Tonkatsu Food Tours(1)

Although this is described as being mainly about tea, this is really a three-part tour which starts off with the matcha experience and then goes on to a local miso producer, and finally some local history in the nearby castle. There were real friendly and knowledgeable tour guides throughout, excellent service and all necessary trips covered by taxi. The matcha experience was everything I hoped it would be. We visited the tea fields and got to try on the tea picking outfits which was a bit of fun and a nice photo op. We then learned about the production and processing of tea leaves to make matcha, got taught how to make and whisk it, drank it along with some tasty local sweets (wagashi). There was chance to purchase some to take home too. Lunch followed , cost covered by the overall price of the tour, which was tasty and tied in to the next stage which was all about miso. The miso experience was a real surprise, as a westerner I mostly knew miso from Miso Soup, but there is so much more to it. And seeing the passion of the local producers added to the magic. Finally the tour of the nearby museum and castle was a lovely relaxing close to the day with a stop at a tea house at the former Konoe residence for some more matcha and a sweet. Nishio might not be on your itinerary but I highly recommend making the trip! It's so worth it to see this little corner of Japan that has so much to offer. 🍵