Wakayama: Samurai Lord Dining Experience and Castle Tour

Step back in time and experience the refined culture of the Kishu Tokugawa family with a dining experience in Wakayama. Before the meal, you will take a guided tour of Wakayama Castle.
The Kishu Tokugawa family, which governed Wakayama from the 17th to the 19th century, was one of the “Three Branches of the Tokugawa Clan” (Gosanke), holding a status second only to the Tokugawa shogunate itself. It was also the fifth largest domain in Japan. This dish was originally prepared exclusively for the lord when the first Kishu domain lord, Tokugawa Yorinobu, went hawking in Ise (present-day Mie Prefecture).

Now, over 400 years later, you can experience this rare opportunity to savor the luxurious cuisine once enjoyed by a samurai lord.

The recipe was faithfully recreated based on an old manuscript discovered at Chohoji Temple in present-day Kainan City, Wakayama Prefecture, the family temple of the Kishu Tokugawa clan.

Made with ingredients sourced from Wakayama, free of chemical seasonings, and following the original recipe to the letter, this dish is a recreation of Japan’s most refined cuisine from 400 years ago.

Enjoy this special taste of luxury and the seasonal flavors nurtured by the land of Wakayama. With the support of an English-speaking guide.

Dine like a feudal lord in an exclusive teahouse near Wakayama Castle. Unwind with Japanese sweets and freshly prepared matcha surrounded by tranquility and timeless beauty.

Why not visit Wakayama City for a special experience where you can enjoy dishes made from flavorful local ingredients, recreated using historical recipes, all within the serene setting of a quiet garden?

The menu varies by season, but may include dishes such as the following:
Grilled Shellfish (oyster or scallop, shredded seaweed, etc.)
Steamed Sea Bream (sea bream, ginger, etc.)
Grilled Yellowtail on Cedar Plank (yellowtail, sudachi citrus, etc.)
Simmered Dish – "Kachozoku" (squid, ginkgo nuts, etc.)
Soup (abalone, tofu, soybeans, etc.)
Octopus Rice (octopus, shiitake mushrooms, etc.)
Vinegared Dish (sweetfish, water pepper leaves, wood ear mushrooms, etc.)
Seasonal Side Dish (bonito, cucumber, etc.)
Pike Conger Soup (pike conger, mitsuba leaves, carrot, etc.)

Before the meal, you will take a guided tour of Wakayama Castle, feeling like the castle lord.

To guarantee availability book as soon as possible. Early booking is worth consideration especially if you planning the trip during high season like public holidays or weekends.

This excursion you can cancel with no cost up to 24 hours before the start of the trip. If you cancel it after 24 hours or not show up on the excursion you will still be charged the full price of the activity. Being late on pick-up or departure will be considered as not showing up.