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Japan's Kansai Region
Milk Street on the Road: Osaka to Kyoto
Jun 10 - 18, 2026 (Sold Out!)
Jun 24 - Jul 02, 2026 (Sold Out!)
Where
Japan's Kansai Region
Group Size
8 Travelers
Duration
9 Days, 8 Nights
Price
8,500 USD / person
Fermented foods are at the heart of traditional Japanese culinary culture and there’s no better place to experience this than within Japan’s Kansai region, a living repository for some of Japan’s most important and ancient traditions.
Join us on this nine-day trip through this historic heartland of Japan – home to the food-loving cities of Osaka, Nara, and Kyoto – as we meet craftspeople whose knowledge and expertise stretches back generations. From sake distillers to miso producers and tea farmers, Michelin-starred chefs and knife craftsmen, we’ll get a once-in-a-lifetime grounding in what makes this region’s cuisine world-class, while along the way eating meals both delicate and outrageous in their flavors. We’ll also learn how to cook with essential Japanese fermented ingredients and even try our hand at fermenting ourselves. Together we’ll experience Nara barbecue, artisanal Kyoto pickles, hand-pulled somen noodles, freshly fried tempura and so much more – all dishes enhanced by umami and a depth of flavor rooted in the Kansai region’s age-old fermentation techniques. Just like the food we’ll try, this trip is hand-crafted, and very special.
MEET
TASTE
DINE
HONE
EXPLORE
Your itinerary
Day 1
Arrive & Meet the Group
Day 2
Get to Know Funky Osaka
Day 3
Journey Into the Nara Countryside
Day 4
The Story of Sake and Cooking with Fermented Food
Day 5
Learning All about Soy Sauce and Rice
Day 6
An Introduction to Japanese Tea Culture & Kyoto
Day 7
The story of Koji & Pickles in Kyoto
Day 8
Visiting a Bento Box Museum & Miso Workshop in Kyoto
Day 9
Say Goodbyes & Depart
Meet the Crew
We are firm believers in the power of local knowledge. Our guides and the culinary masters and other artisans who are part of our trips all deeply reflect that. Meet some of our local heroes:
Yoko Inagaki
Maeda Chisato
Noriko Kita
Shigeya Nakajima
Masaharu Shimamura
Where you'll stay
The Hotel Royal Classic
This trip’s focus on deeply local experiences and places is also well reflected in our choice of accommodation. We always select boutique and independent places, ones inspired by international standards while staying loyal to the area’s local heritage – that’s the balance we seek for more than a good night’s rest.
The Hotel Royal Classic is located in the center of Osaka’s Namba district, a beautiful repurposing of the historic Shin-Kabukiza Theatre. The area’s rich heritage of performing arts and local culture can still be felt throughout the vibrant streets, and the hotel combines an elegant blend of traditional and modern design.
Cofunia
Cofunia will be our homebase in the Nara region, a cozy boutique lodge which takes its name from “kofun,” the Japanese word for ancient tumulus – a nod to its location at the foot of the Nishiyamazuka burial mound. This unique space serves as the perfect jumping-off point for us to explore the natural and archaeological beauty of the region.
Dhawa Yura Kyoto
Contemporary design meets historical features in this luxury boutique hotel near the Kamo River. Located in Sanjo in the heart of Kyoto, Dhawa Yura Kyoto is within walking distance of temples, shrines, shopping, restaurants and museums. The hotel is the perfect hideaway in the ancient city of Kyoto.
Hear what travelers are saying
Yoko was the absolute best host, taking us to amazing places and filling us with insightful knowledge. It was an absolute privilege to be guided by her. We left feeling full and happy after learning and trying so many new things.
Diane S.
The food was amazing, but it was so much more than that. The special places, the shrines and temples, the stories behind the buildings and the history. It was incredibly informative and I learned so much!
Catherine O.
Yoko gave us a one-of-a-kind experience, introducing us to hidden gems around osaka. We particularly loved how she took us to local shops that were rich in history and deeply connected to the area's food culture. An unforgettable experience!
Barry R.
Know before you go
PRICING AND ACCOMMODATION
The total cost of this trip is $8,500. We cannot accommodate solo travelers on this trip due to lodging constraints. A $500 non-refundable deposit per traveler is required to secure space on the trip. The balance is due 90 days prior to the start of the trip.
ACTIVITY LEVEL
Travelers should feel comfortable walking two to four miles each day and remaining on their feet for periods of time. There are a couple of hikes on uneven ground. Be prepared to roll up your sleeves and get hands-on during a couple cooking workshops.
ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE
For flights in and out of Japan’s Kansai International Airport (KIX), we suggest you arrive anytime arrive by 3 p.m. on Day 1 and depart anytime on Day 9. This trip begins in Osaka and ends in Kyoto; both are serviced from the same airport. We’ll provide the option of booking additional nights at our Osaka hotel before and Kyoto hotel after the tour, and are more than happy to provide suggestions for things to do and see in those cities on your own.
INCLUSIONS
• All accommodation throughout the trip in stylish, boutique hotels • Professional guides throughout the entire experience • All meals and drinks included in the above activities • Admission to all proposed activities, locations, and events • Private coach for visits inside and outside the center city • A hungry group of Culinary Backstreets and Milk Street travelers, excited to explore and learn all Japan has to offer!
EXCLUSIONS
• Private individual arrival & departure airport transfers • Airfare and transportation to/from the start and end destination • Meals beyond those specified in the itinerary above • Alcoholic beverages other than those served at the table • Accommodations outside those noted, including pre- or post-trip hotel nights • Activities, tours & entry fees not included above • Personal purchases and incidentals at hotels
DIETARY RESTRICTIONS
We encourage an adventurous palate! We try our best to accommodate dietary restrictions, though ingredients cannot always be substituted or omitted from particular dishes. If you have other food allergies or intolerances, please contact us to find out if this is the right trip for you.
NOTES ON ITINERARY
Itineraries and daily schedules are subject to change. We expect to do everything listed in the itinerary, though the order may be rearranged based on weather or other local conditions.
SAFETY AND SUSTAINABILITY
We have reinforced our commitment to sustainability and safety with new guidelines to assure maximum safety of our guests on our trips while maintaining the quality of the experience. All of our experiences are designed to have minimal impact on the community and environment. For more details on our precautions, read here.
CANCELLATION POLICY
<p>You may cancel 90 days before the start of the trip and receive a full refund minus a $500 per-person service fee. If you cancel on or after 60 days before the start of the trip there is a 50% cancellation fee. On or after 45 days there is a 75% cancellation and fee and on or after 30 days there is a 100% cancellation fee. We highly recommend purchasing travel insurance as we are not able to make exceptions to this policy in cases of family/medical emergency or cases of the trip being canceled (see our <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" class="text-[#781e2a] underline" href="https://foxlabs-development.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/foxlabs-development/images_imported/Traveler+T%26C.pdf">Terms and Conditions</a> for full details).</p>
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