Flavors of Okinawa Tour: Awamori Cave, Tofuyo, Yagaji Island
Tour an awamori distillery in Okinawa, visit the world’s only awamori cave, take a scenic drive to Yagaji Island, and try local Okinawan cuisine. (Eat! Meet! Japan 2020 Silver Award)
Highlights
Tour the only awamori cave in existence, where the distilled alcohol is aged for years
Learn about how awamori is made at Matsufuji Distillery and have an awamori tasting
Try tofuyo, a fermented tofu (similar to a fine cheese) that’s also aged in the caves
Visit the scenic Yagaji Island, making stops at historical and scenic points along the way
Enjoy authentic Okinawan regional food at a vintage house
10 meals
+Experience Details
This 6-hour Okinawa tour is a whirlwind adventure through the culinary highlights and rare experiences that Japan’s southernmost prefecture has to offer.
First, you’ll visit Matsufuji Distillery, one of the 47 awamori distilleries in Okinawa (and Japan), and learn how the alcoholic beverage that’s indigenous to Okinawa is made. Housed in a reclaimed American military hangar, Matsufuji Distillery is also unique for being one of the only awamori companies that was founded by a woman.
After a tasting at the distillery, you’ll be whisked off to the limestone caves and hear about Asamu Toyokawa, who runs the awamori cellar operation. It’s the only place in the world where you can find awamori being aged in natural caves underground. Toyokawa’s eccentric mother came up with the wild idea, which is helping to change the image of the area, Kin Town, which was previously only known for its U.S. military base.
But awamori isn’t all that the caves have to offer. Guests will also get to try tofuyo, a fermented tofu dish that’s aged in awamori in the very same caves. Savor it slowly like a fine cheese, tasting the difference between tofuyo that’s fermented over varying durations.
Then, hop back in the car for a leisurely drive through the scenic Yagaji Island, making stops at historic and scenic points along the way. For a late lunch, you’ll visit a cozy house-turned-cafe with a vintage-inspired ambiance and sample a variety of Okinawa’s local flavors.
SCHEDULE
9:30 Meet
9:45 Matsufuji Distillery
11:00 Awamori cave
12:00 Tofuyo tasting
12:45 Food experience - Okinawan sweets
13:30 Scenic drive to Yagaji Island, making stops along the way
14:15 Food experience - Okinawan regional food
15:30~16:00 Disband
Inclusions
Gift: mini bottle of awamori
Bilingual local guide
Tour of Matsufuji Distillery with awamori tasting
Exclusive tour of the awamori cellar hidden in a limestone cave
Tofuyo tasting & Okinawan regional food
Exclusions
Exploring Okinawa, it is essential to have your own vehicle due to lack of reliable public transportation
If you don’t feel comfortable driving rental car, chartered taxi is available with additional fee
Additional food and drink other than provided during the tour
Meeting Point and Meeting Time
The meeting point can be changed upon request
Remarks
Please note that the legal drinking age in Japan is 20 years old
On Mondays and Tuesdays, the Okinawa regional food experience at the cafe on Yagaji Island will be replaced with another venue
Cancellation Policy
Cancel your booking at least 2 days before the experience start time to receive a full refund minus a 3.2% transaction fee.
Experience Location
A cluster of islands to the south of Japan once belonging to the independent state of the Ryukyu Kingdom, Okinawa Prefecture is the holiday paradise with white sand beaches, a tropical climate, and healthy local cuisine known as Ryukyu Ryori.
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10 meals
+Enjoy a night out in Naha! Rub shoulders with locals as you enjoy food, drinks and karaoke in three local izakaya ranging from popular traditional Okinawan eateries to old school watering holes.
Join a unique hands-on learning experience guided by a tea ceremony expert in Okinawa. Change into a simple kimono, watch a Japanese tea ceremony, learn etiquette & customs, enjoy Okinawan sweets, make matcha, & participate in a photoshoot.