Organised by luxury tour company EPIcURIOUS travel, this small group journey offers a wonderful insight into Japanese cuisine and culture over the course of 13 days and 12 nights.

Michael Ryan shares his intimate knowledge of Japanese cuisine, visiting Michelin starred restaurants, meeting with respected chefs, food authors and sake professionals. Explore the culinary and cultural highlights of Tokyo and Kyoto, taste local delicacies from the markets and food halls and dine at some of the best restaurants in the country, personally selected by Michael.

Stay in some of Japan's most salubrious hotels and stylish Onsen, including the Ritz Carlton, the Park Hyatt and the elegant Beniya Mukayu. Discover the unique beauty of Miyajima Island and its shrines, stroll the Philosophers Walk in Kyoto and wander through the Hiroshima Memorial Peace Park.

This lavish culinary adventure with one of Australia's renowned chefs is an epicurean journey not to be missed.

Dates: 4-15 December 2015

Cost: $12,950 per person

Notes to Editors:

About Michael Ryan

Michael Ryan is one of regional Australia's most respected chefs. With partner Jeanette Henderson, he is co-owner of Provenance Restaurant in Beechworth, northeast Victoria.

Provenance, in its first year of operation, picked up a chef's hat in The Age Good Food Guide and was awarded Best New Country Restaurant in the same publication. The restaurant then received two hats the following year, and in 2013 Provenance won Best Regional Restaurant, with Michael Ryan named Chef of the Year 2013.

At Provenance, Michael has expanded his culinary style by exploring textures and investigating different techniques of food preparation. While continuing to balance the aspects of the culinary traditions in which he has worked, Michael has also proceeded to incorporate more Asian influences in his food – always remaining respectful of the cuisines from which they are drawn. In particular, regular trips to Japan have proved a constant source of new inspiration. Aside from maintaining the integrity of his food, Michael states that his aim is to avoid stagnation, and to keep moving forward through experimentation.

About EPIcURIOUS travel

EPIcURIOUS offers a selective range of intimate journeys in handpicked destinations around the world. Designed to reveal the true spirit of a region, our journeys explore local cuisine, culture and landscapes, providing travel experiences that are immersive, inspiring and deeply rewarding. 

Our group journeys run with a maximum of 12 participants, many of our iconic walks run with between only 8 – 10 people. The hotels and restaurants we select are chosen for their boutique size and highly personalised style and service.

Great food and wine is one of our most important hallmarks. It is our passion and we see no need to compromise on this fundamental element in experiential travel – even in the remotest of locations. It is not only vital in making the difference between a good holiday and a sensational one, we believe it is an integral element of the cultural landscape of a place and is essential to having an authentic experience – not a homogenous one.

~ Find out more at: http://www.epicurioustravel.com.au/journey/a-culinary-journey-to-japan-with-michael-ryan

~ For further information and high res images, contact Linda at info@epicurioustravel.com.au or call (03) 9486 5409.