Japan Cooking Course
View Trip Notes
Take your Japanese cooking skills to another level – in country, in depth and for real.
Our Japan Cooking Course offers the opportunity to enjoy a beautiful region of the world, while giving you time to savour food and delicacies accompanied by the atmosphere that brings the Japanese cooking to life. You will be participating in four experiential cooking classes that are facilitated to enhance your Japanese cooking expertise. Classes will cover the basics, and then work their way up to the climax of your own personal Sushi 'masterclass’. You will get down to earth, harvesting in season produce alongside locals in small countryside communities and sharing a communal cooking experience.
Not forgetting the amazing cultural and traditional beauty of this region - you will have time to explore the cultural splendour of Kyoto and the surrounding area. Your expert tour leader will ensure you discover the hidden secrets of Kyoto, as well as seeing the highlights. Artisan home wares, weaving workshops and farm experiences, combined with the ultimate relaxation of shiatsu massages and traditional onsens (bath houses) all make for a unique, replenishing and soul-satisfying experience.
Arrive Kyoto
Kyoto
Kyoto
Kyoto
Tour ends Kyoto
Countries visited
- Japan
Places visited
Included In Price
All accommodation on a twin share basis in a traditional family run Ryokans, all transportation in Kyoto and to/from cooking classes, meals as described in the itinerary, as well as four s 2000 atisfying and enriching cooking classes.
Meals Included
This tour includes 8 meals; 4 breakfasts 3 lunches 1 dinners
Not Included In Price
Items of a personal nature, tipping, meals not described in the itinerary, travel insurance, visas (not required for Australian passport holders), Oku afternoon tea, visits to Bathhouses (average cost of entry approx. AUD $5), spa retreats, local sightseeing not described in the itinerary, transfer to/from Kyoto from the Kansai airport.
Important Information
Please request transfer information from and to Osaka Kansai Airport at the time of booking.| Valid From | Valid to | Twin share pp | |
| 1 May 2012 | 30 Sep 2012 | AU$ 2560 |
Day 1: Arrive Kyoto
We meet in Kyoto for a short briefing before commencing the first cooking class - a preparation class at a local Machiya. A Machiya is an old traditional Kyoto house, most of which are not open to the public. The basics of Japanese cooking will be carefully explained and there will be a chance to participate in the preparation. Of course, our carefully prepared lunch at the Machiya will be shared among participants in the traditional way, and provides an opportunity to chat through the various styles and culinary specialities of the Kyoto area.
After lunch, we visit the Shisendo Garden - through a small rustic gate, a world of beauty and peace opens up. White sand throughout and paths that wind between bamboo, small temples and resting areas will tempt you to spend the complete afternoon there. Those who wish can meander on to the Oku for afternoon tea, or a bathhouse for a little bit of pampering.
Our tour leader will be on hand to go through the options and secrets to a great night out in Kyoto.
Accommodation
Small local Ryokan (Traditional Japanese Inn)Meals Included
1 x LunchesDay 2: Kyoto
It is market day today with two separate enriching experiences. We start with a visit to the Nishinjin weaving workshop, where you can witness first hand the process of making kimonos and weaving textiles. You will have time to observe the process of production and have kimonos displayed to you.
Thereafter, we will visit the famous Kyoto Nishiki food market. Known as “Kyoto’s kitchen”, the market has developed over centuries with many of the stalls operated by the same family for generations. Along the narrow and captivating alleyways we can taste and purchase various kinds of fresh and processed Kyoto specialties such as pickles, dried food and Japanese sweets, as well as the ingredients for today’s cooking class.
This afternoon’s cooking class will be an intermediate cooking lesson at the Machiya, which finishes off with a delicious meal of our own creation.
Accommodation
Small local Ryokan (Traditional Japanese Inn)Meals Included
1 x Breakfasts1 x DinnersDay 3: Kyoto
Our third day will extend our culinary understanding of the local area. A short train and bus ride out of Kyoto brings us to a community centre where we will join locals picking vegetables and ingredients that are in season. Learning how to cook home style dishes using these harvested ingredients, we share a meal with the local community - mostly the wives of the farmers.
For those in dire need of exercise after so much good food, there is time set aside for an optional hike up a the nearby mountain, Daimonji or Atogo San.
Accommodation
Small local Ryokan (Traditional Japanese Inn)Meals Included
1 x Breakfasts1 x LunchesDay 4: Kyoto
Our morning starts with an opportunity to do some shopping for artisan homewares on Teramachi, and we will have time to visit the famous bamboo washi shop “Gallery Terra”. Our final cooking class is a Sushi “Masterclass”. We will spend the time learning to make nigiri in a local sushi restaurant hosted by professional sushi chefs. The complete sushi establishment is exclusively reserved for our group (dependent on group size).
Finally, there is time for another optional bathhouse visit or spa retreat, recommended by your tour leader.
Our final dinner is optional, and at your choice - your tour leader can easily help secure a table at restaurants such as the Yuzuka Restaurant, Tozentei or others depending on our budget.
Accommodation
Small local Ryokan (Traditional Japanese Inn)Meals Included
1 x Breakfasts1 x LunchesDay 5: Tour ends Kyoto
After another sumptuous breakfast, it is time to depart. Frequent trains head to the Kansai Airport and your tour leader can assist with any onward travel arrangements.