Single Supplement:
Kyushu, Japan's third largest island, is known for its volcanic activity and many hot springs. With stunning scenery, historical sites, and amazing cultural experiences, this tour is great for those looking to explore more rural Japan and travel off the beaten path. Your English-speaking guide will provide valuable insight into each of your destinations and guide you through rural Japan. During the autumn season, the weather begins to cool and the leaves start to change their colors, makin... View More
Kyushu, Japan's third largest island, is known for its
volcanic activity and many hot springs. With stunning
scenery, historical sites, and amazing cultural
experiences, this tour is great for those looking to
explore more rural Japan and travel off the beaten
path. Your English-speaking guide will provide
valuable insight into each of your destinations and
guide you through rural Japan. During the autumn
season, the weather begins to cool and the leaves
start to change their colors, making for stunning views
and easy hikes. Join All Japan Tours, as we take you
on an expedition through Japan's southernmost main
island.
Our tour begins with the historic city of Kyoto that was
spared from air raids and saved from the atomic bomb
during World War II for its cultural and historical value.
We will also visit the nearby town of Asuka, one of
Japan’s earliest capital before sailing through the Seto
Inland see to venture deeper into the cradle of
Japanese civilization. As though formed over fire,
Kyushu is known for its many active volcanoes and
hot springs. You will as visit Mt. Aso, one of the world’s
oldest calderas as well as several hot spring towns
that are natural by-products from the volcanoes. We
will also visit the rock formations that make the
Takachiho Gorge, another by-product of the
volcanoes. While there, we will learn a little about
ancient Japanese mythology by watching a Yokugura
Dance. At some point, we will spend a day further
relaxing and having the unique experience of being
buried in hot sand in Yamakawa. Hike through the lush
forests at the UNESCO World Heritage site of
Yakushima, where you will find giant cedar trees that
are said to be thousands of years old. Spend time in
the historic city of Nagasaki, known for not only its
devastating past in WWII but for being one of the first
places that opened trade to the world. We end our tour
in Japan’s other metropolis of Osaka, home to neon
lights and street food.
Note: this is an intense rated hiking trip with
some steady steep ascents and hikes over 4 hours.
Activity Level: Intense
Our Intense tours generally have dedicated days of
trail walking, with some days of over four hours and
with some ascent and/or descent.
Who is an Intense tour designed for?
- We recommend our Intense tours for anyone who
does regular walking or hiking, and is comfortable
walking a full day with some climbing and descending.
- If you do not exercise regularly, please practice
walking for three to four hours, about three to six
months prior to the tour in order to get the most out of
your trip.
Accommodations
This itinerary contains overnight stays at Western
Hotels, Ryokans, and Minshukus. Ryokans and
Minshukus are more traditional accommodations, with a
more casual hospitality than you will find at a hotel. At
both a Ryokan and a Minshuku, you will stay in a simply
furnished room and sleep on a futon, which is laid on a
tatami mat.
Some Ryokans may have private
bathrooms attached to your room, but others only have
public bathrooms used by all the guests. Minshukus
usually offer only a public bathroom – meaning either a
smaller bathroom used one guest at a time, or larger
bathrooms separated by gender (male & female), and
designed to be used by multiple guests at once.