YOUR HOST
/ ITINERARY
Tokyo
Oita
Kagoshima
DAY 01
DAY 02
DAY 03
An early flight from Haneda Airport to Oita. We’ll drive to Innai-machi for a dojo set lunch at Michi no Eki. Afterwards, to Kushino Nouen – producers of the best yuzu kosho in Japan. The visit will include their own yuzu orchards, the separate salt-fermenting process of yuzu peel and chiles, and observation of the crucial stone mixing bowl for emulsifying the ingredients into paste.Then to a nearby coastal fishing village in Usa-shi, location of Yotsuya Shuzo, 5th-generation maker of artisanal shochu using local barley. We'll walkthrough the process of production methods and tasting
DAY 04
DAY 05
We’ll travel from Miyazaki to Kakuida, the first vinegar house to pioneer aging black vinegar. Lunch will be on premises at Kurozu no Sato, followed by a hillside tour of the black vinegar pots to learn about the process and history. Afternoon stop at Kawauchi Honpon, one of the last twelve koji labs remaining in Japan, to learn about their process and tour parts of the facility. A special stay for the last evening in Kyushu at the Sheraton in Kagoshima city, overlooking the incredibly active Sakurajima volcano.
DAY 06
Sakai Shoten. Drive down to Yamagawa, Ibusuki at the tip of Kagoshima prefecture to an artisanal katsuobushi producer, who does each step by hand, without mechanization. A comprehensive walkthrough of the entire process and history of making katsuobushi, including their minus 50 degree freezer, followed by a local seafood set lunch at nearby Michi no Eki Yamagawa roadside stop. The first part of the trip concludes at Kagoshima Airport in the late afternoon.
DAY 07-10
Saitama
DAY 11
Tokyo to Honjo, and to 125-year-old Yamaki Jozo. Maker of miso, shoyu, tofu, and pickles entirely from Japanese produce. Viewing of century old cedar barrels of shoyu moromi, including tasting and stirring. Explanation of processes such as koji fermentation method; moromi (mash) pressing. Lunch at Shisuian Yuba Café. Afternoon tour and tasting at iconic Chichibu Distillery home of the cult Ichiro’s Malt Whisky. Walkthrough of creating traditional Japanese paper (washi) at Kubo Washi, home of hosokawa-shi, designated by UNESCO. For dinner, we’ve booked out the entire restaurant of Tomozo Sushi. With a dearth of hotels in rural Saitama, we’ll be staying in a “love hotel”—total take-over by the group.
DAY 12
Noto Peninsula
Kanazawa
DAY 13
Train followed by a drive up the Noto Peninsula. Set lunch on lacquerware by Akito Akagi at Somamichi by Chef Yutaka Kitazaki, relocated after the 2024 Noto Earthquake. Then to Wajima no Kaien to learn about the processing method from one of the best artisanal salt makers. Private dinner at a post-earthquake local eatery by Toshiya Ikehata of L’Atelier de Noto, the chef who spearheaded feeding the people of Wajima after the earthquake. Stay at the only hotel in town—currently still active in housing the people coming for relief work and reconstruction of the town.
DAY 14
Starting at Yoshie Minamidani, a mother-and-daughter fish drying, fermenting and fish sauce producer who, despite losing their family home and half of their fermenting barrels to the earthquake, was active in feeding the people of Wajima after the Noto Earthquake. Set lunch at Mebuki. Followed by a visit to Takako Toshima, a gritty fish sauce and nukazuke fish producer. Finish the day at Wajima Kirimoto, a 7th-generation lacquerware maker who was prominent in the earthquake rebuild. Total takeover of a tiny Italian restaurant using local ingredients.
DAY 15
OCTOBER 2026
/ DETAILS
What’s included:
Single occupancy accommodation in Kyushu, Saitama and Noto. All internal transport including flights, trains and vehicle rental is covered, along with all venue fees and honorariums. All lunches are included for days of the tour, and dinners where outlined in the itinerary.
We will try to cater to some dietary requirements where possible; however, set meals apply. Soy allergies or an inability to eat fish cannot be accommodated.
/ THE DETAILS
Cost
The cost of the trip will be $6,900 USD
Register for the trip using the form below. Once we receive your details and preferred contact method, we’ll call you to review the trip details and requirements, and to answer any questions you may have.
Don’t worry, this isn’t a scary interview! We’re just ensuring we have a diverse range of ages and experience, and to give you a personal rundown of the tour and what to expect.
Following this we’ll send a confirmation form, and a deposit of $2,000 USD will be due to confirm your place.
Cancellation Policy
More than 60 days before departure: Refund minus admin fee to rearrange bookings.
Within 60 days of departure: If your place is filled, you’ll receive a refund minus the administration fee. If we are unable to fill your spot, then there is no refund.
We will do our best to assist with waitlists or transfers where possible. If, for any reason, we need to cancel the tour on our part there will be a complete refund.