Our Kunisaki tour is a culinary masterpiece

Aug 11, 2026

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Did someone say “private chef”?

We did! On our 8-day Kunisaki walk, walking is only part of the story. This ultimate 8-day spiritual pack-free walk is a journey designed for travellers who love discovering a destination through its food, where unforgettable meals are every bit as rewarding as the kilometres on the trail.

Beppu Hell steaming on Kunisaki walk Japan

As you explore the tranquil Kunisaki Peninsula, one of Japan’s lesser-known cultural treasures, you’ll experience authentic regional cuisine that few international visitors ever have the chance to sample. Each day brings new flavours inspired by the peninsula’s mountains, forests and surrounding seas, with local ingredients taking centre stage.

A colorful assortment of Japanese dishes, including sushi, sashimi, scallops, salads, pasta, and desserts—artfully arranged on wooden boards and white plates—evokes the vibrant flavors found along the Japan Kumano Kodo Walk.

A highlight is your visit to Hime Island, where you’ll feast on exquisitely fresh sushi and sashimi that showcase the incredible quality and simplicity of Japan’s seafood. You’ll also sample the island’s famous kuruma ebi, or “car sea shrimp” – succulent tiger prawns prized throughout Japan for their sweet, delicate flavour. Fresh from the surrounding waters, they’re quite simply among the finest prawns you’ll ever taste.

A person enjoys a steaming bowl of vegetable soup with noodles, mushrooms, and leafy greens, perfect for warming up after adventurous walking holidays in Japan. Scooped from a large pot, this freshly made delight captures the essence of wholesome nourishment.

What makes this experience even more special is that these exceptional meals are prepared exclusively for your group by a private chef. Rather than dining in busy restaurants, you’ll enjoy beautifully crafted dishes made from seasonal, locally sourced ingredients, with every meal celebrating the flavours and traditions of the region. It’s an intimate dining experience that offers a genuine taste of Japanese hospitality and culture.

A traditional Japanese castle with curved rooftops stands under a clear blue sky, framed by blooming pink cherry blossoms and green trees—a perfect highlight for walking tours that prove life’s an adventure.

As the sun sets after a rewarding day on the trail, gather around the table to enjoy course after course of expertly prepared regional specialities, perhaps accompanied by a glass of locally brewed sake. It’s the perfect way to reflect on the day’s adventures and one of the many reasons this tour is such a favourite with food lovers.

Kumano Kodo tour dining at Takahara Lodge

If you believe that travel is as much about what you eat as where you walk, this is one journey guaranteed to satisfy both your appetite for adventure and your love of exceptional food.