Slip into the serene Japanese countryside on this hands-on, 3-hour shiitake mushroom experience, deep in the green hills of Oita. Together we’ll visit a local family farm and discover the traditional, time-honored way these prized mushrooms are grown on natural logs. (Did you know Oita is Japan’s top producer of shiitake?) The secret lies in the region’s clean air, pure mountain water, and rich forests — and here you’ll experience all of it firsthand.
This is far more than a food tour; it’s a genuine rural encounter. Guided by a local, you’ll head into the forest to harvest your own shiitake straight from the log, then gather around the grill for an outdoor meal, cooking your fresh-picked mushrooms alongside other local ingredients. Best of all, you’ll share the table — and a relaxed chat — with the farming family who welcome you into their world. It’s a true taste of the forest, and a warm, human connection you’ll remember long after the meal.
*This is a small-group experience (maximum 8 travelers), keeping things personal and relaxed as you explore alongside fellow guests and the local growers.
JR Bungomori-Station
Also Available: We can also arrange pickup from Yufuin. Please inquire when booking.
Return to the point where tour starts
10:00 AM
English, Japanese
We’ll meet you at JR Bungo-Mori Station for a warm welcome, then set off together into the quiet Oita countryside.
First, we’ll pop into a local supermarket, where your guide introduces the many kinds of Japanese mushrooms and how each one is used in the home kitchen — a tasty, everyday first glimpse into local food culture before we reach the farm.
At the farm, you’ll meet the grower and learn the traditional way shiitake are raised on natural logs — a real, close-up look at the care and patience behind these high-quality mushrooms.
Now for the fun part. Basket in hand, you’ll head into the forest to harvest your own shiitake straight from the logs, picking as many as you’d like to eat.
The experience comes together around the grill. We’ll cook your fresh-picked shiitake on the spot, paired with other local ingredients, for a simple yet wonderfully flavorful meal — shared with the farmer over an easy, friendly chat.
After a morning of hands-on fun and good food, we’ll drive you back to the starting point.
I really enjoyed this tour! I love mushrooms and it was wonderful to visit the magical mushroom forest! I learned a lot of interesting facts too! The shiitake mushrooms were delicious. 🍄🟫 The guide, Kei, was great! He answered all of my questions really quickly and helped me find accommodation. The tour had good food and good company! I recommend it!🍄🟫
We booked this informative and genuine tour during our first trip to Japan in November. It was a little chilly, but no problem with good sneakers, thinner down-jacket and wind/rain jacket (+hat). Kei, our English speaking guide for the day, picked us up from the train station by his car. First stop was a local supermarket, where he showed us different mushrooms and how they are used in Japanese kitchen. Then we drove to the farmers house. It took about 20min and was full of interesting discussions.
At the farm we learned about the process of growing Shiitake and then we went in to the forest to harvest our own mushrooms that we grilled later at the farm (4 pieces are enough per person 😅). The family welcomed us very warmly into their home, since it was quite cold outside and the lunch was great!
All in all an amazing experience. 10/10 would recommend!
Es ist etwas Kostspielig aber der Preis ist es auf jede fall Wert. Der Tourguide Keita ist sehr umgänglich und Hilfsbereit. ich wurde sogar am Bahnhof aufgeladen und wieder zum nächsten gebracht! der Guide hat mir dan auchnoch ein Kaffe empfohlen. Für Leute die Japan kennenlernen möchten ist diese Exkursion zur Pilzfarm auf jede fall zu empfehlen.
You’ve got to do this! We booked this tour to explore the world of shiitake mushrooms, which are super popular in Japan. You’ll meet Kei, a one-of-a-kind guide. His knowledge, kindness, approachability, and excellent English will help you fully enjoy the experience He’s got a unique take on sightseeing tours, aiming to not only show you his culture but also give you an unforgettable human experience: mission accomplished You’ll meet a couple of farmers and dive into their world to discover mushroom cultivation, pick, and cook your harvest! You’ll enjoy your selection in great company! We totally recommend the experience, it’s worth the price and it’s a change from the ordinary! Thanks again to Kei for all his tips on the rest of our trip and his kindness! Thanks