THE MASTER’S ROUTE

Kumamoto & Oita, Japan

March 15 - 26, 2027

Join the Journey
An elderly woman preparing octopus at a market stall in Japan, with the tentacles in a plastic container.
Stacked traditional Japanese sake barrels with colorful labels and Japanese characters.
A traditional Japanese torii gate situated among large rocks and surrounded by trees with the sun setting behind it.

Experience Kyushu through bold culinary adventures, ancient crafts, and cultural traditions often overlooked by visitors. This journey takes you from controversial local delicacies and historic shochu distilleries to island communities and artisanal villages, revealing the stories that continue to shape the region.

  • March 15 - 26, 2027
    13 days / 12 nights
    Starting and ending in Kumamoto City, Kumamoto

  • Maximum 6 guests
    4 guests required for the trip to go ahead

  • A$15,865.00 per person based on double occupancy.
    For solo travelers, single occupancy available with an additional supplement

  • Bold & Unique Food Adventures - Challenge your palate with Japan's most daring regional specialties, from controversial delicacies like raw horse to unique cooking methods using volcanic steam.

    Hidden Religious Heritage & Island Seafood - Discover the secretive fusion culture of remote islands where centuries of religious history blend with pristine seafood traditions and artisanal food production.

    Deep Dive into Shochu Culture - Experience Japan's indigenous spirit at historic family-run distilleries, learning traditional production methods and tasting local varieties in the heartland of shochu production.

    Traditional Craft Immersion - Get hands-on with rare artisanal techniques from water-powered pottery making to intricate metalwork, experiencing crafts that have remained unchanged for centuries.

    • 12 nights accommodation

    • Ground transportation during trip

    • Breakfast every morning

    • Lunch and dinner as noted in detailed itinerary

    • Activities and entrance fees as noted in detailed itinerary

    • Bilingual guide

  • Kumamoto castle, a traditional Japanese castle tower with white walls, gray tiled roof, and wooden window shutters, surrounded by cherry blossom trees in full bloom and tall green trees, under a partly cloudy sky.

    DAYS 1-2: KUMAMOTO CITY

    Start your Kyushu adventure in Kumamoto, where samurai history meets bold culinary traditions. This castle town is known for for its fearless approach to food with dishes like basashi (horse sashimi) and karashi renkon (mustard-stuffed lotus root), alongside traditional crafts such as Higo zogan metalwork and the cave where Miyamoto Musashi wrote The Book of Five Rings.

  • A small boat resting on a grassy, algae-covered shoreline with calm water in the Amakusa region of Kumamoto, Japan, a green hillside on the left, and mountains in the background under a blue sky.

    DAYS 3-4: AMAKUSA ISLANDS

    Escape to the hidden Christian islands of Amakusa, where centuries of religious secrecy created a unique fusion culture reflected in both architecture and cuisine. These remote islands offer some of Kyushu's most pristine seafood experiences, from watching pearl cultivation techniques to feasting on giant amakusa daio prawns, while boat tours through nori seaweed farms reveal the artisanal processes behind Japan's most essential ingredient.

  • A row of seven bottles of sake with Japanese labels, arranged against a wooden backdrop.

    DAYS 5-6: HITOYOSHI BONCHI (SHOCHU COUNTRY)

    Immerse yourself in Japan's shochu heartland, where the crystal-clear Kuma River has powered traditional distilleries for over 350 years. This mountainous region combines river adventures with deep-dive tastings at family-run distilleries, while the tragic yet important history of Minamata offers sobering lessons about environmental stewardship alongside incredible local river fish cuisine.

  • Side view of an outdoor hot spring bath at a Japanese onsen with steaming water, wooden bench, and traditional bamboo privacy screen with a mountain landscape in the background.

    DAYS 7-9: KUROKAWA ONSEN

    Retreat to a mountain village where hot spring culture meets artisanal craft traditions. Beyond the famous onsen-hopping, discover the meditative art of water-powered pottery in Onta Village and explore the volcanic landscapes of Aso National Park, all while tasting mountain specialties like grilled horse meat that speak to the hardy spirit of the highlands.

  • Night view of a decorated street in Beppu, Oita, Japan with yellow lanterns hanging overhead, wet pavement reflecting lights, people walking with umbrellas, illuminated signs and storefronts along the street.

    DAYS 10-13: BUNGO

    Cross into Oita Prefecture, a region defined by its hot springs, where geothermal wonders shape both daily life and local cuisine. Cook your own meal using 250-year-old volcanic steam traditions, or sink into naturally heated sand while exploring the colourful ‘hells.’ The journey ends in the mystical Yabakei Gorge, where monks carved tunnels by hand and thousands of Buddha statues still watch over cliffside temples.

GET OFF THE EATEN TRACK WITH US

Our tours are deliberately small, created for travelers who crave discovery and connection. Register your interest and if there’s room we’ll be in touch to arrange a quick call—so we can get to know you, and you can get a taste of what’s waiting Off The Eaten Track.

Image credits:
Markus Winkler via Unsplash
Beth Macdonald via Unsplash
 
Leopold Maitre via Unsplash
Mohammed Kertiou via Unsplash
 
Delta Works via Pixabay
Chris Bahr via Unsplash
 
Romeo A via Unsplash