KYUSHU WITH HIROKO 2018

Posted on Nov 20, 2017 in Hiroko's Blog

credit: www.genets.co.jp

KYUSHU WITH HIROKO

Here is a piece of important hottest news from Hiroko’s Kitchen about Hiroko’s Japan Culinary & Cultural Tour in 2018.

Hiroko will take you to the third largest island of Japan, Kyushu in November of 2018. Hiroko will be conducting a research trip to Japan to scout all aspects of the tour beginning on December 13th, 2017 in Japan.  During this trip follow me on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and Hiroko’s blog. Everyplace I go, every experience I enjoy, every bit of history I explore, all the people whom I meet and every meal, snacks, sake, shochu and wine I enjoy will be yours when you join me next November, 2018. The final dates of the tour will be announced very soon. Block your November right now!

KYUSHU WITH HIROKO 2018: THE LAND OF ONSEN HOT SPRINGS, VOLCANIC MOUNTAINS AND SPECTACULAR GORGES, THE UNIQUE FOREIGN-INFLUENCED CUISINE OF KYUSHU, KATSUOBUSHI (dried skipjack tuna) PRODUCTION, HOT SAND BATHS, SHOCHU MANUFACTURING, WORLD-REKNOWNED POTTERY, THE TANGELED HISTORY OF CHRISTIANITY IN JAPAN, THE 250-YEAR DUTCH SETTLEMENT AT THE DEJIMA TRADING POST, ATOMIC BOMB MUSEUM IN NAGASAKI and MUCH MORE

Recent eruption of active volcano mountains, Aso and Sakuragima, with a huge number of vents, releasing earth’s heat into so many famous onsen hot spring towns, such as Beppu; skipjack tuna factories in Makurazaki where the caught fish is processed into fine quality katsuobushi – an indispensable ingredient in Japanese cooking; outdoor geothermal sand bath; fun, traditional-boat ride in a river rapids; visit to a shochu (Japanese distilled alcohol) distillery that produces alcohol from local sweet potatoes; the “very spot” where the creation of Japan took place (oh, by the way, it is mythology); history of Christian penetration into Japan – a short period of prosperity, followed by horrible persecution and eventual revival; visit to a seminary and churches in Amakusa and Nagasaki; Atomic Bomb Memorial Museum, Dejima island – the detached island where the Dutch were allowed to live and engage in trade with Japan for 250 years while the country was closed to all other foreigners; history of fine porcelain and ceramic art technologies brought to Japan by Korean potters; pleasant hiking and walking; Chinese cooking class; famous local wagyu beef; finest quality local pork and chicken incorporated into local cuisine; experience Chinese, Portuguese and Dutch influenced unique Kyushu cuisine. All of these experiences and more will be features of the tour. .

Kyushu is Japan’s third largest island, situated in the southwest of the main island of Honshu. It covers 326,782 square kilometers (14,202 square miles). There are 7 prefectures: Fukuoka, Saga, Ohita, Kagoshima, Kumamoto, Nagasaki, Miyazaki, Fukuoka and Okinawa. The population is 12.9 million. Fukuoka City is 7th largest in Japan.

We will meet in Beppu, Oita prefecture. A special private coach will take us to our daily destinations. In total the tour is comprised of 12-3 days in Japan. For more than half of our tour we stay at the same hotel for two days to offer you a relaxed journey with time for local exploration. All of the hotels chosen are first class quality and each has its own unique character.

After my research tour I will disclose the final itinerary to you at the beginning of New Year. Please sign up for Kyushu with Hiroko 2018 early to reserve your space.

Hope you have a fine Thanksgiving.

Best regards,

Hiroko Shimbo