A Gastronomic Tour Exploring the Cycle of Nature and Food

Overview

Available languages

English

48 hours

Mobile ticket

Experience the Harmony of Nature and Food in Usuki, a UNESCO City of Gastronomy.

With growing global interest in the cyclical relationship between nature and food, as well as a focus on sustainable food culture, Usuki City-a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy-has long nurtured a rich and diverse food culture that continues to thrive today. Usuki is a region dedicated to sustainable food systems, emphasizing organic cultivation, local consumption, and the creation of soil full of vitality as part of its unique “Usuki style” food cycle.

This tour offers a hands-on experience where participants can enjoy Usuki’s local agricultural products and brewing culture, all while feeling the deep connection between food and nature. From learning about soil cultivation to harvesting crops and finally preparing and enjoying a meal, participants will immerse themselves in the circular Usuki style of food, gaining a deeper understanding of the interconnectedness of nature and what we eat.

Additional Info

Public transportation options are available nearby

Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries

Not recommended for pregnant travelers

Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Cancellation Policy

If you cancel at least 6 full day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a full refund.<br>If you cancel between 2 and 6 day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a 50% refund.<br>If you cancel within 2 day(s) of the scheduled departure, you will receive a 0% refund.

What‘s Included

English Guide

accommodation fees

Dinner

facility usage fees

Breakfast

Transportation to/from meeting point

additional personal expenses

What To Expect

Day 1

Accommodations

Japanese-style room with bath and toilet

Food and Drinks

LUNCH

Lunch

DINNER

Dinner

Usuki Premium Dinner

Reflecting on Soil Cultivation / Soil Cultivation Center The entire city of Usuki is involved in the practice of soil cultivation. The “Soil Cultivation Center” serves as the hub of knowledge and technology for cultivating the soil necessary to grow healthy crops. Here, participants will learn about the great care and effort that goes into producing the food we often consume without a second thought, enhancing awareness of the future of sustainable food.

40 minutes • Admission Included

Visiting the Fields of Produce Grown in Usuki’s Soil Next, participants will visit the fields where “Honmamon”(meaning “genuine”) agricultural products are grown in Usuki’s fertile soil. Here, guests will enjoy the experience of harvesting fresh seasonal vegetables, guided by local farmers. Feel the vitality of the vegetables and the warmth of the soil while listening to the farmers share their stories.

1 hour • Admission Not Applicable

Usuki lunch

1 hour 30 minutes • Admission Included

Usuki

*Tour plan varies depending on the season (① or ②) ①Experience the Marine Cycle of Usuki through Sake Brewing and Yellowtail Learn about sake brewing using local ingredients at the Kuge Honten brewery, followed by a visit to a farm where “Usuki Yoi Buri” (yellowtail raised on pressed lees leftover from the production of sake) are cultivated. This unique experience showcases the circular relationship between Usuki’s rich marine environment and the sake brewing process at Kuge Honten. ②Usuki-yaki Pottery Experience & Usuki Stone Buddhas Create your own piece of Usuki-yaki, the pottery that adds a touch of artistry to Usuki’s dining culture. In Usuki, tableware is considered an essential part of the meal. Guided by local artisans, participants will craft their own Usuki-yaki, which will be sent to them later.

2 hours • Admission Not Applicable

Usuki Premium Dinner The tour culminates in a special premium dinner, featuring ingredients unique to Usuki. Enjoy a feast of Usuki’s famous fugu (pufferfish) and the freshly harvested “Honmamon” vegetables. This special time will allow participants to savor the cycle of Usuki’s food culture, crafted by nature’s bounty and human hands.

2 hours • Admission Included

Day 2