Kyushu Walking & Hiking Tour: Autumn Leaves

Day 1

Meet in Kyoto

Welcome to Kyoto! Meet at the tour hotel in central Kyoto in the evening. There will be a Welcome Dinner at a nearby restaurant.

Welcome Dinner

Royal Park Hotel Kyoto Sanjo or similar class (Western Hotel)

Day 2

Sightseeing in Kyoto

We begin our tour of the historic city of Kyoto at Ginkaku-ji, the Silver Pavilion, a Zen temple modeled after the Golden Pavilion. This was built as a retirement residence for Ashikaga Yoshimasa and filled with beautiful moss gardens and varies temple structures. Next, we will stroll along the Philosopher’s Path which runs along a water canal lined with hundreds of cherry blossom trees. We then reach Nanzenji Temple, a famous Zen temple converted from the retirement villa belonging to Emperor Kameyama, we can enjoy the views and unique architectural traits of ancient Japan. After lunch, we continue to explore Kyoto, traveling to Nijo Castle, a designated UNESCO world heritage site and a perfect architectural example of castles from the feudal era of Japan. Lastly, we will visit the Nishiki Market. This narrow shopping street, commonly referred to as 'Kyoto's Kitchen,' is filled with more than 100 restaurants and shops showcasing Kyoto specialties such as Japanese sweets, pickles, dried seafood, and sushi.

Breakfast

Royal Park Hotel Kyoto Sanjo or similar class (Western Hotel)

Day 3

Asuka & ferry to Kyushu

In the morning, we make our way to Asuka by local train. Asuka is an integral part of Japanese history as the town is one of Japan’s first capitals in early civilization and where Buddhism was introduced from Korea. We then make our way to Osaka port where we embark on an overnight ferry to Beppu through the Seto Inland Sea. As we calmly drift pass the thousands of small islands that are spread across this body of water, you can enjoy your own private cabin and relax in a Japanese hot bath.

Walking distance: 5.3 km / 3.3 miles
Time required: About 1.5 hours

Breakfast

Overnight Ferry

Day 4

Beppu and Kurokawa Onsen

Beppu is considered a bather's paradise as it is a celebrated hot spring resort destination. One of Beppu's most celebrated attractions, the Jigoku Meguri, or "Boiling Hells" hot springs are ideal for viewing rather than bathing. The springs earned their name because it was said that these mysterious, steamy attractions resembled a scene from hell ("jigoku" means "hell"). From Beppu, we make our way by bus to Kurokawa Onsen where we spend the night in a traditional Japanese Ryokan, or traveler’s inn. In the evening, relax in the natural onsen hot spring and enjoy a traditional kaiseki dinner.

Breakfast / Dinner

Sanga Ryokan or similar class (Onsen Ryokan)

Day 5

Mount Aso & Takachiho

After breakfast, we make for Takachiho by private charter bus. Along the way, we will pass by Mt. Aso, Japan’s largest active volcano. The Five Peaks of Mt. Aso is said to resemble a sleeping Bhudda hence being given the name “Reclining Buddha”. We continue to the southern part of the mountain range and stop in Shirakawa Springs where we will be spending the night. While the natural hot springs are a treasure to the area, we will also have the pleasure of sampling the renowned mineral water with some of the locals.

Breakfast / Dinner

Hotel Shikimi or similar class (Ryokan)

Day 6

Takachiho Gorge

In the morning, we continue towards Takachiho and first make a visit to the Amano Iwato Shrine. The shrine was built near the cave where Amaterasu, the Shinto Sun Goddess, is said to have hidden herself. We then head to the Takachiho Gorge, a narrow chasm cut through the rock by the Gokase River. The nearly sheer cliffs lining the gorge are made of slow forming volcanic basalt columns, which resemble the scales of a dragon where the stone twisted and flowed as it was formed. After our evening dinner at our Ryokan, we make our way to the Takachiho Shrine to witness a Yokagura Dance Performance. An outrageously ribald dance that supposedly caused Amaterasu to leave the cave to see what all the fun was about, and in doing so she returned her light to the world.

Walking distance: 6 km / 3.75 miles
Time required: About 2 hour

Breakfast / Dinner

Hotel Shikimi or similar class (Ryokan)

Day 7

Kumamoto & Kagoshima

Today, we continue our journey from Takachiho to Kumamoto and visit the Suizen-ji Garden. This Japanese-style landscape garden pays tribute to the Tokaido, one of the five important routes of the Edo Period which connected Kyoto to Edo (Modern Day Tokyo). There is even a miniature version of Mt. Fuji! We then continue to the city of Kagoshima, rich in culture and cuisine that is distinctly unique from other places in Japan such as local dishes like Kurobuta and Grilled Bonito. Shochu rivals Sake as drink of choice in these parts as well.

Breakfast

Kagoshima Tokyu REI Hotel or similar class (Western Hotel)

Day 8

Ibusuki and Hot Sand Baths

On this day, we take a relaxing day-trip from Kagoshima to Ibusuki, an onsen town particularly famous for not its hot spring baths but for the sand baths. Visitors are provided with a yukata robe can spend 10-20 minutes buried in the volcanic black sand. The sand is naturally heated by steam coming from below. We return back to Kagoshima in the evening for dinner.

Walking distance: 6.3 km / 4 miles
Time required: about 1.5 hours

Breakfast

Kagoshima Tokyu REI Hotel or similar class (Western Hotel)

Day 9

Yakushima Island

Today we hop on another ferry ride to our next destination, UNESCO World Heritage site, Yakushima Island. The island is home to thousands of giant cedar trees like Jomonsugi, which name comes from Jomon (a period of Ancient Japan) and Sugi (Japanese for Cedar) and is estimated to be 2,000 to 7,500 years old. Tonight, we stay at a family-run guesthouse called minshuku and be treated to a meal using locally grown ingredients and the day’s fresh catch.

Breakfast / Dinner

Guesthouse Manmaru or similar class (Minshuku)

Day 10

Yakushima Island

On our second day in Yakushima, we spend the day hiking through the lush green forest of giant cedar trees on one of the many trails. One trail leads to Shiratani Unsuikyo, famous for being the inspiration for the Studio Ghibli Film Princess Mononoke. At the end of the day, we return back to your Minshuku by bus.

Walking distance: 5 km / 3 miles
Time required: about 3 hours

Breakfast / Dinner

Guesthouse Manmaru or similar class (Minshuku)

Day 11

Yakushima Island

Today we spend our last morning in the Tohoku region by riding bicycles around the Tono countryside. Along the road, you may visit one of the aforementioned folk villages as you pass by the many traditional thatched roofed farm houses. If the timing is right, you may also be able to witness farmers hard at work harvesting Japan’s staple food, rice! In the afternoon, we say goodbye to Tono and make our way to Shin-Hanamaki to board out bullet train back to Tokyo.

Cycling distance: 25 km / 16 miles
Elevation gain: little ascent or descent
Time required: 2 hours

Breakfast / Dinner

Guesthouse Manmaru or similar class (Minshuku)

Day 12

Transfer to Nagasaki

In the morning, we return to Kagoshima by ferry and board a bullet train to Nagasaki. Originally an international port, the city played an important role in foreign trade between mainland China, Korea, and exclusively with some Western countries during Japan’s period of isolation. Nagasaki is a melting pot of cultures as it is said that this is where Buddhism and Catholicism were introduced to Japan. You can also see this in the architecture of some buildings in temples and churches. The city also shares a grim past with Hiroshima as it was the second city to be hit by an atomic bomb during WW2 and serves as a reminder to promote peace.

Breakfast

ANA Crowne Plaza Nagasaki or similar class (Western Hotel)

Day 13

Nagasaki

Today, we visit the man-made island of Dejima in the port of Nagasaki. This island was once used to segregate Portuguese merchants from the Japanese population to limit their missionary activities. Next, we visit Sofuku-ji Temple, originally built for Chinese settlers in Nagasaki and now belongs to the Obaku School of Zen Buddhism. What sets Sofuku-ji apart from other Japanese temples is that its architecture is built in a more Chinese style. Afterwards, you will have the option to relax and do some last minute shopping or pay a visit to the A-bomb Museum, built in remembrance to the events of August 9th, 1945. The goal of this museum is to promote peace so that horrific events such as these never occur again.

Breakfast

ANA Crowne Plaza Nagasaki or similar class (Western Hotel)

Day 14

Bullet Train to Osaka

In the morning, we visit Glover Garden – an open-air museum where you can see a fine collection of historic mansions of former residents of Nagasaki who moved there from the western world. After lunch, we make our way to Osaka by bullet train. Upon arrival, you are free for leisure to relax or explore the area for some shopping and site seeing one your own. In the evening, enjoy your last night in Japan with your travel group at the Farewell Dinner.

Breakfast / Farewell Dinner

Hotel Monterey Grasmere Osaka or similar class (Western Hotel)

Day 15

Tour Ends

After breakfast, our tour officially ends. Your guide will be happy to offer assistance and advice for your journey to the airport or onward travel in Japan.

Breakfast