Discover Japan Through Seasonal Cooking & Fermentation
You're invited to spend meaningful time with bilingual Certified Gut Health Coach Haruka and discover fresh inspiration for seasonal cooking and eating long after you return home.
Which Experience Interests You?
Private Seasonal Table Experience
There is no set menu. We will visit a local indoor farmer’s market together and let the seasonal, local produce inspire what we cook and enjoy together. You’ll be inspired to incorporate more seasonal foods into your everyday life and create meals with fewer processed ingredients when you return home.
Half-Day Private Japanese Home Fermentation Experience
This is more than just a fermentation class. It’s an invitation to step into my traditional Japanese home in Nakatsu, experience Japanese fermented foods firsthand, and discover a more mindful and intentional way of cooking, eating, and connecting with food.
4-Day Private Japanese Fermented Foods Certificate Course
Are you a health coach or wellness practitioner ready to deepen your knowledge of Japanese fermented foods?
Join this 4-day certificate course to explore traditional fermentation, its cultural roots, and its connection to gut health.
The Gut Chef Japan Difference
✅ Your host, Haruka Kato, is a bilingual Certified Gut Health Coach and Gut Chef with experience hosting cooking classes, food experiences, and half-day retreats.
✅ Perfect for international travelers who want to venture beyond the typical tourist trail and discover Japan through seasonal cooking, local market visits, and fermentation.
Where Are We Located?
We are located in Kyushu, Japan's southernmost main island. While many travelers focus on Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka, Kyushu offers a more local side of Japan with beautiful landscapes, hot springs, and incredible regional cuisine.
Kyushu is easy to reach by bullet train from Kyoto or Hiroshima in just 2–3 hours, making it a great addition to your Japan itinerary.
Want to learn more? Watch the Reel below and discover what Kyushu has to offer! ✨
Who will be your host?
Thank you for visiting my website - I’m so glad you’re here.
I’m Haruka, the founder of Gut Chef Japan. For a long time, I felt like I didn’t fully belong in my own culture in Japan. But living in England and Canada helped me see my home country in a new light, especially through food.
Food became the way I reconnected with my culture, and it’s what inspired me to share Japanese food culture with others.
Through my experiences, I hope to meet curious people from all over the world who are interested in food, health, and simple, meaningful living.
How to Plan Your Trip to Nakatsu for This Experience
Where do you host your experiences?
We are located just a 5-minute drive from Nakatsu Station, where I will personally pick you up.
Nakatsu is easily accessible by express train from Fukuoka Airport and Beppu, and by bullet train from Hiroshima and Kyoto.
When do you accept bookings for your experiences?
Private Fermentation Experience & Private Seasonal Table Experience: Every Thursday through Saturday
Private Japanese Fermentation Practitioner Certificate Course: Every Wednesday through Saturday
Is it cash only?
We accept all major credit cards, as well as Link, Apple Pay, and Google Pay.
See what Haruka is up to on Instagram!
