Itinerary
- Day 1
Fukuoka
You'll arrive in Fukuoka, Kyushu's largest city and capital of the prefecture. After checking into your luxury hotel in the city center, you'll join a welcome reception to kick things off.
- Day 2
Fukuoka to Dazaifu
This morning you'll see Fukuoka Tower and the castle ruins at Maizuru Park. Then you're heading to Dazaifu, a historic town from the late 7th century that once governed Kyushu. You'll wander the main street shops before settling into your ryokan for the night. Later, a resident priest takes you to Dazaifu Tenmangu shrine for an atmospheric evening visit.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Fukuoka Tower
- Visit Fukuoka Castle ruins in Maizuru Park
- Evening and after-hours visit to Dazaifu Tenmangu shrine with resident priest
Landmarks/POIs Fukuoka Tower Fukuoka Castle (Maizuru Park) Dazaifu Tenmangu - Day 3
Dazaifu to Beppu
Head to Hoshina village, one of Kyushu's key tea-growing areas. At the Hoshino Tea Museum you'll learn about tea culture, grind tea leaves, and drink matcha. After that, you're driving to Tao Open Air Theatre in Aso Kuju National Park for lunch and a live taiko drumming performance on their Skyward Stage overlooking the Aso mountains. Before heading to Beppu, you'll cross Japan's longest and loftiest pedestrian bridge, Konokoe Yume Suspension Bridge.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch at Tao House), Dinner
Included Activities
- Make your own Matcha Green Tea at Hoshino Tea Museum
- Witness a performance of Drum TAO at Tao Open Air Theatre
- Visit Konokoe Yume Suspension Bridge
Landmarks/POIs Hoshino Tea Museum Tao Open Air Theatre Aso Kuju National Park Konokoe Yume Suspension Bridge - Day 4
Beppu
Start in Kannawa District exploring three of the Seven Hells, those unique hot springs too hot for bathing with the cobalt blue Umi Jigoku and others. You'll check out the Beppu Kannawa Jigoku Onsen Museum and walk through town to see how geothermal steam shapes the area. Lunch at Mushichiarou features local specialties cooked with geothermal steam. Afternoon brings a choice: try a geothermally heated sand bath on the beach or participate in the Nagai Bamboo Factory experience.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Local specialty at Mushichiarou restaurant, cooked using geothermal steam), Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit three of the Seven Hells (Umi Jigoku, Oniishibozo Jigoku, Kamado Jigoku)
Optional Activities
- Sand Bath: Geothermally heated sand experience on the beach (42°C)
- Nagai Bamboo Factory: Learn the process of washing, cutting, and shaving bamboo to make products
Landmarks/POIs Umi Jigoku (Sea Hell) Oniishibozo Jigoku (Muddy Hell) Kamado Jigoku Beppu Kannawa Jigoku Onsen Museum - Day 5
Beppu to Kunisaki Peninsula
You're heading down to Kitsuki, known as Kyushu's little Kyoto, to visit Japan's smallest castle and explore the Samurai District. Then into the Kunisaki Peninsula forests to Monjusenji Temple, reportedly opened in 648, where you'll see the Gomataki Fire Stick ritual with a monk kindling sacrificial fire and making offerings. Next is Futago-ji Temple on Mt Futago slopes, established in 718. Back at your hotel, you'll have free time to try the deluxe onsens.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Visit Japan's smallest castle in Kitsuki
- Explore the Samurai District
- Attend a Gomataki Fire Stick Ceremony at Monjusenji Temple
- Visit Futago-ji Temple
Landmarks/POIs Kitsuki Castle Monjusenji Temple Futago-ji Temple Mt Futago 
- Day 6
Kunisaki Peninsula to Kuma Valley
You're driving to Yufuin onsen for a 30-minute rickshaw ride around town and Lake Kinrin. Walk along Yunotsubo Kaido street with its charming cafes and restaurants. Then it's to Kuju Winery at Mount Kuju's base for lunch, wine tasting, and a vineyard tour. After driving through Aso Kuju National Park grasslands, you'll view inside Mt Aso Nakadake Crater, Japan's most active volcano (depending on weather). From there you're heading to Kuma Valley and your award-winning accommodation.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch at Kuju Winery)
Included Activities
- 30-minute rickshaw ride around Yufuin and Lake Kinrin
- Walk along Yunotsubo Kaido street
- Wine tasting and tour at Kuju Winery
- Visit Mt Aso Nakadake Crater (access permitting)
Landmarks/POIs Lake Kinrin Yunotsubo Kaido Kuju Winery Mt Aso Nakadake Crater Aso Kuju National Park - Day 7
Kuma Valley
Choose your morning activity: cycle through the Hidden Valley of Spirits on an e-bike or learn traditional fermentation with local chef Secchan to create umami. After lunch, you'll visit the Kuma shoyu brewery, the valley's oldest shochu distillery with 350 years of history.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Visit Kuma shochu brewery
Optional Activities
- E-bike ride through the Hidden Valley of Spirits
- Local Cuisine Cooking Adventure: Traditional fermentation experience with Secchan
Landmarks/POIs Hidden Valley of Spirits Kuma shochu brewery - Day 8
Kuma Valley to Kumamoto
Start at Shinguzenji Temple for a Taisharyu Samurai and sword experience, a traditional martial arts style from the late 16th century. Then you're driving to Kumamoto, one of Japan's less visited cities. After lunch, see Suizenji Jojuen Garden, built in 1671 by the Hosokawa family, and enjoy matcha tea and traditional sweets at the garden teahouse. Ride the city tram to your hotel. For dinner, you can explore local nightlife at Yokobachi Izakaya with your Tour Director or dine at Suncielo, an Italian restaurant.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Scenic Freechoice Dining - either at Yokobachi or Suncielo)
Included Activities
- Taisharyu Samurai and sword experience at Shinguzenji Temple
- Ride the Kumamoto City Tram
- Visit Suizenji Jojuen Garden
Optional Activities
- Local fare at Yokobachi: Explore local nightlife in Shimotori Arcade and dine at Yokobachi Izakaya with Tour Director
- Dine at Suncielo: Authentic Italian courses with local seasonal ingredients at ANA Crowne Plaza Hotel
Landmarks/POIs Shinguzenji Temple Suizenji Jojuen Garden Kumamoto City Tram - Day 9
Kumamoto
You'll go through Kumamoto Castle, recently reopened after 2016 earthquake repairs. Learn about its role in the Seinan Civil War and samurai Saigo Takamori's uprising. The Uto Turret is one of few structures that survived the 1877 siege. After lunch, you have a hands-on class at the 230-year-old sweet shop Kitagawa Tenmeido to create traditional Japanese wagashi sweets. The rest of the day is yours to do what you like.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Visit Kumamoto Castle
- Attend a Japanese sweets 'wagashi' class at Kitagawa Tenmeido
Landmarks/POIs Kumamoto Castle Kitagawa Tenmeido - Day 10
Kumamoto to Nagasaki
You're driving to Yamaga to visit one of Japan's 17 remaining traditional Kabuki theaters. Walk through to understand the backstage workings of this traditional art form. Then continue to Nagasaki and check into your boutique hotel for the next two nights.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Visit traditional Kabuki theatre in Yamaga
Landmarks/POIs Yamaga Kabuki Theatre - Day 11
Nagasaki
Pick a morning activity: explore Christianity's history through Oura Catholic Church, the Shrine to the 26 Martyrs, and Glover Garden with its historic house, or visit Peace Park and the Atomic Bomb Museum to reflect on the city's tragic modern history. Your afternoon is free. In the evening, take a cable car to Inasayama Observatory at Mt Inasa's top for sweeping city views, one of Japan's three best night views.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Cable car to Inasayama Observatory
Optional Activities
- Christianity in Japan: Visit Oura Catholic Church, Shrine to the 26 Martyrs, Glover Garden and House
- Atomic Legacy: Visit Peace Park and the Atomic Bomb Museum
Landmarks/POIs Oura Catholic Church Shrine to the 26 Martyrs Glover Garden and House Peace Park Atomic Bomb Museum Inasayama Observatory Mt Inasa - Day 12
Nagasaki to Fukuoka
You're leaving Nagasaki and heading through Saga Prefecture countryside back to Fukuoka, stopping at Arita, the world-famous pottery village. Check out the Kyushu Ceramic Museum to learn about Kyushu ceramics history, then walk the old Arita streets. Continue to Karatsu for lunch and see the Karatsu Hikiyama Exhibition Hall with 19th century floats from the annual Kunchi Festival. You'll check into your luxury hotel in Fukuoka's city center for two nights. Your Tour Director takes you to open air food stalls (Yatai) later to help you choose your own meal of yakitori, oden, or Hakata ramen.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch in Karatsu), Dinner (Dinner at Fukuoka's open air food stalls (Yatai) - choice of Yakitori, Oden or Hakata Ramen)
Included Activities
- Visit Kyushu Ceramic Museum in Arita
- Visit Karatsu Hikiyama Exhibition Hall
Landmarks/POIs Arita pottery village Kyushu Ceramic Museum Karatsu Hikiyama Exhibition Hall Fukuoka Yatai (food stalls) - Day 13
Fukuoka
Start exploring at Shofuku-ji, Japan's oldest Zen temple. Visit a sake brewery to learn about and taste the local brewing process for different sake types. After lunch, your afternoon is at leisure. This evening you'll gather for your farewell dinner.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Farewell dinner)
Included Activities
- Visit Shofuku-ji (oldest Zen Temple in Japan)
- Visit Sake Brewery for tasting and learning
Landmarks/POIs Shofuku-ji - Day 14
Fukuoka
You'll depart today, taking treasured memories of your time in Kyushu, Japan.
