Top Asia Unique Experiences - page 3

Indulge your inner foodie and learn to make ramen and gyoza like a pro with this cooking class in Tokyo. After visiting a local market and heading to a spacious kitchen, enjoy a hands-on experience with a local chef and discover how to prepare the perfect noodle soup (ramen) and minced pork dumplings (gyoza). Then, savor your creation in a fun atmosphere.

Explore Akihabara in a unique and fun way—traveling in a go-kart dressed as a character of your choice—from comics, to games, or anime. No need to worry about getting lost, as you’ll have a guide to lead the way. It’s the perfect way to spend time in the fresh air, and see multiple sites in a short space of time, such as Tokyo Station, Ginza, and Akihabara.

Get ready for the ultimate Okinawa adventure. Enjoy the unusual and fun experience of being able to dress up in costume as you tour a city. Choose from a variety of anime, comic, or games character outfits, and explore the highlights of Okinawa in street go-karts. Take the stress out of navigating, as your guide will lead the way, and you’ll see multiple highlights in a day, such as Senagajima Island, and Kokusai Main Street.

It can be a challenge to navigate Korea’s second largest city, especially when you don’t speak the language. Ensure that your sightseeing experience in Busan is stress-free and well-rounded on a private 6- to 8-hour tour. Three distinct itineraries are offered to ensure you enjoy a tour that matches your personal tastes. Whichever you choose, all three include visits to the Jagalchi Fish Market, Nampodang Street, and Gukje Market.

Explore Hiroshima your way, and get a deeper experience of the city than any big group tour could offer. This private tour is designed just for you, based on your interests and preferences, whether you want to see famous landmarks such as the Peace Memorial Park, Atomic Bomb Dome, and Hiroshima Castle, or explore hidden gems that only locals know about.

Mumbai is known for its film industry but travelers often don’t know how to experience this first-hand. Get an in-depth look at Bollywood on this private half-day tour. Your actor-guide leads you to a working studio, where you watch a live dance show, explore the Bollywood museum, and possibly see filming in action. The tour includes a private vehicle, entrance fees, and hotel transfers for a seamless experience.

There’s so much to see and do in Delhi but navigating your way around the enormous city can cut into your sightseeing time. Simplify your tour with a private tour by air-conditioned car. Check out highlights such as Old Delhi’s Chandni Chowk and Jama Masjid, New Delhi’s India Gate and Lotus Temple, or cover all bases and combine both regions of the capital for a comprehensive day out.

Catching views of the mighty Himalayan mountains is a must-do Nepal activity, but trekking is strenuous and takes time. Enjoy views easily on a helicopter flight from Kathmandu to Mt. Everest Base Camp, touching down for breakfast (own expense) in a prime mountain location. Get aerial views of the world’s highest mountain and other impressive peaks. Stop in Lukla to refuel and get a glimpse of the mountain town.

Learn about Korea’s culinary culture on this tasting tour of Seoul. Stroll through the streets with an expert in local cuisine, stopping at local food stalls and eateries plus a local village. Sample a variety of foods like Korean barbecue, savory pancakes, and spicy rice cake stew. Wash it all down with alcoholic beverages such as Korean rice wine and soju (distilled liquor). Your guided small-group walking tour covers plenty of ground in the bustling district of Jongno-gu, with numbers limited to 12 people.

Learn about Japan’s fascinating samurai and ninja history through a museum tour, where you’ll see real clothing and equipment used by these legendary figures. Don’t struggle to understand the explanation plaques, as you’ll get a guided tour in English. Get the chance to dress up in samurai costume (or typical women’s dress if you prefer), learn how to use a samurai sword, or experience non-martial traditional activities.

South Korea’s second city, coastal Busan comes alive at night—when darkness falls and the neon lights illuminate the landscape. On this evening sightseeing tour, see the best of Busan by air-conditioned minivan with your guide and hit top attractions including Namcheon-dong and Igidae Park—with all entry fees included. Enjoy the finest views Busan has to offer, from a sightseeing cruise to the top of Mt. Hwangnyeongsan.

Experience the daily goings-on of the Damnoen Saduak floating market and the MaeKlong railway market with a dedicated guide on this private tour from Bangkok. Learn about the markets' history, origins, and current iterations through insightful commentary and take a long-tail boat tour on the canal. Taste some traditional Thai desserts and get free time to shop. Round-trip private transportation from Bangkok hotels is included. Choose from two start times to suit you.

Learn to draw manga from a professional manga artist in Tokyo’s Nakano neighborhood. During this class, use the manga tools provided, such as screen tone, manga pens and ink, and manga paper. Whether you're just starting out or a practicing manga artist wanting to hone your skills, the instructor will tailor their teaching to your skills. Take home your completed piece of art as a souvenir.

Gain valuable insight into Korean culture, history, and tradition that many visitors miss on this half-day afternoon tour to the Korean Folk Village. See traditional Korean houses from different regions across the peninsula and watch a performance of Korean farmers’ music. Admire folk dancers animating the stage with their swirling pirouettes and discover collections of ancient artifacts from across the country. Free hotel pickup and drop-off are included for your convenience.

Learn about Thai cuisine during a half-day cooking class in Bangkok. Start with a look at the ingredients at the local market, then return to your air-conditioned kitchen to begin your small-group cooking lesson. Choose five dishes from a choice of more than 20—including pineapple fried rice and green curry—to make under the guidance of your chef-instructor, who conducts the class in a kitchen conveniently located near a BTS (Skytrain) station. Enjoy your creations plus a complimentary dessert and fruit.

Master the basics of Thai cuisine on this tour, with this cooking class with a professional chef in Bangkok. The morning class starts off with a guided visit to Asok market to shop for ingredients, while the afternoon and evening classes feature a mango carving workshop. After, get your hands dirty by making curry paste from scratch as well as traditional Thai dishes during a hands-on cooking class. Then sit down to feast on a delicious homemade lunch or dinner.

Experience a warm cultural welcome to Japan with an authentic tea ceremony in traditional kimonos in Kyoto. Dress in a classic kimono, sip authentic matcha green tea, sample Japanese sweets and learn the customs and history behind this cherished ritual. It’s a perfect way to immerse yourself in Japanese culture.

Take a closer look at the fascinating world of sushi, extending from the ocean to your plate, during this 4-hour sushi-making class and a visit to the outer Tsukiji fish market. Tour one of the world’s largest seafood markets with a guide as you learn how fish is caught, distributed, and sold. Then turn your attention to sushi-making, learning to prepare nigiri sushi with the help of a sushi master. Finish your experience by enjoying your creations for lunch.

Learn to cook an authentic Thai meal with a full-day cooking class that includes pickup and drop-off at your Chiang Mai hotel. Pick ingredients from the organic market, then roll up your sleeves to cook a meal of classic Thai dishes. An expert cooking instructor will walk you through each step, and you’ll get to enjoy the meal you’ve prepared at the end of the lesson. Both morning and evening classes are available.

Don’t just eat Thai specialities, learn to cook the recipes yourself during a cookery class in Phuket, which provides the perfect introduction to Thai cuisine for first-time visitors. As you prepare local delicacies from scratch at your own personal cooking station, your guide shares insider tips guaranteed to improve your cookery skills. Plus, convenient hotel pickup and drop-off are included, so you won’t waste any time looking for a meeting point.

Experience Korea’s turbulent history and powerful present on this insightful DMZ tour led by a guide. After hotel pickup, travel to the Imjingak Peace Park and explore key DMZ sites including the Third Tunnel, Dora Observatory, and Unification Village. See North Korea through binoculars, walk under the demilitarized zone, and learn about divided families. This tour includes an optional stop at Gamaksan Suspension Bridge, with multiple drop-offs in Seoul.

Surfing is a great traveling activity but notoriously difficult to pick up for newcomers to the sport. This very affordable, small-group surf lesson is designed for beginners, safely covering the basics in a relaxed and friendly environment, sending travelers well on their way to catch their first waves. This experience includes an online surf lesson, and the use of surfboards, shirts, lockers, and showers.

Mochi is one of Japan’s most popular treats—sticky rice cakes with a variety of sweet or savory fillings. On this tour, learn how mochi is made from a local chef in her own home and get hands-on as you make your own. Create different varieties such as red bean filling, mochi ice cream, mitarashi dango (skewered mochi with sweet soy), or wagashi (candy-style mochi), then sit down to sample your creations with traditional matcha tea.

Visit the DMZ, a restricted area, on this group guided tour from Seoul. Visit key sites including the Dora Observatory, Imjingak Park, Third Infiltration Tunnel, and more, with the option to also visit the Mt. Gamak Suspension Bridge, and speak to a defector from North Korea for insights you can’t get anywhere else.