Kyushu Onsen Retreat

Pick up your hire car in Fukuoka and set off for the first stop on your tour. 

Famous for its eel dishes and the quality of its water, sake distilleries and soy sauce manufacturers have established themselves here. 

Don't miss out on a tour of the local produce shops, artisan shops and a visit to a sake distillery: an ideal day out for lovers of Japanese cuisine. 

Extend your tour and explore a historic building offering breathtaking views over the whole city or a manufacturer of geta, traditional Japanese shoes worn by geishas for instance. 

After a long day, enjoy a well-deserved meal and head back to your hotel, where an exceptional onsen awaits you.

After a hearty breakfast at your hotel and a short drive, you'll reach a gigantic thousand-year-old ginkgo tree, then a little further on, magnificent waterfalls in the middle of a forest. 

On the way to your first onsen of the day, stop off at a tofu maker renowned throughout the region for the flavour of his products. Then enjoy an invigorating break in an onsen located in the heart of a spa village. 

After a moment of relaxation, plunge into the heart of nature and observe the cultivation of shiitake mushrooms. 

Take a short break in a charming, picturesque village before heading back to your hotel. Enjoy the thermal springs for the best possible rest!

On the morning of the third day, you'll ride to a observatory deck where you'll be treated to a spectacular view of the mountains. 

After a short break in a local rest house, it's time to relish in the nearby hot springs. Once you're well rested, continue your adventure and take to the road to an open-air theatre where great shows are held from time to time. 

During the day, you can experience two unique onsen : the first has a high sulfur content and the second has a carbon-rich spring where the water is naturally sparkling. 

A vineyard where volcanic wine is produced and a European-style farm are ideal places to take a break before entering the hot springs. 

Take the road towards Beppu, where you will stop for the night.

The final day begins with a visit to the town of Beppu, famous for its hot springs.

On the menu : a visit to the 7 Hells of Beppu, with their characteristic colours, to a bamboo product manufacturer, among others. 

We suggest you spend this half-day with a local guide, available as an optional extra.

To round off this adventure in style, take a tour of the town's best onsen. Bathing with a panoramic view, herbal baths or open-air baths, you're bound to find what you're looking for in one of the city's 3,000 onsen. 

Once you've finished your trip, it's time to return your vehicle to the rental agency on the harbour and board a ferry to Osaka, just a short walk away. 

You'll have dinner and spend the night on the ferry, arriving in Osaka the following morning.

After an overnight stay on board the ferry, you disembark in Osaka, Japan's third-largest city and a hub of culture, history and modernity.