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Spirits of Japan

Spirits of Japan


Small Group Journey

Spirits of Japan, Southern Alps & Kyoto

This Spring, discover the hidden treasures of Japanese culture, nature, history, food, and sake with wine expert Sam Haislet from Alexis Bailey Vineyards and your guide and founder of Tanpopo Journeys – Koshiki Yonemura. We’ll explore Tokyo, the scenic mountain towns of Nagano, and the historic capital of Kyoto while we eat like locals and taste the amazing flavors of sake, whisky, and wine in Japan.

Spirits of Japan Map || Tanpopo Studio

Tokyo > Nagano > Matsumoto > Yamanashi > Kyoto

Ideal trip for:

Age 20+ , Couples , Friends

Travel Details

price:

$5300 per person, double occupancy

what’s included:

hotels, local transportation
workshops & demonstrations
17 meals
guide & interpreter
guide from alexis bailly
transportation to/from hotel on the first/last day of tour

what’s not included:

travel or medical insurance
flight to/from Japan
personal spending including:
shopping, alcohol, laundry, some meals

contact:
koshiki yonemura
651-734-3923
koshiki@tanpopojourneys.com

REserve Your Space

Highlights

  • Welcome Dinner
  • Tour of the Tsukiji Fish Market
  • Visit Yebisu Brewery
  • Experience Zen Culture at the historic Zenkoji Temple in Nagano
  • Tour Matsumoto Castle, Ishii Miso Brewery, and the Museum of Art
  • Visit Shichikan Sake in Yamanashi
  • Suntory Hakushu Whisky Distillery Tour
  • Soba Making Workshop
  • Farm stay in Yamanashi
  • Visit Komagadake National Park
  • Tour of the famous Gekkeikan Brewery in Kyoto
  • Kaiseki Dinner and Maiko Performance
  • Kyoto Sightseeing

Itinerary

Day 1 > Arrive in Tokyo

Welcome to Japan, land of the rising sun. Let us greet you at the Haneda International Airport and guide you to your hotel in the heart of Ginza. Join the fellow traveler in the evening for welcome dinner and drinks.

Day 2 > Tokyo, Ginza & Tsukiji Fish Market

Today’s agenda includes visiting Japan’s largest the busiest fish market, Tsukiji Market. This captivating market along the Sumida River gives you an introduction to Japanese ingredients, kitchen tools, and delicacies. After sushi for lunch, we will travel to Yebisu Beer Brewery, one of Japan’s oldest brands of beer.

Day 3 > Nagano, Zenkoji Temple

Today we will say sarewell to Tokyo and head to Nagano prefecture on Shinkansen. Nagano is in the Shinshu region and home to Zenkoji Temple, a national treasure. Tonight, we will stay at a Zen temple and immerse ourselves in Shojin Ryori and Zen enlightenment.

Day 4 > Matsumoto City

After morning meditation at the temple, we will take a train to the castle town of Matsumoto city. Matsumoto city is a cultural destination near the scenic Northern Alps and known for arts and crafts, folk arts, miso making, ski and outdoors, just to name a few.

Day 5 > Yamanashi Prefecture

Today, we will travel along the valley of mountains to Yamanashi prefecture for soba making class and a tour of the Suntory Hakushu Distillery, known locally as the “forest distillery” as it’s surrounded by a wild bird sanctuary.

Day 6 > Yamanashi Prefecture

After a farmhouse breakfast, we’ll tour Japan’s wine country and visit Komagatake National park and Ojiro River Valley for a breathtaking view of the river and mountains.

Day 7 > Kyoto

Welcome to Kyoto, the ancient capital of Japan, and home to 17 UNESCO World Heritage Sites. While in Kyoto, we will visit the famous Fushimi Sake District which is composed of 24 independent sake breweries.

Day 8 > Kyoto

Today, we will start our journey from Philosopher’s Path which will lead our way to the Silver Pavilion for it’s tranquil Japanese garden. We will also visit Kiyomizu Temple, one of the most celebrated temples in Japan.

Day 9 > Tokyo

We’ll head back to Tokyo on the Shinkansen. It was our pleasure to journey through Japan with you and hope you will have a safe trip home.

Request Full Intineary
koshiki chef bio
koshiki yonemura

After graduating from University of Minnesota, she and her partner opened a Japanese restaurant in St. Paul, MN. After nearly 18 years in the restaurant business, she co-founded Tanpopo Journeys, a boutique travel company, offering hands-on tours to Japan. She has curated and lead groups to Japan on food and art tours to Japan as well as working as an interpreter for the General Mill Wheaties Team during the Nagano Olympics. Come travel to Japan and discover the hidden gems of culture, textiles, and food!

Alexis Bailly Vineyard
Sam Haislet Spirits of Japan Wine Tour
Sam Haislet

Sam Haislet is a wine and spirits professional working in St. Paul, Minnesota. Married to winemaker Nan Bailly of Alexis Bailly Vineyard, he has been involved in wine production, grape growing, vineyard management and general wine enthusiasm since the late 1980’s. Today he continues his work in the wine and spirits field as a wine consultant for The Wine Shops at Kowalski’s, and holds a lifetime appointment as Chief Tractor Operator, Wine Taster and General Manager of Alexis Bailly Vineyard, Minnesota’s oldest and most award winning wine

American Society of Travel AdvisorsJapan National Tourist AssociationWorld Food Travel Association Logo

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