Your Adventure Awaits

Travel through the historic corners of Nagasaki and Saga, a sensory pilgrimage where the land’s volcanic soul and the sea’s tidal rhythm converge in a glass and on a plate. It begins on Iki Island, the emerald "birthplace of barley shochu," where the nutty aroma of distilled grain meets the creamy, mineral sweetness of sea urchin and the marbled richness of rare Iki beef. Across the waters to Hirado, the legacy of 16th-century global trade lingers in the delicate "HIRAN" sake and the oceanic snap of firm-fleshed flounder, best enjoyed while overlooking the strait. Moving inland to the white-walled storehouses of Hizen Hamashuku, you walk the "Sake Brewery Street," where pure runoff from the Tara mountains transforms local rice into velvety brews that have sustained travelers for centuries. This mountain water flows toward the town of Tara, where the dramatic six-meter tides of the Ariake Sea yield the "jewel of the ocean" — Takezaki crab— its succulent meat paired perfectly with kora-shu, sake poured directly into the crab’s shell to mingle with its rich roe. The journey finds its contemplative finale along the tea trails of Ureshino, where the mist-covered mountains cradle 500-year-old traditions of pan-fired kamairicha; here, you can sip curled green leaves in open-air tea houses perched directly within the verdant rows, the brew’s deep umami providing a serene, liquid reflection of Kyushu's landscape.

This morning, we begin our journey transferring to Hakata Port embarking onto the Kyushu Yusen on an hour's ferry to Iki Island sailing the waters of the Genkai Sea. Arriving at Iki Island, we will meet our host, Kana Okawa, an Ama woman diver and hostess of a local guesthouse to learn about Iki Island's seafaring heritage. Make a stop to witness the Harahoge Jizo Statues at Yahataura, a group of semi-submerged stone guardian deities that is said to provide salvation of all living things in the six realms. Enjoy the chance to harvest rock oysters at Kojima Shrine, built on a sandbar islet that is mostly accessible until low tide sets in. Enshrined at the site are ancient gods of love, marriage, prosperity, and good luck as we start our journey in the best of faith.

April to July:

In season, we have the opportunity to learn about opening sea urchins before being prepared onto a bowl of savory and creamy sea urchin rice bowl for lunch. Iki’s purple sea urchin is nurtured by the nutrient-rich seaweed and seawater of the Genkai Sea, and is known for its rich sweetness, creamy texture, and refined umami. Purple sea urchins live in shallow waters, and even today they are mainly harvested through traditional free-diving by ama divers. The landed sea urchins are carefully removed by hand, one by one, so they don’t fall apart. Freshly caught sea urchin is seasoned with only a small amount of salt, and being able to enjoy it while it’s still fresh is a special appeal you can experience only here.

DAY 2: Iki

From here, we will cross the Ikitsuki Bridge from Hirado into the island of Ikitsuki and immediately be in awe of the seemingly nostalgic life of a bygone era. A casual lunch is tantalized by bewitching views of the Genkai Sea and the imposing Ikitsuki Kannon-do Giant Buddha to the hills. Take a little time to view the self-sustained shops and eateries before we circumnavigate to the northernmost point of the white Obae Lighthouse, viewing craggy sea cliffs and coastal landscapes. Not far away, we take a gentle hike to view the Shiodawara Cliffs that are shaped into bizarre basalt columns stretching for more than 500m. The drive reaches its climax at the Sunset Way, reminiscent of South Africa's Chapman's Peak drive - so jaw-dropping that it is the backdrop for many automobile advertisements. Return to Kikka Hirado thereafter where you have the rest of the day to unwind and rejuvenate. 

DAY 6: Hirado / Takeo / Hizen Hamashuku

Our sojourn in Hirado has been nothing short of remarkable and today, we leave with hearts heavy returning back to Kyushu mainland as we continue our journey. We stop in the small hot spring town of Takeo that dates back to over 1,300 years. Be greeted by the Romon Tower Gate marking the entrance that was completed in 1915, designed by Tatsuno Kingo, who also designed Tokyo Station, and is a unique structure that was built without using a single nail. Not far away, we visit the flower-laden Mifuneyama Rakuen, spread out over 500,000 square meters that teases the visual aesthetics in spring (late March - early April) and autumn (mid November - early December) 

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Thereafter, a comfortable drive takes us to Hizen Hamashuku, a historic 600 meter "Sake Brewery Street" that prospered in the Edo Period. Adorn with an impressive collection of white-walled traditional buildings, it is classified an important preservation district with an undeniable sake heritage. On our walk, we will have the chance to sample the sakes of Kashima, nurtured by the clean waters of Mount Tara. Our day culminates in an extraordinary experience reserved for one group a day, arriving at the lauded Onyado Fukuchiyo, Japan's first sake auberge. Run by Fukuchiyo Sake Brewery, producer of the acclaimed Nabeshima sake, you have the entire building to yourself along with a behind the scenes deep dive into the Nabeshima legacy. In the evening, a gastronomic dinner tantalizes the tastebud as your chef prepares a refined course paired with the brilliance of Nabeshima. 

DAY 7: Hizen Hamashuku / Tara / Ureshino

The experience of an overnight in a sake auberge is rare and memorable but the art de vivre continues. We will dedicate the morning with a visit to the stunning Yutoku Inari Shrine, one of three major shrines in Japan dedicated to “Inari”, the deity of rice and successful business, along with the Fushimi Inari Shrine in Kyoto and the Kasama Inari Shrine in Ibaraki. Enjoy a picture of serenity and awe-inspiring beauty walking through the spectacular torii gates that leads to the Okunoin (inner shrine) at the top of the mountain with splendid views of cherry blossoms in season. ​

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Then, we will encounter the Ariake Sea for the first time, surrounding Saga, Nagasaki, Kumamoto and Fukuoka Prefectures all at once. We make a scenic drive, making a stop to admire the Ouo Shrine with its three huge torii gates submerged in the sea. During low tide, you may chance upon farmers cultivating and harvesting seaweed or perhaps take a walk close to the torii gates.