All photos by Prairie Stuart-Wolff
Join us in the beautiful southern region of Japan, off-the-radar of the tourist masses, as we explore the intersections of food, tea, and ceramics. Karatsu pottery has long been collected by chefs and home cooks alike for use at the table as ell as by practitioners of tea ceremony. We’ll explore it’s use at the table by experiencing many different styles of meals plated on local pottery and about the origins and tastes of green tea itself through meeting a tea farmer on his estate.
This intimate behind-the-scenes experience will be curated and lead by Prairie Stuart-Wolff. Prairie is a writer and photographer, who will bring you on a journey of epicurean ideals from the heart of Japan.
May is a wonderful time of year to visit Karatsu. The days are generally warm and sunny. The first cicadas begin to stir and the lavender color of wild thistle blossoms in the fields marks the entrance into summer. It’s the season of fragrant citrus blossoms and fresh garden vegetables, and the tea harvests are underway.
Trip Itinerary, Details + Important Trip Notes below.
DATES
May 30 - June 6, 2025 ∙ 8 Days, 7 Nights
PRICE
Twin Shared Room $5795 USD
Partial Private Room $6295 USD
Private Room $6795 USD
Full Rooming + Pricing Details Below
TRIP HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE
Guided workshops and tours by Prairie Stuart-Wolff
Pottery studio tours
Visit to the historic Porcelain town of Arita
Specially curated meals
Green Tea Tasting and educational class
Ikebana Flower Arranging Workshop
Transport during tours and return train transfer from Fukuoka to Karatsu
Prairie Stuart-Wolff
Prairie is a writer, photographer, and the founder of Mirukashi Salon where she hosts guests for a multi-day immersive culinary experience in the heart Japan’s Kyushu countryside. Whether in person, or in words and images, Prairie’s mission is to celebrate Japan’s culinary culture and connect people to the natural environment from which its finest flavors originate. From her work with Kodaiji Wakuden, one of Kyoto’s most highly regarded traditional kaiseki restaurants, Prairie has become acquainted with the highly refined historical and contemporary expressions of taste and aesthetics in Kyoto.
Day by Day Itinerary
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
Here 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.
KARATSU SEASIDE HOTEL - WEST WING
This classic oceanside western style Japanese hotel features spectacular 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
There are THREE different styles of rooming on this trip.
Please read the room options and notes below carefully and make your rooming selection on the booking page
Group Size: Maximum 11 guests All Prices are in USD.
OPTION 1 - TWIN SHARED ROOM
The fee for this trip is $5795 per person, paid in two separate instalments.
Deposit due immediately to secure your place on the trip: $2195
Final Payment due January 25, 2025: $3600
Room Details:
Shared rooms have two twin beds. You will share a room with one other guest for the duration of the trip. The beds at Yoyokaku are traditional Japanese floor futons. The style and layout of every room is unique and may not be exactly as pictured.
OPTION 2 - PARTIAL PRIVATE ROOM PRICE
The fee for this trip is $6295 per person, paid in two separate instalments.
Deposit due immediately to secure your place on the trip: $2195
Final Payment due January 25, 2025: $4100
Room Details:
You will have a private room and bathroom for 5 nights (1 night in Fukuoka and 4 nights at Seaside hotel) followed by 2 nights in a shared twin room with one other guest at Yoyokaku Ryokan.
The beds at Yoyokaku are traditional Japanese floor futons. The style and layout of every room is unique and may not be exactly as pictured.
OPTION 3 - PRIVATE ROOM
The fee for this trip is $6795 per person, paid in two separate instalments.
Deposit due immediately to secure your place on the trip: $2195
Final Payment due January 25, 2025: $4600
Room Details:
You will have a private room for the duration of the trip. The beds at Yoyokaku are traditional Japanese floor futons. The style and layout of every room is unique and may not be exactly as pictured.
Important Trip Notes + Details
Culinary Notes
Unfortunately we are unable to handle specific dietary requirements, allergies or intolerances on this trip. This trip is best suited for those open and eager to enjoy and experience a variety of regional foods.
While we won’t be challenging you with the strangest aspects of the food culture, even day-to-day eating in Japan can taste quite different to someone unfamiliar with the cuisine.
Accessibility
Please note this Ace Camp includes several walking tours, you may be on your feet for a couple of hours at a time. We ask you are comfortable walking or standing for long periods.
You should also be comfortable being seated on the ground during certain meals and workshops.
Our ryokan has several sets of stairs to reach rooms.
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 with a local, rural community of skilled artisans 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
Consult a doctor, nurse or health care provider, or visit a travel health clinic preferably six weeks before you travel. If you have any pending health concerns you should contact your health care provider prior to registration of 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. Our arrival point hotel is conveniently located a few minutes walk from Hakata Train Station in Fukuoka.
Weather
May is a wonderful time of year to visit Southern Japan. Days are mostly temperate with trees and plants in bloom.
Temperatures range from 65°F to 85°F, which means you should pack layered clothes for your stay and a light jacket + umbrella to prepare for possible showers as the rainy season is on our heals.
Included in this Trip
Visit with local ceramic artisans
Discover the art of porcelain wear in Arita
Explore green tea farming + tasting
Floral arranging Workshop
Carefully handpicked accommodations in Western + Japanese style hotels all with onsen springs
Transport during workshops, tours and included meals
Dedicated Ace Camps Travel Host, with you throughout your trip
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 email you when it is time to make your travel arrangements. This email will be sent 90 days or more before your trip departs unless you book within 90 prior to the camp. We will also send you an Ace Camps Travel preparation document prior to your trip. It will include a detailed itinerary, arrival and departure information, a suggested packing list, useful country information and more.
Questions + FAQ’s
If you have any questions about this Ace Camps travel Trip, please feel free to contact us.
You can also read our FAQ’s here.
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 start date of the trip 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 have Travel Insurance.
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 including various Covid-19 related requirements, providing proof of vaccination, testing before or after entry, masking, etc.
During our 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 there may be a need to mask, distance, self isolate, or remove yourself completely from the trip which will be determined by the Ace Camps Travel Host with the best interests of the group health and safety as the main priority. This is one of the many reasons we require all guests to have Travel Insurance.
For full details on our Health and Safety Policies, visit our FAQ’s and review our Terms and Conditions.
Booking Terms + 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 Payments, Cancellations and Trip Changes.
Nota Bene: this is a prospective itinerary. It is subject to modest modifications, dependent on local weather, new opportunities and the desires of the group.