Every journey is privately arranged and tailored to your interests, preferred travel dates, and the season. Rather than following a fixed schedule, each itinerary is carefully planned around the daily lives of the local people you will meet. This allows every journey to feel natural, personal, and connected to the rhythm of everyday life. Tours are available for groups of two or more guests. Please feel free to contact us to discuss your ideal journey.

Beyond the Tourist Trail: Discover the Real Ube

Ube, located in Yamaguchi Prefecture in western Japan, is not a city you’ll find on most travelers’ itineraries. That’s exactly what makes it special. Easily reached by shinkansen via Shin-Yamaguchi Station or by direct flights from Haneda Airport (Tokyo), Ube offers a chance to experience a different side of Japan—one shaped by everyday life rather than famous landmarks.

This journey isn’t about checking off tourist attractions. It’s about meeting the people who make Ube what it is today. Spend time with an award-winning sake brewer, a neighborhood fish expert, a fifth-generation koto craftsman, and the president of the noodle company behind Ube’s beloved local specialty.

Each welcomes you into their world through their work, their stories, and the people they know. Along the way, you’ll share meals, discover local favorites like Ube Ramen, and gather around the table with local residents. Before long, conversations flow naturally, glasses are raised, and strangers begin to feel like old friends.

When you experience Ube through the people who live here, you’ll discover something that guidebooks rarely capture—the warmth of everyday life, the pride of local traditions, and the simple joy of feeling at home in a place you’ve only just arrived.

Where This Journey Fits into Your Japan Itinerary

While many travelers visit Hiroshima, Fukuoka, and Kyoto, few take the opportunity to explore the local communities beyond Japan’s major Golden Route destinations.

Ube fits naturally into a wider journey through Western Japan. Spend two nights meeting local people, sharing meals, discovering local craftsmanship, and experiencing everyday life in a city that most international visitors overlook.

With convenient access from both Yamaguchi Ube Airport and Shin-Yamaguchi Station, Ube is easy to include as part of a wider journey through Western Japan.

One Example of a Western Japan Itinerary

Fukuoka

↓

Shinkansen

↓

Shin-Yamaguchi

↓

Ube
(2 Nights with Kanpai Meets Japan)

↓

Shin-Yamaguchi

↓

Shinkansen

↓

Hiroshima

This is just one example of how this journey can be included in a wider trip through Western Japan. You’re welcome to start or end your journey wherever it best fits your travel plans.

Perfect for Travelers Who…

• Are planning a 10–14 day trip to Japan
• Want to explore a side of Japan beyond major Golden Route destinations
• Enjoy meeting local people through food, craftsmanship, and meaningful conversations
• Prefer immersive, small-group journeys over traditional sightseeing

Why You’ll Love This Journey

Meet the people who give Ube its unique character, from sake brewers and artisans to local food experts

Discover the everyday rhythm of a Japanese city through shared meals, conversations, and authentic local experiences

Taste the local flavors of Ube, including its beloved soul food, Ube Ramen

Leave with new friendships and a deeper understanding of a side of Japan that most travelers never see

Take a Look Inside the Journey (60 Photos)

Meet the People Who Make Ube Special

The Brewmaster Who Brings People Together Through Sake

Takahiro Nagayama
Owner-Brewmaster, Nagayama Honke Brewery

“Sake is best enjoyed with good people.”

Few people in Ube don’t know Takahiro Nagayama. Known affectionately around town as “Gori,” he is not only the owner-brewmaster of Nagayama Honke Brewery but also someone who naturally brings people together.

Born into the brewery founded in 1888, he created the award-winning sake Taka, named after himself. While his sake has earned a devoted following across Japan, he continues to push boundaries through Domaine-style sake brewing using rice he grows himself, as well as craft beer production.

Despite his rugged appearance, Gori approaches brewing with remarkable precision. Once he starts talking about rice, water, or yeast, his passion is contagious. Before long, technical conversations give way to laughter, and you’ll likely find yourself sharing your first KANPAI beside him. It’s easy to see why he has become one of Ube’s most beloved local figures.

The Neighborhood Fish Expert Who Knows Ube’s Seafood Culture

Kanako Shigemitsu
Kokyu Katsugyo Shigemitsu

“Great seafood makes both the sake and the conversation even better.”

For generations, Kokyu Katsugyo Shigemitsu has supplied fresh seafood to homes and restaurants throughout Ube.

Working alongside her parents, Kanako has spent years handling the freshest catch of the day. Ask her about seafood, and the conversation never gets old.

What’s in season? What’s the best way to prepare it? Which local fisherman brought in today’s catch?

As she shares these stories, you’ll begin to understand not only the fish, but also the food culture and daily life of Ube.

Join the evening gathering, and you’ll quickly discover another side of Kanako. Surrounded by great seafood, local sake, and lively conversation, you’ll soon find yourself sharing KANPAI together—and before long, you’ll probably feel right at home too.

A Fifth-Generation Koto Craftsman Keeping Tradition Alive

Tomoki Tamashige
Fifth-Generation Craftsman, Tamashige Koto Workshop

“I want more people to experience the beauty of the koto.”

Founded in the Meiji era, Tamashige Koto Workshop has been crafting traditional Japanese koto—a 13-string zither—for generations. Since the third generation, the family has specialized in building instruments that have even been praised by Living National Treasure performers.

As the fifth-generation craftsman, Tomoki not only builds koto but also performs professionally. Having studied the instrument since childhood, he now shares its beauty through concerts, workshops, and educational activities.

Spend time with him in the workshop, and you’ll come to see that the koto is more than a traditional instrument. It is a living part of everyday Japanese culture, passed down from one generation to the next.

The experience concludes with a live performance by Tomoki himself. Hearing music played by the very person who crafted the instrument makes for one of the most memorable moments of the journey.

The Noodle Maker Behind Ube’s Beloved Soul Food

Takaaki Kijima
President, Kijima Noodle Company

“It’s the flavor I’ve grown up with since I was a kid.”

One of Ube’s signature comfort foods is Ube Maru Udon, a local style of udon known for its distinctive round noodles.

For generations, Kijima Noodle Company has supplied these noodles to local restaurants and households, helping preserve a tradition that dates back to Ube’s coal mining era.

Talking with Takaaki often begins with noodles but soon turns into stories about the city’s history and the people who have shaped it.

The following morning, you’ll join him for breakfast at a popular neighborhood udon restaurant. It’s a simple meal, but one that offers a genuine taste of everyday life in Ube—an experience few visitors ever have.

KANPAI with the People of Ube

If there’s one experience we hope you’ll remember most, it’s the evening spent around the table with the people of Ube.

You’ll share drinks with Gori from the brewery, Kanako from the neighborhood fish shop, and a variety of local friends who stop by after work. As the evening unfolds, more people often join, and before long, a small gathering turns into a lively table filled with great food, local sake, and conversation.

Who will be there? What stories will you hear? That’s part of the experience. Nothing is scripted. Conversations naturally flow from favorite local restaurants and sake to Ube’s history, work, and everyday life.

By the end of the night, you may feel less like a visitor and more like a friend. For many guests, this becomes the most memorable part of the journey.

Discover Ube’s History Through Its Shrine

One of Ube’s most important landmarks is Kotozaki Hachimangu Shrine, a historic shrine believed to have been founded during the Muromachi period (1336–1573). For centuries, it has watched over the community, and its grounds are filled with offerings that reflect Ube’s growth as a coal mining and industrial city.

During your visit, Assistant Shinto Priest Shiraishi will guide you through the shrine and share the stories behind it. As you walk the grounds, you’ll discover not only why the shrine was built, but also the hopes and prayers that generations of local people have entrusted to this sacred place.

Kotozaki Hachimangu is also famous for its remarkable collection of more than 800 different amulets and lucky charms. Finding one that speaks to you is a memorable way to take a piece of Ube home.

Experience Ube’s Kamaboko Tradition

Yamaguchi Prefecture is one of Japan’s leading producers of kamaboko, traditional steamed fish cakes. In Ube, kamaboko is known for its firm texture and rich flavor. Rather than being reserved for special occasions, it has long been an everyday favorite on local tables.

Visit Ubekama, one of the region’s best-known producers, where Production Manager Masahiro Kuramitsu introduces you to the craftsmanship behind Ube’s signature kamaboko. Learn what makes the traditional yakinuki kamaboko unique before touring the factory and tasting freshly made kamaboko straight from the production line.

One bite is all it takes to understand why this local specialty has been loved for generations.

Taste Kawara Soba and Ghost Sushi

The second half of the journey takes you to Kusunoki Komorebi no Sato, a community center in Ube’s Kusunoki district, where you’ll discover two beloved local dishes.

The first is Kawara Soba, green tea soba noodles grilled on a heated roof tile until lightly crisp, creating one of Yamaguchi’s most iconic regional specialties.

You’ll also experience Ghost Sushi (Yurei-zushi), a traditional local dish prepared for celebrations and community gatherings. Its unusual name comes with a story you’ll probably want to share long after the trip is over.

Your host, Miyako Kawamura, will introduce the local food culture while guiding you through a hands-on Ghost Sushi workshop. More than simply enjoying regional cuisine, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of the traditions and everyday life that have shaped this community.

Get a Glimpse of the Journey

Share KANPAI with the people of Ube, listen to the beautiful sound of the koto, and experience moments that stay with you long after the journey ends. Some moments are better experienced than explained. Take a look at these photos for a glimpse of the people, places, and moments that make this three-day journey so special.

Step Into the Journey (60 Photos)

Sample 3-Day Journey

Day 1 | Meet the People of Ube

Your journey begins at JR Shin-Yamaguchi Station or Yamaguchi Ube Airport, where you’ll meet your driver and English-speaking guide.

Visit Tamashige Koto Workshop, a family-run workshop founded during the Meiji era. Fifth-generation craftsman Tomoki Tamashige introduces you to the art of traditional koto making before sharing the stories behind this remarkable instrument.

Next, explore Nagayama Honke Brewery with owner-brewmaster Takahiro “Gori” Nagayama. Walk through the historic sake brewery, visit the adjacent craft brewery, and enjoy a guided tasting while learning about both sake and craft beer production.

The afternoon concludes with a special live koto performance by Tomoki inside the brewery. Surrounded by the atmosphere of the brewery, you’ll experience a private performance unlike any other.

After checking in, spend the evening around the table with Gori, Kanako, and their friends. Share local seafood, regional sake, and your first KANPAI together. Before long, you’ll find yourself laughing, talking, and feeling like part of the Ube family.

Day 2 | Experience Everyday Life in Ube

Start the morning with breakfast at a popular neighborhood udon restaurant, where Takaaki Kijima introduces Ube Maru Udon and the simple morning traditions that locals have enjoyed for generations.

Continue to Ubekama, where Production Manager Masahiro Kuramitsu guides you through the factory and introduces the craftsmanship behind Yamaguchi’s famous yakinuki kamaboko. Freshly made kamaboko tasting is included.

For lunch, travel to Kusunoki Komorebi no Sato with Miyako Kawamura. Prepare Ghost Sushi (Yurei-zushi) together before enjoying it alongside Yamaguchi’s famous Kawara Soba.

The afternoon is yours to enjoy at a slower pace. Relax at your accommodation, explore the city, browse local shops, or stop by a neighborhood café and experience everyday life in Ube at your own rhythm.

The evening is free to explore. We’ll be happy to recommend our favorite local restaurants, izakayas, or cafés, giving you the chance to discover Ube just as local people do. It may even be the perfect opportunity to try Ube Ramen, the city’s beloved soul food.

Day 3 | Discover Another Side of Ube

Begin the day with a visit to Kotozaki Hachimangu Shrine, where Assistant Shinto Priest Shiraishi introduces the shrine’s history and its remarkable collection of more than 800 different amulets and lucky charms.

As you explore the city, you’ll discover another side of Ube—a place shaped by its industrial heritage, known for its impressive collection of outdoor sculptures, and the hometown of internationally acclaimed filmmaker Hideaki Anno.

Before returning to Shin-Yamaguchi Station, enjoy one last stroll through the city or stop by a favorite local café. By now, Ube may already feel a little more familiar than when you first arrived.

Your journey concludes in the afternoon, taking home not only memories of the places you visited, but also of the people who welcomed you into their community.

Notes

This is a sample journey.
Every itinerary is individually designed according to your interests, travel dates, and the availability of local hosts.
Additional experiences or overnight stays can also be arranged for travelers who wish to explore Ube at a slower pace.

Practical Information

Price	Indicative price From ¥280,000 per person (based on 2 guests) Final pricing varies depending on the season, itinerary, accommodation, and experiences selected.
Journey Style	Private, fully customized journey Recommended duration: 3 days (flexible) Available year-round 2–6 guests
Accommodation	Hotel in Ube City You’ll stay at a comfortable hotel in central Ube, providing a convenient base for exploring the city and meeting the local people who make this journey unique. After each day’s experiences, enjoy a relaxed evening and take your time discovering Ube at your own pace.
What’s Included	・Two nights’ accommodation ・Meals included as part of the itinerary (2 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 1 dinner) ・Private transportation for all scheduled experiences ・English-speaking interpretation support during scheduled experiences ・All scheduled experiences and entrance fees ・Exclusive experiences arranged through KMJ’s local relationships ・Coordination with local hosts before and during your journey ・WhatsApp support before and during your trip ・Domestic travel accident insurance
Not Included	・Transportation to and from Shin-Yamaguchi Station ・Personal expenses ・Optional food and beverages outside the itinerary
Meeting Point	JR Shin-Yamaguchi Station Your guide will welcome you at JR Shin-Yamaguchi Station, where your journey begins. If you plan to arrive via Yamaguchi Ube Airport, airport pick-up can also be arranged upon request.
Cancellation Policy	20–11 days before departure: 20% of the tour price 10–1 days before departure: 50% of the tour price Same-day cancellation or no-show: 100% of the tour price
Payment	Credit card (Visa and Mastercard) Detailed payment instructions will be provided after booking.
Additional Information	Each journey is individually designed. Your final itinerary will be confirmed after your consultation and booking request. Evening gatherings with your hosts and local residents are included as part of the experience. If the evening naturally continues after the included gathering, you’re welcome to join. Any additional food and beverages purchased afterward are at your own expense. Bookings must be made at least 20 days before your preferred departure date.
Language Support	Most experiences are hosted in Japanese. A professional English-speaking interpreter accompanies the journey to support communication while allowing conversations with local people to remain natural and authentic. Italian-language interpretation is also available upon request.
Getting Around	Private Transportation (Included) Private transportation is provided for all scheduled experiences included in your itinerary, allowing you to relax and enjoy the journey without worrying about driving or navigation. If you’d like to explore the city during your free time, we’ll be happy to recommend local transportation options or arrange a taxi upon request. Self-Drive Option (Available on Request) A self-drive version of this journey can also be arranged upon request.