Vegan Ventures - Southern Japan

Fukuoka welcomes you!  Upon arrival at Fukuoka airport, your assistant will greet you warmly and escort you to your hotel in a private vehicle. After settling in, enjoy a special vegan welcome dinner at a local restaurant, introducing you to Kyushu’s vibrant plant-based culinary scene.

Schedule XX:XX: Arrival at Fukuoka Airport, greeted by an assistant, receive IC card, and private transfer to hotel (20 mins).

18:00: Welcome dinner at NICE Plant-Based Café – sample creative vegan dishes crafted with seasonal local ingredients. Owner Yusuke carefully prepares the menu, which includes original recipes. While plant-based ingredients are the concept behind NICE, the motto is “deliciousness,” and the menu features original recipes that balance carefully selected nuts, grains, and spices.

Meals Breakfast – Excluded | Lunch – Excluded | Dinner – Included

Accommodation Hotel Mei or similar

Overview

Travel to the idyllic Goto Islands, known for their rich cultural history and stunning coastal landscapes. From Nagasaki Port, board a high-speed boat to the scenic Goto Islands.

Before departure, you will receive a vegan lunch box of rice balls and soup to enjoy on board during the crossing.

At Fukue Port, your group will be warmly welcomed, and a private vehicle will be arranged for travel within the islands. Your first stop is a local home, where you will try making kankoro mochi. Using a wooden mortar and pestle, you will mix dried sweet potatoes with sticky rice, a fun and lively process that has been handed down through generations. Soft and flavorful on its own, kankoro mochi becomes even more delightful when lightly baked.

Later, check in to your seaside hotel, relax with ocean views, or join optional activities. In the evening, savour a specially arranged vegan dinner, then gather around a campfire beneath the starry sky in the night.

08:50: Check out and taxi transfer to Hakata Station. Pay for a local taxi on the spot.
09:00: Arrive at Hakata Station. Train via Takeo Onsen (have to change trains) to Nagasaki Station. Luggage will be transported to Nagasaki Port by our partners.
10:32: Arrive at Nagasaki Station and meet the local guide. Transfer to Port using IC card.
11:00: Arrive at Nagasaki Port, receive onigiri & seaweed lunch set.
11:30: High-speed boat to Goto Islands (90 mins).
13:20: Kankoro Mochi Making Experience – At a private home, learn the traditional art of preparing kankoro mochi, a beloved Nagasaki confection made from sweet potatoes and glutinous rice from a local host. Pound the ingredients with a mortar and pestle, share in the rhythm of communal mochi-making, and taste the soft, lightly toasted treat. This traditional kankoro mochi has been passed down through generations as a simple yet satisfying treat.
15:40: Check-in at seaside hotel. Relax or choose from optional activities such as SUP, hiking, or handmade soap-making.

Services available before check-in
Each activity is available for up to 4-6 people per session. Reservations are required for some activities. Payment will be accepted on site.
Chilling
*** Relax on the wooden deck by the sea
Enjoy a relaxing time on the wooden deck facing the ocean, listening to the sound of the waves. Enjoy coffee or wine while gazing at the sky, or spend your time as you wish.
Indoor activities
*** Cap Art making class 3,000 JPY ~
Plastic waste floating in the sea is transformed into art. This activity involves melting cut-up plastic bottle caps with an iron to create original bookmarks or accessories.
*** Natural Soap making class 3,000 JPY ~ Create your own natural soap with your choice of colour and scent. Choose from two options: marble-patterned or flower-infused. Infused with camellia oil for enhanced moisturization. This activity allows you to create a one-of-a-kind, original soap.

Outdoor Activities:
*** SUP (up to 4 people) 5,000 JPY ~
SUP stands for Stand Up Paddle, and as the name suggests, you stand on a board and paddle your way across the water. Enjoy the beauty of the crystal-clear sea and watch fish swimming freely. Recommended for those who want to enjoy the sea to the fullest.
*** Hiking 5,000 JPY ~
Take a leisurely stroll through the beautiful natural scenery of the four seasons. Suitable for beginners. Enjoy the great outdoors and take deep breaths of fresh air. This activity includes hotel pickup and drop-off.

18:00: Vegan dinner at hotel featuring locally sourced specialties.
20:00: Stargazing campfire under Goto’s clear night skies. The view of the stars from a hammock or reclining chair is so beautiful that you will lose track of time. Enjoy conversation with staff and other guests while sipping a drink. We hope you will enjoy this special experience filled with the joys of the night.

Meals
Breakfast – Included | Lunch – Included | Dinner – Included
Accommodation
Colorit Goto (or similar)

Overview

Begin your day with a mindful yoga session by the sea before diving into an enriching cultural experience at a mountain temple. You’ll practice zazen meditation in serene silence, learn about the history of Hidden Christian Sites, and savour a Shojin Ryori vegetarian lunch prepared by the assistant priest.

Schedule
07:00: Optional Yoga Experience (2000 yen per person – must be requested in advance) – Start your day with seaside yoga guided by a local master. Feel the autumn breeze, center your awareness on the present moment, and embrace the stillness of nature. This yoga program offers a chance to begin your day with deep mindfulness in the serene natural environment of Goto. The local yoga master emphasizes awareness of the present, guiding participants to focus on body and mind in harmony. The setting of Kararito Goto, with its open view of the sea and tranquil atmosphere, creates the perfect environment to slow down, breathe deeply, and refresh both body and spirit.

09:00: Meet your local guide at the hotel and transfer to Onidake. Visit Onidake - With its gentle, rounded shape, Mt. Onidake is a beloved symbol of Goto. A short hike leads to the crater ridge, offering sweeping views of Fukue City and the sea. Each season colours the grasslands anew, and in 2023, it was selected as one of the “100 Grassland Landscapes to Preserve for the Future.”
11:00-14:00: Zazen Meditation & Vegetarian Temple Cuisine – At a secluded Zen temple deep in the mountains, be welcomed with plum tea before practicing Soto Zen meditation. Discover the blend of Buddhist and Christian traditions unique to the Goto Islands. Conclude with a nourishing Shojin Ryori lunch, prepared with seasonal vegetables in the temple’s kitchen. This program offers a rare opportunity to experience Zen practice and food culture in a quiet mountai temple. It begins with the temple’s hospitality of BAIYU (plum with hot water), followed by zazen meditation in profound silence, where only the sounds of nature - wind, leaves, and birds- can be heard. At the altar, statues of Mary Kannon and a cross-bearing Jizo are enshrined alongside Buddhist statues, reflecting the history of hidden Christians in the Goto Islands, part of the World Heritage Site “Hidden Christian Sites in Nagasaki.”

The experience concludes with a carefully prepared Shojin Cuisine. Based on the Buddhist teaching of non-killing, the dishes use fresh local vegetables and are both delicate and nourishing, offering participants a direct taste of Japan’s traditional food culture.

15:00: Visit Osezaki Lighthouse - Osezaki Lighthouse, located at the western tip of Goto Island, is known as the last place in Kyushu where the sun sets. The white lighthouse standing atop a steep cliff harmonizes beautifully with the blue sea and has been selected as one of “Japan's Top 50 Lighthouses.” In October, the delicate purple flower called “Shima Shajin grows wild only in Goto City and Hirado City in Nagasaki Prefecture, can be seen.

Return to hotel for free time – relax, swim, or walk along the coastline.
Optional spa & sauna experience (with supplement of 5,000 JPY per 90min )

18:30: Dinner featuring vegan-friendly regional dishes.

Meals
Breakfast – Included | Lunch – Included | Dinner – Included
Accommodation
Colorit Goto (or similar)

Overview
Say goodbye to the Goto Islands and return to Nagasaki City, a vibrant port with deep international history. Return by boat to Nagasaki Main Island with your guide, then take Nagasaki’s cute and iconic city tram from the port to your lunch spot. There, enjoy a hands-on vegan sushi-making experience where seasonal vegetables bring out the depth of Japanese flavours.

After lunch, ride the tram back to Nagasaki Station. Your guide will see you off at the bus terminal and bid farewell as you board the express bus to Beppu, one of Japan’s premier hot spring towns. The hotel is conveniently located right next to the bus stop, with easy self-check-in upon arrival. In the evening, enjoy dinner at a cozy local vegan restaurant, and if you still have energy, take a leisurely stroll through Beppu’s atmospheric hot spring streets. This evening, discover the art of vegan sushi-making, learning how to transform fresh local vegetables into elegant nigiri and playful maki rolls.

Schedule

07-07:30: Breakfast at hotel

08:15: Meet your guide and transfer to Fukue Port 09:20: High-speed boat back to Nagasaki (90 mins).

11:05: Arrival Nagasaki Port, transfer to hotel using IC card, luggage delivered.

11:40-13:10: Vegan Sushi Making Experience – This program is specially designed to let participants enjoy the art of sushi-making in its authentic style, while respecting Japanese food culture. Using only plant-based ingredients, it offers a refined way to experience sushi without compromising tradition. Guests will discover how Nagasaki’s warm climate nurtures delicious seasonal vegetables that bring out the true flavours of vegan sushi. By combining cultural respect with modern dietary needs, this program allows vegan guests—and anyone seeking a mindful food experience—to enjoy sushi in a way that is both genuine and sustainable. Enjoy the sushi you made yourself, appreciating both the flavours and the sense of accomplishment. The meal is paired with Sonogi matcha, celebrated as one of Japan’s finest green teas, offering a refreshing and authentic finish to the experience.

14:00 Take the bus to Beppu (approx. 3.5 hours) Walk from Kitahama bus stop to your hotel (1 min).

18:30: Enjoy dinner together at a nearby vegan restaurant and then spend your evening at leisure to explore Beppu’s streets.

Meals Breakfast – Included | Lunch – Included| Dinner – Included

Accommodation Nishitetsu Resort (or similar)

Overview: Travel to Oita Prefecture and experience Japan’s countryside through its prized food traditions. Harvest shiitake mushrooms in a forest, then enjoy a farm-to-table lunch at a farmer’s home, celebrating seasonal produce and warm rural hospitality. In the morning, you visit a shiitake mushroom farm, learn about traditional log cultivation, experience the farmers' passion, and taste freshly made shiitake mushroom buns.

Afterwards, you'll visit a nearby farmhouse. Here, the farmer's mother will cook freshly harvested shiitake mushrooms for you, and you'll enjoy a warm, completely vegetarian home-cooked lunch featuring seasonal vegetables. Savouring this meal at a local family's table promises to be a special experience. (Agricultural experiences may vary depending on the season).

The afternoon features a visit to tea fields. Meet dedicated tea farmers and hear directly from them about Japanese tea and tea cultivation. Experience firsthand how different water temperatures dramatically alter the flavour of Japanese tea through tea tastings.

Stay overnight at a quiet Japanese-style Ryokan on the Kunisaki Peninsula. Enjoy an authentic dinner (vegan dinner) and spend a heartwarming evening.

Schedule

08:30: Depart Nagasaki for Kunisaki, Oita by private coach (approx. 4 hrs).

10-11:00: Shiitake Mushroom Harvesting Experience – Shiitake mushrooms are world-renowned as a source of umami, the “fifth taste” after sweet, sour, salty, and bitter. Their rich umami flavour comes from guanylate acid, and shiitake broth is traditionally paired with kombu in Buddhist vegetarian cuisine, honouring the precept of avoiding animal products. In this program, you will join local farmers who cultivate shiitake mushrooms on natural logs. Cultivation requires patience: it takes nearly two years for the inoculated logs to bear mushrooms that can be eaten. This process makes log-grown shiitake one of the most iconic products of the region’s farming tradition.

Kunisaki Peninsula has been recognized as a Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System (GIAHS) for its unique harmony of forestry, farming, and local culture, and log-cultivated shiitake stands as its most symbolic product. You’ll experience the farmers’ passion for shiitake, their connection to the land, and hear stories of rural life. You can also sample shiitake mushrooms and try shiitake mushroom manju (a type of Japanese sweet).

11:30-14:30: Lunch & Farming Experience at Farmer’s Home – This program offers opportunities to experience rural Japanese life and traditions while engaging in hands-on farming activities. Depending on the season, participants will work alongside local farmers to harvest citrus fruits such as kabosu, and other crops.

After the farm experience, you'll be invited to a local home for lunch. The host mother will prepare a vegan lunch packed with fresh vegetables, allowing you to savour the warmth of rural Japanese life and the heartfelt hospitality of the farming community.

15:30-17:00: Visit the Tea Farm and Experience Authentic Japanese Tea This program offers a deep dive into the world of Japanese tea. At the tea farm, you'll meet dedicated tea farmers and have the opportunity to learn directly about tea cultivation, processing, and preparation. You'll also understand the importance of brewing techniques, as water temperature and extraction methods significantly alter the flavour of Japanese tea. Of course, you'll also enjoy a tasting session featuring authentic Japanese teas that reflect the traditions and craftsmanship of the tea farmers. Savour the delicate flavours brewed from fresh tea leaves while deepening your understanding of Japanese tea culture.

*Tea picking season is usually from April to May.

Arrival at local Ryokan or Farm Stay

Meals Breakfast – Included | Lunch – Included | Dinner – Included

Accommodation Farm Stay or Local Ryokan in Kunisaki

Overview

Start your morning with an optional temple meditation. After breakfast, meet your guide at the front desk and travel by private vehicle for the entire day. In the morning, visit the Kumano Magaibutsu, a group of Buddha statues carved into towering cliffs, and enjoy a short hike in this sacred setting.

Continue to Beppu for a hands-on vegan cooking class using fresh koji, guided by a food advisor passionate about gut health—an opportunity to cook and savour your own creations. In the afternoon, explore the “Hell” hot spring area—a must-visit in Beppu with your guide.

Before boarding an overnight ferry, experience a unique sand bath at Beppu’s historic onsen—being gently buried in warm sand while wearing a yukata is an unforgettable sensation. In the evening, receive your vegan bento dinner and board the Sunflower ferry for an overnight voyage to Osaka. Your guide will confirm your safe boarding before concluding their service. Drift into the night across the sea in comfort.

Schedule

07:00: Optional (a supplement of 1,500 yen) Experience a morning zen meditation at Fukiji-temple Participate in a serene Zen meditation session practicing susokukan, a traditional breathing and counting technique that enhances focus and calms the mind. This experience offers an excellent opportunity for relaxation, self-reflection, and deeper understanding of Japanese spiritual practices.

09:00: Check out and meet your guide in the lobby

09:15: Light Hiking - The Kumano Magaibutsu are giant stone Buddha statues carved into a cliffside in Kunisaki, Oita Prefecture. Believed to date back to the late Heian period, they are some of Japan’s largest and oldest cliff-carved Buddhist figures, offering a powerful glimpse into ancient religious devotion.

11:30-14:00: Cooking experience using fresh koji and seasonal vegetables with a Vegan lunch. Oita is home to numerous breweries that have been producing “koji,” Japan's traditional “national fungus,” for generations, earning it the affectionate nickname “Oita, the Prefecture of Koji” This program offers a hands-on cooking experience using locally sourced fresh koji and seasonal vegetables. Learn about fermented seasonings under the guidance of an Intestinal Beauty Lifestyle Master and apply this knowledge during the cooking session. Ingredients vary seasonally, combining locally sourced Oita ingredients with traditional fermentation techniques to create flavorful dishes that also benefit gut health. After the cooking session, you'll enjoy a healthy fermented food lunch you've prepared yourself.

14:15-15:15: Jigokumeguri (hot spring) walking tour. The one of the highlights of Beppu town is the Jigoku(Hell) Tour, which takes you around the unique hot springs. The sight of steam, hot mud, and boiling water erupting from deep underground is truly hellish. There are nine hells in total, including the Sea Hell, which is cobalt blue and 98 degrees Celsius, and the Blood Pool Hell, where even the steam is red due to its iron oxide content. 15:45-17:00: Visit Takegawara Onsen and experience of Sand bath! The main reason to visit Takegawa Onsen (hot spring) is undoubtedly to experience the sand bath. A sand bath (sunaburo) is a bathing method in which you bury yourself in sand heated by the heat of the hot springs and warm your body. It is a rare opportunity to experience Japan's historical bathing culture. You can experience the sand bath wearing a yukata only in Kagoshima and here.

17:30: Transfer to Beppu port for your ferry to Osaka with a Vegan Bento Box. Here you bid farewell to your guide. Take an overnight ferry from Beppu Port to Osaka Port Dep:18:45 > Arri:6:35 next morning 

Meals Breakfast – Included | Lunch – Included | Dinner – Included (Bento Box)

Accommodation Overnight Ferry (bedrooms)

Overview

Arrive to Osaka Port early in the morning. After transferring to your hotel, the day is free for you to explore.

Osaka is a charming, relaxed city best known for its food, fun and nightlife—with some history and culture peeking through. Experience Osaka’s nightlife, delicious food and straight-talking, friendly locals. Along with plenty of shopping and modern attractions, Osaka also has a historical side, the highlight of which is Osaka Castle.

Schedule

Early Arrival to Osaka Port: Transfer to the hotel and leave your luggage at the hotel.

Arrive at the café - Enjoy a vegan morning by the refreshing riverside cafe. OPTIMUS Cafe https://www.optimus-cafe.com/english.html Open from 8am, this café serves vegetarian dishes made from 100% plant-based ingredients.

Enjoy your day at leisure exploring Osaka!

Optional Tour of Osaka: If you would like an optional guided tour of Osaka, it can be arranged for an extra cost (includes lunch)

< Optional : Osaka Half day tour> with a supplement below

The price per person varies depending on the number of participants:

Starting from $150 USD per person (3 or more participants) – must be booked in advance.

11:00 Meet with guide at the hotel lobby Transfer to the destination by public transportation (Use IC CARD) 30 minutes Arrive at Osaka Castle park

11:30 - 12:30 Visit Osaka Castle Osaka Castle, or “Osaka-jo” in Japanese, is one of Japan's most famous landmarks. This five-story castle is one of the most visually spectacular creations in the country, with a history that dates back almost 450 years! With the castle tower at its core, it is surrounded by a wide park. Transfer to the destination by public transportation (Use IC CARD) 30 minutes

13:00 < Lunch > Included at local vegan restaurant (if join the half day tour) ’Bee9 Vegan cafe and studio’ This shop's signature Buddha Bowl features seasonal ingredients and a variety of wholesome foods like fresh vegetables, grains, and nuts, all carefully selected daily by the owner. Enjoy lunch in a cozy cafe atmosphere with aromatic, organically grown Fair Trade certified coffee. Transfer to the destination on foot 10 minutes

14:00 - 15:00 Visit Osaka Tenmangu shrine and explore Tenjinbashisuji shopping arcade with the guide (2km long) Begin at Osaka Tenmangu Shrine, a historic sanctuary loved by locals and home to daily rakugo comic storytelling at Tenma Tenjin Hall. Then step into Japan’s longest shopping street, Tenjinbashisuji, a lively 2 km arcade with about 600 shops. Here you’ll find walk-andeat spots, discount clothing, Osaka-style variety shops, and izakayas open from noon. Walking with a local guide ensures fun discoveries and an enjoyable stroll. Transfer to the destination by public transportation (Use IC CARD).

Restaurant Suggestion(s)

Vegan restaurant 1 Green Earth Monday–Saturday 11:30 AM – 6:00 PM English menu available

Vegan restaurant 2 W RETREAT CAFE 11:00 AM - 4:30 PM Closed on Thursdays + irregular holidays English menu available

Vegan restaurant 3 ’Bee9 Vegan cafe and studio’ Monday–Saturday 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM

Relaxing at Osaka Castle Park  - For picnics Nishinomaru Garden: A spacious lawn offering splendid views of Osaka Castle. Perfect for relaxing in a tranquil atmosphere.

Recommended for a cafe break Castle Terrace Osaka: An area lined with cafes and restaurants. Many establishments feature outdoor terraces, perfect for leisurely enjoying drinks and meals. Osaka Castle Park offers diverse ways to relax right in the heart of the city.

Explore Tenjinbashisuji Shopping Arcade - the longest shopping arcade in Japan / 2.6km- there are about 600 shops, including shops that are perfect for eating while walking, discount clothing stores, Osaka-like general stores, and Japanese pubs called izakaya.

Tonight you’ll enjoy a final dinner to reflect on your amazing experience at a vegan restaurant called Pivot BASE Cafe＆Bar ＠Dotonbori.

Meals Breakfast – Included | Lunch – Excluded | Dinner – Included

Accommodation Osaka Granbell Hotel or similar

Overview

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast before transferring to Kansai Airport for your departure. Reflect on a week of cultural immersion, wellness, and plant-based culinary delights.

If you’d like to extend your stay, please let us know and we’d be happy to help.

Meals Breakfast – Included | Lunch – Excluded | Dinner – Excluded

Accommodation N/A (Departure Day)

TBD

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Ashley (Vegan Ventures) - 

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