Esprit Travel launches curated Japan itinerary focused on culinary traditions
The 14-day tour visits five cities with cooking classes, farm visits, and meals prepared by master chefs for groups of up to 15 guests.
Esprit Travel & Tours is offering a two-week journey through Japan's culinary and cultural centers, scheduled for May 5–18, 2027. The tour visits Tokyo, Kanazawa, Kyoto, Osaka, and Kobe, positioning itself as an alternative to standard group travel in a market increasingly segmented by experience level and group size.
The itinerary centers on cooking classes, market exploration, and farm visits alongside meals prepared by recognized chefs. Guests will also meet ceramicists, textile artisans, and other craftspeople working in their respective disciplines. The operator caps group size at 15 participants and books 4-star hotels in each destination.
Esprit Travel & Tours, which describes itself as a Japan specialist, has maintained what it characterizes as trusted relationships in the country for 35 years. The company positions the tour as "thoughtfully curated" and emphasizes direct engagement with artisans and cultural practitioners rather than standard museum visits or observation.
The tour price was not disclosed. Esprit Travel & Tours can be reached through Andrew Bender, Tour Planning Manager, at 1-800-ESPRIT-1, extension 4, or andy@esprittravel.com. The company holds California Seller of Travel Registration number 1020919-40.
Curated culinary travel has grown as a category within luxury tourism, with operators targeting affluent travelers seeking access to local expertise and small-group settings. The timing of this announcement reflects broader industry efforts to fill departure slots in 2027, a year still open for bookings.