E A T J A P A N
APRIL 10-20, 2025
Starts and Ends in Tokyo, Japan
Explore Japan through its people, places, history – and of course – the food! Allow us to plan everything from the moment your feet hit the ground. You work hard; allow us to do the rest.
Chef’s Kiss!
Join me and fellow adventurers on a 10-day extraordinary expedition to Japan!
By joining us on this epic adventure, you'll take in an exceptional
once-in-a-lifetime experience as well as:
Explore Japan through its people, places, history – and of course – the food!
Japan has one of the most diverse, amazing food cultures in the world. With almost as many Michelin-starred restaurants as the homeland of Michelin itself (France), Japan takes its perfection of cuisine to the next level.
This fall we’ll be taking you on a tour of the Kansai region of Japan, starting in Kyoto; and making our way through Shiga Prefecture, Nara, and Kobe; before finishing in Osaka. Along the way we’ll be sampling the best food we can get our hands on, wandering the markets, learning how to cook regional specialties, and spending time with the locals.
Even if you consider yourself a Japanese food expert, and you know your tonkotsu from your tonkatsu, you’ll learn a thing or two by visiting the holy grail of foodies with us.
A fast-paced schedule. Lots of food and drink. Tons of fun with a small, select group of awesome people.
If any of this sounds interesting to you, please, continue onward…
The Group
Join us for an extraordinary journey with the Invested Adventures Eat Japan experience, where exclusivity meets excitement! Picture this: only six coveted spots are available (not counting your expert guides, Sarah and Scott), ensuring an intimate and unforgettable adventure.
With our deliberately small group size, we unlock access to Japan's hidden gems—those elusive, intimate restaurants and attractions that are the envy of many. Imagine dining in a cozy eatery with only eight seats in the entire establishment! Say goodbye to large group woes; here, exclusivity reigns supreme.
But that's not all. Our crew is comprised of dynamic, like-minded individuals, guaranteeing a vibrant atmosphere filled with laughter and the unavoidable real estate investing chat (we just love this $*%#). Half the thrill lies in forging new friendships and reveling in shared experiences. Get ready to embark on the journey of a lifetime, where every moment is a celebration of food, friendship, and fun!
The Guides
Scott Brills, founder of Eat Japan, doesn’t know a stranger. This includes wild deer, Japan’s top chefs, that guy who sells that stuff from the cart and some people we are not at liberty to disclose. It goes without saying, you will want to sit next to Scott when it comes time to order sake.
Scott Brills
Meet Scott Brills, your seasoned guide extraordinaire for the Invested Adventures Eat Japan experience. With a wanderlust-driven spirit and a zest for cultural exploration, Scott has traveled Japan for the past seventeen years, weaving seamlessly between its bustling metropolises and serene countryside.
Having first set foot in Japan during his university years in 2001, Scott's initial encounter ignited a lifelong passion for the Land of the Rising Sun. Since then, he's cultivated an intimate knowledge of Japanese culture and cuisine, immersing himself in its rich tapestry year after year. From working in esteemed restaurants and hotels to co-founding a consultancy in Tokyo, Scott's diverse experiences have honed his expertise and deepened his appreciation for Japan's culinary treasures.
A polyglot of flavors, Scott is fluent in the language of food and drink, specializing in the intricate nuances of sake, shochu, and tea. Yes, you read that right. This guy from Ohio speaks fluent Japanese. His infectious enthusiasm and lighthearted charm make him the perfect companion for your gastronomic odyssey. Don't hesitate to tap into his wealth of knowledge and expertise—on an Eat Japan adventure with Scott, every question is an invitation to delve deeper into the delicious intricacies of Japanese cuisine.
Sarah Weaver, founder of Invested Adventures, was born for this. Combining her love for people with her obsession with travel and knack for real estate investing and coaching, Sarah makes talking about 1031 exchanges, real estate retirement plans and cash-on-cash returns sexy again. At least, you will think so after a few sakes.
Sarah Weaver
Meet Sarah Weaver: a dynamic force in the worlds of guiding, coaching, and real estate investing. With a diverse skill set honed over years of experience, Sarah is your go-to expert for unforgettable journeys, transformative retreats, and savvy investment strategies.
As a seasoned tour guide, Sarah's passion for exploration shines through as she leads travelers on immersive adventures, uncovering hidden gems and cultural treasures around the globe. Her meticulous planning and louder-than-laugh laugh (more like a cackle) ensure that every trip is a journey to remember.
Beyond guiding, Sarah's expertise extends to real estate investment coaching. As a compassionate mentor, she empowers individuals to unlock their full potential, navigate life's challenges, and achieve their goals with confidence. In the realm of real estate, Sarah's keen insight and strategic approach have helped clients navigate long-distance investing and turn properties into cash flow. With Sarah Weaver at your side, whether you're embarking on a journey, seeking personal growth, or diving into real estate, you're in capable hands, poised for success and fulfillment.
The Food
We will be eating the entire gamut of Japanese food, from Michelin-star restaurants to some of the best street food in the world.
Most of the food will be without a doubt delicious, but there will be some oddities thrown in to mix it up a little. It’s expected that you be an adventurous eater—at least give it a try!
Have food allergies or intolerances? Japan is not known for being an easy place to be gluten-free or vegans. Even vegetarians, while you can get by without too much hassle, especially if you are okay with fish, as most cooking stocks are made using dried bonito fish flakes. But we ask that no picky eaters or people with food allergies apply.
In short, if you have allergies/intolerances/strong preferences and are not willing or able to change or alter your normal diet for whatever reason—this may not be the trip for you. Instead, we recommend our custom, private tour planning services, where we can plan around your dietary needs as required.
Don’t worry, both Sarah and Scott can accommodate you on other trips around the world. Invested Adventures Eat Japan just isn’t one of them.
Accommodation
All properties chosen for our Invested Adventures Eat Japan group adventures are three or four stars, with an emphasis placed on being in a great location—generally close to the city’s main train station, to allow for quick and easy movement between attractions.
Every room will be non-smoking, with a full or queen-sized bed, an en-suite bathroom, and free WiFi access. Each guest or couple will have their own room.
Tentative Itinerary
The tentative itinerary is as follows, but is dependent on the weather and seasonal events.
Day 01: Arrive in Tokyo via either Narita (NRT, further) or Haneda (HND, closer) International Airport, then take a train to Tokyo. Welcome dinner.
Day 02: Explore Tokyo during the day—Ginza, Tsukiji Fish Market, Shibuya, etc. This evening we’ll be treated to a sushi-making course taught by a couple that has helped open, and worked at, multiple sushi restaurants around the world.
Day 03: Michelin-starred ramen for lunch, after which we hop on a bullet train to Kyoto for an izakaya dinner with some new friends.
Day 04: Explore Kyoto, starting with a trip to Nishiki market for a strolling lunch on your own, followed by visits to the Teramachi-dori covered mall, the Kamogawa River, and the Ponto-cho entertainment district. We’ll head back to the hotel to rest up for a couple of hours before heading to a very special festival on the shores of Lake Biwa, which goes until the last train.
Day 05: Today we’ll take a day trip to Nara to explore the ancient capital of Japan. After a day filled with deer and temples, we’ll head off to a Michelin-starred sushi experience a few towns over before returning to Kyoto that night.
Continued…
Day 06: Today we explore Osaka, including Osaka Castle and Dotonbori Street, and lunch at the internet-famous Izakaya Toyo, where the owner blowtorches tuna cheek to perfection. In the late afternoon we head off to the sumo stadium where we’ll root for our favorite wrestlers as they do their thing, before heading to dinner at the sumo’s favorite restaurant.
Day 07: Tea day! Today we focus on the growing and harvesting of tea, the different types available, and what makes Japanese tea special. We’ll end the day with a visit to Kyoto’s famous Fushimi Inari Taisha shrine followed by a casual dinner at one of Scott’s favorite spots, where he’s been enjoying meals for over twenty years.
Day 08: One last day to explore Kyoto, including tea with geishas and a reservation at the most exclusive restaurant in the city.
Day 09: This morning we’ll learn all about sake while visiting an operating sake brewery—what it’s made from, how it’s made, and the different types available. After that, we take the Shinkansen (bullet train) back to Tokyo in time for a unique home-hosted dinner.
Day 10: Today we’ll explore the Tokyo suburb of Kichijoji with a local expert. Special farewell dinner and evening activities.
Day 11: The trip officially ends as of breakfast, but feel free to spend the afternoon with us as we have an optional hanami (cherry blossom) party in Yoyogi Park
