Private Half-Day Fermentation Tour in Nakatsu, Oita, Japan
Come join this Japanese Fermentation Tour in Nakatsu City, one of Japan’s centers of fermentation culture, led by bilingual certified Gut Health Coach, Haruka.
Why Nakatsu Is a Center of Japanese Fermentation Culture
Pristine Water from the Yabakei Gorge
The soft, mineral-rich water flowing from the volcanic rocks of the Yabakei mountains provides the perfect chemical foundation for high-quality brewing.
A Historic Hub of Soy Sauce & Sake Production
As a prosperous Edo-period castle town, Nakatsu developed a sophisticated merchant class that perfected large-scale soy sauce and sake fermentation over centuries.
The Unique Climate of the Oita Basin
The region’s humidity and seasonal temperature fluctuations create ideal conditions for growing koji, a fermented rice culture that plays a central role in traditional Japanese fermentation.
Who This Private Half-Day Japan Fermentation Tour Is For
✨A Private, One-Group-Per-Day Tour✨
Health-conscious travelers staying in Beppu who are looking for a unique daytime experience.
Visitors exploring Northern Kyushu or Fukuoka who want an interesting cultural activity within easy travel distance.
Anyone fascinated by Japanese fermentation culture and eager to learn about traditional fermented foods firsthand.
What’s Included in the Tour
1. Station Pick-Up & Transportation
We will meet at Nakatsu Station, and I will drive you to explore local soy sauce or miso shops before heading to my kitchen. At the end of the experience, I will drive you back to the station.
2. Carefully Selected Local & Seasonal Ingredients
After returning to Temple of Fermentation—our fermentation studio—we will cook lunch together featuring local soy sauce or miso, fresh seasonal produce, and carefully selected ingredients that are as organic as possible and vegan-friendly.
3. Private Experience with a Certified Gut Health Coach
Your host, Haruka, graduated from the Institute for Integrative Nutrition in New York and is a certified Gut Health Coach. During the experience, she will share insights about fermentation, traditional Japanese food culture, and how fermented foods can support everyday wellness.
How to Book Your Japan Fermentation Tour
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 parking information and digital recipes from gutchefjapan@gmail.com two days before your retreat.
🎁Private Fermentation Tour Pricing - Special Introductory Pricing!
Solo: $250
2 people: $300 ($150 per person)
3 people: $390 ($130 per person)
Includes Nakatsu Station pick-up, transportation during the tour, and all ingredients for the cooking session.
Your Japan Fermentation Tour: What to Expect
A private, one-group-per-day experience featuring a soy sauce brewery tour and hands-on cooking with traditional Japanese fermented foods.
1. Explore Local Soy Sauce & Miso Shops
We will visit traditional soy sauce and miso shops in Nakatsu together, where you’ll discover the incredible variety of Japanese fermented seasonings. You’ll see different styles of soy sauce and miso, learn about how they are traditionally made, and may even have the chance to taste some of the flavors that define Japanese cuisine.
2. Cook with Fermented Ingredients
Back at Temple of Fermentation – our fermentation studio — we’ll cook a seasonal lunch together using local soy sauce or miso along with fresh regional produce. This hands-on cooking experience will show you how fermented ingredients are used in everyday Japanese home cooking.
3. Fermentation & Gut Health Talk
We’ll have a short discussion about how fermented foods support gut health and why they play such an important role in the traditional Japanese diet. You’ll also learn simple ways to incorporate these foods into your daily meals at home.
Seasonal Menu: Cook Seasonal Vegan-Friendly Dishes Together
Learn More About This Japan Fermentation Tour
Where Is This Private Fermentation Tour Hosted?
Our “Temple of Fermentation”—also known as our fermentation studio—is located about a 20–25 minute walk from Nakatsu Station. You can easily reach Nakatsu by express train directly from Fukuoka International Airport in about 1 hour and 30 minutes, or from Beppu—one of Japan’s most famous hot spring destinations—in just 30–45 minutes.
Click here to learn more about how to get to our location from Fukuoka airport or Beppu station.
What should I bring to this private tour?
There’s no need to bring much. Aprons are optional, and we will provide bottled water and green tea for you. Just come curious and ready to enjoy learning about Japanese fermentation.
What time does the tour start & end?
We will meet at Nakatsu Station at 10:30 AM and aim to finish around 1:30 PM. After our cooking experience at our fermentation studio, I will drive you back to Nakatsu Station.
What Does the Itinerary Look Like?
10:30 AM – Meet at Nakatsu Station
10:30 – 11:20 AM – Visit a local soy sauce or miso shop and explore Japan’s fermented seasonings while discussing fermentation culture and gut health
11:25 AM – Return to Temple of Fermentation (our fermentation studio)
11:30 AM – 1:30 PM – Cook a seasonal fermented meal together, enjoy lunch, and then I will drive you back to 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 Tour?
I’m a certified Gut Health Coach and a certified Japanese Fermented Foods & Medicinal Cooking Specialist, now living in Nakatsu City in Oita Prefecture, Kyushu.
Since I was young, I’ve always loved eating good food. That passion naturally led me to start cooking nourishing and delicious meals in my own kitchen during the COVID period. Before moving to Nakatsu, I hosted multiple 15-person cooking experiences and private half-day retreats in Okinawa.
I’m originally from Tochigi Prefecture, about 1hour 30 minutes north of Tokyo. Having lived in England, Canada, Tokyo, and Okinawa, I’ve developed a unique cultural and culinary perspective, and I’m excited to share my life in Nakatsu with you.
Are you a health professional and want to learn more about Japanese fermented foods?
I also offer a 4-day private certificate course!
Your Questions Answered: Japan Fermentation Tour FAQs
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