Kyushu in Flavour: Winter Food Tour
The Taste of Winter
- All-Inclusive
- Small Group
- Local Guide
- Financial Security
Travelling as a group? A private group of 5–8 guests can book out the full December departure at the same per-person price: your own private Kyushu food tour on a set itinerary. Get in touch to arrange.
Eight Days of Winter Flavour Across Kyushu
Join our 2026 Winter Food Tour (1–8 December) and travel through mountains still holding the last of the autumn colour, into a season of warming winter food, hotpots, grilled Kagoshima beef, and sweet mandarins picked straight off the tree.
Step inside a sake brewery whose gold-medal sake impressed Paris in 1898 and hear their story firsthand, then get hands-on making your own batch at a vinegar brewery with three centuries of history.
Pick mandarin oranges from an orchard that has supplied Japan's Imperial family since the Meiji era, and sit down to a dinner by a Michelin-starred chef who sources every ingredient from local producers.
A warm-hearted home cook welcomes you into her kitchen for a cooking class, and in Kagoshima you'll roll your own sushi at a dedicated sushi school.
At every stop, you're not just tasting Kyushu's food, you're hearing its stories straight from the people who've kept these traditions alive.
Travel well taken care of
Everything on the ground is arranged before you arrive — so your only job is to enjoy the season.
Winter Food Tour Itinerary
Tap any day for a quick look — or open the full day-by-day itinerary.
Welcome to Kyushu. Check in to Hotel Okura Fukuoka, in the heart of the city, just 15 minutes from Fukuoka International Airport. Today is entirely your own, and December is the season for Fukuoka's most warming food, so tonight is the time to start. Motsunabe, a rich hotpot of offal and cabbage, and mizutaki, a comforting chicken hotpot, are the city's winter staples. Explore the old lanes of Hakata, browse the covered shopping arcades, or dive straight into the food scene. Even Japanese people make special trips here just to eat. It's also Christmas-market season: the market on the square in front of Hakata Station, with its lights, food stalls and mulled wine, makes an easy, festive first evening. And if you land early with time to spare, the oyster huts of nearby Itoshima open for the season in December, grilling fresh oysters over charcoal a short drive from the city. Just ask and we can point you in the right direction.
Your first full day begins in Akizuki, a beautifully preserved castle town often called the "little Kyoto of Fukuoka." Stroll the atmospheric stone-paved streets and explore the castle ruins, where the last of the season's autumn foliage lines the old moat.
Your visit to Seiryuan includes an ikebana (flower arranging) session using the season's coloured leaves in the garden, alongside a mini-kaiseki lunch showcasing Akizuki's finest local specialities.
In the afternoon, you visit Hiyokutsuru Sake Brewery in Jojima, a multi-award-winning producer whose sake took gold at the 1898 Paris World Exhibition and has been winning awards at regional competitions ever since. Learn about the traditional brewing process, from koji cultivation to the careful blending of seasonal rice varieties.
The evening is relaxed: dinner at a local yakitori izakaya within walking distance of the hotel.
The morning takes you to Shoubunsu Vinegar Brewery in Okawa, a family-run producer with over 300 years of history. You tour the old storehouses and take part in a hands-on fruit-vinegar making experience, before a vinegar-infused lunch prepared on site.
In the afternoon you head to Mizumoto Orange Garden for mandarin-orange picking, with a guided tasting and a look at the different local varieties. A short stop at Umi no Eki Shioya, a seaside roadside station above the Ariake coast, is a chance to pick up local seasonal produce and souvenirs before the drive to Kumamoto.
The day ends with dinner at Nene, a Michelin-starred restaurant in Kumamoto City.
The morning starts at the Kumamoto Handcrafts Promotion Center, where you meet a traditional knife-forging artisan and explore the region's exceptional craft heritage, from Higo metalwork to Yamaga lanterns, a fascinating insight into the precision and patience that defines Kumamoto's creative traditions.
At midday, the group travels to Hitoyoshi, a scenic river town in the mountains of southern Kumamoto. Lunch is a hands-on cooking class at Himawari-tei, a farm-style kitchen set in a restored 120-year-old riverside house overlooking the Kuma River. A local host guides you through traditional regional dishes using seasonal, locally sourced ingredients.
On the drive south to Kagoshima, a short stop at Barrel Valley Praha & Gen in Kirishima offers a brief introduction to the production of koji, shochu and amazake, three ingredients central to Kyushu's culinary identity.
The evening's dinner is Kurobuta shabu-shabu at Ichi-Ni-San. Kagoshima's celebrated black pork is prized for its tenderness and depth of flavour, and this is one of the best places in the city to try it.
Begin the morning at Sengan-en, the historic Shimadzu clan estate, where the garden designers borrowed the sweeping view of Sakurajima and Kinko Bay as their backdrop. It is one of the most dramatic garden landscapes in Japan, and on a clear winter morning, the view is extraordinary.
From there, your group moves to a hands-on sushi-making class at Familian Haikara-tei Yojiro. Guided by a professional, you prepare and eat your own lunch. It is a genuinely enjoyable experience, and the results taste as good as they look. This activity runs when the group reaches 10 guests; if numbers are lower, an alternative experience will be arranged.
In the afternoon, a short ferry crossing takes you to Sakurajima, one of the world's most active volcanoes. At the Arimura Lava Observation Deck, you stand at the edge of a landscape shaped by centuries of eruptions, with views across hardened lava fields to the still-smoking crater.
Dinner is at Yakiniku Chubo Wakimoto in Kirishima, a local favourite for premium Kirishima beef and Kagoshima pork.
The day opens at Kirishima-jingu, one of Kyushu's most revered Shinto shrines, set deep in forested mountains and renowned for its striking vermilion architecture and its connections to Japanese creation mythology. In early December, the crowds are thin and the atmosphere quietly powerful.
Lunch is at Sagarahan Den in Hitoyoshi before the afternoon drive north to Yamaga.
Your accommodation for the night is Seiryuso, a refined hot-spring inn in Yamaga Onsen. Dinner is a full kaiseki course prepared by the inn's kitchen: a multi-course meal that showcases the artistry and seasonal flavours of Japanese haute cuisine. For many guests, this is the standout evening of the tour.
A gentle final morning in Yamaga. The town is celebrated for Yachiyo-za, a beautifully preserved Edo-period kabuki theatre that still hosts performances today, and for its centuries-old tradition of hand-crafted gold-leaf lanterns. Your group visits Yachiyo-za, or the Yamaga Lantern Folk Art Museum if the theatre schedule does not align, before a relaxed lunch in the historic town centre.
In the afternoon, the route passes through Dazaifu, home to Dazaifu Tenmangu, one of Japan's most important Shinto shrines, dedicated to the deity of learning. The tree-lined approach is one of the great shrine walks in Kyushu. Before leaving, you try Umegaemochi: a toasted rice cake filled with sweet red bean paste, stamped with a plum blossom, and best enjoyed alongside a bowl of whisked matcha. It is the kind of simple, perfect thing you can only find here.
Your final evening in Fukuoka is your own, a last chance for anything you didn't get to on the first night. The riverside street-food stalls of Nakasu are a short walk from the hotel, and the Christmas markets at Hakata Station and Tenjin are still running through most of December: a fitting, festive way to close the tour.
Breakfast at the hotel, then check out. The tour concludes here, but the team is on hand to arrange your airport taxi or any extension tour you would like to add to your Kyushu adventure. Safe travels.
Here's what previous participants said about our tours...
“The tour was perfect for us. Our guide was charming, knowledgeable, helpful and efficient. Somehow she managed to organise a diverse group through a very busy programme, without us feeling pressured or rushed. It would never have worked unless we all understood, respected and helped each other to enjoy each of the experiences. The quality and range of food was superb. We were frequently surprised by the tastes and delicacy of the food we received. When you add the traditional ryokan inn experience and onsen opportunities it was wonderful. Thank you to the whole team.”
“I would wish to start by congratulating your team and you for making our journey to Kyushu both memorable and enjoyable. The tour was very well planned, and the patience and understanding of our guide was truly outstanding. I was astonished and pleasantly surprised by the repertoire of Japanese food introduced, especially for breakfast, and the hotels were well selected. Ivy and I have no complaints and wish to extend our heartfelt thanks and appreciation to your team, and we would not hesitate to recommend Kyushu Journeys to our relatives and friends.”
“Itinerary, well planned, great places to visit. Adequate time allowed. Food was of a high quality throughout. Transportation, first class, comfortable and great helpful driver. Guide, excellent, professional, good English, helpful and informative. Overall I would say we both enjoyed ourselves and with the small group we were able to interact with everyone. It was a great tour for us.”
“Many good points: the group is just right. We had an international group of 6 countries, and the pace of the daily tour programs is well planned. Give thumbs up for the varied accommodation — very comfortable and relaxing stay.”
“We have enjoyed your tour. The itinerary was well organised. All the meals were of a high standard, and the arranged private dining rooms or dining areas are particularly appreciated.”
“The tour delivered. I liked the slower pace and the places we visited had more Japanese visitors than overseas tourists. Thanks again for the great trip.”
“What to say about our trip to Kyushu. It was an unforgettable experience”
“I had a wonderful time and everything was well thought out and planned. I am telling my friends about Kyushu Journeys and I would like to do another tour with you sometime.”
“Everything was fantastic: the nature, onsens, the Kaiseki dinners. Our guide was the best and the driver did a fantastic job. Thank you.”
“I had a most wonderful time. The bus was comfortable and the lodgings were excellent, especially the last night at the ryokan. The food was varied and tasty. I know that I saw a lot more of the area than I could possibly have arranged on my own.”
“I enjoyed the whole tour very much. It was interesting, we visited many beautiful locations, met nice people on the tour, had great food, and just had a great time. The tour guide was excellent. We would highly recommend Kyushu Journeys to our friends.”
“The itinerary and food were excellent. Enjoyed all the varied experiences and cuisine, which we wouldn't have been able to arrange on our own. The ryokan was amazing! Our guide was helpful and good at his job.”
“What can I say? The tour exceeded my expectations on all counts — a truly wonderful experience. I have never been on a tour before but think it unlikely that I could find another one with such high standards. And I must add a special mention about our guide: he was not only extremely knowledgeable (and made efforts to find out things he didn't know) but unfailingly kind with a good sense of humour. I can't thank you enough for enhancing my visit to Japan.”
“An excellent mix of the different types of food that Kyushu can offer. Bus was comfortable and we had a good and safe driver. Many thanks for a lovely holiday.”
“The booking communications was great and it felt like we knew each other even before we met. Everything was organised in a professional manner. The 5 days went by so quickly. Thank you, Simon and Moo.”
“Thank you very much for a wonderful and memorable tour. I thoroughly enjoyed the lovely sights, the gourmet meals, and the onsen. Huge thanks to Kyushu Journeys!”
“Thank you once again for taking great care of us and for such a lovely tour!”
“Thanks for taking good care of us for the past few days. We really enjoy this trip a lot. Good work!”
FAQ
Everything guests usually ask before booking. Anything else — just ask below.
The same December dates are available as a private tour for groups of roughly 5–8 guests, at the same per-person price. Your group has the full itinerary, the private bus, and the guide to yourselves. Get in touch and we can hold the dates while you confirm numbers; no payment required at that stage.
This tour is built around Kyushu's food culture from the ground up: breweries, family kitchens, orchard harvests, and restaurants where the story behind the plate matters as much as what's on it. You'll get the chance to eat like the locals eat. Each restaurant 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 in which they are prepared and served. If you have any dietary restrictions please ask us about alternatives before booking your tour.
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, western beds are provided as standard, with traditional tatami rooms and futon bedding available on request.
A comfortable private bus. You will be accompanied at all times by an English-speaking tour leader.
Group size and availability: this departure runs for a minimum of 6 and a maximum of 12 guests. Because the same December dates can also be booked privately, a single group of 6 people can reserve the entire tour, once they do, it's full and closed to everyone else.
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 may be some non-paved paths and steps to climb. 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.
This is an adult tour with no activities for children. We welcome all guests aged 12 years or older.
A deposit of 20% is required to secure your places on the tour. The 80% balance is due 60 days before the tour begins. There are only 12 places available on this tour, so please contact us as soon as possible if you want to join. We can temporarily block your places on the tour with no payment required to give you time to check your flights.
This tour requires a minimum of 6 confirmed guests. If that minimum is not met within 60 days of the departure date, the tour will be cancelled and you will receive a full refund. Our Lifetime Deposit Guarantee also applies to any deposit paid.
While we strive to adhere to the published itinerary, occasional changes may be necessary due to weather, local circumstances, or other factors beyond our control. This is especially true on this tour as we partner with many small, independent food producers and experience providers. If this occurs, an alternative activity or destination will be substituted. Some activities also require a minimum number of guests to run; where this applies, an alternative will be arranged if the group is smaller. Hotels listed are confirmed at the time of writing but may change in exceptional circumstances; substitute hotels will be of equal or greater standard.
- After payment of deposit: 20% cancellation charge (forfeit of deposit)
- 60–46 days before the tour begins: 30% cancellation charge
- 45–31 days before the tour begins: 40% cancellation charge
- 30–16 days before the tour begins: 60% cancellation charge
- 15–8 days before the tour begins: 80% cancellation charge
- 7 days or less before the tour begins: 100% cancellation charge
Winter Food Tour: Prices & What's Included
¥475,000 Price per person / Twin sharing. 20% deposit to secure your spot.
Book now and save 10%: ¥427,500 per person.
Single supplement ¥154,000.
Save ¥15,000 by international bank transfer.
Small group: 6–12 guests. A private group of 6 can book out the whole tour, so check with us early.
Minimum 6 guests, or the tour is cancelled and fully refunded.
Tour Inclusions
- 7 nights' accommodation with breakfast
- 6 x Lunch
- 5 x Dinner
- English-speaking tour leader
- All transport in a private tour bus
- All entrance and activity fees
Our Lifetime Deposit Guarantee: We understand that travel plans can be affected by unforeseen circumstances. If you are unable to travel for any reason, your deposit is protected as a Lifetime Credit. It will be held securely for you to use toward any of our future tours at a time that suits you.
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