Taste of Japan Summer Tour 2026
A flavorful summer adventure — from farm to Fuji.
Savor the flavors of Japan on this culinary-inspired journey, where every stop offers a new taste of tradition. From hands-on cooking lessons and farm-fresh harvests to regional specialties and sake tastings, the Taste of Japan Summer Tour is a feast for all the senses. Along the way, you’ll soak in Japan’s rich culture, scenic beauty, and warm hospitality—making each day as unforgettable as the meals you’ll share.
At HIS, we know that the best way to experience culture is to taste it! That’s why we’ve created the Taste of Japan Summer Tour, set in the heartland of Japan — where culture and cuisine are deeply intertwined. Learn to make soba and inarizushi like the locals, catch slippery eels at a real unagi farm, harvest fresh melons and green tea in Shizuoka, and even press and taste your own sake — and so much more! Plus, each meal is curated to highlight regional cuisine that shines in summer.
In addition to these incredible and unique gourmet experiences, this tour is filled with beautiful scenery, including breathtaking views of Mt. Fuji and a visit to the historical village of Shirakawa-go (a UNESCO World Heritage Site!). Plus, we’ve built in plenty of time to shop so you can bring the Taste of Japan Summer back to your friends and family. This tour is sure to be a tantalizing experience for all the senses!
Destination Highlights for the Taste of Japan Summer Tour
Nagoya – Mt. Fuji – Hamamatsu – Kawaguchiko – Matsumoto – Takayama – Shirakawa-go – and more!
What’s included on the Taste of Japan Summer Tour:
- Start your journey in peace, away from the airport crowds, with a chance to relax at HIS Hawaii’s exclusive LeaLea Lounge at Honolulu Airport before your flight.
- Expert English-speaking local guides and a professional tour escort from Honolulu
- A private professional driver and full-sized bus to spread out and relax in transit between adventures
- Authentic seasonal and local food-focused experiences such as tea picking, soba making, sake pressing, a miso brewery tour and tasting, a visit to an authentic Hamamatsu eel farm — and so much more!
- Relaxing stays at top-rated accommodations
- 27 savory meals, featuring regional and seasonal delicacies
- Portable Pocket WiFi to stay connected to family and friends back home (an HIS exclusive!)
Key Highlights:
- Dive into Japan’s culinary heart with hands-on food experiences in Aichi and Shizuoka. From boiling fresh octopus in a seaside fishing town to crafting your own Inari sushi, you’ll learn time-honored techniques directly from local artisans. Visit a miso brewery to see traditional fermentation methods up close and sample the deep, savory flavor of freshly made miso.
- Discover Hamamatsu’s local treasures, from savory eel to fine sake. Enjoy lunch at an eel farm where the delicate, smoky aroma of kabayaki (grilled eel) fills the air, then tour a sake brewery to learn about rice polishing, fermentation, and sake pressing — and, of course, enjoy a tasting of this beloved beverage.
- Savor Shizuoka’s signature seasonal delights with a full day of local specialties. Hand-pick green tea leaves surrounded by mountain scenery, indulge in the juicy sweetness of freshly picked melons, and shop for regional treats at Fujikawa Rakuza under views of Mt. Fuji.
- Take in the breathtaking beauty of Mt. Fuji and Lake Kawaguchiko. Stroll through Oishi Park’s flower-lined paths, glide above the lake on the Mt. Fuji Panoramic Ropeway, and enjoy a tasting at a Yamanashi winery known for its crisp Koshu wines.
- Step back in time in the charming mountain towns of Takayama and Shirakawa-go. Wander Takayama’s beautifully preserved Edo-period streets at your own pace, then visit the UNESCO-listed village of Shirakawa-go, where steep thatched roofs and quiet rice fields paint a scene straight from old Japan.
- Savor the finest regional cuisine, from Hida beef to fresh crab. Relish premium Hida wagyu in Takayama, enjoy an elegant kaiseki-style crab dinner in Nagoya, and taste local specialties across multiple prefectures, with over twenty meals thoughtfully curated for seasonal variety and authentic flavor.
- End your journey with free time in Nagoya. Enjoy one full free day and one relaxing half day, with a late check-out so there’s no rush in the morning. Take the opportunity to shop, dine, or simply savor your last moments in Japan at your own leisurely pace.
Tour Itinerary
10 NIGHTS / 11 DAYS IN JAPAN
🍙Click here to see the full tour schedule!🍙
Day 0 – June 15 (Monday): Departure from Honolulu
- Your journey to Japan begins at Honolulu International Airport. Relax in the exclusive LeaLea Lounge before boarding your nonstop flight with Japan Airlines. Get ready for an unforgettable adventure!
Day 1 – June 16 (Tuesday): Arrival in Japan
- Arrive at Chubu International Airport and meet your local Japanese guide, then head to a local restaurant for your first taste of Japan summer! Then, proceed to the hotel to rest and relax!
- Hotel: Four Points by Sheraton Nagoya, Chubu International Airport
- Meals included: Dinner plus two meals served onboard the plane
Day 2 – June 17 (Wednesday): Tokyo to Nikko and Kinugawa Onsen
- Start your culinary journey with an octopus boiling experience. Next, savor a local lunch before exploring a miso brewery, complete with tastings. Then, roll up your sleeves and learn to make your very own inari sushi. End the day with a light dinner of Hamamatsu gyoza.
- Hotel: Okura Act City Hotel HAMAMATSU or similar
- Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Day 3 – June 18 (Thursday): Nikko and surroundings
- Shop ‘til you drop at AEON Mall, then visit a local unagi farm for a quintessential Hamamatsu lunch. In the afternoon, tour a sake brewery and try your hand at pressing sake like a pro. Cap off the day with a warm shabu-shabu dinner.
- Hotel: Okura Act City Hotel HAMAMATSU or similar
- Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Day 4 – June 19 (Friday): To Lake Inawashiro
- In the morning, pick your own fresh Shizuoka tea leaves, then enjoy a sweet melon picking experience with lunch. Next is shopping at Fujikawa Rakuza, where you can shop under views of stunning Mt. Fuji. Round out the day with a hearty dinner of local specialites.
- Hotel: Kuretake Inn Premium Fujinomiya or similar
- Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Day 5 – June 20 (Saturday): Into Yamagata
- Kick start your day with a pictureque stroll through Oishi Park, where you can see more views of Mt. Fuji. Fill up on a local lunch, then see what Japan’s wine scene is all about with a winery tour and tasting. Finish the day with a relaxing dinner at the hotel.
- Hotel: Hotel Regina Kawaguchiko or similar
- Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Day 6 – June 21 (Sunday): Zao and surroundings
- Soar along the Kawaguchiko Ropeway for breathtaking Mt. Fuji vistas. Enjoy lunch before exploring Oshino Hakkai, a charming village with traditional spring-fed ponds. Enjoy a dinner of traditional Matsumoto fare.
- Hotel: Hotel Buena Vista or similar
- Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Day 7 – June 22 (Monday): Matsushima to Iwate
- SStart your day with spice at the legendary Daio Wasabi Farm. Then, learn to make soba noodles for lunch. Journey into the stunning Kamikochi valley before checking into your hotel and enjoying a premium Hida beef dinner.
- Hotel: Mercure Hida Takayama or similar
- Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Day 8 – June 23 (Tuesday): Aomori and surroundings
- Wander the charming streets of Takayama Old Town, shop, and soak up local life. After lunch on your own, head to the iconic village of Shirakawa-go, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Return to your hotel for a delightful buffet dinner.
- Hotel: Mercure Hida Takayama or similar
- Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Day 9 – June 24 (Wednesday): Aomori to Tokyo
- Create miniature food samples in a fun morning workshop, then enjoy lunch. Spend the afternoon exploring the bustling Osu Shopping District for souvenirs and local treats. Finish the day with a memorable crab kaiseki farewell dinner.
- Hotel: Nagoya Tokyu Hotel or similar
- Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Day 10 – June 25 (Thursday): Free day in Nagoya
- Enjoy the freedom to explore Nagoya your way with a full free day in the city. Shop, dine, revisit favorite sites, or relax at your own pace. Need suggestions? Just ask us!
- Hotel: Nagoya Tokyu Hotel or similar
- Meals included: Breakfast
Day 11 – June 26 (Friday): Nagoya to Honolulu
- Squeeze in last-minute shopping or sightseeing or just enjoy your late check-out during your free morning in Nagoya. Next, head to Chubu International Airport for your nonstop flight to Honolulu on Japan Airlines. Welcome home!
- Hotel: None
- Meals included: Breakfast, plus two meals served onboard the plane
This immersive summer journey takes care of every detail, so you can fully relax and savor hands-on culinary experiences, stunning mountain and lakeside scenery, and charming historical towns — all while discovering the heart (and stomach) of Japan.
Pricing
Full Package
Land Package
Single Supplement
*includes economy-class air tickets. Please inquire for upgrade information.
$4,490.00*
$3,690.00 **
$400.00
**international & domestic airfare not included
**customer must provide flight details to travel consultant for confirmation
Early-booking Special Offer:
SAVE $100 by being one of the first ten participants!
Here are just a few of the sights and activities you’ll enjoy:
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What will the weather be like?
A: June in Japan brings warm, comfortable days averaging 23–28°C (73–82°F) and lush early-summer scenery. Expect mild mountain breezes and cooler temperatures around Mt. Fuji and Takayama (around 20–24°C / 68–75°F), with warmer, more humid weather in Hamamatsu and Nagoya (around 26–30°C / 79–86°F). You may expect occasional light showers.
Q: Is this tour suitable for all fitness levels?
A: Absolutely! We can accommodate all types of guests on this tour. If you require special consideration, such as a wheelchair, please let us know in advance.
Q: Will there be free time to explore on our own?
A: Yes. There are periods of unstructured time built into the itinerary, including a full free day in Nagoya.
Q: Are all meals included in the tour?
A: The tour includes 27 exceptional meals: 10 breakfasts, 8 lunches, and 9 dinners. Meals during free time at the end of the tour are on your own so you can explore local specialties at your own pace.
Q: What kind of accommodations are included?
A: You’ll stay in a selection of carefully chosen, comfortable Western-style hotels throughout the tour, ranging from modern city hotels to scenic resort-style properties. All hotels are selected for their quality, location, and relaxing atmosphere after a full day of sightseeing and culinary adventures.
Q: Are flights included?
A: Yes, roundtrip international airfare from Honolulu to Japan, as well as domestic flights within Japan, are included in the Full Package. If you would like to arrange your own airfare or are interested in extending your dates in Japan, you can select the Land Package.
Q: How big are the tour groups?
A: This group is limited in size (24 participants) to ensure the best accommodations and restaurants, a comfortable pace, and personalized service from your guide and escort.
