Japan with Angie Rito and Scott Tacinelli

Welcome to Tokyo, the world’s greatest food city and home to more Michelin stars than any other city (even Paris). There’s only one way to start an adventure through Japan, and that’s a sprawling welcome banquet specially curated by one of Tokyo’s finest.

We begin with spirits—sake, more specifically. We’ll learn all about this powerful, fragrant and smooth rice wine over a flight or two of local vintages.

The highlight, however, is dinner at Grasara, one of the most original restaurants in Tokyo. Here, we’ll turn to Scott and Angie as they walk us through the nuanced flavors of Italsoba (yes, Italian soba) dishes like pork and basil in ginger genovese. It’s the ideal welcome feast for the incredible adventure ahead.

We’ll spend our morning exploring the Ginza district and one of its fabled depachika—the underground department-store food halls where artfully packaged delicacies are displayed like precious museum artifacts. After a rooftop snack, we’ll roll up our sleeves and dive right into an immersive sushi workshop. We’ll learn the right vinegar-to-rice ratio, how to fold the sushi, and all kinds of other local secrets before sitting down together to enjoy our bluefin tuna nigiri.

After lunch, it’s off to lively Kappabashi, otherwise known as ‘Kitchen Street.’ We’ll wander its zigzagging streets, taking in the sights and smells of this incredible food-centric neighborhood.

As evening falls, Tokyo is yours to explore. With its Blade Runner-like highways, towering skyscrapers lording over quiet back alleys, and a dazzling kaleidoscope of shops and restaurants, there’s no such thing as a ‘wrong turn’ here. Need a dinner recommendation? Scott and Angie can steer you toward a few of their favorite spots in the city. 

We’ll board the bullet train (Shinkansen) to Osaka; at 200 miles per hour, it’s a no-hassle, two-hour journey. While Osaka is famous for its cuisine, first we’ll experience another of the city’s traditional crafts, knife making, in the heart of the Sakai prefecture with a master artisan.

Next, after some time to settle into our new hotel, it’s time for one of the best food experiences in the world. Osaka’s reputation as the culinary heart of Japan is built on its concentration of Michelin-starred restaurants (99 at last count), its excellent street-food scene, its openness to foreign cuisines, and two delicious indigenous snacks: okonomiyaki (yam-flour pancakes filled with seafood, pork, kimchi) and takoyaki (octopus doughnuts). We’re here specifically for the street foods—our dinner is a delicious moveable feast on foot.

We’ll spend the morning at the world-famous Akashi fish market. We’ll stroll the docks and the outbuildings, marveling at the treasures of the sea until the famous tuna auction commences. This daily ritual is a testament to Japan’s profound relationship with the sea. Buoyed by the bounty and the bustle of the market, we’ll stop for a lunch featuring (you guessed it) sushi, made with fish caught just this morning and served with wasabi from a farm down the road.

Our journey into serenity deepens today as we relocate to Shodō island and settle into our truly stunning ryokan—a traditional inn and the epitome of elevated minimalism. Our lodging embodies the effortless grace of Japanese onsen culture. Its pine accents are understated, its kaiseki meals, simple and exquisite and the spa, serene and restorative.

We’ll have the afternoon to recharge at our ryokan before indulging in a meticulously plated multi-course feast designed to embody omotenashi, or wholehearted hospitality.

This morning we begin with ethereal light—guests at a Zen Buddhist temple, we’ll stand witness to a stunning fire ritual. Inspired, we’ll promptly set out to explore the dizzying sights of Shodoshima—from art installations and olive groves to staggering ocean vistas.

All eyes turn to Angie and Scott here as we tour a little slice of Italy—one of Japan’s only olive farms. We’ll walk the estate and discuss harvest methods and preparation, while sampling some of their heralded oils.

Our adventure continues as we go behind the scenes at a local Sake brewery to see (and taste) how its iconic rice wine is made, and if the weather permits, we have one more surprise up our sleeves for the afternoon. To punctuate this incredible day of discovery, we’ll cozy up to a no-frills, casual izakaya dinner—here we’ll cast aside the formality of fine dining and belly up to the counter for the ultimate Japanese comfort food.

Today, we say farewell to the sea and set our sights on Kyoto; but first we’ve got two enchanting detours to contend with. Up first is an immersive visit to a soy sauce factory. Here, a generational brewmaster will talk us through the meticulous preparation behind and the myriad uses for this miracle marinade. 

Next, we ferry to Himeji for a guided tour of the best preserved castle in Japan. Completed in 1609, Himeji castle has never been destroyed, and it’s the most elegant of the country’s original 12 castles.

After spending some time on these majestic grounds, we’ll take the bullet train to the city. Soon enough, Kyoto will welcome us with open arms, and the afternoon and evening is yours to embellish. See you in the morning.

No visit to Kyoto is complete without a pilgrimage to Arashiyama and the Ōkōchi Sansō gardens. With the help of our local guide, we’ll wander far from the teeming crowds and admire the stunning bamboo groves on our own.

Then, our journey will take a more artistic turn into the workshop of a master potter, to admire the centuries of tradition imprinted on the stunning works produced here. The bowls look familiar? This just so happens to be the workshop that supplied the plateware for our welcome dinner in Tokyo.

Lunch will be unique and intimate, located at a modern interpretation of a traditional kissaten—a small modest eatery and cafe favored by intellectuals poets. After that, we’re on our own until we reconvene for our farewell dinner. At Italian-Japanese restaurant Cenci, we’ll delight in chef Sakamoto’s unique approach to his cuisine, savoring flavors and combinations we’ve never tried before. It’s the perfect conclusion to our week together.

After an unforgettable week, it’s time to say farewell! We meet for breakfast, then we’ll pack our things and newly made impressions, and transfer to Kansai International Airport (KIX) airport for our flights home — where we’ll approach every endeavor with a new sense of calm and care. Until next time!