Kyushu Walking & Hiking Tour: Spring 2027

Day 1

Meet in Osaka

Meet your guide and other group members at the tour hotel in central Ōsaka in the evening. There will be a welcome dinner at a local restaurant.

Welcome Dinner

Western-style hotel

Day 2

Osaka (board ferry to Kyushu)

Today we explore the Tennōji area of Osaka, where some of the city’s oldest history meets unmistakable local character. Founded in the sixth century, Shitennōji is one of Japan’s oldest Buddhist temples and a cornerstone of early Japanese Buddhism. Established by Prince Shotoku, the temple has been rebuilt over the centuries but still follows its original layout. Its five story pagoda rises above the grounds, and the main hall offers a quiet space for reflection in the middle of the city. We will also visit Tsutenkaku Tower, one of Osaka’s most recognizable landmarks. Standing in the nostalgic Shinsekai district, the tower reflects the city’s lively, down to earth spirit. The surrounding streets are known for their retro atmosphere and local eateries, giving a look into everyday Osaka life. In the evening, we head to Osaka Port to board our overnight ferry across the Seto Inland Sea to Beppu. On board, we have private cabins for a comfortable night’s rest, and there is even a Japanese style bath where you can relax as the ship sails through calm island dotted waters. It is a smooth and uniquely Japanese way to travel between regions.

Breakfast

Ferry Cabin

Day 3

Beppu - Kurokawa Onsen

Arriving in Beppu by sea is a memorable way to experience one of Japan’s most famous hot spring cities. As the ship approaches the harbor, you can see steam rising across town from hundreds of natural hot springs. With mountains behind it and the bay in front, Beppu has a dramatic setting shaped by powerful geothermal activity. From Beppu, we travel by bus into the mountains to Kurokawa Onsen, a small hot spring village known for its traditional atmosphere. Wooden buildings, narrow lanes, and riverside paths give the town a timeless feel. After checking into our ryokan, you will have time to soak in one of the village’s mineral rich hot spring baths, many set outdoors and surrounded by forest scenery. In the evening, we enjoy a multicourse dinner at the inn. Each dish highlights seasonal ingredients and regional specialties, carefully prepared and beautifully presented for a relaxed and authentic dining experience.

Breakfast / Dinner

Onsen Ryokan (Japanese-style hotel)

Day 4

Mount Aso - Takachiho

From Kurokawa Onsen, we travel by private chartered coach to Takachiho. If the weather is clear, we will have sweeping views of Mount Aso along the way. Mount Aso is not a single peak but a group of five volcanoes set within one of the largest calderas in the world. Mount Takadake and Mount Nakadake rise prominently above the landscape, and these peaks have been revered since ancient times as sacred mountains. At Aso, a local guide leads us across the wide grasslands that fill the caldera. These open fields are not accidental. They have been carefully maintained for generations through controlled burning and traditional grazing. Walking along gentle paths, we take in expansive views, seasonal wildflowers, and the distinct beauty of this highland environment. You will also learn how local communities continue to manage and protect this environment so it can be preserved for the future. We then continue to the town of Takachiho, where we will stay for the next two nights.

Breakfast / Dinner

Japanese-style hotel

Day 5

Takachiho Gorge

After breakfast, we visit Ama no Iwato Shrine, known as Heaven’s Rock Cave. According to Japanese mythology, this is the cave where the sun goddess Amaterasu hid herself, plunging the world into darkness. The shrine stands in a quiet forested setting along the river, and the sacred cave across the water remains an important place of worship. It is one of the most significant sites connected to Japan’s creation story. We then continue to Takachiho Gorge, where sheer basalt cliffs line a narrow river below. The unusual rock formations were shaped by ancient volcanic eruptions and over time became woven into local folklore and the national creation myth. We take a short walk along the gorge to appreciate the scenery before stopping for lunch at a small local teahouse. After dinner at our ryokan, we visit Takachiho Shrine to watch yokagura, a traditional sacred dance performance. These dances recount the myth of Japan’s creation through music, masks, and storytelling, offering a meaningful cultural experience rooted in centuries of tradition.

Walking distance: 6 km / 3.75 mi
Time required: 2 hours

Breakfast / Dinner

Ryokan (traditional Japanese inn)

Day 6

Kumamoto - Kagoshima

Leaving Takachiho, we travel to Kumamoto to visit Kumamoto Castle, considered one of Japan’s great historic castles. Originally built in the early seventeenth century, it is known for its impressive stone walls and defensive design. Despite damage from the 2016 earthquake, much of the castle has been carefully restored, and it remains a powerful symbol of the region’s resilience and samurai heritage. After lunch, we continue south to Kagoshima. The city sits along Kagoshima Bay with Sakurajima, one of Japan’s most active volcanoes, rising dramatically across the water. Its constant presence gives the city a striking natural backdrop. We visit Sengan en, the elegant villa and gardens of the Shimazu Clan, who ruled this area for centuries. The landscaped grounds use Sakurajima as a natural extension of the garden design, blending scenery and architecture beautifully. Kagoshima has a culture and cuisine that feel distinct from other parts of Japan. Shochu, often made from sweet potato, is more popular here than sake. Local specialties include tender kurobuta pork, a prized Berkshire breed, and freshly grilled bonito skipjack tuna, reflecting the region’s strong agricultural and coastal traditions.

Breakfast

Western-style Hotel

Day 7

Yakushima Island

From Kagoshima, we take a ferry across the water to Yakushima Island, a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Japan’s most remarkable natural destinations. As the island comes into view, its steep mountains rise sharply from the sea, setting the tone for what feels like a completely different world. While small fishing communities line the coast, the island’s interior is dense, wild, and carefully protected. Yakushima is best known for its ancient cedar trees called yakusugi, some estimated to be more than a thousand years old. These massive trees, with their twisted trunks and thick roots, stand in moss covered forests that stay lush and green year round due to the island’s heavy rainfall. Walking here is not just scenic, it is immersive. The air is cool and damp, the forest floor soft underfoot, and every turn reveals layers of deep green. Along the coast, the landscape shifts dramatically. Rocky shores, quiet beaches, and seaside hot springs offer open ocean views and a chance to relax after a day of hiking. Yakushima is not polished or overdeveloped. It is raw, powerful, and deeply memorable.

Breakfast / Dinner

Western-style hotel

Day 8

Hike Yakushima Island

Today we spend a full day exploring Yakushima. We hike into the island’s interior, walking through ancient forest among towering yakusugi cedar trees. Some of these trees are estimated to be more than a thousand years old, with thick, twisted trunks and roots that grip the moss covered ground. If we are fortunate, we may spot Yakushima macaques moving through the trees or resting along the trails. The center of the island is a temperate rainforest, shaped by heavy rainfall and protected for generations. Mount Miyanoura, the highest peak on Yakushima, is also the tallest mountain in southern Japan, adding to the island’s dramatic landscape. Because development has been kept to a minimum, the ecosystem remains intact and remarkably diverse. After our hike, we return by local bus to our hotel to rest and reflect on the day.

Walking distance: 3 km / 1.9 mi
Time required: 3 hours

Breakfast / Dinner

Western-style hotel

Day 9

Yakushima Island

On our third day on Yakushima, we explore the island by private coach, allowing us to see a wider range of its coastal and forest terrain. We begin with a stop at one of Yakushima’s beautiful beaches, where clear water meets rugged shoreline and the mountains rise in the distance. We then travel along the Seibu Rindo Forest Path, one of the most untouched areas of the island. This protected coastal forest is home to yakuzaru macaques and yakushika deer, which often move freely along the road and through the trees. The setting feels wild and unspoiled, with a rare chance to observe wildlife in its natural habitat. We also visit one of Japan’s most remarkable seaside hot springs, built directly into the rocks and washed by the ocean at high tide. It is a simple but powerful setting, shaped entirely by nature. After lunch, we take a short walk along a forest trail to reach a hidden waterfall, a quiet and refreshing end to the day’s exploration.

Breakfast / Dinner

Western-style hotel

Day 10

Nagasaki

Leaving Yakushima by high speed ferry, we return to Kagoshima and board the bullet train for Nagasaki. The journey is smooth and efficient, carrying us north through Kyushu’s changing environment. Nagasaki holds a unique place in Japanese history. During Japan’s 250 year period of government controlled isolation, it was one of the only ports permitted to engage in foreign trade, primarily with the Dutch and Chinese. This exchange shaped the city’s culture, architecture, and cuisine in ways still visible today. Nagasaki is also known worldwide as the site of the second atomic bombing in 1945, an event that profoundly shaped its identity and message of peace. Today, Nagasaki is a vibrant coastal city that balances its modern energy with deep historical reflection. Its waterfront, historic districts, and international influences create an atmosphere unlike anywhere else in Japan.

Breakfast

Western-style hotel

Day 11

Nagasaki

This morning we visit Dejima, once a small artificial island built in Nagasaki Harbor to house Dutch traders during Japan’s long period of isolation. For more than two centuries, Dejima was one of the only gateways between Japan and the outside world. Foreign merchants were not permitted to step onto the mainland, and their lives were carefully regulated within this confined space. Today, Dejima has been thoughtfully restored, and you can walk through reconstructed buildings that reflect what life was like during this unique chapter in Japan’s history. We then visit Sofuku ji Temple, founded in the seventeenth century by Chinese settlers. The temple’s architecture reflects strong Chinese influences, with bold colors and distinctive design details that set it apart from many other temples in Japan. It is a reminder of Nagasaki’s long history as a port city shaped by international exchange. Later, there will be free time to relax, explore at your own pace, or shop for souvenirs. In the evening, we gather for a farewell dinner to reflect on the journey and celebrate the experiences we have shared together.

Breakfast / Dinner

Western-style hotel

Day 12

Tour Ends

Our tour ends after breakfast at our hotel in Nagasaki. Your guide will offer advice on your journey to the airport for your homeward flight, or on onward travel in Japan if you are extending your stay.

Breakfast