10:00 AM (Exact time TBA in September 2017 when the new timetable becomes available). Meet at the designated point in Nagoya Station: Golden Clock by Takashimaya department store. [7 minutes walk to Bus Station. A detailed map will be provided. ]
10:20 AM (Exact time TBA) Depart from Meitetsu Bus Terminal in Nagoya Station. [70 to 80 minute bus ride to Seki City, Gifu.]
11:30 AM Arrive in Seki. Lunch at Sukeroku Soba, a buckwheat noodle restaurant. After lunch, we'll take a 10-minute taxi ride to our accommodations/Isaji Residence.
12:40 PM Arrive at Isaji Residence (Hereafter referred to as "Residence"). House tour & tea time.
1:30 PM Leave for the local market [Less than a 15 minute walk, 1/2 mile, 800m]
2:30 PM Walk back to residence
3:00 PM (Option 1) Leave for Michi-no-Eki, "Local Market by the Road" to discover the fresh local produce and products. Shiitake mushroom chips are a best seller at this location. (Option 2) Cooking: We'll prepare some dishes that we'll bring to the Ukai boat ride and also have for breakfast tomorrow morning.
6:00 PM Leave for Ukai. [About a 15 minute taxi ride]
6:20 PM Ukai on a Cormorant bird fishing boat. We'll spend some time waiting for it to get completely dark so bring your jacket as it may get cold. Drinks and appetizers will be served.
8:00 PM Ayu fish dinner at Iwasa, the cormorant bird fishing master’s house.
9:30 PM Back to the residence by taxi

8:30 AM Breakfast at a Cafe
9:30 AM Leave for the Knife Festival site [About a 20 minute walk, 1 mile]
10:00 AM 30 minute quick walking tour to highlight venues.
- Open market with about 40 cutlery manufacturers along the main street.
- Seki Sword Museum: Forging and sharpening demonstrations
- Outdoor Knife Market
- Event stage/Food court
10:30 AM Free Time
12:00 PM Lunch at the Food court/parking. Many of the locally renowned restaurants offer dishes at this outdoor food court. Let's get together to sample many different dishes. Free time afterward.
3:30 PM Head back to home. Rest well before heading to Mino.
5:00 PM Unagi dinner
6:00 PM Leave for the Mino Paper Lantern Festival. [Less than a 10 minute walk to the station. 15 minute train ride.]
6:30 PM Free time. Stroll around this small old town lit up with handmade paper lanterns.
8:30 PM Head back to the residence. [15 minute train ride, 10 minute walk]

7:30 AM Breakfast
8:00 AM Leave for Shirakawa-go [About 2-hour car ride]
10:00 AM Arrive at Shirakawa-go observatory. About 2 hours of free time
12:00 PM Leave for Takayama[About 45 minutes car ride]
1:00 PM Arrive at Takayama. Our food stops are:
- Boulangerie Train Bleu
- Takayama Ramen
- Wagyu (Raw) Beef Sushi
2:30 PM Explore old town of Takayama
- Known for centuries for having the best carpentry, Takayama hosts many furniture companies and artists in. Great shops to check out.
- Sake Brewery
3:30 PM Marionette performance at Hachiman Shrine
5:00 PM Hida Wagyu Beef Dinner (Hida-Hatoya, either Shabu shabu or Sukiyaki)
6:30 PM Night Festival
8:00 PM Depart [About a 1.5-hour taxi ride back home ]
9:30 PM Arrive at residence

7:30 AM Breakfast [Bread from Boulangerie Train Blue]
8:10 AM Depart for Tajimi
9:00 AM Arrive at Koubei Gama and Sakazuki (Sake cups) Museum
- Great museum shops showcasing works by talented local artists
- Tea ceremony using amazing collections of teaware by Kato Kobei, a nationally renowned potter and "National Treasure" award winner
- Outdoor markets
11:15 AM Depart for lunch
11:30 AM Lunch at handmade Udon Noodle restaurant
12:30 PM Zohou Gama and Oribe Street.
- Walk around and find your favorite shops in old town Tajimi (An English map will be provided.)
3:00 PM Leave for Inuyama Castle (40 to 50 minute minivan ride)
4:00 PM Inuyama Castle
5:00 PM Leave for Kakamu Aburaya (Yoko's favorite liquor & food shop is perfect to choose souvenirs. Great selections of Japanese seasonings and Sake tastings are available)
6:30 PM Dinner at Takada Hassho [ Kaiseki Dinner]
8:30 PM Head back to residence (About half hour minivan ride)

For a single reservation: USD 1,600/Person

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Festivals, Feast and Fishing: An Insider's Culinary Tour of Gifu

An Insider's Culinary Tour of Gifu Itinerary