Japan
Day by Day
Dining Programme
Dietary Notes
Show the chef- Raw horse · 馬刺し (basashi)Avoid
- Raw beef · ユッケ / レア牛Avoid
- Raw shrimp · 生エビAvoid
- Raw crab · 生カニAvoid
- Raw lobster · 生ロブスターAvoid
- Organ meats · ホルモン / モツAvoid
- Octopus · タコDislike
- Sea eel · 穴子 (anago)Dislike
- Horse · 馬肉Avoid
- Whale · 鯨Avoid
- Chicken · 鶏肉Dislike
- Octopus · タコDislike
- Sea eel · 穴子 (anago)Dislike
No allergies or avoidances. Harrison (14) is adventurous and loves uni — no need to hold back the interesting courses.
¥ JPY · USD Converter
Rate per the planning sheet — tap edit to update on the day.
Dining Etiquette
On nights at an omakase counter, skip perfume, cologne and scented hair products — the chef's composition relies on guests being able to read aroma. A small courtesy that the very best counters quietly appreciate.
- Punctuality. Omakase meals begin together for all guests — arriving on time keeps the chef's rhythm intact.
- Photography. Food only — never the chef or other guests at the counter.
- Cash on departure. Several venues prefer cash for ancillaries — sake supplements, small extras. Carry some yen.
- Thank the chef. A sincere gochisousama deshita means more than any tip — tipping is not customary in Japan.
Japan runs on trust. Once a table is confirmed it is a firm commitment — top restaurants operate strict no-change and no-cancellation policies. If anything must change, flag it to Gerhard as early as possible so he can manage it with the chef directly.
Travel Notes
🚄 Getting around
- Shinkansen. Tokyo → Kyoto on the Nozomi takes ~2h 15m. Reserved Green Car seats for the 28 June transfer are being arranged by Happy Camper — right-hand seats give the Mt Fuji view on a clear day.
- Private car. The Kyoto → Hakone → Tokyo legs run by private van (Toyota Alphard / minivan) with driver — the transfer day becomes part of the journey rather than a logistics exercise.
- Taxis. GO and JapanTaxi are the two reliable apps in Tokyo and Kyoto (your guides Iko Tamura and Ryan During, and driver Yamaguchi, cover the touring days) — both take foreign cards. Hotel desks will call a car on request.
- Suica. Add a Suica to Apple/Google Wallet for subway, bus and train across all three regions. Top up from your linked card.
- Cash. 7-Eleven and Japan Post ATMs take international cards. A few counters prefer cash for extras.
- eSIM. Activate before landing — Airalo or Ubigi both work well. Coverage is excellent everywhere on the route.
🛬 Transfers & flights
All airport transfers are arranged by The Okura, at Haneda (HND). Jim & Leslie arrive 23 Jun · ANA 109 · 16:55; Samantha & Harrison arrive 25 Jun · ANA 117 · 19:00; all depart 5 Jul · ANA 110 · 10:50.
💬 Direct line to Happy Camper
A direct WhatsApp line to Gerhard runs throughout the trip (+81 80 6989 2107) — the fastest channel for confirmations, last-minute changes, or a recommendation on the ground. Tomoko's Tokyo office line (+81 90 6158 9006) is the daytime backup.
Statement
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