Food, Wine & Nightlife in Japan

Gain a better understanding of sake during this tour that explores the Fushimi Sake District of Kyoto. During this tour, visit Gekkeikan Okura Sake Museum, one of the largest sake breweries in Fushimi, and end your visit with a sake-tasting session. Not only will your guide be able to explain the basics of sake and introduce you to new kinds you may have never tried, but your tastings will also be paired with Japanese snacks that enhance the tasting experience.

Get a taste of Japanese food and culture during this 3-hour walking tour of Tokyo's Shibuya district. Escape the tourist hordes as you eat like a Japanese local, sampling favorites like 'takoyaki' (octopus balls), 'okonomiyaki' (savory egg pancakes), Kobe beef skewers and more in the area's off-the-beaten path eateries and hangouts. Toast your adventure, and new friends, with an included glass of beer, 'shochu' (rice liquor) or soft drinks.

Combine Kyoto cuisine with Imperial history during this 1.5-hour cooking class. Led by a food-loving local, the class is set in one of Kyoto's age-old wooden houses and includes the meal "” after you've cooked it, of course. Choose to create an "˜obanzai' vegetarian meal or a teriyaki chicken dish with soup and salad. This experience runs with just six people for an intimate and authentic experience.

Explore the streets of Tokyo during an evening food walking tour with an expert guide. You'll sample yakitori accompanied by two drinks and enjoy 6-8 food tastings plus dessert at three popular and traditional venues. Start amid Yurakucho's rustic charm, continue on to modern Ginza, and finish your 3-hour tour among a maze of local eateries in Shimbashi.

Explore Kyoto's Nishiki Market with a local guide. Your shared small-group tour (maximum of 10 people) will begin at a cooking studio near the market, where your guide will give a short talk about the tour and what it entails. Afterwards you'll exploring Nishiki market with the guide.While walking through the market, you'll learn about Japanese traditional foods in great detail, with many being mostly unknown outside of Japan. Your guides will help facilitate communication between you and the shopkeepers to provide a rare and genuine experience. After touring the market, you will return to the cooking studio and try cooking donburi (rice bowl dish with seafood, tempura or chicken & egg) with fresh ingredients you bought at Nishiki. If you bought something for yourself in the market, the friendly guide will gladly help you cut or warm up the food for you.

Get an insiders' eye perspective on Kyoto on this walking tour that combines a food tour with anthropological insight. Wander through the city's streets and understand the nighttime entertainment scene, from geiko (geisha) to hostesses. Afterward sample regional specialties accompanied by included drinks at two standing bars/restaurants.

Enjoy the perfect sushi-lover's experience during this 4.5-hour visit to the world-famous Tsukiji Fish Market, followed by a sushi-making class led by master instructor and lunch. Get lost in the labyrinth of seafood stalls with your guide at the world's largest seafood market, then head to your cooking workshop, where you'll learn to make sushi favorites including rolls and nigiri alongside your class of Tokyo locals. Your combined Tsukiji and sushi-making class also includes subway transport to the market.

Raise a glass as you experience Tokyo's legendary nightlife and make some new friends during this 4-hour city pub crawl. Get off the typical tourist "˜trail' as you down a few drinks at 3 local bars and clubs, choosing between Friday- and Saturday-night trip options. All venue cover charges, 1 "˜welcome shot' per bar, special drink discounts, and unlimited "˜bottle shots' in between bars are included.

Get off the beaten path and experience Osaka with an insider. After meeting up with your guide, sample delicious traditional dishes and drinks at local hot spots and stop by the red light district and a traditional book store. Enjoy an invigorating walk and learn about Osaka's history and culture and visit a shrine or temple to participate in the ancient practice of drawing a fortune slip.