Japan's Culinary Heritage Tour

Regional cuisine, the heart and soul of Japanese culture
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Calling all foodies! Eat your way through the Land of the Rising Sun on this comprehensive 11-day "foodcation." You'll immerse yourself in Japanese history and culture through its legendary cuisine, and treat your taste buds to everything from home-brewed sake to the freshest sushi, to delectable street food and a fancy gourmet feast.
How it works
Chat with specialist icon Step 1
Tell us what kind of trip you want
Complete our quick travel quiz
Chat icons Step 2
Chat with a local travel specialist
Work out the details together
Credit card icon Step 3
Securely book your trip
100% satisfaction guaranteed

Meet our Local Travel Specialists

Experienced travel agents with a passion for Japan
Travel specialist Leny Vergara
active 2 days ago

Leny Vergara

Hello! I'm Leny. Travel is my passion, and if you're anything like me, you believe the best adventures happen off the beaten path. Japan is the first country I lived in, and I fell in love with it....

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Travel specialist Sandy Ren
active 32 mins ago

Sandy Ren

I have been working as a travel specialist since graduating from college twenty years ago. Travel is my lifelong passion. It was such a thrilling thing to venture into a new world full of unknown...

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Travel specialist Shona Zhang
active 27 mins ago

Shona Zhang

With strong passion for traveling,I worked as an English-speaking guide for 10 years with travel agent.I love to travel and communicate with different tourists from all corners of the...

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Travel specialist Ben Tanaka
active 1 hour ago

Ben Tanaka

I am a seasoned travel professional with a degree in Tourism Management and 27 years of extensive experience in the travel industry. My career has taken me from guiding tours to managing office...

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See all Japan travel agents

Trip Reviews for Japan

The latest reviews by travelers who booked their trip on kimkim

Great one-week stop-over - three city exposure of Japan
Japan | Apr 14 - Apr 21, 2026

Tom
Tom D.
Minneapolis, MN | Reviewed on Apr 26, 2026
We had a great time with a quick one-week stopover in Japan. Really enjoyed Kyoto gardens and temple/shrines. Picture and weather perfect day in Hakone - doing the loop - with the iconic snow-capped Fuji. Toyko is much to big for just 2 days - but loved the Palace Garden and the Asakusa area was buzzing. Read more

We had a great time with a quick one-week stopover in Japan. Really enjoyed Kyoto gardens and temple/shrines. Picture and weather perfect day in Hakone - doing the loop - with the iconic snow-capped Fuji. Toyko is much to big for just 2 days - but loved the Palace Garden and the Asakusa area was buzzing.

Hotel Reviews
Asakusa View Hotel Annex Rokku
Tokyo

Very modern city hotel. Very clean quite and comfortable. Helpful staff. Breakfast buffet at their main building was excellent.

Authenticity & Character
It's a very modern hotel - clean, quiet and comfortable.
Location
Fun to be right in the Asakusa area and easy access to subway
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Tokinoyu Setsugetsuka
Hakone-machi

Clearly a good resort experience with baths and very close proximity to the transit needed to make the loop

Authenticity & Character
If you like to dress up - they provide all the robes and such. Very nice hot baths and spacious rooms. However zero flexibility with set menu and over the food is average taste
Location
2 minute walk from train station / cable car
Staff
Had issues communicating and had issues with seating on reserved 2nd day dinner. We were first in lline for our shift and they sat us (initially in a dark corner table with no view of anything- while the many garden view tables were all open and available. After a few challenges trying to communicate our issue they finally re-sat us at a good view table. But it was not friendly and barely accommodating. No flexibility and as non Japanese speakers found communication bumpy.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Large clean room - plenty of towels and good garden view
Hotel Vischio Kyoto by GRANVIA
Kyoto

Nice quiet room. Really amazing breakfast buffet. Location next to train station made navigation and transfers really accesible

Authenticity & Character
Great shower - clean and comfortable - Japanese food available at breakfast buffet
Location
2 minute walk to train station
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Very clean. Firm beds
Activity Review
Half Day Sagano Bamboo Grove & Arashiyama Walking Tour (Join-in)
Half Day Sagano Bamboo Grove & Arashiyama Walking Tour (Join-in)
Kyoto

Yuki our guide made this our top highlight of all our time spent in Kyoto. Especially enjoyed the pacing and allowing us some peaceful time to soak in the very private Zen garden. She also moved us thru the more busy tourist areas, finding great spots for pictures and explanations. Tofu lunch was amazing, best authentic food on our entire trip in a beautiful house (glad we ate there over the temple lunch which was not available that day). Plus she sent us over 50 photos she took of our day together. Yuki also was extra special post tour - riding the train with us to get us right to the market and taking extra time later to send suggestions for a shop in Toyko where we might find masks (we collect masks from our travels). Yuki made the whole day exceptional

Quality of Experience
Great locations, Guide and Learnings - highly recommend (especially for the less touristy stops)
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Yuki is exceptional
Transport
it was a walking tour -
Local specialist: Cannon Xiao
Read all Japan reviews

Phenomenal cherry blossom trip 🌸
Japan | Apr 3 - Apr 13, 2026

J
Jody C.
San Diego, CA | Reviewed on Apr 26, 2026
Thank you Ada, and all those involved in organizing an unforgettable cherry blossom trip to Japan. Read more

Thank you Ada, and all those involved in organizing an unforgettable cherry blossom trip to Japan.

Hotel Reviews
Richmond Hotel Premier Tokyo Schole
Tokyo
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Onyado Nono Matsumoto Natural Hot Spring
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Morino Hotel
Kiso
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Taoya Kisoji
Tsumago
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
The Royal Park Hotel Kyoto Umekoji
Kyoto
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hiroshima Tokyu REI Hotel
Hiroshima
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Karuizawa Hotel Longing House
Karuizawa

This was our least favorite town we visited, and our least favorite hotel. It is far from the hiking trail and the activity in the city. It had the least authentic Japanese vibe of everywhere we visited. The huge old dirty teddy bears sitting out in the rain were not a welcome greeting. The outstanding customer service we received throughout Japan was lacking in this town and this hotel. The room was fine. The breakfast was good. I would not recommend visiting this town or this hotel.

Authenticity & Character
Throw away old disgusting giant teddy bears that contaminate both indoor and outdoor spaces.
Location
There could be a free shuttle from the train station.
Staff
No one at desk, have to ring a bell and wait.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Review
Half-day Tokyo Highlights: Meiji Jingu & Senso-ji Temple
Half-day Tokyo Highlights: Meiji Jingu & Senso-ji Temple
Tokyo

Naomi

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Ada Huang
Ada
Ada Huang
Local specialist in Japan | Replied on Apr 26, 2026

Hi Jody，

Thank you again for sharing your feedback—I really appreciate it.

I’m very glad to hear that your cherry blossom trip overall was memorable. At the same time, I’m sorry that your stay in Karuizawa and at Karuizawa Hotel Longing House didn’t meet your expectations. I completely understand your concerns, especially given the high standard you experienced elsewhere in Japan.

Based on your feedback, we will no longer recommend this hotel for future trips.

Thank you again for your honest comments—they truly help us improve.

Warm regards,
Ada

Read all Japan reviews

This was a must going alone to Japan for the ...
Japan | Apr 5 - Apr 17, 2026

John
John L.
Los Angeles, CA | Reviewed on Apr 26, 2026

This was a must going alone to Japan for the first time. Greg made everything super easy and even changed my trip when I had a major delay.

Local specialist: Greg Varga
Read all Japan reviews
See more trip reviews by kimkim travelers

Why travelers love kimkim

Custom trips for independent travelers who are too busy to plan
Customize your trip with the help of a local travel specialist

Kimkim has handpicked the world’s top local travel specialists so you will have peace of mind and an unforgettable trip that meets your exact requirements.

Authentic travel experiences

Kimkim’s local specialists ensure that you will have the best experience based on up-to-date local insights. On top of that, the vast majority of your money will go straight to support and grow local economies.

Secure & easy booking

Once you are happy with the trip, you can easily book via kimkim’s secure payment platform.

Local support during your trip

You can always reach your local specialist with a quick message or call in case you hit a snag during your trip, or simply want some great local recommendations.