Kyoto Japan - Japan Package

Zenbu
Ryori
Kyoto Japan
CUISINE AND CULTURE
10 DAYS / 9 NIGHTS
5–14 JANUARY 2015
A delicious leap into the traditional
and contemporary cuisine of Kyoto
hosted by Japanese food culture
expert Jane Lawson - author of
'Zenbu Zen - Finding Food, Culture
and Balance in Kyoto' published by
Murdoch Books.
Aimed at those with a professional or
serious interest (bordering on obsession...)
in all things food - this fun and informative
expedition will take a close look at Japanese
cuisine during meals at some of Jane's
favourite restaurants, visits to food markets,
depachika (sprawling gourmet produce
halls) and chats with artisan food producers.
Experience the joy of Shojin Ryori (Buddhist
vegetarian cuisine), artful and delicate
Kaiseki Ryori, Obanzai (home-style cooking),
rustic Izakaya fare, charcoal grilled Yakitori
and butter-tender Wagyu, handmade
noodles and tofu, crisp, juicy Tonkatsu
showcasing the sweetest Kyoto pork and
ethereal tempura. Be immersed in more
culinary inspiration than you can poke
a stick at!
We'll visit a traditional sake kura for an
in-depth tasting, sample local whisky and
enjoy tea ceremony with traditional sweets.
And yes, we'll be taking in so much more
of my beloved Kyoto town than just the
amazing cuisine - so be sure to bring
your camera and sense of adventure.
A true TASTE of Japan - this tour will best
serve those with a 'try anything and eat
everything' attitude!
IS THIS TOUR FOR YOU?
Zenbu Ryori promises a rollicking-paced
feast – aimed at Chefs, food & drink
professionals or hard core foodies willing
to try anything (and everything) once! Bring
a spare stomach and good walking shoes.
Tour itinerary
DAY 1
Monday 5th January 2015
The tour starts this evening with a welcome drink in the
bar of the stunning Hyatt Regency Hotel Kyoto - our
home away from home for the next 9 nights.
Afterwards we shall move into the hotel’s elegant
Touzan Restaurant where we’ll observe an expert
sushi chef prepare part of our first dinner together –
a selection of local specialities.
DAY 2
Tuesday 6th January 2015
Enjoy one of the best buffet breakfasts in Kyoto town
whilst taking in the tranquil view of the Japanese
courtyard garden. This morning I’ll walk and talk you
through the wonderful Nishiki-koji food market, known
to the locals as Kyoto daidokoro or Kyoto’s kitchen.
Expect an eye popping assortment of supremely fresh
seafood, meats, pickles, tofu, miso, Kyoto’s renowned
vegetable varieties and many other local delicacies.
If beautiful knives are your thing be sure to bring
along some yen as we will visit a store famous for its
hand crafted knives (and other artisan cookware and
utensils!). Don’t say I didn’t warn you!
Our lunch will be crisp, ethereal Tempura seafood
and seasonal Kyo-yasai (Kyoto vegetables) at a nearby
traditional inn.
After lunch we will visit a wonderful Japanese
design store. The next few hours are at your leisure.
Why not take advantage of the nearby covered
shopping arcades or downtown area? For those who are
interested in joining me I’ll visit a traditional paper shop
and intoxicating modern incense store.
We’ll enjoy a multi-coursed dinner in a handsomely
renovated Machiya (traditional shop house).
DAY 3
Wednesday 7th January 2015
After breakfast we will travel to a peaceful Zen temple
complex at the western edge of Kyoto city for a short
lesson in Zazen (seated meditation) and chat about
Buddhist philosophy and its connection to Japanese
cuisine and tea ceremony, life and the universe with
one fascinatingly modern monk.
We shall lunch at a restaurant highly renowned for
superb Shojin Ryori (Buddhist Vegetarian cuisine).
Afterwards we’ll saunter through a sprawling
underground food hall to gaze into the cabinets
that house jewel-like Wagashi (traditional Japanese
confectionary) and lacquered senbei (rice crackers) and
resist the urge to purchase every beautifully packaged
item in the store.
We’ll enjoy a little free time for shopping before
tucking into a dinner of crisp, golden Tonkatsu –
showcasing the best of Kyoto’s sweet, sweet pig!
DAY 4
Thursday 8th January 2015
Today we will be joined by a local guide for a walking
tour of Higashiyama (East Mountain) area. We will start
with a visit to one of Kyoto’s most popular temples Kiyomizu Dera and adjacent cobblestoned lanes lined
with local ceramics, crafts and foodstuffs. We’ll continue
on to Maruyama Park and Yasaka Shrine through wellpreserved traditional streets.
DAY 4
Continued
After an Obanzai lunch (Kyoto home-style dishes) we
will step back in time with a stroll through Gion – Kyoto’s
most famous Geisha quarter before making our way to
a quaint teahouse to meet and chat with a charming
Maiko-san (trainee Geisha).
Tonight we will share some excellent Izakaya fare.
Lunch will be at a charming Japanese/French
restaurant (Did you know that Kyoto is sister city to
Paris?) then afterwards we’ll visit one of my favourite
gallery shops showcasing local artists’ home-centric
wares made from ceramics, glass and metals before
whiling away the remainder of the day perusing the
fascinating antiques district.
Tonight is all about succulent grilled chicken-on-astick! We’ll enjoy some of the best Yakitori offerings in
Kyoto town.
DAY 5
Friday 9th January 2015
After a very early breakfast we will be transported by
private bus to a snowy village in neighbouring Gifu
prefecture to visit a rustic Sake kura (brewery) owned
and run by my generous friend and his family. He’ll walk
us through the incredible traditional buildings and chat
with us about sake, and its relationship with Japanese
food and culture, while we taste some of their many
varieties – and perhaps their famous yuzu or ume (plum)
sake! Kampai!
The day will include a robust (and sake absorbing!)
lunch of local ingredients.
Sleep off the day’s activities during the bus
ride back to Kyoto before a light but inspiring Soba
(buckwheat) noodle dinner.
DAY 7
Sunday 11th January 2015
This morning we shall head directly to Kyoto’s western
edge for a stroll around scenic Arashiyama town area,
including the moon crossing bridge, the incredible
bamboo forest. We’ll visit a villa in a spectacular setting,
once owned by one of Kyoto’s favourite B&W movie stars,
featuring one of the best views over Kyoto town and
surrounding mountains. The morning’s exercise promises
to help us work up an appetite for leisurely lunching on
some of Kyoto’s most creative fare!
The afternoon will be yours for resting or exploring
until we meet up for a light, elegant dinner.
DAY 8
DAY 6
Saturday 10th January 2015
We shall start the day with a visit to the stupendous
Heian Jingu (shrine) and its gorgeous stroll garden.
Next we’ll visit a small family run miso brewery,
for a peek into the boutique production of this ancient,
healthful and important Japanese ingredient. If you don’t
know your saikyo from your hatcho – you will walk
away informed and inspired and possibly hungry… We’ll
be taking a translator along to answer our questions!
Monday 12th January 2015
A full day at leisure giving you the opportunity to
discover more of Kyoto’s personality.
If you haven’t yet had your fill there are another
couple of thousand temples and shrines to keep
you busy - but there are also plenty of streets and
photogenic laneways to explore. Take a walk along the
Kamo river, visit Nijo Castle and nearby Ninja house, or
perhaps take a bus ride north to Ohara, through farming
land, to visit the incredibly serene Sanzen-in temple.
DAY 8
DAY 10
Continued
If you’re camera or technology mad I’ll point out
the best spot to satiate your cravings (and find some
bargains!). You might feel inspired to take a short trip to
spirit dense Fushimi Inari Shrine or Uji, famous for the
Byodoin Temple area and green tea – if its green tea
sweets, soba or ice cream you’re hankering for – you
are guaranteed to find it here! A little further afield is the
ancient town of Nara (Japan’s capital before Kyoto and
then Tokyo) – either hop on the train or join a guided
tour for an amazing history lesson and a chance to frolic
with free roaming sacred deer! The stone lantern lined
Kasuga shrine is a must see. Perhaps you just feel like a
good long soak in a Japanese style public bath – there
are plenty to be found.
Just be back in time for tonight’s fine dining
experience.
Wednesday 14th January 2015
A sleep-in and a lazy breakfast are in order before we
say Sayonara!
The rest of the day is yours for last minute
shopping…
Or to practice Zen meditation on a sunny temple
deck until your departure homewards.
Or perhaps you might like to take the time to
contemplate our journey together with a stroll along
the tree lined Path of philosophy.
Or spend a few hours trawling through one of
Kyoto’s bookstores offering a wide selection of books on
Japanese cuisine, culture, architecture and curiosities!
I challenge you not to leave with a bundle of local food
magazines clutched to your chest! Great inflight reading!
DAY 9
Tuesday 13th January 2015
We’ll slip in an early morning visit to one of my secret
hiding spots uptown- an old villa, once owned by a
poet and philosopher, but now a temple with a small
but lovely garden in the eastern mountain range before
heading down to the amazing structure that is the Kyoto
Station Building.
For lunch today we’ll have the honour of dining on
some of the finest traditional Kaiseki cuisine you can
find in Japan.
This evening we might sample some smooth
Japanese Whiskey and take a relaxed stroll along the
atmospheric alley of Pontocho, lined with restaurants
and bars, before our final dinner together featuring melt
in the mouth Wagyu.
Sayonara
Tour price
$8,500 Aus / PER PERSON
$8,100 Aus / PER PERSON / TWIN SHARE
WHAT IS INCLUDED
This tour is guided by Jane Lawson. Prices relate
to land cost only and is inclusive of the following:
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9 night’s luxury accommodation at the Kyoto
Hyatt Regency Hotel including tax
Taxi or private bus travel between destinations
included in the itinerary. Travel during leisure time
is at your own cost.
9 gourmet buffet breakfasts
A welcome drink
9 dinners featuring a variety of Japanese dishes
7 lunches featuring a variety of Japanese dishes
Walkand talktour of Nishiki market and Daimaru
food hall
Sakebrewerytour, talk and tasting by Sake expert
Sushi and sashimi demonstration
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Misobreweryvisit with translator
Zazen instruction, Buddhist philosophy talk and
guided tour through private temple
Tourwith additional local guide through historically
significant Higashiyama area and Gion
A chat with Maiko including tea ceremony
demonstration with matcha and Wagashi
(whisked green tea and traditional sweet)
A walk around Arashiyama area, the bamboo forest
and Movie Star Villa/Garden
A stroll around the antiques district and a visit
to several of Jane’s favourite design and craft stores
All temple and garden entry fees as per itinerary
Japanese Whiskey tasting
A signed copy of Jane’s book Zenbu Zen – Finding
Food, Culture and Balance in Kyoto on full payment
Insider knowledge and a peek inside Jane’s head
and heart and why she loves Kyoto so!
Plus a few surprises along the way
Important Booking Information
Jane is working together with the lovely Daisukesan from Pitt Travel in Sydney who will handle your
booking. He is also able to assist you with flights,
transfers and travel insurance.
CONTACT
Daisuke’s email is: pitt@pitt-travel.com.au
His phone number is +61 2 9267 0010
Jane’s email is janelawsonfood@bigpond.com.au
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Bookings are not confirmed until a 25% deposit
has been made.
Full payment is required by Monday 6 October 2014.
Members of the Zenbu Ryori group will receive a
detailed itinerary closer to departure time.
Between payment and departure Jane will also send
members some helpful information about local
customs, what to expect weather wise and
similar topics.
Further details and orientation will be shared by
Jane during the welcome drinks and dinner on the
first night.
While we will do our very best to stick to the itinerary
as published – there may be some shuffling around
until we have all restaurant booking requests
confirmed so we ask for your understanding.
MORE IMPORTANT STUFF
This tour requires a minimum of 6 people to run and
will we take a maximum of 8.
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We reserve the right to cancel the tour if the
minimum number of registrants is not met. However,
we will not cancel a tour less than 60 days before
departure unless unforseen disaster occurs!
All activities experienced in your leisure time
including transport will be at your own expense.
All alcoholic beverages except those mentioned
within the itinerary will be at your own expense.
Unless I’m drunk and feeling generous…
All tour participants must provide proof of a valid
passport & travel insurance
All tour participants should feel comfortable with long
days and lots of walking - including stairs/inclines and
uneven surfaces at times
All participants are advised to bring along relevant
Doctor’s prescriptions if carrying strong /important
medication
Please note: Sadly we cannot recommend this tour to
those people with dining restrictions and sensitivities.
This tour has been designed for those wishing to
experience a wide variety of authentic foodstuffs.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
JANE LAWSON
janelawsonfood@bigpond.com.au
www.eatspeakjl.blogspot.com.au
Photography courtesy of Cath Muscat and Jane Lawson © copyright 2013