Taste Japan: Shochu & Cultural Experience with a Shochu Presenter
- Bokun ID:
- 1147172
- Product Code:
Event Dates: Tuesday, March 3, 2026 / Tuesday, March 24, 2026
＜Highlights＞
▶ Visit to Munakata Taisha (Munakata City, Fukuoka Prefecture)
A historically significant shrine that appears in Japanese mythology and is one of the oldest shrines in Japan. It is also part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site “The Sacred Island of Okinoshima and Related Sites in the Munakata Region.”
▶ Traditional Tea Ceremony & Shochu with Hot Water at “Ashiya Kama-no-Sato” (Ashiya Town, Onga District, Fukuoka Prefecture)
Experience Japan’s traditional “chaji” tea ceremony using “special hot water” boiled in a master-crafted kettle.
▶ Carbonated Shochu Experience at “Gindaco Highball Sakaba” (Gofukumachi, Fukuoka City)
Enjoy Japanese “izakaya” culture, including tasting shochu mixed with carbonation freshly made in-house.
▶ Shochu Cocktails at Hotel New Otani Hakata (Fukuoka City, Chuo Ward)
Savor shochu cocktails created by the champion bartender of the “10th HBA/KOKUBU Cocktail Competition 2024.”
＜Schedule＞
◆ Munakata Taisha Visit ◆ 10:00–
Munakata Taisha, one of Japan’s oldest shrines rooted in mythology, is registered as a World Heritage Site. Surrounded by nature and solemn shrine architecture, you will spend a deeply purifying and spiritual time.
◆ “Ashiya Kama-no-Sato” ◆ 11:40–
In Japanese tea culture, the kettle used to boil water is called a “chagama.” Of the nine nationally designated Important Cultural Properties of tea kettles, eight are Ashiya kettles, and “Ashiya Kama-no-Sato” owns one of them.
On this tour, you will experience a “chaji” using a modern Ashiya kettle. Chaji is the highest form of hospitality in tea ceremony, combining both tea and a meal. You will enjoy a specially arranged chaji in a tea room overlooking a beautiful Japanese garden.
You will taste not only matcha but also shochu mixed with hot water boiled in the special kettle, known for its gentle and exceptional flavor.
You will also tour the museum, view Ashiya kettles, and visit the workshop to hear from artisans who continue this traditional craft. This is a rare chance to learn about Japanese aesthetics and craftsmanship.
◆ “Gindaco Highball Sakaba” ◆ 16:00–
Experience casual, everyday Japanese shochu culture while enjoying izakaya-style food including Japan’s popular “takoyaki.”
◆ “Hotel New Otani Hakata” ◆ 17:30–
Enter a new world of cocktails enhanced by the flavor of Japanese shochu.
Using carefully selected shochu chosen by producer Ms. Nobuko Kurose, savor an original cocktail created exclusively for this tour by the champion bartender of the “10th HBA/KOKUBU Cocktail Competition 2024.”
◆ Profile: Ms. Nobuko Kurose
(President & CEO of HarmoniK Co., Ltd. / Shochu Producer)
A descendant of the legendary “Kurose Toji,” a renowned group of shochu master brewers from Kurose Village, Kagoshima. The Kurose Toji are known for their expertise and for greatly advancing shochu production across Japan.
Upon discovering her lineage, Ms. Kurose began activities with a passion to “spread shochu to the world,” giving lectures, organizing events, and launching popular programs such as the “Shochu Women’s Gathering.” She also leads regional revitalization projects using shochu at the request of government agencies. She organized the 2025 study tour that greatly impressed top sommeliers and bartenders from France’s Kura Master.
This tour, curated and guided by Ms. Kurose, is a one-of-a-kind premium experience that goes far beyond simple tasting. Through shochu, participants will explore Japan’s history, craftsmanship, food culture, and modern lifestyle with all five senses.
Ticket Information
Adults/ADALT (20 years old and over)
¥58,000More Information
Reservation Deadline
The start of the experience Up to 3 days before
What's included in the experience
Round-trip bus fare, interpreter guide fee, admission to Ashiya Kama no Sato and tea ceremony fee (includes 2 cups of shochu hot water), 2 types of shochu cocktails (2 cups) + snacks like takoyaki at Gindako, 2 types of shochu cocktails (2 cups) at Hotel New Otani
What is not included in the experience
Additional food and beverage charges at Gindaco, food and beverage charges at Hotel New Otani other than two types of shochu cocktails (two drinks), and other personal expenses.
Precautions
※ As this tour includes alcohol consumption, participation is limited to adults aged 20 and over.
※ Minimum number of participants: 10.
※ If the minimum number of participants is not reached, the tour will be cancelled.
【Regarding Your Travel Contract】※ Please read carefully
The information shown on this screen, together with the “Package Tour Terms and Conditions” listed below, shall constitute the written explanation of transaction terms.
Cancellation Policy(Cancellation fee)
| On the day | 100% |
|---|---|
| 1Days before | 40% |
| 7Days before | 30% |
| 10Days before | 20% |
Information
[Meeting place] Please come to “JR Hakata Station Chikushi-guchi Lawson Oriental Hotel Fukuoka” by 8:45.
9:00 Departure from Hakata Station
10:00 “Masako Shrine” (Takamiya Festival)
11:00 Departure
11:40 “Ashiya Kamanosato”
Library, Ornithologist/Workshop
12:20 Lunch (tea ceremony)
14:00 Free time such as walking around the garden
Departure at 14:30 (enjoying the coastal scenery on the way)
16:00 “Gindako Highball Bar”
Departure at 17:00
17:30 “Hotel New Otani Hakata”
Dissolution at 18:30
Meeting place
Vendor Information
Enjoy Kyushu（JTB Fukuoka Branch）