Itinerary

With hypnotic neon lights, head-turning cultural oddities and a cuisine that is surprising, delicious and a work of art all at the same time, Tokyo is a truly mesmerising experience. Kick off the adventure along Shinjuku’s Memory Lane - known locally as Piss Alley. Oozing postwar shabbiness and filled with enticing aromas, it is one of Tokyo city’s more famous eating and drinking spots, serving some of the city’s best yakitori (grilled chicken skewers) and plenty of cold beer. Pull up a stool and tuck in, watching as skewers sizzle away in front of you. Then, take in stunning views of the city from the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building’s observation deck before embarking on a late night city walk through Shinjuki’s red light district and Shibuya to discover some of the area’s coolest bars and tempting street food. The next morning, meet the day’s catch at the eye-popping Tsukiji Fish Market. It’s a very early start but it’s worth it to see the sheer magnitude of seafood and activity that happens here. Test your cooking chops at a soba-making cooking class then work off lunch on a walking tour of Asakusa, aka kitchen-gadget heaven. In season, visit a traditional sake brewery in the afternoon to sample Japan’s national drink before perhaps dining at an izakaya, a Japanese pub that serves tapas-style food. Many business people come to izakayas to relax after work and are great places to test out your language skills and people-watch. Dishes like kushiyaki (grilled meat or vegetable skewers), sashimi (raw fish) and karaage (bite-sized fried chicken) are perfect to share - so order up and tuck in over your favourite tipple. Get the chance to enjoy a nightcap in an underground whisky bar, which are the rising stars in the uber-cool bar scene of Tokyo.

Escape the crowded city for delightful Hakone, a wilderness area close to Tokyo that often gives a glimpse of beautiful Mt Fuji. Hakone, home to the ethereal Lake Ashinoko, is also famed for its hot springs. Spend the day cruising over the lake’s clear waters, soaring through the air in a cable car and perhaps sinking into soothing hot springs. Travel on to the historical town of Odawara, where the local specialties kamaboko (fish cake) and umeboshi (preserved plum) will definitely be on the menu. Perhaps explore the Odawara Castle and the city’s charming streets before heading to a traditional ryokan, where tonight we experience kaiseki, a multi-course dinner that embraces seasonal, regional food whose hallmarks are mouth-watering flavours and visual beauty. After dinner, retire to the old-world charm of the ryokan.

Experience the deliciousness that is a ryokan breakfast – with Japanese omelettes, rice, grilled fish and miso on the menu. Make the trip back to Tokyo city and wander through one of the city’s more popular farmers’ markets, seeing the wild and wonderful foods that are grown in Japan. Then, lunch at a restaurant famed for chanko nabe. This aromatic meal is the staple food for sumo wrestlers and is filled with meats, fish, vegetables and noodles. To avoid sumo status, you may want to share! Be blown away by our next destination. Think mind-boggling array of foods, luxury department store, kaleidoscopic colours and you’ve only just got a taste of a depachika, an underground floor of a department store dedicated to food. Try not to be overwhelmed by happiness as you explore every tantalising morsel in this foodie’s paradise. Spend the afternoon recovering at your leisure before heading downtown to dine on monjayaki, Tokyo’s answer to the okonomiyaki (savoury pancake). Slightly runnier than okonomiyaki, choose your flavours from an extensive menu and cook this messy-looking, amazing-tasting pancake on the hotplate at your table. A trip to Japan is not complete without participating in karaoke so after dinner, head to a hip karaoke bar and sing up a storm over drinks and snacks. Wrap up this delectable bite-sized tour of Japan tour the next morning.