[Updated 5 October 2016]

One of the world’s most renowned and refined culinary traditions is the focus of a new, food-centric experience, Savoring Tokyo, debuting in the Japanese capital this summer.

Following UNESCO’s inscription of washoku on its roster of Intangible Cultural Heritage assets last December, Palace Hotel Tokyo is serving up a three-night experience that reveals Japan’s multi-faceted culinary culture with some of the capital’s most knowledgeable personalities.

Some of the experts we have on hand to host your in-depth explorations of the capital’s culinary riches include:

• John Gauntner. The world’s foremost non-Japanese authority on sake, this ‘Sake Evangelist’ is a certified Master of Sake Taster and has been instrumental in sake’s introduction outside of Japan.

• Brian MacDuckston. Ramen hunter, blogger and author of a bilingual book on the subject, Brian has scoured the country in search of Japan’s best bowls of ramen. He’ll also gladly spend an afternoon introducing you to Tokyo b-kyu gurume scene, the city’s best casual eats, to uncover the best curry bars in town, best soba spots, most popular yakitori outposts, etc.

Each experience will be entirely customized, with the intent to illuminate Japan’s fascinating relationship with food and drink and satisfy travelers’ interests, whether they extend to all-Michelin-star stops, Japan’s more casual fare, or classic eateries famed for perfecting a single dish over the decades.

The highlight is the opportunity to savor Tokyo’s good eats in the company of the foodie personality of your choice, whether it be ramen ‘hunting’ or b-kyu gurume-hopping with Brian MacDuckston or tippling sake while izakaya-hopping with John Gauntner, amongst others.

Savoring Tokyo includes three nights of accommodation in a Deluxe Room with Balcony together with daily buffet breakfast at Grand Kitchen, best enjoyed on the moat-side terrace looking out on to the Imperial Palace gardens.

Club Deluxe Room and Executive Suites bookings come with the perks that accompany Club Lounge access and privileges, including:

• Private check-in & check-out
• Dedicated concierge service
• Daily buffet breakfast
• Daily afternoon tea service
• Daily evening cocktails & canapés

Also on the menu is a choice of a prix-fixe lunch or dinner at one of the signature Japanese dining venues within Palace Hotel Tokyo – kaiseki at Wadakura, tempura at Tatsumi or teppanyaki at GO.

Package rates start at JPY 215,000, not inclusive of the guided experiences. All excursions are customized. Fees vary.

Hotel guests need not book the Savoring Tokyo stay experience to avail themselves of the ‘insider access’. The excursions are also available to book (in advance) à la carte via the concierge desk.