Just one hour from Fukuoka by private car, discover why Kitakyushu is celebrated as a city of exceptional sushi. This exclusive culinary journey follows the path of the daily catch, from the energy of a dawn auction to an intimate, hands-on sushi-making session with a two-Michelin-starred master. The morning begins before sunrise at the Kitakyushu City Central Wholesale Market. Kitakyushu’s unique coastal geography—framed by three distinct bodies of water in the Hibiki-nada, the Kanmon Strait, and the Buzen Sea—provides the region with an extraordinary diversity of premium seafood. Guided by a Michelin-recognized sushi chef, guests step onto the trading floor to witness the fast-paced seafood auction and discover how culinary masters evaluate fish for seasonality, texture, and pristine freshness. The experience then transitions to two-Michelin-starred Sushi Nikaku. Here, guests begin with an omakase sushi course paired with thoughtfully curated beverages. During this exclusive tasting, Chef Funahashi delves into the science of umami, allowing guests to examine and taste firsthand how the prized yaito-katsuo (mackerel tuna) creates such extraordinary depth of flavor. Following the meal, the chef invites guests behind the counter for a private sushi-making lesson. Under his personal guidance, guests learn the delicate hand-shaping techniques using the fresh local catch, gaining deep insight into the history, philosophy, and culinary theories that define authentic sushi.