Welcome to Tokyo, the city with the most Michelin stars in the world, and a paradise for anyone who simply loves food. You’ll have a full day with a private guide to get a feel for Tokyo at the pace you want, whether you’re keen to see take it slow with gardens, art galleries and wooded shrines, or something a bit more manic, perhaps the crazy fashions of Harajuku or the neon skyscrapers of Shinjuku. Wherever you go, the food’s incredible, but we definitely recommend sushi-sampling at the city’s famous fish markets. But save some room for this evening, you’ll be guided through the city’s izakaya bars with one of our local Insiders – it’s always a highlight.

One of the great joys of eating in Japan is the regional variation, and  the alpine town of Takayama, with its wood-panelled streets crammed with craft shops, is a great example. Begin your stay with a multi-course kaiseki meal at your traditional ryokan inn, prepared with local, seasonal ingredients and presented beautifully in different boxes and porcelain bowls.

Head out for a day cycling through Hida countryside farming villages, stopping to try seasonal alpine food. Depending on when you visit, this could be strawberries, fragrant sesame goheimochi, beef buns or hoba miso grilled on magnolia leaf.

Back in town, go sake brewery-hopping – or settle in for a dinner of melt-in-the-mouth Hida beef (it tastes just as good as its Kobe cousin).

Kanazawa is a bit of a Goldilocks Japanese city. Not too big, not too small: it’s just right for a day of exploration. You might start with the landscapes of Kenrokuen, one of Japan’s top three most beautiful gardens, then wander into the nearby contemporary art museum, or explore the geisha districts.

Come afternoon, drop into Fukumitsuya, the city’s oldest sake brewery, for a guided tasting that shows how local water and craftsmanship create their style of sake.

From here it’s an easy walk into the samurai district, home to lacquer studios and gold‑leaf workshops, and onward to Katamachi, where Kanazawa’s lively nightlife comes into its own. Just don’t overdo it – a sushi breakfast at the wonderful Omicho Market the next day is a must. Seafood is the pride of the region, and this is the place to try what locals get excited about: buttery winter yellowtail and rich, melt‑in‑the‑mouth nodoguro, the city’s most celebrated white fish.

Kyoto is widely considered the heartland of traditional Japanese culture – and that includes its most refined classic cuisine.

Work up an appetite getting to know the city. With an expert local guide you’ll visit a mix of Kyoto’s headline sights and its smaller, quieter corners. The wood-panelled streets of Gion, Arashiyama (beyond its bamboo forest), and the small zakka (knickknacks) streets around Kiyomizudera, once the lights dim and the crowds thin. To cap it off, we’ve included a reservation at Endo, one of our favourite traditional tempura restaurants, famous for their fresh, lightly-battered vegetables and seafood.

Tokyo may have the most Michelin stars, but ask any Japanese foodie and they’ll tell you: it’s Osaka that’s known as “the kitchen of Japan”. Balancing out Kyoto’s refinement with bold, brash flavours, this is the place to let loose and kuidaore, or “eat 'til you drop”, as the locals say.

Join one of our local Insider guides for a night of street food, where you’re sure to make a few new friends. Osakans are famously straight-talking and warm, and they love a few beers. If you have time in between wolfing down okonomiyaki pancakes and grilled yakiniku, just pick a district to explore: Amemura for edgy fashion, Horie for artsy café-come-bike-shops, or Den Den Town for electronics.

From the coolest city in Japan to the coolest city in Korea, it’s time to see what Busan has to offer. Kick off your Korean adventure with a food crawl, starting with grilled fish and perhaps some Korean sashimi (hoe) in Jagalchi fish market. The next day, join an expert local guide for a tour of Gamcheon, one of the most artsy and colourful neighbourhoods in Korea. Patchworks of rainbow alleys, street art murals at every turn and packed with dinky craft shops and hipster cafes. It’s a popular Busan viewpoint. Don’t miss the local treat: shaved ice topped with fruit, condensed milk and sweet beans.

Your next destination will whisk you back in time to the days of the Joseon Dynasty (or as close as you can get in modern Korea). Hahoe is a preserved clan village dating back to the 16th century, but it’s no museum. It's a town still lived in today, and your local guide will explain the town’s history and customs . Next, ride over to Buyongdae Cliff for views down to Hahoe village, shaped like a lotus flower. Before settling down to sleep on your futon, your hanok hosts will prepare Korean classic dishes, using recipes from a 500-year-old cookbook, originally crafted to offer heartfelt hospitality to guests.

Round off your gastronomical adventure in Seoul, kicking off with a guided evening centred around food and drink. Try some of the best Korean BBQ in the city and eat Korean fried chicken that puts KFC to shame.

Joined by a local guide you’ll spend half the day exploring the city. You may catch the changing of the guard at Gyeongbok Palace, explore the hanok houses of Bukchon, or browsethe antiques and sweet shops of Insadong.

We couldn’t let you leave without equipping you with cooking skills to bring home to your own kitchen. You’ll meet your chef and visit a traditional market, picking ingredients before preparing a Korean meal with expert guidance.