Experience the Japanese Food Culture Most Travelers Never Get to See
Join Haruka, a bilingual Certified Gut Health Coach, in her traditional home in Nakatsu and learn how fermented foods are actually used in everyday Japanese cooking
Choose Your Fermentation Experience in Nakatsu
Half-Day Private Japanese Home Fermentation Experience
Explore a traditional 1978 Japanese home and experience everyday Japanese food culture through fermentation, seasonal ingredients, and simple vegan-friendly home cooking.
4-Day Private Japanese Fermented Foods Certificate Course
Are you a health coach or wellness practitioner ready to deepen your knowledge of Japanese fermented foods?
Join this 4-day certificate course to explore traditional fermentation, its cultural roots, and its connection to gut health.
Where is Nakatsu?
Nakatsu is located in northern Kyushu, right on the border of Fukuoka Prefecture. It's easily accessible by the Sonic Express train from both Fukuoka Airport, about 1.5 hours away, and Beppu, just 35 minutes away, making it an easy day trip without renting a car.
If you're staying in Fukuoka or Beppu and looking to experience a quieter, more local side of Japan, you're in the right place.
Keep reading to learn more about Nakatsu and how you can experience everyday Japanese food culture in my traditional home. 🌿
The Gut Chef Japan Difference
✅ Your host, Haruka Kato, is a bilingual certified Gut Health Coach with experience hosting cooking classes and half-day retreats
✅ A private experience rooted in Nakatsu, a historic castle town known for its deep fermentation culture and food traditions.
✅ Small, thoughtfully designed experiences and certificate courses for a more personal, hands-on learning journey.
Who will be your host?
Hi, I’m Haruka — thank you so much for being here.
I’m based in Nakatsu, Oita, where I specialize in Japanese fermented foods and medicinal-style home cooking.
My time living in Vancouver helped me reconnect with Japanese food culture in a deeper way, and since then I’ve been sharing this perspective with travelers and guests from around the world.
Through my experiences, I aim to make Japanese fermentation and home cooking feel simple, meaningful, and something you can confidently bring into your everyday life.
How to Plan Your Trip to Nakatsu for This Experience
Where do you host your experiences?
Our “temple of fermentation” (our fermentation studio) is just a 5-minute drive from Nakatsu Station, where I will pick you up.
We’re easy to reach by express train - around 1.5 hours from Fukuoka Airport or 30 - 45 minutes from Beppu.
Click here to learn more about how to get to our location from Fukuoka airport or Beppu station.
When do you accept bookings for your experiences?
Private Fermentation Experience: Every Thursday through Saturday
Private Japanese Fermentation Practitioner Certificate Course: Every Wednesday through Saturday
Is it cash only?
We accept all major credit cards, as well as Link, Apple Pay, and Google Pay.
Do you have any accommodation recommendations in Nakatsu or Beppu?
I’ve put together my guide on where to stay & explore in Nakatsu and Beppu. Click the button below to see what works for you!
See what Haruka is up to on Instagram!
