Trip Overview & Itinerary

I fell in love with Japanese cuisine when I was nine years old. My dad was working a lot in Japan, and he took me to a sushi bar in Los Angeles in the 1980s. The experience sparked a lifelong obsession with Japanese cuisine and culture.

My passion for the culture led me to Japanese culinary school in L.A. and then to an apprenticeship in Japan. My wife, Katina, and I moved our entire family—two young daughters and six suitcases—to the rural island of Hokkaido to work and study. We moved back to the States in 2012, leased a five-acre farm in Sonoma County, and started designing a restaurant and inn in downtown Healdsburg. 

Now we have the opportunity to share our Japan with you. Together, we’ll explore Japan’s history, design, architecture, ceramics—all shown in ways that reveal how these different threads are connected. We'll experience Japanese cuisine and culture, dine at family homes and in some of Japan’s greatest Michelin-star restaurants. We're so honored that you've decided to take this journey with us.

-Kyle & Katina Connaughton

Day-by-Day Itinerary

DAY 1: OSAKA

DAY 2: OSAKA

DAY 3: OSAKA > KYOTO

DAY 4: KYOTO

DAY 5: KYOTO

DAY 6: KYOTO > TOKYO

DAY 7: TOKYO

DAY 8: TOKYO 

DAY 9: TOKYO


Our Accommodations

CONRAD OSAKA

3 Chome-2-4 Nakanoshima, Kita Ward, Osaka, 530-0005, Japan
Tel. +81 6-6222-0111

This is one of the newer luxury hotels in Osaka, on par with the most premium hotels in the world. It sits atop a tall tower on Nakanoshima island in the heart of the city; on arrival, exiting the elevators at the 40th-floor lobby, you're greeted by huge contemporary art installations and sweeping views across the city. The service and amenities are impeccable, from the indoor pool to the ultramodern spa.

HIIRAGIYA RYOKAN

604-8094 Kyoto, Nakagyo Ward
Tel. +81 75-221-1136

Founded six generations ago in 1811, this family-run ryokan channels centuries of art and tradition into flawless luxury. Each room follows its own motif and deft nuances of craftsmanship tie it all together—reed ceilings, hand-carved transoms and Koyamaki (Japanese Umbrella pine) bath suites all seem to naturally drift toward the inn’s breathtaking garden. This is a home away from home for artists of great renown and members of the Imperial Family.

AMAN TOKYO

The Otemachi Tower, 1 Chome-5-6 Ōtemachi, Chiyoda City, Tokyo 100-0004, Japan
Tel. +81 3-5224-3333

It's one of Japan's iconic luxury properties, an urban sanctuary drawing design inspiration from traditional Japanese residences. The elegant rooms have views over the Imperial Palace Gardens and (on clear days) Mt Fuji on the horizon. It's a serene place to end our trip, with a Zen calm that captures your heart and soothes your spirit.

Inclusions & Exclusions

INCLUSIONS

Paragon experiences are fully curated by our exceptional travel teams, and include all of the details to ensure a smooth experience on the ground. Included are luxury boutique accommodations, private dining experiences and delicious local food and drink, private transport between destinations, expert local guides, and so much more. Here’s what’s included:

EXCLUSIONS