Highlights of Southern Japan: Undiscovered Kyushu

Detail-Image
Detail-Image9982

Amazing Experience

Overview

  • Savor local flavors at Fukuoka's famous yatai food stalls, immersing yourself in the city's nightlife, dining culture, and welcoming atmosphere.
  • Unwind in Beppu's iconic hot springs, soaking in mineral rich waters surrounded by steaming geothermal landscapes.
  • Experience an authentic ryokan with panoramic views of Mt. Yufu and open-air hot springs, in one of Kyushu's most beloved onsen towns.
  • Marvel at the dramatic beauty of Takachiho Gorge, one of Japan's most celebrated natural attractions.
  • Discover the volcanic island of Sakurajima and visit the historic Senganen Garden in Kagoshima.

 

Trip Includes

  • 2 nights' premium accommodations in Fukuoka
  • 1 night premium accommodation in Beppu
  • 2 nights' premium ryokan accommodations in Yufuin
  • 2 nights' in premium accommodations in Kumamoto
  • 2 nights' in premium accommodations in Kagoshima
  • Shared Afternoon Hakata Old Town Walking Tour in Fukuoka with tea tasting
  • Private-guided Evening Fukuoka Yatai Food Stalls Tasting walking tour
  • Private-guided Full Day Mythical Shrines & Takachiho Gorge by private vehicle
  • Private-guided Half Day Kumamoto Highlights by public transportation
  • Private-guided Full Day Kagoshima Highlights by public transportation and ferry
  • Entrance fees to sites mentioned during tours
  • Fukuoka to Beppu highway bus ticket
  • Train tickets from Beppu to Yufuin / Yufuin to Kumamoto / Kumamoto to Kagoshima (ordinary class)
  • Breakfast daily (excluding day 1), 1 Lunch, 2 Dinner

 

Trip Excludes

  • Arrival and Departure Airport Transfers
  • Travel insurance
  • International airfare & airfare taxes
  • Meals and beverages not explicity listed as included
  • Optional excurisons/activities
  • Items of a personal nature
  • Passport & Visa fees if applicable

 

Summary

Terms and Conditions

Prices are "from" per person based on twin/double share accommodation and for travel in low season. Seasonal surcharges and blackout dates may apply. Limited seat/spaces and all pricing is subject to change and availability. Rates for single or triple travellers are available on request - please inquire.

 

Your Accommodation

Mitsui Garden Hotel Fukuoka Gion

Mitsui Garden Hotel Fukuoka Gion combines modern comfort with a warm, welcoming atmosphere in the lively Hakata district. Guests can enjoy well-appointed rooms, relaxing baths, and easy access to local shopping, dining, and cultural sites. Its convenient location and thoughtful amenities make it an ideal choice for both business and leisure travelers exploring Fukuoka.

Duration

2 Night Stay

Meal Plan

Full Breakfast

 

Mitsui Garden Hotel Fukuoka Gion

Explore Hakata Old Town, where centuries of history unfold along narrow streets lined with traditional architecture and cultural landmarks. Visit Sennen-no-Mon, the symbolic gate to Hakata’s heritage sites, and Joten-ji Temple, the birthplace of the famous Hakata Gion Yamakasa Festival. Continue to Tocho-ji Temple, home to the striking five-story pagoda and the Fukuoka Daibutsu—Japan’s largest wooden seated statue of Buddha, standing 10.8 meters tall. Within its base, experience The Hell and Pure Land Tour, symbolizing spiritual renewal and the release of worldly worries. Take a relaxing break at Mitsuyasu Seikaen Chaho, a 300-year-old tea shop, where you’ll enjoy kabusecha, a smooth, umami-rich green tea from Yame, paired with uiro, a soft Japanese sweet that originated in Fukuoka. Conclude your tour at Kushida Shrine, Hakata’s oldest and most beloved Shinto shrine, affectionately known as Okushidasan. This sacred site is home to the Yamakasa Festival’s grand floats, displayed year-round. Nearby, visit the Hakatamachiya Furusatokan, a charming museum showcasing traditional crafts, festivals, and everyday life, offering a vivid glimpse into Hakata’s timeless spirit and cultural legacy.

This morning, make your own way to Hakata Station in Fukuoka to take the highway bus to Beppu (bus tickets with reserved seats will be provided). Beppu is one of Japan's most famous hot spring resorts, offering an unparalleled variety of bathing experiences, including - hot water baths, mud baths, sand baths and steam baths. In addition, the Hells of Beppu feature several spectacular hot springs for viewing. The highway bus will take you directly from Fukuoka to Kannawaguchi bus stop in Beppu, a journey of approximately 2 hours and 40 minutes. Upon arrival, you will have the rest of the day to explore Beppu at your own pace. We recommend taking a short walk to visit some of the Hells of Beppu and then visit Hyotan Onsen, one of the city's most beloved day-use hot spring facilities. Hyotan Onsen offers a wide range of hot spring experiences, including an open-air bath, waterfall bath, steam bath, sand bath, foot bath, family private baths and a steam inhalation station. The following Hells of Beppu are within a few minutes’ walk from Kannawaguchi bus stop. Visiting all of them may take 1.5-2 hours. 1. Umi Jigoku (Sea Hell), a blue cobalt pond with a garden, shrine, and pudding made from the onsen steam. 2. Oniishibozu Jigoky (Shaven-Head Hell), with bubbling mud pools. This one only requires a short visit. 3. Shiraike Jigoku (White Pond Hell), a milky white pond in a quiet Japanese garden. 4. Kamado Jigoku (Cooking Pot Hell), multiple colours pools. Visitors can enjoy hand and foot baths and try various snacks cooked or steamed by the hot spring. At the end of the day we suggest you take a taxi to your hotel or ryokan in Beppu, or to go to Beppu Station for your onward journey.

 

Your Accommodation

Hotel Shiragiku

Located in the heart of Beppu, Hotel Shiragiku invites travelers to experience the timeless charm of Japanese hospitality surrounded by serene gardens and soothing hot springs. Guests can unwind in luxurious indoor and open-air baths fed by Beppu's famous natural onsen waters, or enjoy the ultimate relaxation in rooms featuring private semi-outdoor baths. Every stay is elevated by exquisite kaiseki cuisine crafted from the finest Kyushu ingredients, offering a true taste of local culture and indulgence.

Duration

1 Night Stay

Meal Plan

Full Breakfast

 

Hotel Shiragiku

This is a one way ticket with reserved seating. You will make your way independently (at own expense) from your hotel to the train station for your train journey. On arrival at the station, make your way independently (at own expense) by local train, subway or taxi to your hotel. Train schedules are subject to change until tickets are issued closer to your departure date. If the train schedule selected here is not available, we will select the next best option around this timing to ensure you have a seamless journey. Trains operate frequently. Luggage Note: There is limited space available on trains and fees apply to travel with large suitcases. Large suitcases are encouraged to be shipped from your hotel to your next hotel using Japan's efficient luggage forwarding and delivery service (Takuhaibin), please seek assistance from your hotel concierge/front desk and pay locally for this service.

 

Beppu Station to Yufuin Station in Ordinary Class

 

Your Accommodation

Yama no Hotel Musouen

Yama no Hotel Musouen is a tranquil retreat nestled in the mountains, offering serene views of lush forests and seasonal landscapes. The hotel features cozy, elegantly designed rooms, traditional Japanese hospitality, and relaxing hot spring baths for a rejuvenating stay. Its peaceful location makes it an ideal base for exploring nature, hiking trails, and nearby cultural sites.

Duration

2 Night Stay

Meal Plan

Half Board (Breakfast + Dinner)

 

Yama no Hotel Musouen

Enjoy the day as you wish. If you would like to arrange an activity, excursion, or other experience

You will make your way independently (at own expense) from your hotel to the train station for your train journey. On arrival at the station, make your way independently (at own expense) by foot, local train, subway or taxi to your hotel (depending on your hotel location).

 

Yufuin Station to Kumamoto Station

 

Your Accommodation

ANA Crowne Plaza Kumamoto New Sky by IHG

The ANA Crowne Plaza Kumamoto New Sky offers modern comfort and stunning views of the Shirakawa River and Mount Aso, just minutes from Kumamoto Station. Guests can enjoy spacious rooms, refined dining options, and easy access to iconic attractions like Kumamoto Castle. Ideal for both business and leisure travelers, the hotel blends warm Japanese hospitality with international elegance.

Duration

2 Night Stay

Meal Plan

Full Breakfast

 

ANA Crowne Plaza Kumamoto New Sky by IHG

Meet your guide at Kumamoto Station and transfer to your private vehicle to begin your tour with a two-and-a-half hour drive to Amanoiwato Shrine.The legendary Amanoiwato Shrine is a place steeped in Japanese mythology. This sacred site is dedicated to Amaterasu Omikami, the sun goddess, who once hid herself in a nearby cave - Amanoiwato - after becoming upset with her brother. According to ancient lore, her retreat plunged the world into darkness. From the shrine, enjoy a short 10-minute walk to the Amanoyasugawara Dry Riverbed, where it's said that eight million gods gathered to coax Amaterasu out of hiding and restore light to the world. The serene forest trail and spiritual atmosphere make this a deeply memorable stop. Next, stop for lunch (not included), and then continue to the historic Takachiho Shrine, located just a few minutes away. This shrine, over 1,800 years old, is surrounded by towering cedar trees and is believed to enshrine deities central to the mythology of Amaterasu. Then, continue to Takachiho Gorge for a scenic stroll. Walk along the riverside path or rent a boat (not included) to see the Manai Falls, a picturesque waterfall cascading into the emerald waters below. The dramatic basalt cliffs and lush greenery make this spot one of the most iconic natural landscapes in Japan. After the tour, return by private vehicle to your hotel in Kumamoto.

Visit Suizenji Garden, a spacious traditional landscape garden. The garden reproduces in miniature form the 53 post stations of the Tokaido, an important road once connecting Edo with Kyoto, including a small Mt. Fuji. Kumamoto Castle is one of the most impressive castles in Japan. With large castle grounds and a variety of buildings, Kumamoto Castle offers its visitors one of the most complete castle experiences throughout the country.

 

Private Half Day Kumamoto Highlights

 

Kumamoto Station to Kagoshima Chuo Station in Ordinary Class

 

Your Accommodation

Sheraton Kagoshima

The Sheraton Kagoshima offers modern luxury with stunning views of Sakurajima Volcano and Kagoshima Bay. Guests can enjoy spacious, well-appointed rooms, exquisite dining, and top-notch amenities including a fitness center and spa. Conveniently located near the city center, it provides easy access to shopping, cultural sites, and scenic attractions, making it ideal for both leisure and business travelers.

Duration

2 Night Stay

Meal Plan

Full Breakfast

 

Sheraton Kagoshima

Begin your day at Sengan-en Garden, a historic Japanese landscape garden set along the coast just north of downtown Kagoshima. Once the villa of the powerful Shimazu clan, the garden is famed for its elegant design and stunning use of Sakurajima and Kinko Bay as borrowed scenery, creating a breathtaking natural backdrop. Stroll along peaceful paths lined with ponds, bamboo groves, and seasonal flowers, and take in the timeless beauty of this cultural treasure. Enjoy lunch at the garden’s restaurant, where you’ll savor a full-course meal of Satsuma specialties - traditional dishes that showcase Kagoshima’s rich local ingredients, from Kurobuta pork to fresh seafood from nearby waters. In the afternoon, board a ferry to Sakurajima Island, Kagoshima’s iconic volcano and enduring symbol. Admire panoramic views of the bay during the crossing, then explore the island’s viewpoints, hot spring foot baths, and scenic hiking trails, each offering a closer look at the powerful natural landscape that defines Kagoshima.

Request a Trip

Share your travel details and our specialist will contact you shortly.

Tour Map