Luxury Kyushu Private Tour

Book a Luxury Kyushu Private Tour to explore in-depth the wonders of Kyushu Island. This enchanting destination is home to historic treasures both ancient and modern, landscapes of breathtaking beauty, a time- honored culture of pottery-making, UNESCO Heritage Sites at Nagasaki and Yakushima Island, and Takachiho – where Shinto legend comes to life. Explore these and many more thrilling sights and experiences on this bespoke private luxury tour of Kyushu.

The tour begins in Fukuoka, heading to the city of Karatsu, where we visit its reconstructed castle, see the Karatsu festival floats at the Hikiyama Exhibition Hall, and take in the view from the observatory on Mount Kagami. Next, experience the traditional pottery culture of Kyushu by visiting Imari and Arita – two of Japan’s oldest pottery towns. Visit Okawachiyama Village, the “Village of the Secret Kilns”, which once produced ceramics exclusively for the Imperial Family. You’ll be able to enjoy a Pottery Experience while in the Imari region, and at Arita, you’ll visit the famous Genemon Kiln. Go from there to Ureshino, a famous tea-producing region, for a special hands-on Tea Leaf Roasting Experience. Then, in Kashima, you’ll visit the picturesque mountain shrine gates of Yutoku Inari Shrine, and tour a local sake brewery.

At Nagasaki, you’ll have the chance to study the singular history of the region, including the Peace Park and Museum, the 26 Martyrs Monument, and Oura Church – part of the Nagasaki Hidden Christian Sites UNESCO World Heritage Site. See the Western European impact left on Nagasaki by visits to the Dejima District and Glover Garden. After, you’ll take a ferry to Kumamoto to stroll picturesque Suizenji Garden, which recreates scenes from the Old Tokaido Road in miniature. In Kagoshima, you’ll observe the principal landmark of the city – Sakurajima volcano, which is almost constantly erupting. At Senganen Garden, you’ll enjoy spectacular views. In nearby Chiran, you’ll see the Chiran Peace Museum, which remembers the lives of Kamikaze Pilots.

We go from Kagoshima to Yakushima Island, one of Japan’s most beautiful UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Hike the Shiratani Unsuikyo, which inspired the forest from the film “Princess Mononoke”, and see some of the oldest Sugi cedar trees in the world, including the 3000- year-old “Kigensugi Cedar”. We stop in Nichinan to see the Obi Castle Town and participate in a Culinary Event in idyllic Shiba Mountain Village.

We then visit Takachiho, one of the most spiritually important places in the Japanese Shinto religion. It features Amano Iwato Shrine and Amano Yasukawara Cave, which are, according to legend, locations where the sun goddess once came to earth. You will have the opportunity to see this legend and many others unfold during a Yokagura Performance, which tells Shinto stories in a dramatic and exciting way. While there, take a boat ride through breathtaking Takachiho Gorge. The last destination is the famous hot spring resort town of Beppu, home to the mysterious Beppu Hells. Explore the singular characteristics of the Hells, and use steam from the hot springs to cook a delicious lunch. Then see the Japanese Macaques at Mount Takasaki Monkey Park.

Discover the unique cultural delights and natural splendor of Kyushu through a Luxury Private Tour with AJT. This tour is fully customizable, so if you didn’t see a Kyushu attraction that most interested you, we can change the tour to suit your vision. Transportation for our Luxury Private Tours are facilitated by our comfortable private vans, and you will be accompanied by one of our friendly, professional English-speaking guides. Please browse the detailed itinerary below for more information.