A Culinary and Cultural Experience
An Immersion in the Art of Living in Karatsu
A Culinary and Cultural Experience
**🇫🇷 Please note:**
This workshop is conducted primarily in **French**. Japanese-speaking guests are also very welcome.
Created especially for international visitors, this workshop invites you to discover **Ubusuna**, a Japanese concept that is similar to *terroir*, yet goes beyond it. It expresses the deep connection between nature, the seasons, and everyday life.
Throughout the experience, you will discover how Karatsu's climate, water, local ingredients, pottery, sake, and tea all tell the same story―the story of **Karatsu's Ubusuna**.
About Instructor
Koo Nakazato
My Story
My cooking was born from two encounters: **terroir**, which I discovered in France, and **Ubusuna**, a Japanese concept that resembles terroir while reaching far beyond it.
Nearly thirty years ago, I lived in Aix-en-Provence in southern France, where I learned traditional Provençal home cooking. Surrounded by beautiful landscapes, rich traditions, and exceptional local products, I came to understand the importance of terroir.
I truly grasped this idea during a visit to the olive mill at Château Virant. There I discovered that the same variety of olive could produce completely different flavors depending on the climate, the soil, and the way it was cultivated and processed. I also learned how to create dishes that highlight the unique character of each olive oil.
When I returned to Japan, I realized that my own country possesses a richness similar to terroir, expressed in a uniquely Japanese way: **Ubusuna (産土).**
Ubusuna is more than climate, soil, or production methods. It expresses the deep relationship between people, nature, and the land where they live.
In Karatsu, rain falls on the mountains, feeds the springs, nourishes the fields, and eventually flows into the sea. The mountains, the fields, and the sea are all connected, and our daily lives are part of this natural cycle.
For generations, the people of Karatsu have lived alongside this nature―sometimes generous, sometimes demanding. They have given thanks to the deities of the mountains and the sea for their harvests and blessings, and prayed to continue living in harmony with them. Karatsu's traditional festivals were born from this gratitude.
To me, **Ubusuna** is the enduring relationship between nature, people, and time.
Through this workshop, I invite you to discover the Ubusuna of Karatsu through its cuisine, sake, tea, pottery, and seasonal ingredients.
I hope that with every dish you taste, you will feel the richness of this land, the lives of the people who call it home, and the stories that have been passed down through generations.
A Few Milestones
- 1993–2006:
Studied Provençal home cooking while living in southern France.
- 1999:
Began importing olive oil from Château Virant (Provence).
- 2009:
Started the online sales of Takashi Nakazato's pottery.
- 2017:
Began organizing culinary events featuring French olive oil.
- 2017:
Certified Olive Oil Sommelier.
- 2020:
Trained in Japanese cuisine under Chef Eiji Tsuchiya (Robata).
- 2025:
Certified Fermentation Master.
Class Fee
| Single-Session Class | Join at your convenience |
**Private Experience (1 participant):** ¥38,000 **2–5 participants:** ¥27,500 per person
|
Online ticket purchase |
Single-Session Classes
What You Will Discover
* Compare the flavors of three varieties of kombu (kelp).
* Discover three different types of dashi and their unique characteristics.
* Learn the basics of pairing Japanese sake with food.
* Experience how Karatsu pottery influences the taste of sake.
* Taste Karatsu teas made from the same tea leaves but processed in different ways, revealing their remarkable diversity.
Note
This workshop is designed for travelers who wish to discover Japan from a different perspective.
* Maximum of **5 participants**.
* Private experience available for **1 participant**.
* Workshop dates are available upon request.
Please contact us through the inquiry form to check availability before making a reservation.
Payment＆Cancellation
The participation fee must be paid at least 15 days before the class date.
For cancellations, please notify us at least 7 days in advance.
We regret that we cannot offer refunds for cancellations made within 7 days of the class date.
Location
Address:
504-137 Kanda, Karatsu City, Saga Prefecture 847-0824, Japan.
Access:
＊7-minute taxi ride from JR Karatsu Station.
＊Approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes by car from Fukuoka Airport.
Reservations
Reservations are made by purchasing a ticket through our website.
Before booking, please contact us using the inquiry form to confirm availability.
Whether you are traveling alone, as a couple, or with friends, you are warmly welcome.
I look forward to welcoming you into my home and sharing the flavors, stories, and spirit of Karatsu with you.