A Culinary Journey Through Kyushu
This tour immerses you in Kyushu’s culinary scene, from Fukuoka’s yatai stalls to regional specialties and hands-on dining. Each meal highlights local traditions and stories, guided by a passionate foodie. The curated itinerary offers exclusive access to unforgettable meals beyond typical tourist options.
Kyushu for Food Lovers: Local Flavours, Hidden Gems, Expert Guide
Local Cuisine
Eat as the locals do and experience an authentic taste of Kyushu.
Comfort and Ease
We plan the itinerary so you can enjoy the trip. Rest easy in modern and traditional accommodations.
Foodie Tour Itinerary
Day 1: Free and Easy in Fukuoka
Upon arriving in Kyushu, you can check into your hotel situated in the heart of Fukuoka City, just a 15-minute taxi ride from the airport. The rest of the day is yours to enjoy at your own pace, whether you choose to rest or explore local highlights such as historic Hakata Old Town, bustling shopping arcades, and the city’s legendary food scene.
Overnight: Hotel Okura Fukuoka
Day 2: Autumn Colors & Traditional Brews
After departing Fukuoka, you will visit the historic “little Kyoto” of Akizuki to explore castle ruins and enjoy a local lunch before traveling to the Chikugo region. The afternoon features a guided tour of a prestigious sake brewery with over 800 years of history, followed by an evening in a city famous for “shomin ryōri,” where you will enjoy a casual dinner of the region’s beloved comfort food.
Overnight: Suikoyen Hotel (Kurume)
Day 3: Traditional Fermentation & Coastal Landscapes
Begin your day with a guided tour of a traditional vinegar brewery, where you will learn about fermentation techniques, sample various flavors, and participate in a hands-on fruit vinegar-making activity. Lunch follows with a set meal highlighting vinegar-based dishes, after which you will travel to Kumamoto for a citrus-picking and tasting session at a local orchard, complete with a lecture on regional varieties. Before checking into your Kumamoto hotel and enjoying dinner at a local restaurant, you will stop at a local seaside station for shopping.
Overnight: Hotel Nikko Kumamoto
Day 4: Artisanal Heritage & Fermentation Science
Begin your day in Kumamoto exploring regional artisanal heritage before traveling to the riverside town of Hitoyoshi for an immersive cooking session and lunch using authentic local ingredients. In the afternoon, head to Kirishima for a guided tour and tasting focused on Japanese fermentation methods for products like koji, shochu, and amazake. Finally, conclude your journey in Kagoshima with a hearty dinner featuring the region’s renowned black pork shabu-shabu.
Overnight: Solaria Nishitetsu HotelDay 5: Volcanic Landscapes & Hands-on Gastronomy
Begin your morning in Kagoshima visiting a historic landscaped garden renowned for its borrowed scenery, followed by a hands-on sushi-making class where you will craft and enjoy your own lunch. Later, take a ferry to explore the dramatic lava fields and observation decks of one of the world’s most active volcanoes. The day ends with a journey to mountainous Kirishima for a premium dinner highlighting the region’s high-quality grilled beef and pork.
Overnight: Kirishima Kokusai Hotel
Day 6: Sacred Shrines & Serene Onsen Retreat
Start your day in the Kirishima mountains with a visit to a magnificent Shinto shrine before traveling to Hitoyoshi for a traditional lunch of regional specialties. In the afternoon, continue to the historic town of Yamaga to check into a refined hot spring inn, where you can relax in the onsen before enjoying an elegant multi-course kaiseki dinner.
Overnight: Seiryuso (Yamaga Onsen)
Day 7: Historic Theaters & Sweet Traditions
Start your morning in Yamaga visiting a preserved Edo-period playhouse or a museum dedicated to lantern making, followed by a local lunch before traveling toward Fukuoka. In the afternoon, tour a major Shinto shrine dedicated to the deity of learning, where you can sample Umegae-mochi paired with matcha. Finally, spend your last evening at your leisure, with options to explore the streets around Hakata Station or visit riverside yatai food stalls.
Overnight: Hotel Okura Fukuoka
Departure day: Sayonara Kyushu
After enjoying breakfast at the hotel and checking out, your Japan food tour officially concludes. Kyushu Journeys thanks you for choosing them for your trip and wishes you safe travels.
Experience Kyushu's Cuisine with Our All-Inclusive Tour Package
This price is based on double / twin sharing. For a single traveler staying in a room alone the additional charge is ¥170,000. For triple sharing price, contact us for details.
- ¥525,000 per person
- December 1 - December 8, 2026
- Limited Space - 12 Spots Max
Authentic Culinary Experiences
Comfortable Accommodations
Hassle-Free Transportation
Let's Get Started
Send us a message and we’ll send you the itinerary
FAQs
What kind of food can I expect on the tour?
This tour doesn’t focus on expensive ‘gourmet’ restaurants or celebrity chefs. You can find those places on your own using Tripadvisor. Instead you’ll get the chance to eat like the locals eat. Each restaurant on this tour has been carefully chosen to highlight the tastiest Kyushu cuisine using locally-sourced seasonal ingredients wherever possible. You’ll explore a wide variety of local dishes. What they all have in common is a fierce pride in the manner they are prepared and served. If you have any dietary restrictions please ask us about alternatives before booking your tour.
What kind of accommodation will I stay in?
You will stay in a mix of clean and comfortable city hotels and traditional Japanese ryokan inns with onsen baths. In the city hotels you will be sleeping in western beds. In the Japanese ryokan inns you will be sleeping in a mix of western beds and traditional Japanese-style futonbeds on tatami mat flooring.
How will I travel around?
A comfortable private bus.
How many people can join?
We love small group intimate travel. Maximum participants will be 12 people.
Is this trip suitable for seniors?
Definitely yes! You will be travelling by private bus and accompanied at all times by an English-speaking tour leader. There are no long hikes on this tour but of course you will need to walk around various attractions. There will be some non-paved paths and steps to climb (especially in shrines or temples). It will be no problem if you prefer to skip any activity and wait for the group on the bus or in a seated area.
Who runs this tour?
This tour has been commissioned by Walking Wise Tours & Travel (UK) after extensive discussion of the itinerary with ourselves (Kyushu Journeys). It is based on our recommendations and we will operate and manage all aspects of the tour here in Japan.
Here’s what guests say about Kyushu Journeys’ tours…
See what our travellers say about their unforgettable journeys with us.
Prefer something more seasonal?
Spring Tour
Autumn Tour
Prefer a private tour? See below!
Family & Friends Private Tour
Kyushu Road Trip
