Transportation: A rented Toyota Hybrid Corolla will be provided for the full tour. Yoko will be the driver for the entire itinerary. Guests should bring luggage to the lobby when departing each hotel; luggage will travel with the vehicle.

May 21, 2026 (Thu) — Kobe / Hyōgo

Hyōgo prefecture, especially Nada, is known for its long history of sake production. Gokoku Park offers great all‑you‑can‑drink sake tastings!

12:00 PM — Meet at the ANA hotel check‑in lounge

1:00 PM — Lunch at Choraku, Arima Onsen (day‑spa use & strolling the town of Arima‑Onsen)

6:00 PM — Hyōgo Gokoku World — food hall for sake tastings and local foods

Accommodation: ANA Crowne Plaza Kobe by IHG (JR Shin‑Kobe Station) — booking: reservation link.

May 22, 2026 (Fri) — Road Trip: Awaji Island → Tokushima (Official Tour Start)

Awaji Island is famed for its sweet onions and dried seafood products. Mythology names it the first island created — many shrines and ruins to explore.

9:30 AM — Depart Shin‑Kobe Station / ANA Crowne Plaza Hotel (please bring luggage to the lobby)

11:00 AM — Yoga & lunch at Zenbo Seinei

2:00 PM — Depart

3:00 PM — Road Station Uzushio — sightseeing / Naruto whirlpools: details

4:00 PM — Ryōzenji (first temple of the 88‑temple Shikoku Pilgrimage): info

5:30 PM — Kaiseki dinner at Aoyagi — highly praised Naruto sea bream

8:00 PM — Awa Odori theater performance (sample video: YouTube)

Optional late stop: Bar Kohno (whisky & cocktails). Accommodation: Awa Kanko Hotel.

May 23, 2026 (Sat) — Japanese Indigo & Niyodo River “Blue”

Tokushima has a long history with indigo dye; later we visit the Niyodo River’s famed blue waters in Kōchi.

8:00 AM — Breakfast at The Door (local breakfast)

9:30 AM — House of Indigo: Ai no Yakata — indigo workshop (dye a handkerchief)

12:00 PM — Lunch at Orimetei — Handa‑sōmen

3:00 PM — Check in at Qraud Hotel (hotel)

3:30 PM — Chinkabashi & Niyodo River — guided hiking tour if weather permits (If it rains, we visit Sagawa town and museum)

7:00 PM — Dinner at Kuroson — regional seafood specialties

Accommodation: Qraud Hotel — riverside boutique hotel by the Niyodo River. https://www.qraud-kochi.jp/

May 24, 2026 (Sun) — Sunday Market & Makino Botanical Garden

Sunday Market in Kōchi is my favorite farmers' market in Japan — lively with tourists but deeply rooted in local daily life. Kōchi also runs weekday markets on different streets, showing how outdoor markets remain part of everyday life for locals.

9:00 AM — Check out (please bring your luggage to the lobby; luggage will travel with the vehicle)

9:30 AM — Morning Market along the road to Kōchi Castle — sample street sushi, pickles, tea: market guide

12:00 PM — Makino Botanical Garden — details

3:00 PM — Chikurinji Temple — info

4:30 PM — Check in at Hotel Sansuien — onsen/sauna open late

5:30 PM — Dinner walk (“hashigo”) — visit 2–3 local bars/izakaya for small plates and local drinks, finishing at Trattoria Toro Doro for a Kochi vegetable–filled antipasti.

Accommodation: Hotel Sansuien.

May 25, 2026 (Mon) — Kōchi Castle, Sanuki Udon & Konpira Shrine

Kōchi Castle and the nearby markets showcase regional specialties (yuzu products, bonito, unique tea varieties) and the city’s relaxed, food-first culture — perfect for slow exploration before heading to Sanuki Udon.

8:00 AM — Morning walk to Yamauchi Shrine

8:30 AM — Breakfast at local café

9:00 AM — Kōchi Castle

10:00 AM — Check out & load luggage (bring luggage to lobby to load into vehicle), then local market area (Tosa no Sato) — shopping for yuzu vinegar and regional products

11:30 AM — Depart for Kagawa

1:00 PM — Sanuki udon lunch (recommendation: Bakuka Udon)

2:00 PM — Konpira Shrine — visit

4:30 PM — Return to Tokushima city

6:00 PM — Tori Bon Yakitori (Awa‑odori chicken)

7:30 PM — Sushi Isami — izakaya‑style casual sushi (guide orders today's specials)

Accommodation: Awa Kanko Hotel — http://www.awakan.jp/

May 26, 2026 (Tue) — Awaji Island → Kobe (Departure)

9:00 AM — Depart for Awaji

10:00 AM — Lunch on Awaji (decide 2–3 days prior based on weather):
• Option 1: Happy Pancake — ocean view brunch
• Option 2: Awaji Chef’s Garden — Awaji beef hamburger with famous sweet onion

11:00 AM — Hyōgo Flower Park / Awaji Hanasajiki — flower fields & views

12:00 PM — Head back to Shin‑Kobe Station

12:30 PM — Estimated arrival at Shin‑Kobe Station — tour concludes

A Culinary Journey through the Japanese Countryside: Gifu 2026

TOUR REGISTRATION FORM

Tour dates: 4 nights / 5 days — October 9, 2026 to October 13, 2026.
Price: $2,700 per person (shared bathroom) / $2,900 per person (private bathroom) at the Isaji residence. If you prefer staying at a hotel, there are three business hotels within a 10–15 minute drive.

Included in the tour fee:

• 4 breakfasts, 4 lunches, and 4 dinners (Oct 9–13).

• All‑day transportation on Oct 11 and 12.

• Tickets for the following activities: gondola ride and Gifu Castle entrance, Ukai (cormorant fishing) boat ride, Hida village open‑air museum.

Not included in the tour fee:

• Taxi rides on Oct 10 (these will be divided among tour participants; please keep receipts).

• Drink orders at all restaurants.

• Any public transportation expenses (if any).

Note: All above expenses are summed and divided using the average exchange rate of the week. At the end of the tour, charges will be made in USD.

Registration details

Your Name: __________________________________________

Other participant’s name (if sharing a room): ____________________________________

E‑mail address: ______________________________________

Phone Number: ________________________________

Emergency contact (name): ________________________ (relationship): ____________

Emergency Phone Number: _________________________________

Food allergy / dietary restrictions: ____________________________________________

About payment

Registration is handled on a first‑come, first‑served basis. Payment in full is required one month prior to the tour (by September 10, 2026). You may reserve your spot with a down payment of $1,200.

Policy, terms & conditions

Participants are responsible for arranging and paying for airfare and transportation to JR Gifu Station. The tour starts at JR Gifu Station and ends at the Isaji residence in Seki, Gifu. We will help advise on onward routing.

Participants are responsible for any travel/tour/health insurance they wish to obtain. We strongly recommend travel protection covering cancellation and interruption. Natural disasters (earthquakes, typhoons) may affect tour operations.

Tour fees do NOT include refreshments, some meal items, or entry fees unless explicitly stated.

General cancellation policy

If CJJC (A Culinary Journey through the Japanese Countryside) must cancel any or all segments, every effort will be made to continue the tour. If Yoko Isaji cannot lead, a replacement guide will be provided; if that is not possible, a full refund will be issued.

If a registered participant cancels, refunds depend on notice period:

• More than 90 days prior to tour: Full refund.

• 90 to 46 days prior to tour: $1,000 cancellation fee plus any non‑recoverable expenses.

• 45 to 15 days prior to tour: 50% refund minus non‑recoverable expenses.

• Less than 14 days prior to tour: No refund.

Should we cancel the tour, a full refund will be made.

Limitations on liability

An online tour liability waiver form will be sent once we receive the tour registration form.

Date: _____________________

Signature: ___________________________________