Home / 2025 “Discover Japan – Luxury ‘Autumn Colours Spectacle’ Cuisine & Culture Experience”

2025 “Discover Japan – Luxury ‘Autumn Colours Spectacle’ Cuisine & Culture Experience”

Another UNIQUE Cooking Passions “Small-Group” Cuisine & Culture Journey
“We travel not to escape life, but for life not to escape us” – Anonymous

“Discover Japan – Luxury ‘Autumn Colours Spectacle’ Cuisine & Culture Experience”

DATES

12 Days / 11 Nights

TOUR ONE – Monday 03 November 2025 to Friday 14 November 2025 (Booked Out)

 TOUR TWO –  Monday 17 November 2025 to Friday 28 November 2025 (Booked Out)

PRICING*

– ¥1,035,000 (Double or Twin Occupancy) ~AUD$10,670pp**

– ¥1,444,500 per person (Own Room) ~ $AUD14,890pp**

Booking Deadline: 01 April 2025
*ALL INCLUSIVE LAND CONTENT including 11 nights Deluxe Accommodations; Most meals & Japanese Dining Experiences (11 x Breakfast & 7 x Dinners – as per itinerary); Japanese Cuisine & Culture Private Guided Tours as per itinerary; Shinkansen Bullet Train & Regional Japanese Rail Tickets (Osaka/Kinosaki/Arashiyama/Tokyo); Intercity Luggage Transfers; Group Portable Wifi; Private Group Escorts.

**AUD Pricing based on Foreign Currency Exchange Rate of $1AUD/JPY97 available at https://wise.com/gb/currency-converter/aud-to-jpy-rate?amount=1

WHAT OUR TRAVEL ALUMNI ARE SAYING

May 2024 “Discover Japan – Luxury Cuisine & Culture Experience”
Oh Nico, you were our guardian Angel guiding us thru this beautiful country!! Thank you! Highlights were our Onsen stay in Kinosaki, the onsens of the traditional village and the special Japanese dinner. The digital museum in Tokyo. The two guides Yuki & Marc explaining Japanese history & culture. And our special meal last evening. Also, travelling on the bullet trains. Only lowlight…too many steps for this old girl!!…Alan & Judy x
Thank you Nico for showing sides of Japan that we would not otherwise see. Highlights were – Onsen, Special Kaiseki dinner at the Onsen, Himeji Castle and the Sake Experience. Look forward to the next one…Kim & Mark
Thank you Nico for everything! It’s been amazing on so many levels. We too would have to agree with Mark’s highlights but also add the dinner in Kyoto as another highlight. Peter & I really enjoyed seeing Japan with our little group – certainly a very special experience!…Jacquie & Peter xx

 


Cooking Passions “Small Group” Cuisine & Culture Journeys

Cooking Passions “Small Group” Cuisine & Culture Journeys have been designed so that you can make the most of your precious time, as we have done all of the “behind the scenes” research to scope out the finest luxury hotels, sights, restaurants, spas, local transfers & excursions, so you don’t have too. 
From the moment we meet up, you can relax knowing that you won’t have to think or worry  about anything for the time we are together, other than enjoying yourselves in great company! Especially in Japan, there will be no deciding on where the best places are to stay, no figuring out train timetables, no hauling suitcases across stations, and after an exciting yet tiring day of sightseeing, no hunting down an evening meal! We’ve got it all covered, so you don’t have to.
Each of our tours are designed so you can do as much or as little as you like, while allowing you plenty of free time to explore and immerse yourselves in the sights, shopping, relaxation and eating that YOU want to experience (we’ll be happy to provide suggestions and tips on some of our favourites from our previous trips).
So all you have to do is book your preferred flight, pack a bag & a sense of adventure, and join us for an unforgettable and luxurious Japanese Cuisine & Culture experience!!


The Mystique of Japan – “The Land of the Rising Sun”

Having travelled and escorted groups across many countries, Japan is unlike anywhere else we have visited and remains an entrancing enigma to many. Offering an enchanting mix of ancient rituals with futuristic modernity, Japan is a fascinating land of illuminating and exciting contradictions and definitely a “must see” destination on anyone’s travel bucket list.
From Tokyo’s dazzling neon-lit metropolis, Kyoto’s timeless emperor;  shogun and geisha traditions;  Himeji’s impossibly beautiful castle;  and to Osaka’s vibrant nightlife & culinary scene, join us on our 12-Day “Discover’Highlights of Japan’ Luxury Culinary & Culture Experience” as our Small Group (8 travellers maximum) explores the “Land of the Rising Sun” – a truly captivating and enthralling country!
We have curated our bespoke, fully escorted “Discover Japan – Luxury Cuisine & Culture Experience” so that you may comfortably explore some of Japan’s fascinating highlights in a fun and relaxed manner for an unforgettable, once in a lifetime Japanese cultural experience!

Japan’s Celebrated Autumn Season

The month of November is Japan’s second busiest season for travellers, after its famed Cherry Blossom season in March!
While sakura (cherry blossoms) in spring gets most of the attention, November’s autumn colours celebration – koyo – puts on an equally spectacular show in autumn. From October through to early December, the country starts to transform into a breathtaking canvas of fiery reds, brilliant scarlets and regal gold.
During autumn the Japanese maple trees are ablaze with stunning red leaves and you’ll see these iconic trees throughout the country in both urban and rural areas such as forests, parks, gardens and temples. There are over a hundred varieties of maple in total, and the leaves turn from yellow through to orange before finally transitioning to a deep red colour.
As well as the abundance of Japanese maples, the country’s gingko trees are transformed into gold, while supporting acts like the Japanese rowan and larch also play their colourful part.

Tour Highlights

DAY-BY-DAY ITINERARY

 Day 1 – ARRIVAL* – OSAKA

When arranging for your preferred international flights to Japan, please choose your:
ARRIVAL (Kansai International Airport to Osaka (Namba Station)  – Osaka’s main city train station, Namba, can easily be reached by train from Kansai International Airport.
At our Pre-Trip Tour Briefing  prior to departure, and included in your “Discover Japan Dossier”, we will provide you with complete instructions on how best to take the train to reach the Cross Hotel, . The trip takes about 50 minutes and the cost is approximately ¥1,490 (~USD15.00). From the Kansai Airport Station, the Nankai Limited Express Line takes you directly to Namba Station.
Our hotel, Cross Hotel Osaka, is a 900m walk away or short taxi ride from Namba Station.
ARRIVAL Private Airport Transfer (Optional) – A Private Airport Taxi Transfer can be pre-arranged upon your arrival into Kansai Airport, for the 60 minutes transfer from the airport to our hotel. The cost is approximately USD110.00.
OSAKA
Osaka has the vibrancy of Tokyo and the charm of Kyoto but possesses its own brand of character altogether.
Osaka’s importance as a merchant and port city dates back to 1586 with the building of the Osaka Castle by Toyotomi Hideyoshi who encouraged traders from other parts of Japan to settle in the city. It became the industrial powerhouse of Japan through the 1920’s and 1930’s and today is Japan’s third largest city after Tokyo and Yokohama.
As well as being famous for its extravagant and neon lit central city, it is also one of Japan’s culinary centres with a local cuisine renowned more for its practicality rather than finesse.
15:00pm – Check into your room upon arrival at Cross Hotel Osaka. Enjoy a little walk around the area to experience the amazing energy of Osaka from our centrally located location.
Our Accommodation  – Cross Hotel Osaka
Wonderfully situated  in the heart of Osaka’s Minami district, this stylish 4-star modern hotel is convenient for shopping, restaurants, nightlife, and public transportation. Cross Hotel Osaka is just a minute’s walk from the Dotonbori area and a 3-minute walk from Namba Subway Station while the Shinsaibashi Shopping precinct is only a 5-minute stroll from the hotel. Chuo Ward is a great choice for travellers interested in shopping, street food and shopping for food.

15:00pm – Check into your room upon arrival at Cross Hotel Osaka. Enjoy a little walk around the area to experience the amazing energy of Osaka from our centrally located location.
18:30pm – Group Welcome Dinner – Meet in the hotel lobby for our departure to our Welcome Dinner for your first taste of Japan’s amazing culinary traditions which is known for its emphasis on simply prepared and beautifully presented fresh, seasonal ingredients.
Accommodation: Cross Hotel Osaka

(Included Meals : D)

Day 2 – “Osaka Highlights Walking Tour” and “Food & Culture Tour Experience”

– Breakfast at your leisure
9:00am – Meet in the lobby to begin our exploration of Japan’s third largest city. Join Nico on a morning walking tour of some of Osaka’s highlights including:

Lunch – We will head back to Dotonbori where you can decide whether you’d like to visit one of the many Kaitenzushi (also known as conveyor belt sushi or sushi train) restaurants which was invented in Osaka in 1958 or you might prefer to sample a bowl of ramen at a uniquely Japanese “cubicle” ramen shop.

pm – Remainder of the afternoon at your leisure.
17:30pm – Osaka Food Tour – Tonight we will be introduced to the Osaka philosophy of ‘kuidaore‘ – eat, drink and enjoy life! Guided by our English-speaking Japanese guide – Yuki – we will be escorted around  Osaka’s lesser known restaurant & bar precincts visiting atmospheric venues and meeting colourful locals.
Our local Osakan guide will gently open the doors for us to see the city through the eyes of its inhabitants. Yuki will introduce us to some of Osaka’s classic dishes including Okonomiyaki (Savoury pancakes), Takoyaki (Osaka’s famous octopus dumplings) and smokey grilled Yakitori (chicken skewers) in one of Osaka’s off-the-beaten track neighbourhoods.

 

Accommodation: Cross Hotel Osaka
(Included Meals : B, D)

Day 3 – Himeji Castle and Sake Brewery Experience

 

Himeji 
Himeji City is known first and foremost for its castle, a UNESCO World Heritage site that is widely considered to be one of Japan’s most beautiful and well-preserved castles.
Himeji’s old samurai fortress is over 400 years old and became known worldwide as the castle featured in the TV series Shogun. The UNESCO-protected castle has survived wars and natural disasters and is considered Japan’s most beautiful original castle. The castle reopened in 2015 after being closed for restoration for six years and is a very popular attraction.  
7:30am – Breakfast at your leisure.
08:30am – Group departure for Himeji. This morning we will have our first opportunity to experience one of the world’s best ever forms of travel – a train ride on Japan’s legendary transportation marvel – the Shinkansen “Bullet Train”. 
Trains in Japan are by far the best way of travelling from A to B, and are used widely by the local population. They are uber efficient, clean, safe, comfortable and fast! With speeds of up to 300km/h, we will be travelling the 100 kilometres between Shin-Osaka and Himeji in 30 minutes of whisper-quiet comfort.

09:45pm – Exploration of Himeji’s famous castle, also known as “The White Heron Castle” for its likeness to the elegant bird, the castle has been registered as a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1993. This majestic white castle is gorgeous to admire from the outside, but its impressiveness grows once you step into the grounds and inside the main tower (tenshukaku) and Western Bailey (Nishi no maru).

11:30am – Koko-en Garden – After exploring Himeji Castle, we will visit Koko-en Garden. Built in 1992, Koko-en Garden is a relatively new garden, but no less interesting or important for that. It’s not just one garden; rather, Koko-en Garden consists of nine separate walled gardens across a sprawling nine acres, each with a different theme. They were designed according to various styles prevalent during the Edo Period (1603-1868).

13:00pm –Sake Brewery Tour & Tasting

14:30pm – Return Shinkansen train journey to Osaka.
pm – Remainder of the afternoon and  evening at your leisure to explore Osaka. Decide whether you’d like to do your own thing for dinner at one of Dotonbori’s many restaurants or we can decide as a group on where we would like to enjoy dinner together.
Accommodation: Cross Hotel Osaka
(Included Meals : B)

Day 4 – Kinosaki – Luxury Japanese Ryokan & Onsen Experience

09:00am – Check out from our Osaka hotel for departure by train to Kinosaki, situated on the Sea of Japan in Central Japan’s Hyogo Prefecture.
10:00am – Departure from Osaka Station
13:00pm – Arrival at Kinosaki Onsen
Kinosaki Onsen
With over 1400 years of tradition, Kinosaki is one of Japan’s top onsen (hot spring resort) destinations. This charming 8th century town, with its seven unique public hot spring baths and dozens of onsen ryokan accommodations, is the place to sample the quintessential onsen ryokan experience.
For hundreds of years, Kinosaki has been known throughout Japan as a hot spring town. Putting on yukata (light cotton kimono) & geta (wooden clogs) to visit each of the town’s seven public hot springs – each with its own unique style – has become a storied tradition of visitors to Kinosaki. In addition to its famous public hot springs, Kinosaki is also known for its mouthwatering cuisine, including Hyogo Prefecture’s Tajima Beef, the stock cattle of the world famous Kobe beef.
15:00pm – Check in to Nishimuraya Honkan, our luxury Relais & Chateaux ryokan accommodation during our stay in Kinosaki.
Our Accommodation – Nishimuraya Honkan

No visit to Japan is a complete without experiencing a ryokan. The essence of Japan – simple and comfortable, yet painstakingly detailed – will surround you the moment you enter your traditional Japanese-style room.
In operation for over 300 years, Nishimuraya Honkan is one of only 13 properties across Japan to be included as a member of Relais & Châteaux.
It has been praised as one of the “best onsen ryokan” in Japan. Its 34 guest rooms are all traditional, Japanese-style. Guests staying at Nishimuraya Honkan can enjoy the property’s three private hot spring onsen as well as complimentary access to all 7 of the public hot springs of Kinosaki Onsen. Run by the same family for over seven generations, this luxurious inn represents the culmination of a stay in Kinosaki. Its intimate atmosphere, private art gallery, gastronomic dishes and, of course, its classic Japanese rooms, all of which open onto a private garden, encapsulate the very nature of a ryokan. 
Each Japanese-style guest room is 8 tatami mats in floor size and also features a terrace area for extra comfort and enjoying the outside scenery.

15:00pm – After checking into your traditional ryokan Japanese tatami room, the remainder of the afternoon is free for you to start exploring Kinosaki and its “Seven Hot Springs” which are open to the public.
The ryokan will provide you with your traditional yukata (light cotton kimono), and a jacket in cooler weather, so that you can join the locals while strolling the willow-lined streets of town.
In Kinosaki Onsen, it is tradition for visitors to wear yukata all day long while they are staying. It is a common sight to see people out shopping, eating at restaurants, and strolling through the town while wearing yukata.

7pm – Japanese Kaiseki Dinner – The center of any stay at a ryokan is the food. The culinary artisans of Nishimuraya have been serving Japanese-style kaiseki (course) dinners for over 150 years.  There is nothing more relaxing than enjoying dish after dish of wonderfully delicious Japanese food after an evening at the hot springs.

During our time in Kinosaki it is Matsuba Crab Season (November 7th to March 31st), a delicacy across Japan. This evening we will enjoy Nishimuraya’s seasonal Kaiseki Experience featuring individually selected Matsuba crabs and the finest specially dry-aged Tajima beef.

Matsuba Crab is the local name for the male snow crab harvested from the Sea of Japan on the doorstep of Kinosaki. The Matsuba crab season in Kinosaki Onsen is from November 7th to March 31st. In Japanese cooking, just about every portion of the crab is used. The tender, fluffy crab meat is of course a highlight of the Matsuba crab. Sashimi, boiled, grilled, hot pot… whatever the style, the succulent flavours of fresh Matsuba crab are sure to make an impression on your tastebuds and leave you wanting more!
pm – Following our Kaiseki Experience or while you have been out, upon returning to your room you will find your futon, Japanese style bedding, laid out and prepared for you. If you’re not quite ready for bed, enjoy a drink at the ryokan’s bar or head into the ryokan’s private Karaoke room for a few songs and a few laughs.
Accommodation: Nishimuraya Honkan
(Included Meals : B, D)

Day 5 – Kinosaki – Classic Japanese Ryokan & Onsen Experience

am – Enjoy a leisurely Japanese breakfast.
Today is a day at your leisure to explore Kinosaki at your own pace. As well as the opportunity to visit each or any of the 7 public Onsen in the town, there are a number of things that you are able to explore.
Kinosaki is a small onsen town with everything in walking distance as there is only 1 main street where all the ryokans, public baths and shops are located. This is one of the few onsen towns in Japan where you can walk in the street wearing your Ryokan’s yukata. Enjoy a walk along the willow and cherry tree lined canal that runs through the town centre. Stop into one of the public onsen for a relaxing soak, or take a seat and soak your feet in one of the streetside hot spring footpaths.
There are several other hot spring towns in Japan, but very few have so many public bathhouses of varying style in such close proximity. All 7 of the onsen bathhouses can be walked to from the other. If you have the time, are up to the challenge and want to feel the cleanest and most relaxed you have ever felt in your life, try Kinosaki’s “Onsen Meguri”. Meguri is a Japanese term meaning pilgrimage, in this case you walk around to and soak in all 7 onsen bathhouses.

My favourite Kinosaki public onsen is Goshono-yu Onsen just a few metres away from our accommodation. It’s outdoor hot spring with waterfall is one of the most relaxing places to enjoy Kinosaki’s famed onsen culture.
Goshono-yu, also known as the “Water of Beauty,” brings luck in love and protection against fires. Goshono-yu was built in the likeness of Kyoto’s Imperial Palace. The foyer and lounge area are decorated with beautifully painted screens and the panels of the high ceiling are painted with Japanese flowers.
Large and impressive Japanese Cypress beams hold up the bath area’s expansive glass ceiling and floor to ceiling windows. Soak in the outdoor bath surrounded by lush trees and bathe in natural light. Relax to the crashing sounds of the waterfall in the background.

pm – Remainder of the day and evening at your leisure.
19:00pm – Group Dinner at one of Kinosaki’s best & newest restaurants specialising in Japanese “irori” cooking where chefs prepare dishes over a sumibiyaki charcoal open-hearth.

pm – The remainder of the evening at your leisure. Visit one of Kinosaki’s vintage arcade galleries or go for a late night soak at your favourite onsen.

Accommodation: Nishimuraya Honkan

(Included Meals : B, D)

Day 6 – KYOTO – The Cultural Jewel of Japan

Kyoto
With Zen gardens, bamboo groves, Buddhist temples and geisha shuffling along cobbled laneways, Kyoto seems to be lifted straight from the scenes of an ancient Japanese woodblock print. Kyoto is the epicenter of Japanese culture and history and one of the most fascinating of Asian cities. Founded in 794 as Japan’s capital, it is home to over 15 World Heritage sites which all are associated with traditional Japan including stunning temples and shrines, mysterious geisha, Zen rock gardens, imperial palaces, refined cuisine, ornate kimono, and centuries-old bamboo groves.
During autumn, Kyoto is a hotspot with its 2000+ temples and shrines attracting visitors from all over Japan, and beyond. Visiting the most popular temples at sunrise is a wonderful way to view the autumn leaves bathed in early morning light while also beating the crowds. Some of Kyoto’s temples (such as the UNESCO world heritage site Kiyomizu-dera) are accessible after-dark during autumn leaf season and the trees are illuminated, for an atmospheric experience that is definitely not to be missed!
am – Breakfast at your leisure prior to checkout from Nishimuraya Honkan.
10:00am – Transfer to Kinosaki Onsen Station for our group departure to Kyoto.
10:35am – Train departs for Kyoto.
13:15pm – Lunch of your choice at one of the many food offerings in Kyoto Station.
14:00pm – Check in to our hotel – Fauchon Hotel Kyoto – A MEMBER OF THE LEADING HOTELS OF THE WORLD. We will drop our luggage off before commencing our exploration of some of the iconic cultural highlights of Kyoto.
Our Accommodation – Fauchon Hotel Kyoto
One of Kyoto’s newly branded 5-star hotels, Fauchon Hotel Kyoto perpetuates the tradition of its Parisian sister hotel by offering a gourmet paradise of French style amenities, bars & cuisine with a masterful blend of Japanese signature style as a nod to its location in the imperial and cultural capital of Japan.
Its exceptional location is about 10 minutes from the most interesting districts: Gion (a traditional and lively district), Higashiyama (a charming district backed by the eastern hills of the city and full of typical shops) with direct access to Kawaramchi-dori Street, the main shopping, dining and entertainment district of downtown Kyoto.

14:00pm – We will check-in to our Kyoto hotel and leave our bags before commencing our exploration of some of the cultural highlights of Kyoto including:
    • Fushimi Inari Shrine – One of Japan’s most popular and photographed iconic shrines. Famous for its thousands of vermilion torii gates, Fushimi Inari was dedicated to the god of rice and sake in the 8th century, it is perhaps the single most impressive sight in all of Kyoto and its most important shrine.
The magical, seemingly unending path of over 5000 vibrant vermillion torii gates that wind through the hills behind Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine makes it one of the most popular shrines in Japan. Due to its popularity with thousands of tourists during the day, a late afternoon visit will allow you to enjoy this picturesque setting and scenic walk without too many of the crowds.

    • Kyomizu-dera – Added to the World Heritage of Sites in 1994, Kiyomizudera (literally “Pure Water Temple”) is one of the most celebrated temples of Japan. It was founded in 780 on the site of the Otowa Waterfall in the wooded hills east of Kyoto and derives its name from the fall’s waters. Part of the fun of visiting Kiyomizudera is the approach to the temple, along the steep and busy lanes of the atmospheric Higashiyama District filled with shops & restaurants that have been catering to pilgrims and visitors for centuries. 

pm – Remainder of the evening at your leisure. We might change things up a little for dinner tonight, so for those interested in a little Italian after all of the Japanese that we’ve been enjoying we can arrange for dinner at one of my favourite Italian restaurants.
Accommodation: Fauchon Hotel Kyoto
(Included Meals : B)

Day 7 – Kyoto – Japan’s Cultural Jewels – Emperors, Samurais & Shogun Experience

am – Breakfast at your leisure
09:00am to 13:00am – Private Guided Walking Tour – Emperors, Samurais & Shogun Experience
Once the Imperial capital of Japan, the city of Kyoto still stands as the heart of Japan. Today we will discover the story of its Emperors, Samurais and Shoguns with a focus on Kyoto’s history, gardens, architecture, and the arts.
Our tour includes visiting two of Kyoto’s most important sites such as the Imperial Palace & Imperial Gardens (Kyoto Gyoen), the former residence and ruling Palace of the Japanese Emperor,  and Nijo Castle, home to the Shoguns of the era. We will get an understanding of Kyoto’s biography and dig through the deep layers of history and traditional culture that overlap in this fascinating city.

    • Kyoto Imperial Palace is the former residence of Japan’s imperial family. It is now an impressive landmark in the very center of Kyoto. After serving as a home for Japan’s imperial family during the ten centuries Kyoto served as the nation’s capital, the family left the palace in 1868 when the capital moved to Tokyo. The palace is surrounded by Kyoto Gyoen, a large park right in the middle of the city, which is also known as Kyoto’s “Central Park”.

pm – Lunch and the remainder of the afternoon at your leisure.
For those of you interested, we can visit one of my favourite ramen restaurants. Seating only 7 people (we might have to take it in turns to eat) this intimate venue is operated with zen-precision by the chef serving some of the best seafood brothed ramen (with homemade ramen noodles) until sold-out.

pm – Free Night to explore Kyoto at your leisure. Nico can offer up some suggestions on places to visit and to eat this evening which you are welcome to do on your own or as a group!
Accommodation: Fauchon Hotel Kyoto
(Included Meals : B)

Day 8 – Kyoto – Arashiyama (West Kyoto) – UNESCO World Heritage “Bamboo Forest”

6:00am – This morning, in an effort to try to beat the crowds at one of Kyoto’s most popular sites, we will arrange to catch taxis to head to West Kyoto’s famous Bamboo Forest in Arashiyama. We will plan to be back at the hotel by 9am for breakfast.
6:30am–  Arrival in Arashiyama home to the stunningly beautiful and magical atmosphere of the UNESCO World Heritage Listed Arashiyama Bamboo Grove.
Arashiyama
Set along the flowing Hozu River, Arashiyama is a welcome natural retreat from nearby bustling Kyoto. Dating back to 794, when Kyoto, then called Heian-kyo, became home to the imperial court. Arashiyama flourished as a summer and holiday retreat for court nobles attracted to its scenic charms.
Arashiyama’s Sagano Bamboo Forest, or Bamboo Grove, is both locally famous and world-renowned. Visitors can stroll paths lined with endless rows of towering bamboo. The experience has been described as other-worldly, serene, and dreamlike. The Japanese Ministry of Environment have named the sound of the rustling bamboo within this forest as one of the “100 Soundscapes of Japan”.

 

08:00am – Group return to our hotel, with shared taxis, for breakfast.
09:00am – Visits to some of Kyoto’s other famous UNESCO sights including:
    • Kinkaku-ji, the famed “Golden Pavilion,” is Kyoto’s most iconic sight, rising above its reflecting pond like an apparition. Glistening in the sun with gold leaf and perched on the edge of a lake, the original Zen Buddhist temple dates back to 1397 and is surrounded by a quintessentially Japanese garden that changes dramatically with the seasons.

    • Philosopher’s Path Walk – The Philosopher’s Path in Kyoto located at the foot of Higashiyama, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto is one of the most popular walking paths in the city. The path extends about 1.8 km along a canal carrying water from Lake Biwa to the Higashiyama foothills. The Philosopher’s Path was made in 1890 upon the completion of the canal. At that time, intellectuals, such as the philosopher Kitaro Nishida of Kyoto University, lived nearby, and they would think over their ideas while walking along this cherry tree lined path, and that is how it eventually became called the Philosopher’s Path.

    • Ginkaku-ji Temple – Kyoto’s “Silver Pavilion” with its magnificient halls and gardens. Ginkaku-ji (Temple of the Silver Pavilion) is the more common name for Jisho-ji, a temple belonging to the Shokoku School of the Rinzai Zen sect of Buddhism. This popular tourist site was (along with 16 other sites in Kyoto) listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage site in 1994. Ginkaku-ji was not originally a temple. Ashikaga Yoshimasa (1436-1490), the 8th Ashikaga Shogun and grandson of Ashikaga Yoshimitsu (constructor of Kinkaku-ji, the temple of the golden pavilion) began construction in 1460 with the initial plan of covering it with silver foil, but was prevented from immediately completing his retirement villa due to the Onin Wars (1467-1477).

Remainder of the afternoon at your leisure.
For those keen to continue, we can visit Nishiki Market (Kyoto’s Kitchen). Thriving for 400 years, Nishiki Market today is very different from its origins as an open-air fish market some 400 years ago. Nishiki Market has an astonishing 130 vendors packed into a narrow passageway that is approximately 400 meters long and 3.9 meters wide. It continues to thrive, attracting not only visitors, but Kyoto locals too.

16:30 – 18:00pm – Gion– Prior to dinner this evening, we will head to Kyoto’s famous Gion district for a little walk and with a bit of luck, we may spot a Maiko (apprentice geisha) or Geiko scurrying between teahouse appointments.
Gion
The charming neighbourhood of Gion is Kyoto’s most famous geisha district, located around Shijo Avenue between Yasaka Shrine in the east and the Kamo River in the west. It is filled with shops, restaurants and ochaya (teahouses), where geiko (Kyoto dialect for geisha) and maiko (geiko apprentices) entertain.
Gion attracts tourists with its high concentration of traditional wooden machiya merchant houses. Due to the fact that property taxes were formerly based upon street frontage, the houses were built with narrow facades only five to six meters wide, but extend up to twenty meters in from the street.

19:00pm – Group Dinner– Tonight we will enjoy dinner at a teppanyaki restaurant n Gion.

nobu-kyoto-counter

nobu-kyoto-teppanyaki
Accommodation: Fauchon Hotel Kyoto
(Included Meals : B, D)

Day 9 – TOKYO – The world’s largest metropolis

Tokyo
One of the world’s greatest metropolises, Tokyo is brimming with life and culture, both historical and contemporary, and is a sensory bombardment with its wonderful abundance of street-level detail meaning there is always something to keep the attention.
Tokyo is a truly overwhelming city: a vibrant hub of modern civilisation, constantly buzzing with activity. Japan’s capital since the Meiji restoration of 1868.
am – Breakfast at your leisure.
09:00am – Check out from our Kyoto hotel for departure by Japan’s famous high-speed Shinkansen Bullet train to Tokyo, for the 2 1/2 hour train journey with speeds of up to 300km/h. During our journey, there is the possibility of seeing Japan’s majestic Mt Fuji as we pass by.

12:05pm – Upon arrival in Tokyo, we will drop our bags off at our hotel in one of Tokyo’s most vibrant and trendy districts.
GINZA
Built on the site of a silver coin mint dating back to the Edo era (1603-1868), Ginza is an area steeped in history with an air of self-assured elegance. Its main street houses some of Tokyo’s original department stores, and many still flock here for peerless service that matches the high-class products on offer. Ginza’s backstreets are adventures in boutique shopping and tiny yet exquisite bistros.
Ginza, often compared to New York’s Fifth Avenue, is where Tokyo’s rich history gracefully mingles with the present. Rather than resting on its reputation, however, Ginza constantly evolves with the times, providing cultured modernity, energy and old-Tokyo charm. With its understated elegance, Ginza promises a calm yet classy escape in the heart of Tokyo, making it even more of an urban retreat on the weekends (while we are visiting) when its main drag Chuo Dori becomes a stylish pedestrian promenade. 

Our Accommodation – The Blossom Hibiya
Centrally located  with only short walks to Shimabashi Train Station, which services the Haneda & Narita International Airports, the 4-star Blossom Hibiya Hotel is situated in the centre of Tokyo, a mere 6 minute walk to Tokyo’s finest shopping precinct of Ginza. With it’s birds-eye view lobby from the 17 floor, all guest rooms on the floors above have spectacular views across the Tokyo skyline.

13:00pm – After dropping off our bags it will be time for a bite of lunch. We will visit a “depachika” at one of Tokyo’s oldest department stores in Ginza. The food markets at Tokyo’s department stores carry everything from ready-to-eat meals and food bento to packaged gifts.To walk into a depachika is to submit yourself to temptation – so take your time and keep your eye out for free food samples to taste before shelling out on an actual portion. Some depachika even have eat-in counters and sections dedicated to alcohol where you can indulge in sake and wine tastings. So really, a good depachika is more than a food court or grocery store; it is all your foodie dreams come true.
14:30pm – Commence our exploration of Tokyo with a visit to Asakusa. Also known as “Old Tokyo”, Asakusa is home to Senso-ji, Tokyo’s oldest and most sacred temple. The colourful pagoda-style temple was completed in 645, when Tokyo was nothing more than a fishing village, and is dedicated to Kannon, the goddess of mercy in several East Asian spiritual traditions

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Remainder of the afternoon at your leisure. Either head back to the hotel for a relax or alternatively visit the Tokyo Skytree nearby to Asakusa.

19:00pm – Group Dinner at a typical, Japanese-style Izakaya (Japanese Gastropub) restaurant for a quintessential Japanese dining experience of great food and drink amongst local Japanese.

pm – Remainder of the evening at your leisure.
Accommodation – The Blossom Hibiya
(Included Meals : B, D)

Day 9 – Tokyo

am – Breakfast and early morning at your leisure.  Go for an early morning walk around the grounds of the Imperial Palace not far from our hotel.

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09:00am – To familiarise the group with Tokyo, join Nico this morning for a visit to some of Tokyo’s famous areas & sights including

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pm – Remainder of the afternoon at your leisure. You would have now mastered Japan’s incredibly efficient public transportation system, so we have left this afternoon as a free day for you to explore Tokyo as you desire.
We can provide you with suggestions on whether you would like to visit some of its cultural attractions or many museums, based on your interests, or alternatively you might like to do some last minute shopping before the tour ends.
The boutique represents the flagship sake brand of a 350-year-old brewery to showcase the wonders of Japanese sake brewing and express the beauty of Japanese culture.
The experience will provide for a guided comparative tasting of five varieties of top class sake presented in special artist-crafted sake cups and paired with seasonal bites curated by head chef and owner of Ginza Wakyo.

Artworks move out of rooms, relate to other works, influence each other, and at times intermingle, without boundaries. Through this group of works, one continuous world without boundaries is created. The new teamLab Borderless opened in February, 2024, in Azabudai Hills, near Roppongi

pm – Evening at your leisure. We haven’t arranged dinner for this evening so it is an opportunity to either visit one of Tokyo’s many Michelin rated restaurants or, at the other end of the scale, try one of my favourite Japanese dishes – tonkatsu – at a restaurant specialising in this dish of crumbled pork (prawn or chicken options are usually also available).

 

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Accommodation – The Blossom Hibiya
(Included Meals : B)

 

Day 11 – Tokyo – Final Day

am – Breakfast at your leisure.
09:00am – Opt for a light breakfast this morning, then join Nico for a visit of Tokyo’s famous “Outer Market” at the Tsukiji Fish Market. Once the largest seafood market in the world, handling more than 2,000 tons (1,800 metric tons) of marine products a day, the original market wasn’t intended to be a major tourist attraction when it opened in 1935. Its famous “Inner Market” and wholesale tuna auction relocated to the nearby Toyosu Fish Market in 2020, to make room for the Tokyo Olympics.
Tsukiji now regularly shows up on visitors’ lists of must-see destinations in Tokyo for its lively atmosphere and incredible sushi. A visit to Tsukiji Outer Market is best combined with a fresh sushi breakfast or lunch at one of the local restaurants, which typically open from 5:00 in the morning to around noon or early afternoon. Because most of the fish served and sold at Tsukiji Outer Market is delivered directly from Toyosu Market, it is one of the best places in Tokyo to enjoy fresh seafood.

As our final day in Tokyo, today is a Free Day to explore the city as you wish, or to simply relax! Nico is able to offer you suggestions on other attractions to complete your visit in Tokyo!
19:00pm –  Farewell Group Dinner in Tokyo.
Accommodation – The Blossom Hibiya
(Included Meals : B, D)

 

Day 12 – Tokyo Departure

am – Breakfast at your leisure before checking out of our hotel.
For those of you returning to Australia, the closest airport to central Tokyo is HANEDA AIRPORT about 45 minutes out of town, while NARITA AIRPORT is about 90 minutes out of town.
Our closest Shimbashi Station has a direct rail connection with Haneda Airport, while Tokyo’s public train system is also able to arrive at Narita Airport. We will assist in arranging your preferred transfer to the airport of your departure.
TOUR INCLUSIONS
The following is INCLUDED in the price:
The following is NOT INCLUDED in the price:

**Note: Price is subject to change without notice as a result of international currency fluctuations that may affect the cost of land transportation, hotels, or other related services. You will be notified as soon as any changes are affected. 

 

HOW TO BOOK
Booking Deadline: 01 April 2025
As accommodation and travel continue to be at their premium in Japan following its reopening to the world, especially during their peak Autumn (November) and Cherry Blossom (March) seasons. Due to the limited rooms available at our selected hotels, bookings must be secured by 01 April 2025 so that we can confirm them with our accommodation providers. We trust this meets with your understanding.
Booking Deposit: 
A $AUD2500 non-refundable BOOKING DEPOSIT is required to hold a booking for the tour, at the time of your reservation. We are able to refund your Booking Deposit should a replacement be found for any cancelled places.. The Booking Deposit is used to secure accommodations and tour services at the time of your request for places. Banking Details are included below to facilitate your Booking Deposit payment. Please forward your completed BOOKING FORM to urbanprovider@icloud.com.
Final Payment: 
Payment in full is required at least 90 days prior to departure (Final Payment Due: 03 August 2025). Payment can be made at any time before the final due date, if you prefer. Final Payment will be converted from ¥JPY to $AUD based on the prevailing Foreign Cash Currency Exchange rate at the time of payment. To view the Foreign Cash Currency Exchange to be used at the time of payment, please visit the Wise rates website at – https://wise.com/gb/currency-converter/aud-to-jpy-rate?amount=1
Cancellation:
In the event that you may have to cancel your tour for any reason, we allow refunds for payments in the following way:
Payment Options (Places confirmed upon receipt of Booking Deposit)
Payment can be made by direct deposit at any NATIONAL AUSTRALIA BANK or online with your registered online banking facilities.
To pay online through your financial institution, please find the following account details to make it easy to make your payment :
We look forward to hosting you on this very special “Discover Japan – Autumn Spectacle Experience” ! If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate in contacting us.
Arigato gozaimas,
Nico & Belinda Moretti
Cooking Passions Cooking School
267 Vincent Street, LEEDERVILLE WA 6007
AUSTRALIA
www.urbanprovider.com.au