KYUSHU ISLAND: Land of Fire
KYUSHU TRAVEL
Land of Fire – JAPAN’S NEXT BIG DESTINATION
Small Group Escorted Tour (8 Day, 7 nights)
Introducing Japan’s southernmost Island: Kyushu. This part of the country offers a diverse landscape and unrivalled natural beauty in the form of hot springs, volcanoes, forests, mountains, & beaches. On this 8 Day Tour, you will experience several authentic Ryokan and Hot Springs, the beautiful scenery of Takachiho Gorge, Hells of Unzen and Mt. Aso (to name a few), the bustling cities of Fukuoka and Nagasaki, and cultural activities such as kimono fitting, tea brewing, and a rickshaw ride.
Highlights
- Several authentic Japanese Ryokan and Hot Spring experiences
- World Famous Digital Art Museum in Mifuneyama
- Natural Scenery of Takachiho Gorge and Unzen volcanic landscape
- Kyushu Food Specialties using locally sourced unique ingredients
- Hands on Experiences; kimono fitting, tea brewing, steaming your own food over hot spring waters, among others
- A unique way to see Japan, taking in breathtaking landscapes, mountains and volcanoes
Day 1
Arrival Transfer
On arrival at Fukuoka Airport, meet with a local representative, holding a signboard with your name, and be driven to your accommodation in Fukuoka city. The rest of the day is free at leisure; with so many things to do in Kyushu, you will meet with the tour escorts the evening at your hotel at approximately 6PM.
Hotel: JR Kyushu Blossom Hotel or similar
DAY 2
Highlights: Arita Pottery, Takeo Shrine, Team Lab Digital Art Exhibit in Mifuneyama
Begin your Kyushu Tour! We start by heading to Okawachiyama Village, a quaint little town renowned for the local Arita Pottery; we’ve organised an opportunity to witness the local crafting process at Hataman Pottery.
Lunch today will be locally sourced, mouth wateringly tender Saga Beef.
There will be a visit to Takeo Shrine, the oldest Shrine in Saga City; along with the nearby Great Takeo Camphor Tree. At 3000 years old and 27m in height, it is truly a sight to behold.
A special treat this late afternoon includes drinks at the world famous Team Lab Digital Art exhibit at Mifuneyama. The museum will prove to be a sensory delight while you enjoy local beverages.
This evening, you will be enjoying a traditional Japanese dinner at your Ryokan (Japanese style accommodation), before staying the night here in the town of Ureshino Onsen.
Hotel: Takeo Century Hotel OR Warakuen (or similar)
Day 3
Highlights: Green Tea, Peace Museum, Nagasaki Nightscape
At the local Ureshino Green Tea Centre, we will be taught on the etiquette and “correct” process of brewing the finest cup of green tea; as well as a chance to experience green-tea dyeing.
Lunch will be local Nagasaki cuisine known as Chanpon and Kakuniman, dishes heavily influenced by Chinese traders.
This afternoon will see us travelling to the coastal town of Nagasaki, where we will no doubt experience a sobering visit to the Peace Memorial Museum.
In the evening, we’ll head up the local mountain by ropeway to see the grand nightscape of Nagasaki city.
Dinner today will be free at leisure, and we’ll be staying the night in a hotel in Nagasaki.
Hotel: S-Peria Nagasaki or similar
Day 4
Highlights: Glover Garden, Dejima Island, Hells of Unzen
There will be a trip to Glover Garden this morning, an iconic open air museum in Nagasaki; then Dejima, an artificial island off the coast of Nagasaki, formerly a Dutch trading post. For a long time, Nagasaki served as the only port open to foreign trade in Japan, making this a historical site of great significance.
Lunch today will be another Nagasaki cuisine, known as Turkish Rice.
The afternoon sees us heading to the hot spring town of Unzen where we’ll be walking among the unique local phenomenon known as the “Hells of Unzen”, a volcanically active landscape.
Dinner tonight will be served at tonight’s accommodation, once again a traditional Japanese Ryokan.
Hotel: Yuyado Unzen Shin-yu or similar
Day 5
Highlights: Ariake Sea, Takachiho Gorge, Amanoiwato Shrine
After breakfast today, we’re heading to the port town of Shimabara. We’ll heading to Shimabara Port to board the local ferry across to Kumamoto city, where we’ll enjoy a local lunch and then board a coach to Takachiho where we’ll be staying the night; but before that, it will be a visit to Takachiho Gorge and Amanoiwato Shrine.
Kaiseki Dinner at hotel.
Hotel: Solest Hotel Takachiho or similar
Day 6
Highlights: Daikanbo Lookout, Aso Crater (conditions permitting)
Today starts with a long, steady drive up and across Mt. Aso; conditions permitting. We should be heading to the Daikanbo lookout first, with breathtaking views of the mountainous landscape.
Lunch will be a different type of local beef known as Akaushi Beef. If conditions permit, we’ll head to the crater of Mt Aso and get an up close view of the active volcano; before heading to the small, hot spring resort town of Yufuin.
Dinner will be at your traditional Ryokan this evening, for a traditional stay.
Hotel: Yufuin Shuhokan or similar
Day 7
Highlights: Rickshaw Ride, Kimono Fitting in Kitsuki City, Monjusenji Temple
We’ll be enjoying a classic Japanese rickshaw ride through Yufuin this morning, before heading to Kitsuki city. Kitsuki is where we’ll be dressing up on traditional kimono outfits, and strolling through town.
Lunch will be own arrangements today, and after Kitsuki, we’ll be heading into the mountains, to Monjusenji Temple, built INTO the Cliffside; and partaking in a traditional Buddhist practice known as Gomadaki. This will be a genuinely enlightening experience.
The day ends soon after we reach Beppu and check into our hotel. It’s one of the largest hot spring resorts in Kyushu, although it will be a western style stay tonight. Dinner this evening is yet another unique experience, where we collect fresh produce and cook our own dinner using clean hot spring waters.
Hotel: Beppuwan or similar
Day 8
Tour concludes at checkout from hotel (Beppu)
Tour Inclusions: | * 7 nights – 3.5-4 * Accommodation (Western & Japanese style mix) * Arrival transfer * Coach transportation throughout * 7 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 5 dinners * English speaking Tour Escort and local guides on 2 days |
Guide Service: | This Kyushu tour will operate with an experienced JTB escort and local guides where applicable who will assist with the entire trip, from sightseeing to shopping and dining. |
Group Size: | Minimum 10 / Maximum 14 people |
Pre Tour Accommodation: | JTB can arrange pre accommodation for the tour. Please request at the time of booking. |
Post Tour Accommodation: | JTB can arrange post accommodation for the tour. Please request at time of booking. |
Remarks: | *Minimum 10 persons for the tour to operate, maximum 14 people *A fair amount of walking is involved on this tour *Accommodation and daily schedule is subject to change |
AVAILABLE: Bookings are open. Minimum 10 passengers for the tour to operate.
AVAILABLE GUARANTEED TO DEPART: There is a minimum of 10 people booked. The tour will be operating.
FULLY BOOKED: Maximum capacity reached.
TOUR DATES | TOUR STATUS | SINGLE | TWIN (PP PRICE) |
13 November 2020 (finish 20 November 2020) | AVAILABLE | A$4409 (LAND ONLY) |
A$4282 (LAND ONLY) |
16 March 2021 (finish 23 March 2021) |
AVAILABLE | A$4409 (LAND ONLY) |
A$4282 (LAND ONLY) |