Private Half-Day Japanese Home Fermentation Experience in Nakatsu, Oita, Japan
This is more than a cooking class—it’s a glimpse into everyday Japanese life
Who This Private Half-Day Japanese Home Fermentation Experience
✨ Private, one group per day, twice a week✨
Health-conscious travelers based in Beppu seeking a unique daytime experience, with convenient train access to Nakatsu.
Visitors exploring Northern Kyushu or Fukuoka looking for an authentic fermentation experience in a traditional Japanese home, accessible by train from Fukuoka Airport.
Your Japan Fermentation Experience: What to Expect
1. Station Transfers & Local Transport
I will meet you at Nakatsu Station, which is easily accessible from both the Fukuoka and Beppu areas via the Sonic Express train. Once we finish our experience at the fermentation studio, I’ll drop you back at the station—completely stress-free!
2. Simple, Enjoyable Everyday Cooking
Many of Haruka’s clients share how simple yet delicious the meals are during the experience. Everyday cooking doesn’t need to be Instagram-perfect. Here, you’ll learn how to feel more confident and comfortable in the kitchen, regardless of your cooking level.
3. Private Experience with a Certified Gut Health Coach
Your host, Haruka, a certified Gut Health Coach and graduate of the Institute for Integrative Nutrition in New York, will guide you through the history and benefits of Japanese fermented foods—and how to incorporate them into your daily life.
Kind Words from My Clients
“My experience with her was wonderful from start to finish. She took the time to be thorough, informative, and genuinely invested in making sure I left with exactly what I needed. It’s rare to come across someone who combines professionalism with such a warm, welcoming approach.”
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- Deja Wainwright (USA)
“From the very first moment, Haruka was incredibly kind, helpful, and welcoming—it truly felt like spending time with an old friend. I felt an instant connection, like she was a sister to me. If you’re thinking about booking this experience, don’t hesitate. It’s a unique and truly special opportunity, and without a doubt one of the highlights of my entire trip.”
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- Emilia Hantscheke (Germany)
“The hands-on cooking experience was fantastic. I learned about new, healthy ingredients that I can incorporate into my daily cooking, and Haruka answered all of my questions. She is kind and incredibly friendly, which made the experience even more enjoyable from the very start. I would highly recommend booking a private experience with her.”
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- Hebert Valmond (USA)
How to Book Your Japanese Home Fermentation Experience
Step 1: Please select the number of participants from the options below, check my availability, book your spot, and complete your payment.
Step 2: Once your payment is confirmed, you’ll receive the meeting point details and digital recipes from gutchefjapan@gmail.com two days before your experience.
🎁 Special Introductory Offer Until August 31st!
Solo: $300➡ $280 (1:1 immersive experience)
2 people: $399➡$360 ($180 per person)
3 people: $499➡$450 ($150 per person)
*Includes pickup and drop-off, transportation during the experience, all ingredients for the cooking session.
Vegan-Friendly Seasonal Menu (June–August)
Lightly fried shiitake mushrooms with an organic soy sauce glaze
Shiitake mushrooms are lightly coated in katakuriko (potato starch), fried in rice oil until crispy, and finished with a special sauce made with Haruka’s favorite organic soy sauce and other carefully selected ingredients. We will also enjoy rice mixed with black rice alongside the dish.
Crisp summer cucumbers with a fermented dressing
We will crush cucumbers and prepare a flavorful homemade fermented dressing using white ground sesame, rice vinegar, mirin, sesame oil, and miso.
Dairy-free fermented rice ice cream with cacao nibs
I will prepare this ice cream in advance. It is made with amazake (fermented rice syrup), soy milk, banana, and organic lemon juice, then topped with cacao nibs—creating a refreshing, dairy-free summer treat that everyone can enjoy.
(*Pictures coming up soon)
Where Is This Private Fermentation Experience Hosted?
Our “temple of fermentation” (our fermentation studio) is just a 5-minute drive from Nakatsu Station, where I will pick you up.
We’re easy to reach by express train - around 1.5 hours from Fukuoka Airport or 30 - 45 minutes from Beppu.
Click here to learn more about how to get to our location from Fukuoka airport or Beppu station.
Learn More About This Japanese Home Fermentation Experience
What should I bring to this private experience?
You don’t need to bring much—aprons and notepads are optional.
What time does the experience start & end?
We’ll meet at Nakatsu Station at 10:30 AM, and I’ll drive you to a local supermarket. After the experience, I’ll take you back to the station around 1:30 PM.
What Does the Itinerary Look Like?
10:30 AM – Meet at Nakatsu Station
10:40–11:10 AM — Introduction to Japanese Fermentation: History & Benefits
11:10–1:00PM — Ingredient Health Benefits & Cooking Session
1:00PM-1:15PM - Enjoy Organic Matcha to Close the Experience
1:30 PM — Drop-off at Nakatsu Station
Can you recommend us places to stay in Nakatsu or Beppu?
I’ve also put together a guide on where to stay, eat, and explore in Nakatsu and Beppu to help you plan your visit. Click here for more info!
Who’s Hosting This Private Japan Fermentation Experience?
I’m based in Nakatsu, Oita, where I specialize in Japanese fermented foods combined with traditional medicinal-style cooking.
My time living in Vancouver helped me reconnect with Japanese food culture in a deeper way, and since then I’ve been sharing this perspective with travelers and guests from around the world.
I’m so excited to welcome you into my kitchen soon!
Are you a health professional and want to learn more about Japanese fermented foods?
I also offer a private 4-day Japanese Fermented Foods Practitioner Certification Program!
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Ingredients
Local shiitake mushrooms
Potato flour
Onion
3-year aged soy sauce (contains wheat)
Organic garlic
Cucumber
Organic white ground sesame seeds
Miso (contains barley)
Mirin
Rice vinegar
Sesame oil
Cacao nibs
Organic lemon juice
Banana
Organic soy milk
House-made fermented rice syrup -
Due to the ingredients used, this seasonal menu may not be suitable for guests with gluten (including coeliac disease), rice, or soy allergies.
Our fermentation studio is part of our home, which we share with two cats and one dog. If you have severe pet allergies, this experience may not be suitable. That said, we’re happy to keep our cats and puppy upstairs during your visit if that helps.
While we keep our home and work cooking equipment separate, our menu changes seasonally and we cannot guarantee that ingredients are completely free from cross-contamination. If you have severe food allergies, we kindly ask you to consider this before booking.
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Your safety is our top priority. We monitor weather conditions closely and make a final decision 24–48 hours before each experience.
✅ Heavy Rain Advisory (no risk of landslides/flooding): Experience continues as scheduled (no credit)
✅ Heavy Rain Warning (risk of landslides/flooding): May be canceled → Future Credit issued
✅ Storm / Strong Wind (15–25 m/s): May be canceled → Future Credit issued
✅ Special Warning (25+ m/s or severe damage expected): Canceled → Future Credit issued
Future Credits are valid for 18 months, transferable, and non-refundable. Credits are issued based on the final 24–48 hour assessment, as weather conditions can change.
We are not responsible for accommodation, transportation, or other personal expenses if an experience is canceled due to weather. Delays or cancellations due to personal reasons are not eligible for credit.
Thank you for your understanding and flexibility.
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Haruka hosts up to two private fermentation experience groups per week, or one certificate course group.
To keep things simple, all payments are converted into Future Credit instead of refunds. As our experiences involve advance preparation and limited availability, this policy helps us manage bookings while allowing you to retain the value of your booking in case of unexpected changes in plans or illness.
Guest-Initiated Cancellations (including illness):
✅ Notify us 7+ days in advance → 100% credit (valid 18 months)
✅ Notify 2–6 days in advance → 50% credit
✅ Same-day notifications → no credit (preparation already begun)
✅ Rescheduling: Contact us at least 7 days in advance.
✅ Flight or Transportation Issues: If travel is disrupted due to extreme weather or unforeseen circumstances, future credit valid for 18 months may be issued (proof may be required).
✅ Organizer-Initiated Cancellations
If we must cancel the fermentation experience due to unforeseen circumstances on our end (such as our own emergency or illness), guests will receive a full refund of the experience fee or may choose to reschedule to another available date.
Please note that we are not responsible for transportation, accommodation, or other related costs incurred as a result of the cancellation.
Click here to check my full policy. -
Yes! You are welcome to join with your child(ren) as long as you can keep a close eye on them, especially when using knives and the gas stove.
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From solo to a maximum of 3 guests.
Why 3 people? Because that’s the maximum number of guests that comfortably fits in my car for transportation during the fermentation experience! 🚗 -
Unfortunately, no. Our business is closed on Sundays and Mondays.
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Please reach out via email or Instagram using the same method you initially used to contact me as soon as possible (my email is gutchefjapan@gmail.com).
I will pick you up at Nakatsu Station at your arrival time. Please note that if you arrive late, we may not be able to extend the experience duration, so kindly plan your trip ahead and aim to arrive on time.