Saitama Experience 1 day
$750 per person
(2-3 people 1 person - supplemental $250)
Meet at HONJOWASEDA Shinkansen Station (50 min from Tokyo Station) at 9:38
Visit antique/flea market (Sunday only) or local fish market - stories in Japanese Farm Food book
Drive to Yamaki Jozo for local organic yuba lunch (delicious yuba burger, yuba-sando, and fried morsels).
Casual tour of shoyu- and miso-making company, tastings of soy-related products made in house
Visit mountain potter, Isao Kimura from Food Artisans of Japan book
Drive to Ogawa-machi for casual tour of small World Heritage designated Japanese paper (washi) maker and visit their shop with an impressive inventory of washi + washi-related goods. Story in Preserving the Japanese Way book
or
Drive to Shimonita-machi for a casual tour of an artisanal natto maker. Story in Japan: The Vegetarian Cookbook.
Drive back for dinner at Soba Ra from Food Artisans of Japan book
Car to train.
Train back to Tokyo — 18:49 - 19:36 or 19:53 - 20:40 depending on timing