*Trip starts at 4PM on May 15 Japan time in Tokyo. If flying in from another country, be sure to be in Japan/CLEAR CUSTOMS by that time.
We hope you’re hungry.
Japan’s north is beloved by people around Japan (and the world) for its gifts – rice, sake, jidori chicken, potatoes, Aomori apples, and so much more. Our third Taste of Japan North trip is designed to celebrate the best cuisine of the Joetsu, Tohoku, and Hokkaido regions on an all meals paid, all stomachs satisfied journey that is designed to meet (and occasionally subvert) every single expectation you might have for Japanese cuisine. We’ll sample flights of sake, challenge ourselves to bottomless bowls of Soba in Morioka, Jidori Chicken Kiritanpo in Kakunodate, fresh grilled boar, Japan’s finest crab in Hakodate, Sapporo’s legendary ramen, and more than 20 other unique, boundary-pushing culinary experiences.
As always, the food is just the beginning! We’ll be visiting a gorgeous villa in Niigata and visiting the rice fields and fishing ports of Sakata on the Japan Sea coast to begin, and then we head further into Tohoku, where we’ll explore the samurai town of Kakunodate, the old Tsuruga Clan castle in Hirosaki, and try every manner of Apple drink and dessert in Aomori. In Hokkaido, we’ll relax in a private onsen bath on the shore of Lake Toya, explore the star-shaped Goryokaku Fortress, make our own ice cream, marvel at the old trade houses in Otaru, visit the Sapporo Beer Museum, and so much more. With scenic train rides, calm sea ports, and a schedule that still has room for you to customize your trip to your liking, this is truly a one-of-a-kind journey.
Space is limited, so sign up today and get ready for the best two weeks of cuisine you’ve ever imagined!
Trip itinerary
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After meeting in Tokyo, we’ll hit the Shinkansen and get to Niigata for a late dinner on the city’s take on Tonkatsu, Tarekatsu!
Lodging: JR Mets Hotel Niigata or similar
Meals: Dinner included -
After a visit to the gorgeous Saito Villa, we’ll queue up with the locals at Pier Bandai for some sushi and a special extra dessert. Then we’ll head to the Nuttari Terrace Area to check out local cafes and artisans, sample some local goods, and reconvene for an Izakaya dinner of Joetsu area goodies.
Lodging: JR Mets Hotel Niigata or similar
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner included -
After checking out, we board a special tourist-oriented train for a scenic ride north with a deluxe bento to match. Upon arrival in Sakata, we’ll drop our stuff off and check out the picturesque Sankyo Warehouses along the city riverside before dinner at a Shonai regional cuisine speciality spot.
Lodging: Tsukino Hotel or similar
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner included -
Today’s tale takes us to Tsuruoka, where we’ll visit the Shonai’s region’s legendary seller of traditional tsukemono (pickles) and the Dewanoyuki Sake Brewery. After a few samples and a quick set lunch, we’ll return to Sakata and their waterfront to explore and get some of the locally caught tuna.
Lodging: Tsukino Hotel or similar
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner included -
Heading north again, we’ll pass through the historical town of Kakunodate to have some Oyakodon! We’ll also visit the homes of real samurai, shop for gorgeous cherry bark goods, and explore the Dakigaeri Gorge before we head to Morioka and challenge a bottomless bowl of wanko soba.
Lodging: Hotel Metropolitan Morioka or similar
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner included -
We return north to Aomori today, where we’ll get to try the local Nokke-don seafood bowls, tour the museums for the port-crossing ship (“Hakkoda-maru”) and the iconic Nebuta Festival, and cap off the day with a fancy dinner you won’t soon forget.
Lodging: Daiwa Roynet Hotel Aomori or similar
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner included -
Venture inside the beautifully preserved Hirosaki Castle and see the gardens that lie nearby before we go to Aomori for fresh Apple wine and a special dinner just for us.
Lodging: Daiwa Roynet Hotel Aomori or similar
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner included -
We cross over to Hokkaido to Hakodate, where we'll enjoy high tea at the Old British Consulate, explore the city's old waterfront, and ascend Mt. Hakodate for the evening view before dinner at a local beer hall!
Lodging: Hakodate Kokusai Hotel or similar
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner included -
Start your day at the famous Hakodate Morning Market before we head to the star-shaped Goryokaku Fortress! Along the way, we'll have cult favorite Lucky Pierrot Burger and hang with locals at the collection of hole-in-the-wall gourmet places known as the Yataimura.
Lodging: Hakodate Kokusai Hotel or similar
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner included -
Fall colors will lead your eyes along the trails of Onuma Park, where you can have a lunch on the water (literally) before we check into a five-star resort on the shore of Lake Toya. Spoiler alert on dinner: fancy.
Lodging: Nonokaze Resort Lake Toya or similar
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner included -
We make our own ice cream, cruise on Lake Toya, and sample locally grown veggies as we do a deep dive into the flavors of Hokkaido!
Lodging: Nonokaze Resort Lake Toya or similar
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner included -
After two days in the country, we arrive in Sapporo to try some of their most famous culinary contributions: the famous Ramen, Beer, and a special locally sourced Izakaya dinner!
Lodging: Karaksa Hotel Sapporo or similar
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner included -
We begin in the seaside town of Otaru to have some fancy dessert and cafe fare before going into Sapporo's Tanuki Koji shopping area for the finest in local chocolate, all kinds of souveneirs, and a dinner of Sapporo's beloved "Genghis Khan" BBQ.
Lodging: Karaksa Hotel Sapporo or similar
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner included -
Today is a free day! This is your chance to get something that isn't on our main menu, explore other parts of Hokkaido, or just take it easy for a day.
Lodging: Karaksa Hotel Sapporo or similar
Meals: Breakfast included -
Transfer to Sapporo-Chitose Airport for the journey back to Tokyo. Thanks for coming!
Lodging: HOTEL or similar
Meals: Breakfast included
This trip includes…
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Trip Status |
CANCELLED |
Deadline |
Feb. 27, 2026 |
Minimum guest #: |
8 guests |
Fly → JP On*: |
May 13 or 14, 2026 |
Starts in JP On: |
May 15 (4PM), 2026 |
TRIP PACE |
Medium. A lot of walking in towns we visit, but there are ample opportunities to stop and rest if you need them. |
Extras |
Single Room (Hotels): +$1200 Single (All lodging): +$1800 |
*This is the date you should leave your home country.
Click for more info about:
🛌 14 nights four-star accommodations, including two nights in a hot spring resort
🥢 Includes ALL MEALS except for one lunch and one dinner
🚅 All scheduled rail, sea, and air transport within Japan.**
🧳 Baggage shipping (up to 4 complimentary luggage transfers for one suitcase per trip)
😀 Professional, bilingual guides there to help with anything you might need
🎟️ Admission to all scheduled activities
📗 Customized Trip Guidebook and Pre-Trip Orientation Materials, mailed to you before the trip so you can prepare for the journey before leaving home!
🍫 Nightly turndown service with local sweets
❤️ Complimentary concierge service: we can help plan extra stops, pre-and-post-trip extensions, and more.
🗾 Much, much more!
Not included:
❌ Flights to Japan from your home country
❌ Travel insurance
❌ Meals not listed above
Notes:
*All initial payments are a $300 deposit. The balance for the trip is due at the deadline for the trip.
**If a guest decides to go long distances on rail during free times, extra charges may apply.
Highlights
🍜 Ultimate Culinary Journey: Two-week all-inclusive food adventure through Japan's North.
🏯 Unforgettable Sights: Explore historic samurai towns, Goryokaku Fortress, relax in a private onsen overlooking Lake Toya, and visit the Sapporo Beer Museum.
🍎 Beyond the Plate: Includes visits to Niigata's rice fields, fishing ports, an Aomori apple adventure, hands-on ice cream making, and scenic train rides.
💎 Premium & Worry-Free: 14 nights in four-star lodging (with hot spring resort), nearly all meals paid, all transport, baggage transfers, and bilingual guides.