Saga Refined – A Journey Through Ceramic Art and Serene Gardens
Start your day in Fukuoka and explore Kyushu’s ceramic heritage at the Kyushu Ceramic Art Museum. Enjoy lunch surrounded by Arita’s finest porcelain at Gallery Arita. Discover exquisite porcelain collections at Fukagawa-seiji China on the Park. End your tour with a peaceful stroll through Mifuneyama Rakuen, where nature and modern art merge beautifully. This journey offers a refined cultural experience.
This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!
Meeting Point
Fukuoka airport
- If you are arriving on an international flight; There is a cash exchange machine on the right after you exit the arrival gate. Please refer to the photo. -If you are arriving on a domestic flight; There are two arrival gates, the north gate and the south gate. You won't know which exit to use until the day of your arrival, so please come to the information counter at the north gate. The north gate is closer to the parking lot. Please refer the photo.
Please note: Please let me know your entire itinerary and the amount of luggage when you contact me.
-If your entire itinerary is long, you will need a lot of luggage. If you have too much luggage I will need to rent a bigger van in advance, or introduce you to the airport's luggage transportation service.
Kyushu ceramic art museum
The museum was established with the objective of collecting, preserving and exhibiting historically, artistically and industrially important materials relating to ceramics from all over Kyushu, as well as conducting research and educational activities, in order to contribute to the preservation of cultural heritage and the development of ceramic art culture.
Lunch time: Gallery Arita or others
Gallery Arita, located in Arita Town, Saga Prefecture, is a shop unique to Arita, the birthplace of Japanese porcelain. You can enjoy dining and shopping surrounded by over 2,500 coffee cups from the Hizen ceramics region, mainly Arita ware. We offer a full menu, from meals using local ingredients to sweets and drinks.
Fukagawa-seiji china on the park; porcelain gallery and outlet shop
Gallery;
It is a landmark where all the works of Fukagawa style from the works by the first generation of Fukagawa Porcelain, Chuji Fukagawa, to the modern works that inherit the style, are gathered in one place. It is a gallery standing on a hill on the premises surrounded by greenery. The large pot that was awarded the gold medal at the one thousand nine hundred Paris World Exposition, which had been in the main reference building as a secluded treasure for almost one hundred years, was also opened to the public on the occasion of the twentieth anniversary of "China on the Park". The works from the beginning of the company to the latest works are exhibited in the same space. Of course, you can purchase the products in the gallery.
Outlet shop;
This is directly managed by a Fukagawa Porcelain factory. It is known among fans as a treasure house where excavated items lie. In addition to discontinued and non-standard items, we collect "leftovers", which are only a part of the set products, and offer them to porcelain lovers at special prices.
Ogi Park Japanese Garden
Ogi Park, located in Ogi City, Saga Prefecture, is a scenic spot known for its historical charm and natural beauty throughout the year. Once part of the Ogi Domain’s castle grounds, it features a peaceful pond, seasonal flowers, and over 300 cherry trees that bloom in spring. The park offers a relaxing atmosphere for strolls and picnics, with changing landscapes each season.
Your hotel in Fukuoka city
Ending time.
Ending Point
Fukuoka airport, Hakata port, Hakata station, and Your hotel in Fukuoka city
This tour can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Click below to send me a message with your requests.
-I will be both the guide and the driver.
(In other words, Guide fee, Driving Fee)
-Free mobile Wi-Fi
-Free Apple Music and Netflix
-Expressway tolls
-Gasoline fee
-Parking fee
-Guide gratuity
-Meal expenses (Guide and customers)
-Admission Fee (Guide and customers)
1.If you want to do cashless payments on your entire itinerary, please let me know in advance. I will need to have a payment machine ready.
2. Please let me know in advance if you have any food allergies or other dietary restrictions.
3. Extra time is assumed, but it is an itinerary that will be difficult to proceed if the meeting time is delayed. I hope we can meet on time:)
4. My car can accommodate up to 4 guests. If you are a group of 5 or more, please contact me so that I can arrange a rental-car tour.
*5 to 7 guests; +33,000 JPY, 8 person van: NISSAN SERENA (In my experience, I select the most comfortable vehicle for tours with a large number of people.) or similar.
Hi, I’m glad you found my page!
I’m a local guide based in Kyushu who loves sharing the region’s history, food, and landscapes in a relaxed and friendly way. Think of me as someone who can make your trip comfortable and memorable, while keeping things easygoing and fun.
I began guiding to share the history, scenery, and food of my home with visitors from around the world. Before this, I worked in luxury retail, where I learned how important details and genuine hospitality are. Now I bring that same spirit to my tours, making sure every guest feels comfortable, cared for, and free to enjoy their journey.
I specialize in private car tours around Kyushu, so you don’t have to worry about train schedules or carrying luggage. We can stop where you like, take things at your own pace, and enjoy the scenery along the way. Onboard you’ll have free Wi-Fi, music, and a comfortable ride—perfect for families, couples, or friends who want both convenience and a touch of luxury.
Some of my favorite places to share are:
Nagasaki: Peace Park, Atomic Bomb Museum, and the city’s cultural blend
Fukuoka: Dazaifu Shrine, city highlights, and Yanagawa’s river cruise with eel dishes
Kumamoto: Mt. Aso’s volcanic views, Kumamoto Castle, and Kurokawa Onsen
Oita: Hita’s riverside town, plus Beppu and Yufuin hot springs
Saga: Arita’s ceramics and the Yoshinogari ancient site
Takachiho Gorge: A mystical canyon tied to Japanese legends
What I enjoy most is helping guests discover both famous sights and hidden corners of Kyushu, while keeping the experience comfortable and stress-free. Whether you’re drawn to culture, food, history, or beautiful scenery, I can adjust the plan to match your style.
I’d love to share my part of Japan with you and create memories that last long after your trip. If you have any questions or requests, please feel free to send me a message. I look forward to welcoming you to Kyushu and showing you what makes this region so special!
Renee D.
“Hita Tour with Katsu”
Katsu was an excellent guide. I appreciated how communication was easy. He explained choices well and was able to pivot when the group wanted to try a different lunch. It was a nice experience away from the crowds and gave us a good feel for what a smaller village was like away from the big city. I recommend him for your tours. Great day. He is friendly and very sweet. We appreciated his kindness and happiness in showing the city.
Katsu N.
Dear Renee and everyone, /// Thank you so much for joining my tour. I truly appreciate your kind words. One of the highlights of this tour is the contrast between the big city of Fukuoka and the charm of a small town, so I’m very happy that you enjoyed it. I have many other wonderful tours prepared, so perhaps next time we could even meet at Fukuoka Airport to start another journey. I look forward to the day we can meet again. /// Enjoy the rest of your cruise tour. “ARIGATOU” Your private guide, Katsuhisa
Lori W.
“2 Days in Shimabra and Hita.”
After looking for quite a few tours we found Katsu. He was very professional and organized thoughout the whole tour. He gave us a wonderful insight to the areas we visited. Even though we had some family members that were unable to complete some more of the strenuous items on the itinerary he was very accommodating and took those would could make the trek very worth while. He took us to places we would have never got to visit taking a normal tour that were just amazing. We highly recommend Katsu for a tour guide.
Katsu N.
Dear Lori and everyone, /// Thank you so much for joining my tour, and I truly appreciate your kind words. The places we visited may not yet be widely known, but they are incredibly charming, and I am very glad you enjoyed them. In all my tours, I aim to combine major highlights with hidden gems, creating an experience that is uniquely my own. I sincerely look forward to the day we can meet again. /// Yours truly, Your private guide, Katsuhisa
Jachin L.
“The best Guide for a tour in Japan”
With out family of 4 we wanted to have a customized tour around Kyushu. Katsuhisa created a beautiful itinerary and perfectly on time he waited for us at our hotel in Kumamoto. What followed was two days of relaxed driving. The first day to Mount Aso, Kusasenri Grassland and the Takachiho Gorge. Also for lunch he found us a traditional Japanese restaurant we normale no western tourists come. The second day we drive to Beppu to see different Onsen. Again we had a lunch a a special place. This time we could cook our own good a natural steam source. During a quick visit at a beach one of our Sons had an accident. Katsuhisa immediatelly helped us by going to a drugstore and get us the right bandage (thanks!!) Even after this unfortunat moment we could see another Onsen. Finally after two beautiful days our driver brought us to our new hotel in Fukuoka! So, if you need a nice and skilled tour guide, you should contact Katsuhisa.
Katsu N.
Thank you very much for your kind and thoughtful review. I'm truly glad to hear that you and your family enjoyed the tour. As a small note for future reference, I’ve learned that moist wound care isn’t widely practiced in Europe, but similar products may be available through major online retailers. Also, for your next trip, I’d be happy to guide you through Saga Prefecture—an area we didn’t visit this time. It’s known for its beautiful ceramic art and even has a ninja-themed park that children and adults alike can enjoy. I look forward to seeing you again someday! ///**Aan jullie allebei: Hebben jullie genoten van de tour? Ik schrok echt toen je grote broer zich pijn deed op het strand, maar hopelijk wordt het later een grappige herinnering. Of misschien is het nog beter om dat moment gewoon te vergeten en alleen de leuke herinneringen te bewaren. Ik hoop jullie ooit weer terug te zien. Tot dan!**
$718/ per group