrictArashiyama District west of the city center. Following lunch of yudofu, a regional specialty of stewed tofu with condiments, we will visit the UNESCO World Heritage site Tenryuji TempleTenryuji TempleTenryuji TempleTenryuji Temple and stroll through the Sagano Bamboo ForestSagano Bamboo ForestSagano Bamboo ForestSagano Bamboo Forest to OkochiOkochiOkochiOkochi----SansoSansoSansoSanso, villa of a silent film star, where footpaths through strolling gardens lead to hilltop views across the city. We will then journey across town to our centrally located hotel for check-in and an orientation walk of the neighborhood and downtown shopping district. Dinner this evening is contemporary contemporary contemporary contemporary kaisekikaisekikaisekikaiseki of Kyoto specialtiesof Kyoto specialtiesof Kyoto specialtiesof Kyoto specialties. Accommodations: Royal Park Hotel Kyoto Shijo Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Day 9 KyotoDay 9 KyotoDay 9 KyotoDay 9 Kyoto Today we will visit the Daitokuji MonasteryDaitokuji MonasteryDaitokuji MonasteryDaitokuji Monastery for a lesson in the Way of Tea Way of Tea Way of Tea Way of Tea and a visit to an exquisite temple gardenexquisite temple gardenexquisite temple gardenexquisite temple garden, followed by a Buddhist veBuddhist veBuddhist veBuddhist vegan lunchgan lunchgan lunchgan lunch. This afternoon we will head across town to the gallery of a renowned Japanese ceramics expertJapanese ceramics expertJapanese ceramics expertJapanese ceramics expert, to learn how ceramics inform Japanese food ways. The remainder of the afternoon is at leisure. Sightseeing suggestions nearby include GinkakuGinkakuGinkakuGinkaku----jijijiji (Silver Pavilion) temple and stroll along the creek-side Philosopher’s WalkPhilosopher’s WalkPhilosopher’s WalkPhilosopher’s Walk, or you may join your tour leader on an optional guided walk through the historic Nishiki Food MarketNishiki Food MarketNishiki Food MarketNishiki Food Market. This evening’s dinner is a cooking cooking cooking cooking class of everydayclass of everydayclass of everydayclass of everyday recipes you can also easily make at home. Accommodations: Royal Park Hotel Kyoto Shijo Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Day 10 KyotoDay 10 KyotoDay 10 KyotoDay 10 Kyoto Today is free for individual free for individual free for individual free for individual explorationexplorationexplorationexploration using extensive sightseeing and shopping suggestions from Esprit. Of special note is the monthly morning Kitano TenmanguKitano TenmanguKitano TenmanguKitano Tenmangu ShrineShrineShrineShrine flea flea flea flea marketmarketmarketmarket, one of Japan’s finest. Other suggestions include NijoNijoNijoNijo CastleCastleCastleCastle, KinkakuKinkakuKinkakuKinkaku----jijijiji (Golden Pavilion Temple), Kiyomizu Kiyomizu Kiyomizu Kiyomizu TempleTempleTempleTemple and the Sannenzaka and Ninenzaka neighborhoods, or browsing for crafts and antiques in the city center using Esprit’s proprietary map of downtown Kyoto. We will reconvene for dinner of upscale, Japaneseupscale, Japaneseupscale, Japaneseupscale, Japanese----Italian fusion cuisineItalian fusion cuisineItalian fusion cuisineItalian fusion cuisine. Accommodations: Royal Park Hotel Kyoto Shijo Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner Day 11 KyotoDay 11 KyotoDay 11 KyotoDay 11 Kyoto/Ohara Day Trip/Ohara Day Trip/Ohara Day Trip/Ohara Day Trip Today we journey northeast of Kyoto to the farming village of Oharafarming village of Oharafarming village of Oharafarming village of Ohara. We will visit the morning farmers’ market farmers’ market farmers’ market farmers’ market before heading to a working farm and dye workshopworking farm and dye workshopworking farm and dye workshopworking farm and dye workshop that uses natural extracts of herbs and plants to make its dyes. From here we will walk along terraced rice fields to a multi-course lunch featuring produce from the farmers’ market. En route back to central Kyoto we will stop at the intimate temple RengeRengeRengeRengejijijiji for an introduction to Buddhist statuary, before free time for the remainder of the day.

Cuisine and Culture of Japan – Page 4

9533 Rancho Palmas Dr. Las Vegas NV 89117 * 800-377-7481 * esprittravel.com * CST#1020919-40 * IATAN 29-678342

Accommodations: Royal Park Hotel Kyoto Shijo Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch Day 12 Uji/OsakaDay 12 Uji/OsakaDay 12 Uji/OsakaDay 12 Uji/Osaka This morning we will travel by charter coach Kyoto’s Uji districtUji districtUji districtUji district, known for centuries as one of Japan’s most important tea growing centers. Here will visit a tea tea tea tea plantationplantationplantationplantation and get a rare visit to a tea processing plant. From there we will continue to Osaka, Japan’s third-largest city, hub of the Kansai region and one of the nation’s food capitals – the unofficial city motto is ‘kuidaore’ (eat ‘til you drop). After a casual lunch of casual lunch of casual lunch of casual lunch of kushikatsukushikatsukushikatsukushikatsu (fried foods on skewers) in the gaudily decorated lanes of the retro ShinShinShinShin----SekaiSekaiSekaiSekai neighborhood, we will visit one of Japan’s top knife shops for an introduction to Japanese knives and their use, and browse the DoguyaDoguyaDoguyaDoguya----suji Arcadesuji Arcadesuji Arcadesuji Arcade, famous for restaurant and kitchen supplies. We will have a break to check in to our hotel, conveniently located near the shopping and restaurant halls of the Umeda and Osaka Station areas. This evening we will enjoy a progressive dinnerprogressive dinnerprogressive dinnerprogressive dinner around the neon-lit Dotonbori canalDotonbori canalDotonbori canalDotonbori canal, featuring two Osaka specialties for everyday folk: conveyorconveyorconveyorconveyor----belt belt belt belt sushisushisushisushi and okonomiyakiokonomiyakiokonomiyakiokonomiyaki, savory pancakes. Accommodations: Hilton Osaka Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Day 13 Osaka/Kobe Day TripDay 13 Osaka/Kobe Day TripDay 13 Osaka/Kobe Day TripDay 13 Osaka/Kobe Day Trip The morning begins with an udonudonudonudon----making making making making class and lunchclass and lunchclass and lunchclass and lunch, followed by free time in Osaka (sightseeing suggestions including Osaka CastleOsaka CastleOsaka CastleOsaka Castle and its museum, or the food stalls of Kuromon MarketKuromon MarketKuromon MarketKuromon Market). This afternoon we will travel by regional train to the port city of Kobe to learn the history and production process of sake at a sakesakesakesake museum and brewerymuseum and brewerymuseum and brewerymuseum and brewery in the Nada neighborhood, known for centuries as one of Japan’s leading sake centers – we’ll also have a tasting. From here it’s a short ride to central Kobe, where we will have a walk among the ijinkan, western-style houses built by some of Japan’s earliest foreign residents, and visit the landmark Ikuta ShrineIkuta ShrineIkuta ShrineIkuta Shrine before our farewell Kobe beef dinnerfarewell Kobe beef dinnerfarewell Kobe beef dinnerfarewell Kobe beef dinner. After dinner, return to Osaka by train. Accommodations: Hilton Osaka Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Day 14 DepartureDay 14 DepartureDay 14 DepartureDay 14 Departure Travel by airport shuttle to Osaka Kansai or Itami airports for your departure flights, or onward travel in Japan on your own. Meal included: Breakfast

Note:Note:Note:Note: Actual visits and events will be finalized approximately 30 days prior to departure to allow for the inclusion of special exhibitions, visits and events, and are dependent on the schedules of our Japanese colleagues. A final itinerary will be sent to you about two weeks prior to tour departure. The itinerary is subject to change at any time. © 2019 Esprit Travel Corporation