Yame Tea & Sake Tasting in Fukuoka: Hands-On Brewing Experience

Grind matcha yourself, then taste sake from local breweries

A full-day activity in Fukuoka combining visits to Yame tea plantations and sake breweries, where you grind your own matcha, eat a meal built around local tea, and taste sake at a working brewery. The tour includes an air-conditioned vehicle, a live guide in English or Japanese, and runs with a minimum group of 15 participants.

Step-by-step itinerary

Yame Tea and Sake Cultural Tour

• Visit Yame Traditional Crafts Museum
• View tea fields at Yame Central Tea Garden
• Explore Tea Culture Museum and grind matcha
• Enjoy meal with local Yame tea dishes
• Visit local sake brewery and taste sake

The experience

Yame Central Tea Garden is where the day starts: a working tea plantation with an observation deck overlooking the fields. On clear days the view stretches to Ariake Sea and Shimabara Peninsula. From there you move into the Tea Culture Museum, where the hands-on part begins: you grind matcha using a traditional tea mill, then drink what you've made alongside wagashi, Japanese sweets made locally. Lunch features dishes built around Yame tea, using ingredients from the region.

The sake tasting happens at either Chikushi no Homare Brewery or Kobayashi Sake Brewery, depending on which is available when you book. Both are working operations in Fukuoka Prefecture, not tourist setups. You'll also visit the Yame Traditional Crafts Museum, which holds local work like paper lanterns and handmade Japanese paper. The remaining time covers travel from your pickup point to each stop and back to drop-off.

This is a shared tour. You'll travel with other guests on either a small or full-sized bus depending on the group. The guide speaks English or Japanese. If you have food allergies or dietary restrictions, let the operator know when you book so they can adjust your lunch. Dress code matters at any temple stops: shoulders and knees must stay covered, and visible tattoos need to be covered with clothing or bandages.

What’s included

• Matcha grinding experience at the Tea Culture Museum.
• lunch featuring local Yame tea dishes.
• Japanese sake tasting at a working brewery.
• visits to Yame Central Tea Garden and the Yame Traditional Crafts Museum.
• air-conditioned vehicle transport.
• live guide in English or Japanese.

Options for this experience

3 options

Day-long bus tour departing from HakataGuide in English or Japanese · 09:00

From Kumamoto (one-way ticket)Guide in English or Japanese · 09:00<Departure times>: ★From Kumamoto to Fukuoka. Departs at 8:19, arrives at 8:51

From Kumamoto (round-trip)Guide in English or Japanese · 09:00<Departure times>: ★From Kumamoto. Departs at 8:19, arrives at 8:51. ★From Fukuoka. Departs at 19:24, arrives at 20:00

You pick the guide language when booking.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesMonday, Wednesday, Thursday and FridayDeparts at 09:00

Book up to1d before

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (4 to 11 years) · Infant (under 4): free

GroupUp to 20

Live guideEnglish and Japanese

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

ConfirmationConfirmation within 48 h

Prices and times updated 2 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller-friendlyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by H.I.S.Co., Ltd.

Is this one for you?Book this if you want hands-on tea grinding and sake tasting in a structured group setting. Choose another if you prefer to set your own pace or visit specific breweries.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Japanese.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 11 years); Infant (under 4): free.

What exactly do I do at the Tea Culture Museum?

You grind your own matcha using a traditional tea mill, then drink the matcha you've made with wagashi. Lunch at the museum features local dishes that highlight Yame tea as an ingredient.

Which sake brewery will I visit?

Either Chikushi no Homare Brewery or Kobayashi Sake Brewery. The operator confirms which one is available when you book. Both are working breweries in Fukuoka Prefecture offering tastings to visitors.

Is this tour private or shared?

It's a shared tour with a minimum of 15 participants traveling together on an air-conditioned bus. The size of the bus depends on how many people book.

How much of the 9 hours is actual sightseeing versus travel time?

The itinerary covers tea fields, museums, and breweries, but the operator notes that remaining hours are allocated for travel from pickup to drop-off and between stops. Schedule and timing can shift due to traffic or other factors.

Do I need to dress a certain way?

If the tour includes a temple stop, shoulders and knees must be fully covered. Tank tops, sleeveless shirts, shorts and mini-skirts are not allowed. All visible tattoos must be covered with clothing or bandages before entering.