ODAI GOURMET PICNIC IN YOUR FAVORITE SPOT - Eat a Delicious Lunch of Local Specialties in the Beautiful Spot of Your Choice

Odai is a lovely traditional town in the countryside of Mie Prefecture. It is located in an official UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and the surrounding area is bursting with natural beauty that visitors can explore. There are forest-covered mountains, crystal clear rivers and abundant wildlife. The area is also home to green tea plantations, sake breweries and many farms that produce delicious fruit and vegetables.

For outdoor enthusiasts who also love great food, the Odai Gourmet Picnic In Your Favorite Spot experience checks all of the boxes. This experience takes about an hour and is available year-round every day of the week except for Tuesdays for groups of 2-6 people. The cost is ¥2,200 per person and that includes your guide fee and a lunch box that is packed with incredible local specialties made from the freshest of ingredients. Your friendly guide will take you to the scenic spot of your choice to enjoy a delicious meal in the spectacular mountains near Odai.

The sweetfish had come out of the Miyagawa and the croquettes were amazing. It was my first chance to try the local sweetfish and I was a big fan. I had tried wild boar in other dishes before, but the piece in my lunch box was something new for me. Wild boar has a great depth of flavor and this way of preparing it seemed perfect. The final touch was a pudding made with local milk. It was subtly sweet, as most Japanese desserts are, and it matched wonderfully with the fresh tastes of the rest of my lunch.

Caption: I was ready to try some of the meat and vegetables produced in and around Odai

Caption: Tatsumi-san was a wonderful host and great company for lunch.

After we finished eating, Tatsumi-san made some salted sakura blossom tea. We sat back, relaxed and enjoyed the fresh post-rain mountain air. The outdoor space was covered, but there were no walls. I could see the Miyagawa flowing between the mountains far below us and it was easy to understand why someone would choose a solitary life on a mountain.

Caption: The salted sakura blossom tea was a nice finish to the meal.

Tatsumi-san is no ordinary hermit. He was a gracious host and lunch companion. I used as much Japanese as I could and he did the same with English. Mostly, we just enjoyed the spectacular view, the amazing food and the chill vibe.

Caption: Tatsumi-san makes life on the mountain seem pretty good.

I was more than pleased with my Odai Gourmet Picnic In Your Favorite Spot experience, even if we had to make some adjustments to the plan because of weather. Remember, you can choose the location of your picnic when you make your reservation, so be sure to indicate what type of natural beauty you are looking for.

You can also choose from two lunch options, a traditional rice ball set or a sandwich set like the one I enjoyed. I don’t think either option would disappoint anyone who likes fresh, well-prepared food. There are also other activities you can add to your picnic experience, such as a guided tour of the Motosaka Sake Brewery. There may be different activities available depending on the season, so don’t forget to ask about your options when making your reservation.

ODAIGOURMET PICNIC IN YOUR FAVORITE SPOT

https://wwwtb.mlit.go.jp/chubu/kankou/chiiki/glocon/Verde/verde1.pdf

Verde Odai Tour Information

https://verde-odai.co.jp/en/

TEL: +81-80-4840-7315

email:info@verde-odai.co.jp

- Approximately 1 hour

- All Seasons

- Closed on Tuesdays

<Price>

¥2,200 per person

- Includes guide fee and lunch box