Japan: Made by Masters

November 2026

Price TBC

November 2026

Tokyo | Mashiko | Nakagawa | Nikko | Kyoto | Osaka

Group size: 8 Maximum

Physical Rating: 1 - Easy

Pricing TBC

Not suitable for dietary requirements

YOUR HOST

Lauren Shannon

Restauranteur, contributor, cultural bridge

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Food in Japan isn’t just food; it’s basically edible art. And everything here is made by people and families who’ve spent years, decades, sometimes centuries, perfecting their craft.

You’ll roll soba noodles with a master, get a behind-the-scenes demo with one of Japan’s only female tuna cutters in Tsukuji Market, and eat meals in tiny villages where the vegetables on your plate were picked that morning.

But it’s not just the food - it’s the plates, baskets, knives, and everything made by people who’ve been doing this forever. Some of the stuff we’ll see in workshops hasn’t really changed over hundreds of years, and when you try your hand at it, you’ll suddenly get why it takes so long to master.

Every dish, cup of tea, every object feels like a little ritual - you won’t just eat and watch, you’ll experience how much care, history, and skill goes into everything you walk past.

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FULL ITINERARY coming soon
 

Tokyo is where the trip sets its tone. Tsukiji back doors, ramen specialists, knife makers, late-night bars you’d never find solo. Fewer landmarks; more ancient systems of food and uncompromising mastery.

Tokyo

Pottery town sake breweries, soba made by hand, and a farmhouse dinner made long by plum wine and tall tales. This is slow Japan, where producers still cook for their neighbours and relationships matter more than reviews.

Mashiko & Nakagawa

A moss-covered Buddha trail, UNESCO grandeur, then straight into Japan’s dumpling capital for a gyoza crawl and late night jazz cocktails. Sacred, scrappy, and unexpectedly fun in the same afternoon.

Nikko & Utsunomiya

Matcha masters in Uji, backstreet neighbourhood drinking, and a private kaiseki evening that reminds you of Kyoto’s precision, restraint, and centuries of lineage.

Kyoto

Osaka

Japan’s kitchen with its collar loosened: quirky food theatre, plastic food craftsmanship, and unapologetic indulgence in a city that bucks the ceremony trend in favour of cooking for pure joy.

full itinerary coming soon

Lauren Shannon

YOUR HOST:

Salt Caravan is partnering with Lauren Shannon, long-time Japan resident and Partner & General Manager of Arigato Travel, to build a Japan itinerary led by food and her extensive connections within the industry.

Lauren has spent decades living in Japan and working alongside cooks, producers, and small operators who dictate how and what people eat.

Together, we’ve put together a trip that focuses on skills perfected by doing the same thing again and again (and again), and meals that mirror their surroundings, history, and absolute mastery.

WHAT'S INCLUDED

  • All accommodation for tour nights

  • Most meals

  • Expertise and services of our experienced English-speaking hosts: at least one per trip

  • Additional guides and experts from the region

  • Salt Caravan gifts related to the themes, activities and narratives of each trip

  • All transfers between itinerary destinations

  • All scheduled activities, including workshops and tastings

  • Drinks within included tasting activities, pairings, or hosted meals

WHAT'S NOT

  • International airfare to and from the journey

  • Visas or entry documentation required for travel

  • Personal travel insurance

  • Arrival and departure transfers to and from the airport

  • Any meals not specified as “included” in the itinerary

  • Drinks beyond what’s covered in tastings, pairings, or hosted meals

  • Personal spending, including laundry, room service, bar tabs, etc.

  • Tip kitty (See FAQs for more information)

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Prior to the payment of your full balance, the final price may change if there is significant variation in the respective exchange rates. Our trip pricing is determined by what the exchange rates are at the time of publishing the trip.

    A deposit is required to hold your spot.

    There is a cooling-off period of 2 weeks. (Applicable to all bookings made at least 120 days before trip departure.)

    We have implemented a ‘lifetime deposit’ guarantee. Deposits are not refundable, but they are transferable at any time, right up until the first day of the trip.

    The final balance of the trip is required 120 days in advance of the departure date. Our suppliers require upfront payment well in advance to guarantee availability.

    Please refer to the full terms and conditions for further information.

  • This Trip has a Physical Rating of: 1 - Easy

    Participating in this tour means you are capable of the following:

    • Able to regularly walk for an afternoon (2-4 hours at a time) at a reasonable pace, unassisted.

    • Have the mobility and balance to walk over hilly and uneven ground (e.g. cobblestones, cracked pavements).

    • Have the energy levels to regularly enjoy busy days on your feet.

    • Can handle own luggage; up and down stairs, on and off any mode of transport, and lift into/out of luggage racks.

    • Could negotiate a shower over bath in hotels, if needed.

    • Can handle own luggage, up and down stairs, and on/off transport luggage racks.

    • Could use a squat toilet, if necessary. Or willing to train on strength to do so.

    • Does not have mobility issues (e.g. knee/hip problems).

    • Does not use walking aids.

    Not quite sure - or have some questions first? Chat with one of our Salt Caravan Booking Managers to discuss a trip before booking if you have questions about trip suitability.

  • This will depend on the passport you travel with:

    • Check entry requirements for your nationality well in advance.

    • Confirm if a visa is needed for your trip: Check your official government travel site, or contact your nearest embassy.

    • Remember to also consider countries you traveling - to and transiting through.

    • A handy place to start is AnyVisa

  • Most of our trips have a tip kitty because many cultures have diverse rules when it comes to tips. We’ve found it to be the easiest way to combat over-tipping, under-tipping or having the tip fall into the wrong hands. Our goal is for guests to relax and know that the complexities of tipping are taken care of, on their behalf.

    You will be notified about the tipping amount and how it’s distributed, by 120 days pre-trip.

  • This trip begins in Tokyo, and you can fly in to Haneda (HND) or Narita (NRT) airports. The trip ends in Kyoto, so the most convenient option for your departure would be Kansai International Airport (KIX).

  • Try to arrive before midday on the start day, although earlier would be recommended. If possible, come one day early to settle in.

  • Opportunities to do laundry during your trip may be unpredictable. However, your guide will be able to assist with this during your trip.

  • Your guide will be with you throughout your trip, and is your first point of call for any help you might need.

    In the unlikely event of a health or security related incident during a trip, we’ve engaged a local partner to assist. From our experience, there is not one framework that fits all, and every incident is unique and requires a different approach. With all trips, your guides are your day-to-day support. While behind the scenes, there is an active line of communication – between your guide, the on-ground support team, and Australian Ops.

    Read our Trip Help Process for more detail.

  • People who join our trips tend to be well travelled, curious, and comfortable with a bit of looseness in the plan if the food or the moment leads us somewhere better. They care more about what’s real than what’s polished, and they’re happy trading Michelin stars for access, stories, and meals with a point of view. That is, not all white tablecloths and perfectly composed plates; it might mean a plastic stool, a smoky kitchen, a cook who knows their regulars by name, and a dish that carries a bit of history.

    We also expect guests to follow our Participation Guidelines; they keep everyone happy, safe, and having fun throughout their adventure.