Craft + Food Tour | Japan
The Story of Ceramic and Culinary Traditions with Prairie Stuart-Wolff
Karatsu, Japan | May 8 - 15, 2027
Journey to Karatsu, a little-known coastal corner of Kyushu where Japan’s culinary and ceramic traditions meet. Guided by writer and photographer Prairie Stuart-Wolff, this intimate, curated journey travels through pottery villages, seaside landscapes, and historic towns of Saga Prefecture, offering a rare, behind-the-scenes glimpse into the people and traditions that define the region.
Karatsu is revered for its earthy, understated ceramics, Karatsu-yaki, among the foundational traditions of Japanese pottery, and for a cuisine shaped by the abundance of land and sea. We’ll step inside the studios of contemporary and traditional potters and meet makers preserving centuries-old techniques, and discover the artistry behind the table. Discover delicate kaiseki, seasonal washoku, a hands-on cooking experience, and encounters with the producers behind the region’s distinctive flavours. We’ll visit a family-run soy sauce brewery practicing natural fermentation, a 300-year-old washi paper making studio, and the historic porcelain town of Arita. Beyond the studios and kitchens, we’ll follow the coast to the fishing village of Yobuko and explore the sea caves of Nanatsugama.
In late spring, Karatsu is at its most fragrant as citrus blossoms scent the air, tea harvests are underway, and lavendar-color wild thistle blooms across the fields. This is a journey into a quieter Japan, one of craftsmanship, seasonality, and deeply rooted culinary culture.
This Ace Camps Travel trip is open to all skill levels. Trip Itinerary, Details and Important Notes below.
DATES
May 8 - 15, 2027
8 Days + 7 Nights
PRICING
Shared Room* - $5,795 USD
Standard Private Room - $6,795 USD
Superior Private Room - $6,995 USD
Full Rooming + Pricing Details Below
BOOKING FOR THIS TRIP STARTS ON
SEPTEMBER 2, 2026 AT 1:00PM PST
CERAMICS + CULINARY TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
Guided workshops and tours led by Prairie Stuart-Wolff
Curated visits to multiple pottery studios, each offering an intimate encounter with a local artisan's craft
Visit to the historic Porcelain town of Arita
Hands-on Washi Paper Making workshop
Hands-on Onigiri making workshop
Guided tour of a historic family-run Soy Brewery to learn about the production of soy sauce and miso
Specially curated meals including kaiseki, shabushabu, seasonal washoku, sashimi + more
Accommodations in a ryokan—traditional Japanese inn—and an oceanside hotel
Transport during tours and activities
Return private group transfer from Fukuoka to Karatsu
Dedicated Ace Camps Travel Host, with you throughout your trip
Trip Prep call to meet your fellow travelers and talk through schedules, recommendations and questions
Prairie Stuart-Wolff
Prairie is the founder and host of the Mirukashi Salon where she welcomes guests for seasonally tailored sessions that focus on the captivating flavors and beauty of Japan's culinary landscape. In her dedicated salon space high on a hilltop in the heart of Japan’s countryside, she introduces guests to the origin of ingredients, the craft of the cook, and the rituals of the table. You can learn more about Prairie @mirukashisalon
Day by Day Itinerary
Nota Bene: This is a prospective itinerary. It is subject to modest modifications, dependent on local weather, partner schedules, unexpected opportunities and the needs of the group.
Day 1
Saturday, May 8
Welcome to Japan!
Make your way to our arrival hotel in central Fukuoka, located a short walk from Hakata Station. Both the airport and train station, where the Shinkansen bullet train stops, are easily accessed, just a few minutes away. Should you arrive early, consider strolling around Fukuoka; the hotel is within walking distance of the Shofukuji temple complex, completed in 1195 and the oldest Zen temple in Japan.
We’ll meet early evening for a welcome dinner in Fukuoka.
Meals included: Dinner
Day 2
Sunday, May 9
This morning we pack our bags and travel to Karatsu, about an hour away. There, we'll meet Prairie for an introduction to Karatsu and its culinary and ceramics scene, before heading into town for lunch and exploring a few of our favorite pottery shops together.
This afternoon we visit Hanako Nakazato’ personal studio and workshop also known as monohanako. Established in 2007, Hanako apprenticed under her father at Ryutagama. Here we will see an example of a production studio. Each piece is wheel thrown by hand and Hanako will demonstrate her throwing technique, throwing off the hump with a gyubera (bull’s tongue tool). She’ll explain the technique’s efficiency and history particular to Karatsu.
This evening we'll gather at Mirukashi Salon, an intimate contemporary space tucked into into the hillside above Karatsu, for dinner.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3
Monday, May 10
This morning we will visit the ceramics studio of Naoto Yano + Mayumi Hamano. Yano, alongside a small group of potters in Karatsu, is dedicated to furthering the traditions of Karatsu-yaki in a style that could be described as looking forward through looking back. Inspired by the ancient traditions of Karatsu pottery that were lost for hundreds of years, he looks to history as a guide when making his work. He fires in a kiln that he inherited from his father and runs his pottery studio alongside his wife, Mayumi Hamano who makes decorated porcelain works in a style originating in nearby Arita.
Lunch today features a local specialty, sashimi donburi. This afternoon we'll have some time to explore the squid-fishing village of Yobuko, before venturing to Nanatsugama for a coastal walk to view a group of seven natural sea caves formed in a black basalt cliff.
This evening we enjoy dinner at Hirata where Tomohaya Hirata, a Kyoto kaiseki trained chef, assisted by his wife Rika, serves a course menu of elegant dishes made with fresh, seasonal ingredients in local ceramics.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4
Tuesday, May 11
Our day takes us to the Saga region to visit and learn from local makers. We begin with a visit to a historic, family-run soy sauce and miso brewery founded in 1901. Recognized as a traditional natural-brewing soy sauce maker, the brewery ages its soy sauce for two years using natural fermentation methods, relying on wild yeast and lactic acid bacteria that live within the brewery itself. We'll tour the facility and learn firsthand about these time-honored techniques from the people who practice them.
From here, we make our way to a washi paper-making studio with more than 300 years of history. This handmade Japanese paper is made using the strong bark of local mulberry trees. Gain a rare look into a paper-making workshop with detailed explanations from the craftspeople themselves, and make washi using the same tools and methods the master artisans use.
We return to Karatsu in the late afternoon. This evening, we'll enjoy dinner at a very local yakitori restaurant, one of our favorite spots in Karatsu.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5
Wednesday, May 12
This morning we’ll visit a beautifully restored farm house that now houses an intimate restaurant and kitchen. Here we’ll meet with chef Hirakawa Sunao who will lead us through a private, hands-on cooking class. You will learn basic Japanese kitchen techniques which include the proper way of cooking rice and making dashi and hand make onigiris. Our lunch will consist of the dishes we prepare this morning.
After lunch, we’ll return to the hotel and you’ll have the rest of the day free to relax and explore Karatsu on your own. We’ll provide suggestions for pottery shops, sights and restaurants to check out on your own or with others from the group.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 6
Thursday, May 13
This morning we pack our bags, and move from the Seaside Hotel to our traditional Japanese Inn—Yoyokaku.
From here, we set out for the small historic town of Arita to learn about a very different kind of pottery, mold-made porcelain tableware. With the discovery of kaolin clay in 1616, Arita-yaki became the first Japanese porcelain, enabling the manufacture of fine porcelain in Japan for the first time.
Along the way, we'll stop in nearby Imari to visit the studio of contemporary Japanese ceramic artist Sadamu Yoshinaga, who has developed a distinctive contemporary approach to vessels.
We'll return to Yoyokaku later this afternoon, with time to settle in and enjoy the beautiful property and onsen. Dinner this evening will be served at our ryokan, featuring a traditional shabu-shabu hot pot with local produce.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7
Friday, May 14
This morning we visit the studio of Yukiko Tsuchiya. Captivated by Karatsu ware since childhood, she trained under master Takashi Nakazato before establishing her own kiln, crafting tableware prized in tea ceremonies and kaiseki dining. Her black Karatsu pieces are especially distinctive, no two are ever exactly alike, even with the same glaze, bringing a warmth and individuality that has earned her acclaim.
For lunch we’ll visit ‘Karatsu Burger’. Nestled inside a pine forest , the Karatsu burger is consistently rated as one of the best in Japan.
This afternoon we visit the humble home, garden, and studio of local potter Masahito Minamimori. Rather than following a traditional path into Karatsu ware, Minamimori-san discovered it later in life, retiring from his career to build his own kiln and studio, driven purely by curiosity. His work is rustic, simple, and beautiful, and he takes equal pride in his gardens, growing flowers for local ikebana artisans.
Dinner this evening is a traditional washoku course meal, served in a carefully renovated farmhouse at the foot of Mount Kagami. Kaiseki-trained chef Hirakawa prepares seasonal, local ingredients in an open kitchen visible from the table, using techniques such as grilling on binchotan white charcoal and cooking rice in an iron pot over an open flame.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 8
Saturday, May 15
This morning we pack our bags, say our farewells, and transfer back to Hakata Station in Fukuoka for departure. Thank you for joining us on this incredible and often unexpected journey exploring the unique ceramics and food of Karatsu.
さようなら !
Meals included: Breakfast
Where We’re Staying
Yoyokaku: Located in a delightful corner of Karatsu, between the estuary and the beach, Yoyokaku is a small, charming ryokan - a traditional Japanese inn - with a history stretching back over a hundred years. Yoyokaku features superb food, beautiful ikebana, Japanese baths, a traditional garden, and warm hospitality.
An important note about the beds at Yoyokaku: You will sleep on traditional Japanese floor futons in tatami mat rooms (not a western style mattress). All rooms feature elegant, traditional Japanese design and décor, a garden view and ensuite bathroom.
Seaside West Wing: This classic western style Japanese hotel features sea views from every room. The hotel is located at the foot of the spectacular Saga Pine Forest, also known as Nijinomatsubara. This magnificent forest of black pines dates from the 17th Century, when the first lord of the Karatsu domain, Terazawa Hirotaka, planted black pines along the dunes as protection against wind and tides.
Rooming Options
Please read below carefully and make your rooming selection on the Booking Request form.
The style and layout of every room is unique and may not be exactly as pictured.
Group Size: Minimum 8 guests, Maximum 12 guests.
All prices are in USD.
BOOKING FOR THIS TRIP STARTS ON SEPTEMBER 2, 2026 AT 1:00PM PST
OPTION 1 - Shared Room*
with ensuite bathroom
$5,795 per person, paid in two separate installments.
Rooming Details:
*Shared Rooms are available to book for two guests traveling together. Shared rooms have two twin beds. You will share a room with one other guest for the duration of the trip.
Your stay will include the following rooms:
- 1 night in Fukuoka in Shared Room with Western Beds
- 4 nights at Karatsu Seaside hotel in a Standard Shared Room with Western Beds
- 2 nights at Yoyokaku Japanese Traditional Ryokan in a Standard Shared Room with Japanese Floor Futon Beds
Initial Payment due immediately: $2,495
Final Payment due November 9, 2026: $3,300
OPTION 2 - Standard Private Room
with ensuite bathroom
$6,795 per person, paid in two separate installments.
Rooming Details:
You will have a private room with ensuite bathroom for the duration of the trip. All rooms on this trip feature twin beds.
Your stay will include the following rooms:
- 1 night in Fukuoka in Private Room with Western Beds
- 4 nights at Karatsu Seaside hotel in a Standard Private Room with Western Beds
- 2 nights at Yoyokaku Japanese Traditional Ryokan in a Standard Private Room with Japanese Floor Futon Beds
Initial Payment due immediately: $2,495
Final Payment due November 9, 2026: $4,300
OPTION 3 - Superior Private Room
with ensuite bathroom
$6,995 per person, paid in two separate installments.
Rooming Details:
You will have a private room with ensuite bathroom for the duration of the trip. All rooms on this trip feature twin beds.
Your stay will include the following rooms:
- 1 night in Fukuoka in Private Room with Western Beds
- 4 nights at Karatsu Seaside hotel in a Standard Private Room with Western Beds
- 2 nights at Yoyokaku Japanese Traditional Ryokan in an upgraded Superior Private Room with Japanese Floor Futon Beds. The Superior rooms are larger than standard rooms with views over the Japanese garden.
Initial Payment due immediately: $2,495
Final Payment due November 9, 2026: $4,500
Important Trip Details
Culinary Notes
Unfortunately we are unable to accommodate specific dietary requirements, allergies, or intolerances on this trip.
During this trip, we will be visiting restaurants who specialize in using specific local ingredients and it’s not possible to have substitutions or accommodations for food restrictions or preferences. This trip is best suited for those open and eager to enjoy and experience a variety of regional ingredients and flavors
Please contact us before booking if you have any questions.
Accessibility
Please note this Ace Camp includes several walking tours, you may be on your feet for a couple of hours at a time without rest breaks. You should be able to walk at a moderate pace for a distance of at least 2 miles. Uneven terrain, gravel or dirt pathways, stairs and unpaved walking areas are a possibility.
You may need to be able to sit and kneel on the ground during certain activities. You will have to remove your shoes at various locations in a standing position. Please ensure you are comfortable with these conditions.
Who is this Trip for?
This trip is for the open minded and patient traveler. You should be eager to learn and work hands-on during your workshop session and be curious about regional culture and cuisine.
This is an immersive adventure and best suited for those who enjoy traveling as a part of a small group.
Travel Health
We recommend consulting a doctor, nurse, health care provider, or travel health clinic once we confirm your booking on this Ace Camps Travel trip so you know what may be required based on your individual circumstances and based on the locations you’ll be traveling to. If you have any health concerns, contact your health care provider for advice prior to booking this Ace Camps Travel trip.
Trip Start + End Locations
This trip starts and ends in Fukuoka, Japan.
There are several ways to arrive in Fukuoka. Via plane, train or bus from other areas in Japan such as Tokyo or Kyoto and by plane from South Korea. We’ll provide guests with more specific travel suggestions once the trip is confirmed.
Weather
May is a wonderful time of year to visit Southern Japan. Days are mostly temperate with trees and plants in bloom. Temperatures typically range from 65°F to 80°F. Overall, expect warm, sunny days, cool evenings, and generally dry conditions — ideal for wandering pottery villages, coastal walks, and outdoor market visits.
Included in this Trip
Guided workshops and tours led by Prairie Stuart-Wolff
Curated visits to multiple pottery studios, each offering an intimate encounter with a local artisan's craft
Visit to the historic Porcelain town of Arita
Hands-on Washi Paper Making workshop
Hands-on Onigiri making workshop
Guided tour of a historic family-run Soy Brewery to learn about the production of soy sauce and miso
Specially curated meals including kaiseki, shabushabu, yakitori + more
Accommodations in a ryokan—traditional Japanese inn—and an oceanside hotel
Transport during tours and return transfer from Fukuoka to Karatsu
1 night accommodation in Fukuoka
6 nights accommodation in Karatsu, (with 4 nights at Seaside and 2 nights at Yoyokaku)
Transport during included meals and activities
7 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 6 dinners
Dedicated Ace Camps Travel Host, with you throughout your trip
Trip Prep call to meet fellow travelers and talk through schedules, recommendations, and questions
Ace Camps Travel Host
An Ace Camps Travel Host will be with you through your trip, dedicated to ensuring you have the best possible experience. Your Host is there for any questions or concerns, to look out for the health and safety of the group and to help resolve any issues that might arise. This Host is not a local guide but will work with our local partners to insure the right combination of pace, information, and duration. Our local partners are deeply knowledgable in the culture and customs of the area and will be there to share their knowledge and passion with the group.
Not Included in this Trip
International roundtrip airfare; required Travel Insurance; alcoholic drinks; activities and food and beverages not included in the trip itinerary; hotel incidentals including but not limited to room service, laundry service and hotel bar tabs; and all expenses during free time.
Travel Arrangements
Ace Camps Travel will send you detailed Trip Planning information when it’s time to make your travel arrangements. We usually send this information once we’ve reached the minimum number of guests required to run the trip. We’ll also send you an Ace Camps Travel “Preparing for your Journey” document prior to your trip, which will include arrival and departure information, a suggested packing list, useful country information, and more.
Travel Insurance
As stated in our Terms and Conditions, we require all guests to have Travel Insurance that at minimum covers both medical emergencies and trip cancellations. Cancellations 180 days or fewer prior to the trip start date will incur a cancellation fee equal to 100% of the price for the trip. There are no exceptions to this cancellation policy which is one of the many reasons we require all guests to have Travel Insurance.
For full details on our Travel Insurance requirements, visit our FAQ’s and review our Terms and Conditions.
Health + Safety
Our goal is for each of our guests to enjoy the amazing trip we’ve put together. To ensure that happens, we put the health and safety of the group as our top priority. Individual guests are responsible for ensuring they meet all destination and layover country requirements and laws.
During the trip, if you feel unwell, exhibit signs of, or test positive for an illness, you should be prepared to follow the advice of local health authorities as well as the Ace Camps Travel Host to ensure the health and safety of the entire group. Depending on the severity of your symptoms and/or viral nature of your illness the Ace Camps Travel Host may determine you need to mask, distance, self- isolate, or depart the trip early. You are responsible for any expenses incurred from an illness, injury, or early departure including testing, treatment, isolation, accommodation, transportation, etc. and you will not be issued a refund for any unused portion of the trip. This is one of the many reasons we require all guests to have Travel Insurance, as outlined in our Terms and Conditions.
For full details on our Health and Safety Policies, visit our FAQ’s and review our Terms and Conditions.
Cancellation Policy
If you choose to cancel your trip for any reason, you must do so via email to hello@acecampstravel.com. If we receive written notice 181 or more days prior to the Trip start date, we will refund your initial payment, less a $1,000 cancellation fee. If we receive written notice 180 days or fewer prior to the Trip start date you will incur a cancellation fee equal to 100% of the price for the Trip. There are no exceptions to this cancellation policy, including for reasons related to weather, terrorism, civil strife, pandemics, illness, personal, family or medical emergencies, or any other circumstances beyond our control. For this and other reasons, we require you to purchase Travel Insurance.
Be sure to read our Terms and Conditions for full details on Booking and Payment, Cancellation by You and Trip Changes and Cancellations.
Questions + FAQs
If you have any questions about this Ace Camps travel Trip, please feel free to contact us.
You can also read our FAQs here.
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