About US
Luxury Food & Culture Tours of Japan
Japan tours for people who don’t do tours.
Established in 2013, Zenbu Travel creates deeply considered, fully escorted journeys for very small groups of curious, independent travellers who want to experience a richer, more textured side of Japan. No two Zenbu itineraries are ever the same.
Zenbu was founded by Australian food and travel writer, photographer and former chef Jane Lawson. The author of 11 books, including Secret Japan (2026), Zenbu Zen and Tokyo Style Guide, Jane has lived in Japan twice and spent more than 40 years travelling through, researching and writing about the country. Over those years, she has nurtured long-standing relationships across Japan.
Jane personally researches, develops and hosts every scheduled Zenbu tour, sometimes alongside her Japanophile husband. She also designs and tailors each private, self-guided itinerary herself, drawing on first-hand knowledge rather than generic recommendations or pre-packaged routes.
Food and culinary culture are at the heart of every Zenbu journey, but never in isolation. Art, craft, architecture, folklore, spirituality, striking landscapes and the quirky and unexpected all play their part.
Each intimate, carefully paced tour is shaped by the people, places, traditions and microcultures that make every pocket of Japan distinct.
All our itineraries feature superb accommodations and dining (plus other fascinating real food experiences), private transport, rare access to homes, businesses and cultural experts, offering deep insight into the Japanese lifestyle, psyche and culinary culture.
Zenbu journeys are created for travellers who value depth, context and genuine connection, enjoy good banter and plenty of laughter – who would not ordinarily consider joining a tour.
Food Experiences
Depending on the journey, you might taste your way through handmade tofu and noodles, sublime kaiseki, delectable sashimi, deeply savoury miso and pickles, divinely marbled wagyu, just-caught seafood, ethereal tempura, addictive yakitori, high-end contemporary fare and warming, nutritious nabe (hotpots). There may also be regional teas and sake, traditional sweets and handcrafted senbei – rice crackers quite unlike anything you’ll have tried outside Japan.
But the food itself is only part of the story. We look at the people behind it, where it comes from and the role it plays in Japanese history, culture and everyday life. You may meet intriguing chefs, farmers, fisherfolk and food craftspeople – including some feisty obaachan (grannies), along the way.
No one can eat all day, of course. Beyond the table, our schedules might include ancient temples and strolling gardens, lively markets, exceptional museums and galleries, scenic drives, quiet, meandering laneways, local folklore and ghost tales.
Small Group Travel
Our small groups allow us to remain flexible while on the road. Most Zenbu tours are limited to just 6–8 guests.
Small groups mean we can listen and respond to how the group is feeling each day, adjusting the flow as necessary, whenever practical. Our priority is to make your time in Japan as rewarding and enjoyable as humanly possible.
The Japanese expression ichigo ichie or “one time, one meeting” reminds us to treasure each encounter because it will never occur in quite the same way again. It can also be interpreted as ‘you only get one chance to make a first impression.’ That spirit is central to the way we host our tours. Every journey matters, every group is different, and every guest should feel genuinely cared for.
Before booking, many of our guests tell us, “We’re not really tour people.” We understand – neither were we. Jane created Zenbu around the kind of tour she would want to join herself: personal, flexible, thoughtful and full of experiences that would be difficult to arrange independently.
Our high level of repeat custom continues to assure us that we are doing things right. Many returning guests have become like family to us, while lasting friendships have formed between travellers who first met on a Zenbu journey.
Japan has a habit of getting under your skin. We have a feeling that once you have travelled with us, you’ll return – whether on another Zenbu journey or independently, with the confidence to navigate this wondrous country yourself.
We can’t wait to share Japan with you.
TOURS
Your Host
Jane Lawson is the author of Secret Japan – an insider’s guide to deeper travel in the world’s most fascinating country, Zenbu Zen – finding food, culture and balance in Kyoto’, Yoshoku, A little taste of Japan and Tokyo Style Guide. Jane’s articles on Japanese cuisine, culture and travel can be found in many print and online publications. She regularly declares her love for Japan over the airways and further spreads the joy of Japan by presenting at events for tourism and food media on behalf of the Japanese government and tourism bodies.