Kaiseki Food Experiences(19)

This tour was absolutely wonderful because of our particular guide, Sae. She developed a great spirit amongst the participants and educated us all in a gentle manner. We had a terrific time.

Outstanding and memorable food experience. One, Bruce knows his stuff, and Hakata knows him. You should see 'em jump to attention at the Ritz when he comes in. Second, he's responsive to what the client wants but third, most important, he's got a plan B for force majeure situations. We had a great walk and enjoyed a lunch of o-den and fresh tofu prepared various ways, al fresco on the lake, authentic and all local. An experience I couldn't have had on my own. Travel is too valuable to waste putzing around, get someone who knows the territory like Bruce to take you straight to the good stuff.

great tour with tomas. loved the kaiseki meal and the wonderful conversation.

An amazing experience! The ryokan is simply amazing and the houseki and houmoku outdoor onsens are one of a kind. We also really appreciated the novelty of the rooms and the private baths in each of the rooms we were allocated. Each room has a ton of character and is very comfortable. The inn itself is beautiful and really takes advantage of the natural surroundings. Definitely enquire about the wasabi experience. Our guide (Chiharu) was so wonderful and we got to pick our own wasabi and had some freshly ground wasabi on delicious rice that they prepared on the spot. Be warned that its not really accessible for anyone with mobility issues - but if you are up to it, its a one of a kind experience.

I had a wonderful time on a one-day trip from Tokyo to Odawara. It was a short but memorable experience, filled with Japanese history. The highlight of my visit was exploring Odawara Castle, one of the greatest defensive systems in the Samurai era. The museum offered interactive exhibits on Samurai and Ninja history, providing a fun way to travel back in time. The local food in Odawara was as historic as the castle itself. I particularly enjoyed the Japanese fish cake, which was a delightful culinary experience. I would give it a rating of 11/10 and highly recommend trying it. Another unforgettable experience was the dinner session with Geisha. They showcased incredible musical talents and mastery of various Japanese arts. Despite speaking little Japanese, the session was immensely enjoyable. As a solo female traveler, I felt safe in Odawara, and I did not notice any ""shady"" areas. I highly recommend this trip for solo travelers, couples, and families.