Explore the Tastes of Kyushu
December 1 – December 8, 2026
Embark on an unforgettable culinary journey through Kyushu with our Kyushu Food Tour 2026, from December 1 to December 8, 2026. This small-group tour, led by an English-speaking Japanese guide, is designed to immerse you in Kyushu’s rich food culture, crisp late-autumn scenery, and warm local hospitality.
From hands-on cooking experiences and traditional fermentation workshops to castle towns and coastal views, every stop has been thoughtfully selected to highlight the essence of the region. Travel comfortably in a private tour bus while experiencing Kyushu’s most flavourful offerings, both on the plate and in its landscapes.
Food is at the heart of this tour. Kyushu is celebrated throughout Japan for its culinary diversity, and every meal has been personally selected by our company Director, a Kyushu local and passionate foodie. Limited to just 12 participants, this tour promises a personalized, relaxed, and immersive experience.
Welcome to Kyushu! Check in to your hotel conveniently located in the heart of Fukuoka City, just a 15-minute taxi ride from Fukuoka International Airport.
Spend the day at your own pace. Whether you’re ready to rest or explore, the city offers plenty of choices. Stroll around the historic Hakata Old Town, browse bustling shopping arcades, or sample your first bites of Fukuoka’s legendary food scene.
Overnight in Fukuoka city: Hotel Okura or similar
After departing Fukuoka, your first stop is the historic “little Kyoto” of Akizuki. If the timing is right, you can take in the vibrant autumn foliage while exploring the castle ruins and atmospheric streets of this old castle town.
In the afternoon, visit a prestigious sake brewery established by a local family with over 800 years of history. Your day ends in a city celebrated for its “shomin ryōri” (common people’s cuisine). Enjoy a casual and hearty dinner featuring the region’s most beloved comfort food.
Overnight in Kurume: Suikoyen Hotel or similar
Begin your day with a guided tour of a traditional vinegar brewery where you’ll take part in a hands-on fruit vinegar-making activity. For lunch, enjoy a set meal featuring vinegar-based dishes that highlight the ingredient’s versatility and health benefits.
In the afternoon, travel to Kumamoto to visit a local orchard for a citrus-picking and tasting session. Your day concludes with a check-in at your hotel in Kumamoto and a dinner at a local restaurant.
Overnight in Kumamoto: Hotel Nikko Kumamoto or similar
Begin the day in Kumamoto with a visit to a local center dedicated to the region’s rich artisanal heritage and traditional handcrafts. Travel to the scenic riverside town of Hitoyoshi for an immersive cooking session and lunch.
In the afternoon, continue toward Kirishima to explore the world of Japanese fermentation. Finish the day in Kagoshima with a hearty dinner featuring the region’s most famous culinary specialty, renowned black pork shabu-shabu.
Overnight in Kagoshima: Solaria Nishitetsu Hotel or similar
Begin your morning in Kagoshima with a visit to a historic landscaped garden, famous for its grand scale and its unique use of the active volcano and bay as borrowed scenery. Participate in a hands-on sushi-making experience before enjoying your creations for lunch.
In the afternoon, board a ferry to explore one of the world’s most active volcanoes. Travel onward to the mountainous region of Kirishima for a premium dinner specializing in high-quality grilled meats.
Overnight in Kirishima: Kirishima Kokusai Hotel or similar
Begin the day in the mountains of Kirishima with a visit to a magnificent Shinto shrine, renowned for its vibrant vermilion architecture and its deep connection to Japanese mythology.
In the afternoon, continue your journey to the historic town of Yamaga to check into a refined hot spring inn. Relax in the restorative waters of the onsen before enjoying an elegant kaiseki dinner.
Overnight in Yamaga Onsen: Seiryuso or similar
Begin your morning in Yamaga with a visit to a beautifully preserved Edo-period playhouse. After a local lunch in the historic town center, travel toward Fukuoka.
In the afternoon, visit one of Japan’s most important Shinto shrines, dedicated to the deity of learning. Try Umegae-mochi, a toasted rice cake filled with sweet red bean paste, paired with whisked matcha before returning to Fukuoka for your final evening.
Overnight in Fukuoka: Hotel Okura or similar
Breakfast in the hotel and then check out. The tour is over, but the memories remain. Thank you for choosing Kyushu Journeys for your Japan food tour! Safe travels!
See what’s included when you join the Kyushu Foodie Tour.
This price is based on double / twin sharing. For a single traveler staying in a room alone the additional charge is ¥154,000. For triple sharing price, contact us for details.
Delve into our FAQ section to get quick answers to common questions about the tour.
Each restaurant has been carefully chosen to highlight a wide variety of the tastiest Kyushu cuisine. The focus is on using locally-sourced seasonal ingredients wherever possible. 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. In the city hotels, you will be sleeping in western beds. In the ryokan, you will be sleeping in western beds or traditional Japanese-style futon beds on tatami mat flooring. If you have any difficulty sleeping on a futon, please ask us about alternatives before booking your tour.
An onsen is a bathing pool using water from natural hot springs. It’s a wonderful pleasure with many health benefits. As nudity is required, onsen bathing is usually sex-segregated. If you feel uncomfortable, you can skip this activity. Feel free to contact us with any questions you have about onsen bathing.
Comfortable private bus throughout the tour.
We want this to be a small group intimate tour. Maximum participants will be 12 people.
Yes, we can. We have several options for couples or private groups of family or friends. Contact us for details.
Definitely. You will be travelling by private tour 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 the attractions. 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 participants aged 12 years or older. However, on a private tour, children of any age can join.
Absolutely! This tour is guaranteed to run, providing you with peace of mind and certainty. Unlike many other tours that require a minimum number of participants to proceed, ours departs as scheduled regardless of group size.
From your own pocket, you need to pay for meals on arrival day and dinner on the final evening. Tipping is not required in Japan. See above for a detailed list of inclusions and exclusions.
Yes you can. The first and last hotels on the tour will be the same so you can safely store any luggage you don’t need during the tour while you are travelling.
While we strive to adhere to the scheduled itinerary, the route and accommodations may change due to circumstances outside of our control. Our guides may adjust the daily program based on weather, traffic, or seasonal conditions.
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 as soon as possible if you want to join.
We suggest you take out travel insurance to protect yourself in case you need to cancel for any unexpected reason.
Request the full itinerary or ask questions
