French Dining at Matsumoto Residence and Kawachi Wisteria YokaBus

Discover a one-of-a-kind culinary adventure that seamlessly blends French and Japanese traditions. Indulge in a full French lunch amidst the captivating setting of a historic samurai home, the Former Matsumoto Residence. Then, venture to the breathtaking Kawachi Wisteria Garden, where you’ll be enchanted by cascading purple blooms. This immersive tour offers a truly remarkable experience, leaving you eager to uncover more about this intriguing fusion of cultures.

Key Points

• This full-day tour offers a unique experience of French dining in a historic Japanese setting at the Former Matsumoto Residence.
• Visitors can explore the renowned Kawachi Wisteria Garden, known for its stunning purple blooms, as part of the tour.
• The tour includes round-trip transportation, a Japanese-speaking guide, and a National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter for seamless exploration.
• Reservations for the Kawachi Wisteria Garden are accepted on a request basis, with the peak bloom period typically from late April to early May.
• The tour has a maximum group size of 28 travelers, ensuring a personalized experience, and starts promptly at 8:50 AM for a full-day itinerary.

Tour Highlights

What makes this French dining experience at the Former Matsumoto Residence unique?

Travelers will enjoy a taste of French cuisine in a historic Japanese setting. The Matsumoto Residence, a former samurai home, provides an atmospheric backdrop for the meal.

Lunch includes a full French menu, allowing guests to savor the flavors of French cooking.

The tour also takes visitors to the renowned Kawachi Wisteria Garden, a picturesque destination famous for its stunning purple wisteria blooms.

With round-trip transportation and a multilingual guide, the tour offers a seamless and memorable cultural exploration.

Included in the Experience

The tour package includes a French lunch served at the Former Matsumoto Residence, providing travelers with an immersive dining experience that seamlessly blends French culinary traditions within a historic Japanese setting.

Round-trip bus transportation with an on-board toilet ensures a comfortable journey. A Japanese-speaking tour conductor utilizing a translation app and a National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter enhance communication and understanding throughout the tour.

Hotel pickup and drop-off at Kokura Station North Exit or Hakata Station add convenience for participants. These inclusions create a well-rounded cultural experience for visitors to Fukuoka.

Meeting Point and Drop-off Locations

Where does the tour begin? The tour starts at the LAWSON Oriental Hotel Fukuoka Store, located at 4-23 Hakataekichūōgai, Hakata Ward, Fukuoka. Travelers must arrive at least 10 minutes before the scheduled meeting time. The tour conductor will be holding a flag and placard to assist participants.

Meeting Point	Drop-off Locations
LAWSON Oriental Hotel Fukuoka Store	Kokura Station North Exit
4-23 Hakataekichūōgai, Hakata Ward, Fukuoka	Hakata Station (last stop)
Arrive 10 minutes early	–
Tour conductor with flag and placard	–

At the end of the tour, you will be dropped off at either Kokura Station North Exit or Hakata Station, the final stop.

Reservation and Itinerary Details

Reservations for the Kawachi Wisteria Garden are accepted on a request basis, with confirmation notified via email.

Lunch timing may be served around 1:30 PM due to reservation times. Traffic considerations should be expected, as arrival times may vary, and heavy traffic during busy periods like Golden Week could cause delays and itinerary adjustments.

The tour offers:

1. Stunning wisteria blooms, typically peaking from late April to early May, though timing may vary due to weather conditions.

2. General snapshot photography allowed, but tripods and monopods are prohibited, and professional photography or selling photos is strictly forbidden.

3. A free cancellation policy up to 24 hours before the experience starts, though delays from transportation issues may incur cancellation fees.

Photography Guidelines and Conditions

General snapshot photography is allowed on the tour, but the use of tripods or monopods is prohibited. Professional photography and selling photos are strictly forbidden.

The flower bloom at Kawachi Wisteria Garden typically occurs from late April to early May, but may vary due to weather conditions.

Cancellation Policy
Free Cancellation
Up to 24 Hours
Before Experience
Starts

Delays from transportation issues may incur cancellation fees. Visitors should arrive at the meeting point at least 10 minutes before the scheduled start time.

Traveler Group Size and Duration

The tour is limited to a maximum group size of 28 travelers, providing an intimate and personalized experience.

The tour starts promptly at 8:50 AM, ensuring a timely and efficient itinerary. The experience lasts throughout the day, allowing ample time to savor the French dining at the Former Matsumoto Residence and explore the captivating Kawachi Wisteria Garden.

The tour offers:

1. A compact yet comprehensive itinerary.
2. Comfortable round-trip transportation with on-board facilities.
3. The expertise of a knowledgeable Japanese-speaking tour conductor and a National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter.

Transportation and Tour Conductor

For those taking the tour, round-trip bus transportation with an on-board toilet is provided, ensuring a comfortable journey.

The tour also includes a Japanese-speaking tour conductor who utilizes a translation app to communicate with travelers. Plus, a National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter accompanies the group, offering expert insights and guidance throughout the experience.

The tour conductor will meet participants at the designated meeting point, holding a flag and placard to help identify the group.

Travelers are advised to arrive at least 10 minutes before the scheduled departure time to ensure a timely start.

Cancellation Policy

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the experience starts. However, delays from transportation issues may incur cancellation fees.

The cancellation policy is as follows:

1. For cancellations up to 24 hours before the tour, there’s no charge.
2. For cancellations within 24 hours, a 100% cancellation fee applies.
3. No-shows or last-minute cancellations will forfeit the entire tour cost.

Please keep in mind that weather conditions and other factors may lead to itinerary adjustments or cancellations.

It’s recommended to check the status of the tour prior to the experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Request a Specific Type of French Cuisine for Lunch?

The tour does not offer individual meal requests, except for allergies or medical conditions. Guests can enjoy the standard French lunch provided as part of the tour experience.

How Handicap-Accessible Is the Tour Itinerary and Transportation?

The tour provides transportation with an on-board toilet, but the itinerary may not be fully handicap-accessible, as the details on accessibility for the attractions are not specified. Travelers with mobility needs should inquire about accommodation options.

Are There Any Child-Friendly Activities or Services Provided?

The tour does not explicitly mention any child-friendly activities or services. However, the group size is limited to 28 travelers, which may allow for some flexibility to accommodate families. Detailed inquiries about child-friendliness should be made when booking the tour.

Is There a Dress Code or Recommended Attire for the Tour?

There’s no strict dress code, but comfortable, weather-appropriate clothing and walking shoes are recommended. The tour involves some walking, so avoid overly formal or restrictive attire that could hinder your mobility.

Can I Purchase Additional Tickets for the Kawachi Wisteria Garden?

Travelers can’t purchase additional tickets for the Kawachi Wisteria Garden directly through the tour. Reservations are accepted on a request basis, and confirmation will be provided via email. Tour group size is limited to a maximum of 28 participants.

The Sum Up

Experience the unique fusion of French and Japanese cultures on this tour. Enjoy a French lunch at the historic Matsumoto Residence, then visit the stunning Kawachi Wisteria Garden. With comfortable transportation and a knowledgeable guide, this seamless journey offers a chance to explore breathtaking landscapes during the peak wisteria bloom season.