A Gastronomic Tour Exploring the Cycle of Nature and Food, Rooted in Soil Cultivation, in Usuki City, a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy [Day-trip]
With growing global interest in the cyclical relationship between nature and food, as well as a focus on sustainable food culture, Usuki City in Oita Prefecture—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.
Tour Program
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.
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.
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.
Experience the Marine Cycle of Usuki through Sake Brewing and Yellowtail (*The tour plans may vary depending on the season.）
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.
Usuki-yaki Pottery Experience（*The tour plans may vary depending on the season.）
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.
Tour Details
| A Gastronomic Tour Exploring the Cycle of Nature and Food, Rooted in Soil Cultivation, in Usuki City, Oita Prefecture, a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy | ||
| Dates | Use the form below to request Schedule | |
| Duration | Day-trip（2-day, 1-night package is also available.) | |
| Meals Included | Lunch x 1 | |
| Itinerary | Schedules | |
| 1 |
Meeting Point: JR Usuki Station (10:00) | (Transportation by Jumbo Taxi) Soil Cultivation Center (Approx. 30min.) | (Transportation by Jumbo Taxi) Visiting the Fields of Produce Grown in Usuki’s Soil (Approx. 60min.) | (Transportation by Jumbo Taxi) Usuki lunch（Approx. 90min.） | (Transportation by Jumbo Taxi) *Tour plan varies depending on the season (① or ②) ①Experience the Marine Cycle of Usuki through Sake Brewing and Yellowtail (Approx. 105min.) ②Usuki-yaki Pottery Experience & Usuki Stone Buddhas (Approx. 140min.) | (Transportation by Jumbo Taxi) Return to JR Usuki Station: Approximately 17:10 |
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| Price |
JPY 60,000 (including tax) per person *Pricing can also vary based on availability and seasonality. |
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| Included in price | Transportation, lunch and dinner, tour guide, experience fees, facility usage, accommodation fee | |
| NOT included in price | Transportation to/from meeting point, additional personal expenses | |
| Payment | Confirm your booking with payment by credit card (Visa/Master) or bank transfer within 10 days. Details and invoice will be provided upon booking. | |
| Alteration/Cancellation Policy |
The following charges will apply for any changes or cancellations made after the booking is confirmed: •20 days before: 20% of tour charges •7 days before: 30% of tour charges •1 day before: 40% of tour charges •Day of tour: 50% of tour charges •After tour starts or no show: 100% of tour charges |
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| Minimum Number of Participants | 4 (tour may be canceled if this minimum is not met; full refund will be issued). | |
| Participation conditions | Preschool children are not allowed to participate. | |
| Booking Deadline | 14 days before the tour. | |
| Terms & Conditions | Please review the terms and conditions before booking. Tour Terms and Conditions (Domestic) |
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- Weather and Conditions
- There may be changes to parts of the program due to weather conditions, guide instructions, or the state of infectious disease spread on the day.
- Personal Valuables
- Participants are responsible for their personal belongings.
- Tour Conductor
- A guide will accompany the tour throughout.
- Contact
- The final itinerary will include contact details for reaching us during the tour.
- Meals
- Menu contents may be partially changed depending on the situation. If you have any allergies, please let us know in the notes section when making a reservation.
- Access to the meeting place
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Staff with a board that reads “Mirai Creation Experience” will be waiting in front of the ticket gate at JR Usuki Station.
Access to JR Usuki Station
＜By train
From Oita to Usuki: 30 minutes by JR Nippo Main Line (express train)
From Hakata to Usuki: 3 hours by local train (express train)
- Accommodation information
- No room assignment (Japanese-style room with bath and toilet)
- Tour Planning/Operation by
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Kabushiki Kaisha Miraidukuri Company
Tour Operator Registration License Number by the Governor of Tokyo: 2-8105
Address: Dai-San Yoshida Building 3F, 3-13-4 Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo
Authorized Member of Japan Association of Travel Agents (JATA)
Domestic Travel Service Supervisor: Misako Kan
TEL: 03-6230-9855 / FAX: 03-6230-9856
MAIL: exp@miraidukuri.co.jpOperating Hours: 10:30 – 19:30 (Closed on Saturday, Sunday and on National Holidays)
(For the messages received outside of the operating hours by mail, fax or post, they are regarded as received on the next business day.)
The above-mentioned “Domestic Travel Service Supervisor” is responsible for your travel. Please don’t hesitate to contact the service supervisor in case there is anything not clear with the details about the travel contract explained by the contact person.