Get ready for a seven-day exploration of Japan! We'll immerse ourselves in culture, community, history, art and cuisine. Our adventure will feature plenty of food, sake, incredible walking tours, hands-on experiences, delicious food tastings and fine dining—and time to relax. We’ll be touring ceramic studios on foot, exploring our favorite neighborhoods, learning about the rich history and culture at Buddhist temples and historic shrines, experiencing it all together. 

We’ll experience Kyoto’s layers of history, escape to local fishing villages and quiet lesser-seen temples. We'll embrace the quest for a perfectly imperfect life at ryokans and monk-led meditations. We'll learn from the artisans and craftspeople who have dedicated their lives to the art of the simplest things: tea, soy, sake, calligraphy. And we'll also meet local chefs and experience the cuisine of Kyoto like you can only do, with a master chef like Michael, with his deep roots in Kyoto's culinary scene.

Our Modern Adventure to Japan is well-paced and packs in so many incredible experiences—yet it’s not without leisure time to explore the region yourself, or simply to unwind and relax. While our activities each day will vary, the cadence remains about the same, with most days starting between 8:30 and 9am, and finishing around 4pm, then reconvening for dinner around 7pm. 

You will have the following days and times at your leisure, where you can explore, dine where you wish, and enjoy Japan on your own. If you would like to make reservations for a specific restaurant, use the following days and approximate times as a guide:

• Day 2 afternoon

•  Day 5 afternoon and dinner 

•  Day 6 afternoon  

Our culinary experiences within each adventure are designed with a narrative to showcase the breadth of deliciousness of the region. We’ll try it all: decadent meals prepared by local chef,  making our own ramen at a ramen workshop, a tour of a sake brewery and even a dinner with a geisha! We'll sample an array of local cuisine and get the best representation of eating in the regions we visit.

All meals (except for those during your free time) are covered in the cost of your experience. Select beer, wine and spirits will be served with every group meal. If you’d prefer not to drink, that’s fine too!

Note: The ryokan on Shodoshima is not adaptable to dietary restrictions so this experience may not be suitable for anyone who is vegan, GF, has a shellfish allergy, or doesn’t like seafood. We will have a locally sourced delicious alternative meal for those that make us aware of these restrictions. 

Traveling with dietary restrictions or allergies can be a challenge, but we’re here to help. Prior to your departure, we’ll send you a questionnaire where you can inform us of any special dietary needs you have. Depending on the information you give us, we will work with our in-country partners to adjust menus and be aware of allergies and restrictions on our trip. We kindly request that any changes to our menu are based on need rather than preference, as we work very hard to curate an exceptional dining experience that is difficult to change.

Group travel is an intimate, empowering and fun way to learn about yourself and others. Like any good relationship, it thrives with respect. We ask that every guest honors the key times in a day to ensure everyone's experience is the absolute best it can be. This is everyone's adventure! We also appreciate that time is precious. Every trip incorporates a mix of guided and free time for optimal exploration. But if you’re looking for more time on your own, please let your trip leader know and they can advise the best times to do this.

This departure is limited to 12 guests, plus our Modern Adventure team. Group travel is a wonderful way to meet new people and have shared experiences together. Our experiences are fun and inclusive. You can expect to be joined by a diverse group of people in terms of age, background and interests—including solo travelers, couples and friends traveling together. The common unifier of our guests is that they are curious, adventurous, and independent. This adventure is for travelers age 18 and above.