A story of flavors shaped by monks, travellers, and the Meiji era.

Your journey begins in the heart of Nikko’s sacred heritage, a place once walked by monks who crafted a simple yet deeply symbolic cuisine. Here you’ll discover the origins of yuba, the delicate soy creation that sustained ascetics for centuries — a dish tied to purity, discipline, and the rhythms of mountain life.

As the morning unfolds, we step into a new chapter of Nikko’s history. For lunch, you’ll visit a former Western-style villa from the late 19th century, once home to an international resident who played a quiet but significant role in introducing foreign perspectives to the region. Inside this atmospheric building — where East and West once blended — you’ll taste how yuba evolved from monastic nourishment into refined cuisine, influenced by the arrival of scholars, traders, and diplomats during Japan’s early modern era.
Nothing is labelled or staged; the walls themselves carry the weight of a forgotten cross-cultural exchange.

The afternoon leads you through scenic mountain roads that once captivated both pilgrims and early foreign visitors. Forests, waterfalls, and volcanic formations frame the route, forming one of the most iconic highland landscapes in Tochigi.

Finally, the day brings you to the shores of a historic Meiji-era lakeside community. This was a favored retreat for diplomats, naturalists, and seasonal residents who shaped a new culinary identity for the area. It was here that masu trout, introduced by European naturalists, became a regional symbol and a beloved lakeside dish — representing the meeting of local ingredients and international influence.

From ancient monastic traditions to early global connections and the elegance of Meiji lakeside culture, this journey reveals how Nikko’s cuisine — and its spirit — evolved across centuries.

What’s included:

Available from May 1st – October 30th Meeting Point: Tobu Nikko Station 9:45 am