Gourmet Tours - Toshogu Shrine, A Tea And Shizuoka's Cuisine

OVERVIEW

Delve into the local culture and cuisine through a remarkable variety of experiences, beginning with a scenic drive to Nihondaira Plateau for an extraordinary view of sacred Mt. Fuji. Nearby, you will find Toshogu Shrine, a complex of ornate bright-red buildings constructed in the Shinto style. You will enjoy another perspective of Mt. Fuji from the Nippondaira Hotel, where you will dine on a gourmet meal featuring fresh seafood from neighboring deep-water Suruga Bay. Shizuoka oden – a dark broth fish stew – marinated clams, spicy fried yellowtail tuna and salmon jambalaya only touch on the offerings. Other regional buffet favorites will include a spicy ham steak and corn mousse with prosciutto. Following lunch, you will participate in a hands-on cultural experience by rolling tea leaves at the Tea Museum. One last look at Mt. Fuji awaits from the seaside pine grove Miho no Matsubara. The view is so breathtaking that it has inspired artists for centuries.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Dine on a buffet of dishes revered in Shizuoka, many of them made with local seafood.
• Appreciate the variety of dishes, many of them featuring unexpected ingredients.
• Wander through Toshogu Shrine, taking note of its spectacular architecture and artifacts.
• See nearby Mt. Fuji – Japan’s highest mountain – from several perspectives.
• Learn to handroll tea leaves, a traditional practice that enhances their flavor.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.