Itinerary
- Day 1
Osaka
You'll arrive in Osaka and get settled into your accommodation. Around 6pm, you'll meet your tour leader and the other travelers for the first time, then head out together for a welcome dinner to start things off.
- Meals
- Dinner (Welcome dinner arranged by tour leader)
Included Activities
- Welcome dinner with tour group
Optional Activities
- Pre-tour hotel nights in Osaka
- Day 2
Osaka to Onomichi
Leave your main luggage behind and board the iconic bullet train. You'll stop in Himeji to check out the 600-year-old Himeji Castle, then continue by train to Onomichi. After that, you'll pick up bikes and check into your accommodation for the next two nights.
Included Activities
- Bullet train journey to Onomichi
- Visit to Himeji Castle
Landmarks Himeji Castle 
- Day 3
Shimanami Kaido Cycle
This is the Shimanami Kaido cycling day, considered one of the world's most incredible bike journeys. You'll cycle 28 miles (45km) across islands linked by bridges with your tour leader and a local cycling guide. By the end of the day, you'll arrive at Ikuchi Island, which is known for its lemon groves and the ornate Kosanji Temple.
Included Activities
- Shimanami Kaido cycle tour - 28mi (45km)
- Helmets and bikes provided
- Guidance from tour leader and local cycling guide
Optional Activities
- Ferry alternative for non-cyclists (must be booked at least one month before departure)
Landmarks Kosanji Temple Shimanami Kaido - Day 4
Matsuyama
An early morning bus transfer takes you to Matsuyama, a castle city and the birthplace of modern haiku. You'll explore the historic district and visit Matsuyama Castle, which sits on Mount Katsuyama with views over the city and Seto Inland Sea. Then you'll see the 3,000-year-old Dogo Onsen and nearby Ishiteji Temple.
- Meals
- Lunch
Included Activities
- Bus transfer to Matsuyama
- Walk around historic district
- Visit Matsuyama Castle
Optional Activities
- Entry to Dogo Onsen hot spring bath
Landmarks Matsuyama Castle Dogo Onsen Ishiteji Temple - Day 5
Uchiko Day Trip
Take a train to the Edo-era town of Uchiko and walk through the Old Town with your tour leader, taking in the well-preserved architecture. You'll visit the Kamihaga Residence and a candle shop run by the family's seventh generation. After some free time for lunch, you'll participate in a washi-making class to create a traditional Japanese paper postcard.
- Meals
- Lunch (Free time for lunch)
Included Activities
- Train journey to Uchiko
- Walking tour of Old Town
- Visit to Kamihaga Residence
- Candle shop visit
- Washi-making class
- Train return to Matsuyama
Landmarks Uchiko Old Town Kamihaga Residence - Day 6
Matsuyama to Beppu
You'll depart before 8am and head south by train to Yawatahama Port, then take a ferry across to Kyushu and the hot spring region of Beppu. Upon arrival, you can explore the area around Beppu Station or relax at a nearby onsen.
Included Activities
- Train to Yawatahama Port
- Ferry to Kyushu
Optional Activities
- Karaoke
- Onsen experience
Landmarks Beppu - Day 7
Mount Yufu Hike
Pick up a bento box or grab an easy lunch and take a local bus to the mountains outside Beppu for a hiking adventure on Mount Yufu. You'll follow the Red Main Trailhead Trail loop, climbing to the East Peak for 360-degree views. The 9-mile (15km) hike takes around 3 hours 30 minutes, or you can spend the day at leisure in Beppu if you prefer.
- Meals
- Lunch (Bento box or easy lunch (self-arranged))
Included Activities
- Bus transfer to Mount Yufu
- Mount Yufu hike - 9mi (15km), Red Main Trailhead Trail
- Bus return to Beppu
Optional Activities
- Leisure day in Beppu
- Onsen experience after hike
Landmarks Mount Yufu - Day 8
Beppu to Mount Aso
You'll start with a unique cooking class mastering 'hell steam' cuisine, a centuries-old cooking style using natural hot steam from Beppu's grounds. After enjoying your self-made meal, you'll head deep into the Kyushu mountains by train to Mount Aso, where you'll spend the next two nights near this active volcano.
- Meals
- Lunch (Self-made meal using hell steam cooking technique)
Included Activities
- Hell steam cooking class and meal
- Train journey to Mount Aso
Landmarks Mount Aso - Day 9
Aso-Kuju National Park Hike
Join your tour leader for hiking in Aso-Kuju National Park. You'll typically start with the beginner-friendly Kusasenri route (2.5 miles/4km) to Eboshidake peak in under two hours, then climb Kushimadake peak for a similar duration. Both trails are less affected by volcanic gases and can be climbed year-round if weather permits.
Included Activities
- Aso-Kuju National Park hiking
- Kusasenri route to Eboshidake
- Kushimadake peak climb
Optional Activities
- Visit to Kurokawa Onsen
- Kumamoto city and castle visit
- Okubungo village visit
Landmarks Aso-Kuju National Park Mount Aso Eboshidake Kushimadake - Day 10
Mount Aso to Nagasaki
You'll depart Mount Aso in a private air-conditioned minivan for a four-hour journey to Nagasaki. After three hours, you'll stop in Arita, the birthplace of Japanese porcelain, to explore ceramic stores and traditional artistry before lunch. Then you'll complete the journey to Nagasaki.
- Meals
- Lunch (Lunch in Arita)
Included Activities
- Private minivan transfer to Nagasaki
- Stop and explore Arita pottery district
Landmarks Arita - Day 11
Nagasaki
You'll explore Nagasaki with your tour leader on a comprehensive city tour by foot and tram. Starting in Nagasaki harbour, you'll visit Glover Garden with its foreign mansions, explore Dejima with historic structures and reconstructions, then see the Atomic Bomb Museum and Peace Park. Later, you can explore Chinatown, Japan's oldest, for dinner options.
Included Activities
- Comprehensive city tour by foot and tram
- Nagasaki harbour visit
- Glover Garden
- Dejima visit
- Atomic Bomb Museum & Peace Park
Optional Activities
- Dinner in Chinatown
Landmarks Nagasaki Harbour Glover Garden Dejima Atomic Bomb Museum & Peace Park Nagasaki Chinatown - Day 12
Nagasaki to Fukuoka
You'll transfer by public bus to Fukuoka, the largest city in Kyushu and birthplace of tonkotsu ramen. After dropping luggage at the hotel, you'll spend the afternoon exploring options like Ohori Park or Tochoji Temple, or diving into the local food scene at Nakasu night food market and yatai stalls.
Included Activities
- Public bus transfer to Fukuoka
Optional Activities
- Walk around Ohori Park
- Visit Tochoji Temple
- Explore Nakasu night food market and yatai stalls
- Dine at local restaurants
Landmarks Ohori Park Tochoji Temple Nakasu - Day 13
Departure from Fukuoka
Your tour ends today. Your tour leader will be at breakfast to say goodbye and provide assistance if you need help getting to the airport.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Post-tour hotel nights in Fukuoka
