Top Kansai Unique Experiences - page 2

Learn to create your own bento box, the iconic (and tasty) convenience meal enjoyed daily by millions of Japanese, during this cooking class in Kyoto. Uncover the origins of this uniquely Japanese foodstuff, and watch master chefs as they demonstrate key cooking techniques, before learning to make your own. Finish your course by enjoying your handmade bento box with other food lovers.

When traveling abroad, there is no other experience like cooking and eating a meal with a local. Yoshiko opens her Osaka home to visitors to cook a meal and share conversation. Enjoy learning to make dashi stock and use it to bring out the umami flavor of your dishes. Get a glimpse into the life of an Osaka local, and immerse yourself in Japanese cuisine and culture on this private experience.

Enjoy a cooking class in an atmospheric setting—a beautiful wooden house in Kyoto. The cooking experience introduces you to local recipes that you wouldn’t be able to find in restaurants, and techniques that have been passed down through many generations of the host’s family. Dishes prepared vary depending on the time of year, but sample menu items could be chikuzenni (braised chicken and vegetables), braised burdock root, and miso soup.

A Goshuin-cho (a book in which to collect seals and stamps from the temples and shrines you visit) is a great souvenir from Japan. Even more special is making one yourself. In this workshop in Osaka you will learn how to make your own notebook by hand, selecting the paper and creating your own unique design.

Stroll the back alleys of Kyoto, missed by many visitors, as dusk falls and they are at their most atmospheric on this private guided tour. In the company of just a guide and your party, see how ancient tradition blends with contemporary culture as you explore the enchanting wooden alleyways lit with traditional paper lanterns in the historic Gion district and the picturesque streets of old Pontocho, where, with luck, you might spot a geisha or two.

This private tour is a great choice for first-time visitors to Osaka. Get your bearings in the city with your own guide and learn how to navigate the local transport system without getting lost. The itinerary can be personalized to your tastes, so you won't waste time at any destination you're not interested in.

Explore Osaka through the eyes of a local, on a customized tour with your personal host. Choose from some of Osaka’s most famous attractions, or explore the up-and-coming neighborhoods where Osakans hang out. Immerse yourself in the culture and cuisine of this vibrant city as you understand why Osaka has earned the nickname, “The Nation’s Kitchen.”

Make the most of a short time on land with this private shore excursion to Kobe. Instead of rushing around with a large group, slow down and appreciate the quieter side of Kobe. Visit the Herb Gardens, the Nunobiki Ropeway, and more. Visit a sake brewery and learn more about this Japanese drink. If you get hungry, you can also opt to dine at a restaurant serving Kobe beef.

Kyoto has a rich culinary culture, but it can be tricky for visitors to experience it. Let a private guide lead the way on a tour that starts with a visit to a bustling local supermarket stocked with fresh produce and traditional Japanese ingredients, then continues to a 90-year-old tofu shop for a hands-on cooking class. Conclude by enjoying the meal you’ve created, paired with local beer, in a relaxed setting.

Even the most dedicated shoppers can feel overwhelmed in Osaka, with its huge variety to suit all tastes. Remove the hassle from your shopping trip by going with a personal guide. You'll answer a brief questionnaire and be matched with the best host for your interests, who will design a customizable itinerary just for you. Save time and have fun with invaluable insider tips.

Tea ceremony, temple spotting and transport by train: do all three on this tour of historic Uji from Kyoto. After traveling to the city by train, walk to iconic Ujibashi Bridge with a guide, passing through Nakanoshima Park, and stop at a Taihoan teahouse to enjoy the important business of taking tea. Before your return to Kyoto, visit Byōdō-in, Uji’s striking Buddhist temple, which dates to the Heian period, and hear about its history from your guide.

Experience the joy of “hanami,” or cherry blossom viewing, like the locals do. A private host helps you enjoy the cherry blossom season in Osaka on this customizable tour. Share a traditional Japanese picnic under the blossoms as the petals drift down, while your host accompanies you to typical spots as well as places off the tourist trail.

Trade Kyoto's crowded streets for a relaxed, private sake tasting in one of Japan's most important brewing regions. Learn about the different grades of sake, visit a 400-year-old historic brewery as well as a more modern one, to see how the drink has evolved over the centuries. Learn about aromas, flavors, and brewing techniques as you sample a variety of sake with insights from an expert.

Local knowledge pays when discovering a new city. By connecting you with a local who knows Osaka first hand, this private walking tour lets you experience it as you would with a friend who lives in the city. Explain your travel wishes over a call or app, and meet your Osaka local for a walk that reflects your interests and channels their tips, knowledge, and passion for their city.

Dressing in a kimono is the quintessential traditional Kyoto experience but they are very expensive to buy and difficult to put on. With this experience, an expert will dress you in a kimono and set your hair then you can stroll around the ancient city at leisure.

Making sushi is a skill that is difficult to master alone. Get a hands-on experience under the guidance of an expert in this class at an Osaka restaurant. In a small group of no more than 14 participants, learn how to make sushi, as well as other typical Japanese dishes including miso soup and yakitori chicken.

The springtime “sakura” season in Kyoto is best celebrated with a personal guide to show you the best spots for “hanami,” or cherry blossom viewing. In local style you’ll head off the tourist trail and join traditional festivities. Feast on typical Japanese snacks and seasonal dishes with a picnic under the drifting blossoms. Then experience “yozakura”— nighttime blossom-viewing of weeping cherry trees illuminated against the sky.

Step into the secret alleys of Kyoto and experience Japanese-style bars where locals gather to enjoy food and drinks. Before the tour begins, your expert guide will have a short consultation with you to understand your preferences, then take you to the bars that best match your taste. Wander through the charming backstreets of the Kawaramachi area, lined with tiny bars, traditional confectionery stands, and local food markets. For those interested, there will be chances to sample local bites as you stroll through the neighborhood. At each bar, your guide will introduce you to delicious pairings of sake and Kyoto-style side dishes. Every venue has its own unique homemade specialties — some of which you won’t find on any tourist menu. You’ll also visit a small hidden shrine and hear fascinating stories about its history. Exploring Kyoto on your own is wonderful, but with this tour, you’ll discover a whole new, authentic side of the city.

This personalized full-day Kyoto tour with a local is ideal for first-time visitors to the "City of Temples." You won’t waste a moment visiting places that don’t interest you as this tour is fully customizable based on your interests. Choose the neighborhoods you’d like to visit, and see many of Kyoto’s top sites. Exploring the city with a guide means you won’t get lost, and you'll learn lots of local tips that you wouldn’t discover otherwise.

When visiting the historic city of Kyoto, you see many women walking around in authentic kimono. If you want to try wearing kimono yourself, this experience is for you. Dress in a furisode (formal, long-sleeved kimono), traditionally worn by unmarried young women. Experienced staff help you dress. You can then wear your kimono to appreciate Kyoto’s historical sights and take photographs.

For those new to the Japanese rice wine, sake can be something of a mystery. Unravel those mysteries on this tour to Kyoto's Gekkeikan Okura Sake Museum, which has been making sake since 1637. See how producers have made sake throughout the past few hundred years, and understand the techniques they use. Enjoy sampling some of the sake and then have lunch (included) in the restaurant.

Flytographer Private Vacation Photo Shoot Connect with a local hand-picked professional photographer in Kyoto and capture your most memorable moments during this private photo shoot. Get insider tips on the best things to do in Kyoto, including where to eat & what to see from your vacation photographer. Return from your trip with beautiful, high-quality vacation photos — the best souvenir ever. We specialize in: - honeymoons - family trips - engagements - anniversaries - romantic getaways - multi-generational trips - babymoons - solo travellers - and just because! With over 35,000 5-star reviews, Flytographer is the global leader in vacation photography and has captured over 3 million memories for travellers across six continents. We’ve been featured across A-list media, including Conde Nast Traveler, Oprah, Forbes, Travel + Leisure, New York Times, BRIDES, Martha Stewart Weddings, InStyle Magazine, Elle, Buzzfeed, Refinery29, Huffington Post, & many more.

Learn to roll sushi like a pro during this sushi-making class in Osaka that includes dinner. Get a hands-on introduction to the art of sushi from a professional instructor, then sit down to enjoy your creations, along with other Japanese snacks. This personalized sushi course, limited to just eight participants, offers upgrade options to sample Japanese sake and beer.

Travelers who love Japanese food and want to learn how to make it at home will enjoy this cooking lesson experience. Tour a local market and learn about Japanese ingredients, as well as how to select the best ones. Take a cooking lesson in your instructor’s home, and also see how the locals live and dine. Enjoy eating what you produce afterwards.