Takayama Foodie Tour

Food & Drink
Takayama
Japanese (Native), English
2 hours 30 min
Private tour (only you and your group)
Up to 6 people

Do you want to explore Takayama like a local? Maybe you aren’t sure where to find the best eats or quality Japanese cooking utensils and vessels. On this private tour, you can take a culinary adventure and get the best of Takayama’s unique food culture! The cold climate is ideal for making miso, pickles, sake, and many other traditional Japanese food. Get ready to go on a delicious journey where you can learn about Takayama through its authentic cuisine.

Mika S.

4.96 / 5
(26 reviews)

Meeting Point

At your hotel or a location that is convenient for you in central Takayama

Morning market

Start your day with a visit to the morning market, one of the three largest markets in Japan. Your expert guide will not only help you find the best products but also introduce you to the local vendors, the important faces of Takayama’s food scene!

Miso shop

You will learn about Hoba Miso, Takayama’s must-try local cuisine!

Knife shop

Check out a wide selection of knives, kitchen utensils, and cutlery used in Japanese cooking (available for purchase).

Shunkei lacquerware

Learn about Hida Shunkei, beautiful lacquerware unique to the Hida region.

Dango-ya (dumpling shop)

Get a taste of savory dango (Japanese dumplings), one of the most popular street foods in the Hida region

Local supermarket

Get recommendations on a variety of regional and seasonal products with from your local guide!

Ending Point

At your hotel or a location that is convenient for you in central Takayama

Want to personalize this tour?

  • Our tours can be customized according to your needs and preferences
  • Click below to tell us what you are looking for:

Inclusions & Exclusions

What‘s included

Guide fee, hotel pick up in central Takayama

Local street foods

What‘s not included

Transportation (if necessary),

Important Information

・You can purchase additional food samples not included in the tour.

・Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and halal options are available. Please write your allergies/dietary restrictions and any other requests you may have.

・Please contact me for evening food tours. I can also take you to the best eats in town, including sushi bars and izakaya (casual Japanese pubs) offering seafood specialties for fish fanatics, and sukiyaki joints and Japanese BBQ restaurants offering Hida beef for meat lovers.

・Please note that I cannot take responsibility for any accidents that occur during the tour. I highly recommend getting travel insurance before you come to Japan.

Cancellation Policy

  • Free cancellation - 8 days prior to meeting time
  • 50% Refund - 3 to 7 days prior to meeting time
  • No Refund - Within 2 day(s) prior to meeting time

Reviews

T

Thierry A.

5 / 5
Aug 8, 2024

Exciting Sake Tour in Takayama

Thank you for the tour of the sake brewery. Your knowledge and passion made this tour really enjoyable.

Mika S.

Thank you for the kind review, Thierry. I was pleasantly surprised by your extensive knowledge of sake! It was a pleasure sharing my passion for sake with you, and I'm thrilled to hear that you enjoyed the tour.

D

Deborah I.

5 / 5
Jun 15, 2024

A Wonderful Half-Day with Lovely Mika

We enjoyed strolling and learning about Takayama with Mika. We went thru the market, visited the local shrine and most fascinating was visiting the historic house. Mika was obliging and helpful and a great companion.

Mika S.

Thank you so much for your wonderful review! I’m delighted to hear that you enjoyed our stroll through Takayama. It was a pleasure showing you the market, local shrine, and historic house. I’m glad you found them fascinating. I enjoyed being your companion for the day and am happy to have been of help. I hope to see you again on another tour in the future!

Y

Ying sing L.

5 / 5
Mar 26, 2024

Thank you Mika!

We did the Takayama and sake sensation tour combined with Mika. It was snowing heavily that day and Mika was very patient with us as my toddler was throwing tantrums due to the unexpected snow and rain at the same time. The most interesting part was the sake knowledge that has imparted to us during the tour. Lunch planned was delicious and Takayama morning is beautiful! Amazing tour highly recommended!

Mika S.

Thank you for the gracious review, Ying! I’m delighted that you enjoyed the tour despite the chilly weather. Your baby was absolutely adorable, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to be a part of his time in Takayama! Also, sake is essential in local Takayama culture, and it was a pleasure to share about it with you and Jun Lee. I look forward to welcoming you back on your next trips to Japan!

Bryan O.

5 / 5
Dec 4, 2023

Mika was an outstanding guide for us to Takayama & Shirakawa

Mika was an outstanding guide for us to Takayama & Shirakawa showing us all of the little out of the way things & her knowledge was excellent. With us not knowing anything her recommendations were awesome. She helped us book our train tickets & a place to eat that night in Takayama where the food was excellent. The coffee shop was also an excellent recommendation. Would book her again as a guide in a heartbeat. 100%

Mika S.

Thank you for such a kind review, Bryan! It was a pleasure hosting the tour for you and your lovely family! You had a keen interest in the local culture and I’m so happy I could help make memorable experiences during your time here. I had so much fun sharing the wonders of Takayama and Shirakawago. I hope to see you again on your next visit to Japan!

$105/ per person

More tours by Mika S.

Best of Takayama & Shirakawa-go Expedition

Takayama
7 hours

Start your day with a trip to Takayama's morning market, one of the 3 largest markets in Japan. Then, take a relaxing stroll through the old town, beautifully preserved for 300 years since the samurai period. In the afternoon, you will take a trip to Shirakawa-go and see its traditional thatched roof houses, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Please let me know your special interests, and I will happily customize the tour for you, especially activities or food you'd like to try!

FROM$473/ per group

Sake Sensations: an Exclusive Tasting with a Sommelier

Takayama
1 hour 20 min

Thanks to its ideal climate, Takayama boasts a wide variety of local sake brewed at multiple private breweries. Each brewery has a different philosophy; understanding them will give you insight into how to enjoy the local masterpieces. Your guide will take you on an exquisite and culturally rich tasting experience at one of the breweries. Indulge in the world of sake with your guide, an International Sake Sommelier, and get detailed tips on how to enjoy Japan's national drink!

FROM$70/ per person

Takayama Highlights Tour of Must-Visit Gems

Takayama
3 hours 30 min

This is the ideal tour for first-time visitors looking to discover Takayama's history, authentic culture, and natural beauty with a local guide! The basic itinerary includes some of the best experiences, such as the morning market, the old town, and a local sake brewery. Please let me know your interests, and I will happily arrange a customized tour just for you!

FROM$350/ per group

Takayama Foodie Tour

Takayama
2 hours 30 min

Do you want to explore Takayama like a local? Maybe you aren’t sure where to find the best eats or quality Japanese cooking utensils and vessels. On this private tour, you can take a culinary adventure and get the best of Takayama’s unique food culture! The cold climate is ideal for making miso, pickles, sake, and many other traditional Japanese food. Get ready to go on a delicious journey where you can learn about Takayama through its authentic cuisine.

FROM$105/ per person

Popular Tours in Takayama

Sake Sensations: an Exclusive Tasting with a Sommelier

Takayama
1 hour 20 min

Thanks to its ideal climate, Takayama boasts a wide variety of local sake brewed at multiple private breweries. Each brewery has a different philosophy; understanding them will give you insight into how to enjoy the local masterpieces. Your guide will take you on an exquisite and culturally rich tasting experience at one of the breweries. Indulge in the world of sake with your guide, an International Sake Sommelier, and get detailed tips on how to enjoy Japan's national drink!

FROM$70/ per person
Mika S.
4.96 / 5
(26 reviews)

Multi-Brewery Sake Tasting Tour

Takayama
2 hours

Your guide, an experienced brewery worker, will introduce you to sake, and help you to discover the varieties that you like best. A complete explanation of the production process and the various flavor elements will help you to understand what you are tasting. Starting with some standard varieties, we will guide you toward the kinds that you will enjoy the most. There are seven sake breweries to visit, but the full circuit is not for the faint of heart.

FROM$49/ per person
William P.
4.75 / 5
(4 reviews)

Takayama Foodie Tour

Takayama
2 hours 30 min

Do you want to explore Takayama like a local? Maybe you aren’t sure where to find the best eats or quality Japanese cooking utensils and vessels. On this private tour, you can take a culinary adventure and get the best of Takayama’s unique food culture! The cold climate is ideal for making miso, pickles, sake, and many other traditional Japanese food. Get ready to go on a delicious journey where you can learn about Takayama through its authentic cuisine.

FROM$105/ per person
Mika S.
4.96 / 5
(26 reviews)