We've found a local knife shop that will teach amateurs like us how to cut food like a pro. For two hours we'll get instruction from a top restaurant professional to help us whiz through making dinner at home. http://bernalcutlery.com/classes

Takaragawa Ryokan is a traditional Japanese inn located in the countryside of Japan. We'll stay in a room with tatami floors and be served a "kaiseki" dinner in our room. The ryokan also features a number of onsen (Japanese hot spring spas).

This will be a 7-day pass for both us to take the shinkansen (bullet train) to get from Tokyo to the ryokan to Kyoto and Osaka...and wherever else our travels take us.