Itinerary
- Day 1
International Arrival
Your journey starts with an international flight on ANA or a similar carrier, and you'll have a stopover in Tokyo before heading to Kagoshima. The flight gets you across to Japan and sets up the beginning of your exploration through Kyushu.
- Day 2
Kagoshima
Your guide meets you at the airport and takes you to your hotel in Kagoshima. You'll have the rest of the day to check out this prefectural capital on Kyushu island and get a feel for its relaxed pace and local atmosphere.
- Accommodation
- Hotel
Included Activities
- Airport pickup and transfer to hotel
Landmarks Kagoshima - Day 3
Sakurajima - Chiran
Take a ferry out to Sakurajima, the active volcano, then visit the Mori clan residence and Senganen landscape garden (UNESCO-listed). After that, head by bus to the historic town of Chiran where you'll participate in a traditional tea ceremony with matcha and tea cookies. You'll return to Kagoshima later that evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Ferry to Sakurajima
- Visit Sakurajima active volcano
- Visit Mori clan residence and Senganen landscape garden (UNESCO World Heritage Site)
- Bus excursion to Chiran
- Traditional tea ceremony with matcha and tea cookies
Landmarks Sakurajima Senganen Chiran - Day 4
Kagoshima to Yakushima Island
An early morning ferry (2 hours) takes you to Yakushima Island. You'll do an easy hike through Shiratani-Unsuikyo Gorge surrounded by ancient cedar forests, and there's a good chance you'll spot wild Japanese macaques. In the afternoon, visit the Yakushima Environmental Center, then have dinner together in the evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel, Hotel
Included Activities
- Ferry to Yakushima Island
- Easy hike through Shiratani-Unsuikyo Gorge
- Visit Yakushima Environmental Center
- Dinner together
Landmarks Yakushima Island Shiratani-Unsuikyo Gorge Miyanoura - Day 5
Yakushima to Kumamoto
After a relaxing ferry ride back to Kagoshima, you'll take a coach to Kumamoto. There you'll walk through the beautifully preserved Kumamoto Castle and its gardens, which has about 800 cherry trees during blossom season. The 14th-floor observatory at the town hall offers nice views across the area.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel
Included Activities
- Ferry from Yakushima to Kagoshima
- Coach to Kumamoto
- Visit Kumamoto Castle and gardens
- Visit castle museum (Wakuwaku-za)
- View from town hall observatory (14th floor)
Landmarks Kumamoto Castle - Day 6
Kumamoto to Beppu via Takachiho Gorge and Aso Volcano
Early morning departure to see Kyushu's natural wonders. You'll stop at scenic Takachiho Gorge with its 17-meter Minainotaki waterfall, then visit the massive Aso volcano caldera (25 kilometers across) and active Aso volcano. You'll check out Aso Shrine and visit the crater rim if weather allows. Late afternoon arrival in Beppu spa town.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Takachiho Gorge with Minainotaki waterfall
- Visit Aso volcano caldera
- Visit Aso Shrine
- Visit Aso volcano crater rim (weather and seismic activity permitting)
Landmarks Takachiho Gorge Minainotaki Waterfall Aso Caldera Aso Shrine 
- Day 7
Beppu
Start by exploring Beppu's hot springs, beginning with Umijigoku and its colorful pools and tropical gardens. Then head to the stone Buddhas of Usuki (dating from the Heian and Kamakura periods, 8th-13th centuries). After that, walk through historic Usuki's preserved Nioza Street with Edo-period buildings and former samurai villas before returning to Beppu in late afternoon.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Umijigoku hot spring
- Visit stone Buddhas of Usuki
- Explore Nioza Street in Usuki
Optional Activities
- Dinner at recommended restaurant with fugu (puffer fish) specialty
Landmarks Umijigoku Hot Spring Stone Buddhas of Usuki Nioza Street, Usuki - Day 8
Beppu to Himeji to Awajishima Island
Morning train and Shinkansen travel takes you to Himeji to see the magnificent White Heron Castle (UNESCO World Heritage Site), Japan's largest castle with 22 medieval buildings surrounding it. From there, you'll travel to Awajishima Island for a unique Zen meditation experience at Zenbo Seinei retreat, a Pritzker Prize-winning architectural space. You'll have a vegetarian temple dinner.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Vegetarian temple food)
- Accommodation
- Hotel
Included Activities
- Travel by train and Shinkansen
- Visit Himeji Castle (UNESCO World Heritage Site)
- Zen meditation introduction at Zenbo Seinei
- Vegetarian temple dinner
Landmarks Himeji Castle Zenbo Seinei Awajishima Island - Day 9
Awajishima Island to Osaka to Kyoto
Leaving the Zen retreat, you'll head to Osaka and explore the colorful Shinsekai district, known for food and the Billiken 'patron god' statue. The Umeda Sky Building gives you 360-degree views from the Kuchu-Teien Observatory. Later, continue to Kyoto's Fushimi district to see the iconic Fushimi-Inari Shrine with thousands of red torii gates.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel
Included Activities
- Visit Shinsekai district in Osaka
- Visit Umeda Sky Building and Kuchu-Teien Observatory
- Visit Fushimi-Inari Shrine with thousands of red torii gates
Landmarks Shinsekai District Umeda Sky Building Billiken District Fushimi-Inari Shrine - Day 10
Kyoto (Optional Excursion)
You can explore Kyoto on your own or join an optional guided day trip. See Noh Theatre, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the world's oldest form of theater still in practice. Check out the famous Kinkakuji Temple with its Golden Pavilion covered in 20 kilograms of gold leaf. Visit the imperial palace Gosho (or Nijo Castle on closing days). There's also an optional Japanese evening with shabushabu dinner and geisha dances.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Noh Theatre visit with introduction to mask theater and actor training
- Visit Kinkakuji Temple (Golden Pavilion)
- Visit imperial palace Gosho (or Nijo Castle on closing days)
- Japanese evening with shabushabu dinner and geisha dances
Landmarks Noh Theatre Kinkakuji Temple Gosho (Imperial Palace) Nijo Castle - Day 11
Takao - Arashiyama
Head west to the Takao mountain region, famous for autumn foliage. You'll climb ancient stone steps to the wooded Jingoji Temple, then follow the Kiyotaka River to Arashiyama and walk through bamboo forests to the Zen temple Tenryuji with its culturally significant landscape garden. Back in Kyoto's Tondaya Culture House, you can learn calligraphy with brush and ink, and optionally wear a kimono.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Jingoji Temple
- Walk through Arashiyama bamboo forests
- Visit Zen temple Tenryuji and landscape garden
- Calligraphy workshop at Tondaya Culture House
Optional Activities
- Kimono fitting at Tondaya Culture House
Landmarks Takao Mountain Jingoji Temple Kiyotaka River Arashiyama Tenryuji Temple Tondaya Culture House 
- Day 12
Kyoto to Nara to Kanazawa
Travel to Nara, the cradle of Japanese culture. Visit Todaiji Temple (UNESCO World Heritage Site), the world's largest free-standing wooden building with the largest bronze statue ever made. You can feed the tame Japanese Sika deer with deer cookies (though exercise caution). Then continue to Kanazawa, arriving in the afternoon.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel
Included Activities
- Visit Todaiji Temple (UNESCO World Heritage Site)
- Interact with Japanese Sika deer and feed them deer cookies
Landmarks Todaiji Temple Nara - Day 13
Kanazawa
Begin with the magnificent Kenrokuen Landscape Garden, one of Japan's three most beautiful gardens. Visit the D.T. Suzuki Museum for Buddhist philosophy. Walk through the central Omicho fish and vegetable market to sample local delicacies. Explore the beautiful Higashi-Chaya geisha district, and try your hand at gold leaf production at a traditional manufactory.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Kenrokuen Landscape Garden
- Visit D.T. Suzuki Museum
- Stroll through Omicho fish and vegetable market
- Explore Higashi-Chaya geisha district
- Gold leaf production workshop at traditional manufactory
Landmarks Kenrokuen Garden D.T. Suzuki Museum Omicho Fish Market Higashi-Chaya Geisha District - Day 14
Kanazawa to Shirakawa-go to Matsumoto
Drive to Shirakawa-go village in the mountains with distinctive reed-roofed farmhouses (UNESCO World Heritage Site). You'll visit one of these historic structures and experience traditional rural Japan. Then continue on the scenic route to Matsumoto, the castle town at the foot of the Japanese Alps, to explore the photogenic Crow Castle, a beautifully preserved 16th-century fortress.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel
Included Activities
- Visit Shirakawa-go village (UNESCO World Heritage Site)
- Visit reed-roofed farmhouse
- Visit Matsumoto Castle
Landmarks Shirakawa-go Matsumoto Castle 
- Day 15
Matsumoto to Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park
Travel from Matsumoto to Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park. Check out Iyashi-no-Sato village with reed-roofed houses and traditional craftsmen. On clear days, you'll have perfect views of Mount Fuji from the rooftops. Visit the Mt. Fuji World Heritage Center for extensive information. Explore Owakudani valley with hot springs where black eggs are boiled. End with a scenic ferry ride on Lake Ashi aboard a pirate ship surrounded by mountain forests.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel
Included Activities
- Visit Iyashi-no-Sato village
- Visit Mt. Fuji World Heritage Center
- Visit Fuji-Hongu-Sengen Shrine (UNESCO World Heritage Site)
- Explore Owakudani valley with hot springs
- Ferry ride on Lake Ashi aboard 'pirate ship'
Landmarks Iyashi-no-Sato Mount Fuji Mt. Fuji World Heritage Center Fuji-Hongu-Sengen Shrine Owakudani Valley Lake Ashi - Day 16
Fuji-Hakone-Izu to Kamakura to Tokyo
Continue along the scenic Pacific coast to historic Kamakura. Visit the Hasedera Temple with its beautifully arranged seasonal garden (part of the Bando pilgrimage route). See the famous Great Buddha of Kamakura, the city's landmark sitting in the open air. Arrive in Tokyo in late afternoon, and optionally cap the evening with an entertaining dinner show featuring real professional sumo wrestlers.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Hasedera Temple
- Visit Great Buddha of Kamakura
Optional Activities
- Sumo wrestler dinner show
Landmarks Hasedera Temple Great Buddha of Kamakura Kamakura - Day 17
Tokyo (Optional Excursion)
You can explore Tokyo on your own or join an optional guided day trip. Walk through vibrant Shibuya with the Tokyo NOW viewing platform and the world's busiest intersection (Shibuya Crossing). Visit Meiji Shrine, Tokyo's most important shrine. Check out Akihabara's pop culture scene with manga and cosplay items. Visit Second Harvest Japan food bank. End at reconstructed Nakamise-dori pilgrimage street and Sensoji Buddhist temple in Asakusa, then see Tokyo's cityscape from the viewing platform.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Visit Shibuya district with Tokyo NOW viewing platform
- Experience Shibuya Crossing (world's busiest intersection)
- Robot café lunch (optional)
- Visit Meiji Shrine
- Explore Akihabara district
- Visit Akiba Culture Zone shopping center
- Visit Second Harvest Japan food bank
- Visit Nakamise-dori pilgrimage street
- Visit Sensoji Buddhist temple
- Visit Tokyo viewing platform
Landmarks Shibuya District Shibuya Crossing Tokyo NOW Viewing Platform Meiji Shrine Akihabara Akiba Culture Zone Nakamise-dori Sensoji Temple - Day 18
Tokyo Departure
Head to the airport for your return flight to Germany. Breakfast is provided before your departure.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Airport transfer
