Destinations
Ukiha: An Extraordinary Escape Immersed in “Sake” in the Town of Water
About an hour’s drive from central Fukuoka lies Ukiha, a town embraced by gentle mountain ranges and flowing rivers. Here, you will find neither the noise of the city nor the rushed pace of everyday life. What awaits you instead is the quiet flow of pure underground water, a sake brewery with over a century of history, and a gentle passage of time that deeply restores both body and mind.
Experience the unique privilege of “staying” in a sake brewery. We invite you on a two-day, one-night journey to share this space and fine sake with close friends, weaving rich and lasting memories together.
| Destinations | Fukuoka Prefecture: Ukiha |
| Duration | 2 Days Day 1 – Ukiha Sake-yado Isonosawa Day 2 – Ukiha Inari Shrine, KIRITO COFFEE ROASTERS, cafe Tane no Tonari |
| Recommended for | ・Groups looking to experience an extraordinary getaway ・Travelers wanting to savor Japanese sake and local cuisine ・Those looking to rejuvenate their mind and body in a sake brewery sauna |
Experience Themes
Brewery Sauna
Relax in an exclusive sauna within a 130-year-old sake inn. Disconnect from the world as you dip into a dimly lit cold plunge pool—a repurposed historical sake tank. In this profound silence, your mind and body rejuvenate as if being carefully refined like sake rice.
Sake Brewery Tour
Witness the meticulous craft and time behind every drop. The powerful aroma of fermenting rice reveals a hidden, vital transformation. It is a moment to feel, rather than just learn, how Ukiha’s pure water is reborn as sake.
Vermilion Torii Gates
Ukiha Inari Shrine’s vermilion gates line the mountainside. Ascending the path one by one clears the mind, leading to a peaceful panorama of the countryside. A hidden gem where you can truly embrace the local stillness.
Journey Outline
Day 1: An Extraordinary Escape into Pristine Water and Sake
Experiences:Rent a car in Fukuoka City and drive to Ukiha. For lunch, enjoy a unique pairing of authentic Italian pizza and Japanese sake at the brewery’s restaurant. In the afternoon, check into the exclusive “Ukiha Sake-yado Isonosawa,” limited to just one group per day. Rejuvenate your mind and body in the sauna and cold plunge pool repurposed from historical sake storage tanks, and spend the evening savoring exquisite premium sake to your heart’s content.
Accommodation: Ukiha Sake-yado Isonosawa
Day 2: Vermilion Vistas and Comforting Culinary Delights
Experiences: Start your second day with breakfast at a cafe bathed in soft, natural light. Take in the breathtaking views at “Ukiha Inari Shrine” with its striking series of vermilion torii gates, then take a breather at a local coffee roastery housed in a beautifully renovated former nursery school. Conclude your journey with a wholesome, nourishing lunch at “cafe Tane no Tonari,” heading home with a deeply satisfied heart.
Curated Cultural Journey
Day 1: Escape the Noise, Return to Serenity
Lunch at CASA CUOMO CAF: Your first stop upon arrival is an authentic Italian restaurant annexed to a 130-year-old sake brewery. Here, you will experience a quiet sense of wonder through a fresh harmony unique to this region: pairing a perfectly baked, fragrant, and chewy Margherita pizza with a crisp, light-bodied sparkling sake.
Isonosawa Sauna: Retreat to a private inn limited to just one group per day. Sink into a dimly lit cold plunge pool repurposed from an authentic sake storage tank, and take a deep breath inside the barrel-shaped sauna. In a profound silence free from harsh sensations, you will slowly rejuvenate—as if you yourself have become the “sake rice” being carefully prepared.
Isonosawa Sake Brewery Tour: Discover the meticulous craft behind every drop as you witness the brewing process firsthand. The powerful aroma of fermenting rice signals a quiet yet certain transformation. More than just a tour, it is a visceral experience of Ukiha’s water and tradition that stays with you long after.
Day 2: Finding Healing in Ukiha’s Scenery and the Blessings of the Land
Morning at the Sake-yado: Awaken in the tranquil silence of the brewery, followed by a warm breakfast in a cafe bathed in soft morning light. As you savor a prosciutto margherita and freshly brewed coffee, you can quietly bask in the lingering afterglow of the previous night. With a small masu in hand—a thoughtful parting gift from the attentive staff—you depart the inn with a deeply satisfied heart.
To a Shrine with Breathtaking Views: Slowly make your way up the mountain slope, passing one by one beneath the endless series of vermilion torii gates at Ukiha Inari Shrine. Waiting for you at the top is a sweeping panoramic view of Ukiha’s idyllic countryside and distant mountain ranges. In this place where a profound tranquility still lingers, take a deep breath of the crisp, refreshing air and fully embrace the vast expanse of the land.
Cafes Steeped in Memory: Take a relaxing break at KIRITO COFFEE ROASTERS, a renovated nursery school, with dark roast coffee brewed from local spring water. End your journey at “cafe Tane no Tonari” overlooking a persimmon orchard. Their handmade dishes, packed with fresh Ukiha produce, will deeply nourish your body and soul.
Things to know
| About Reservation | Ukiha Sake-yado Isonosawa is a private, single-group-only inn set in a renovated 130-year-old traditional house. For dinner, guests can choose between a reservation at the authentic on-site Italian restaurant, CASA CUOMO CAFE, or explore local gems recommended by the inn staff. |
| Best Season | If your goal is to release urban tension and find inner peace, any time of year is the perfect time to visit. Whether it’s the refreshing outdoor air after a sauna session or the vibrant colors of autumn leaves, each season offers its own unique way to restore your mind and body. |
| What to Wear | When strolling through the town or visiting Ukiha Inari Shrine, you will enjoy scenic views while walking through a series of torii gates on a mountain slope. No special equipment or intense fitness is required; however, as you will be slowly climbing stairs and slopes, we recommend wearing comfortable sneakers or walking shoes. |
