Kyushu: The Southern Route

Welcome to Japan!

Reception at customs exit by our airport assistant, who will give you all your travel documents and your Pocket WiFi.

Unaccompanied transfer from the airport to Tokyo.

This transfer is by shuttle or shared bus, with other customers going to the same hotel or a hotel close to yours. These transfers depart between 1.5 and 3 hours after your flight's scheduled arrival, and stops may be made before your hotel.

If you would like a private transfer, with no stops and directly after your flight's actual arrival, please choose the "Private taxi from the airport" option.

For your first day in Tokyo, we recommend visiting:

• Harajuku, the trendy district for young people
• Meiji Jingu, the grand imperial shrine
• Takeshita-dori, Tokyo's must-see street
• Omotesando, Tokyo's "Champs-Élysées"
• Shibuya and its famous intersection

For your second day of sightseeing, we suggest visiting:

• Ginza, the chic district
• Tsukiji, the food market
• Hama-rikyu, a Japanese garden nestled between skyscrapers
• Asakusa, the traditional district of the capital
• The Buddhist temple Senso-ji
• Tokyo Skytree, the panoramic tower

In the morning, travel to Kyoto by shinkansen.

Start in the afternoon with:

• Kiyomizu-dera, the great temple of water;
• The historic alleys of Sannen-zaka & Ninnen-zaka;
• Kôdai-ji, Kyoto's temple of maple trees and bamboo.

End your day with a stroll and enjoy the sunset.

Meet your guide in the early evening to begin your nighttime stroll through Gion, Kyoto's historic district (you will find more details about the exact day and meeting place in your travel guide).

For your second day in Kyoto, we recommend the following itinerary:

• The Zen garden at Ryôan-ji;
• Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion);
• Ginkaku-ji (Silver Pavilion)
• The enchanting Philosopher's Path;
• Nanzen-ji Temple.

One of our many experienced English-speaking guides can accompany you on your visit to these iconic sites (available as an option, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.).

For your last day in Kyoto, we recommend visiting Nara, Japan's first permanent capital in the 8th century.

Discover:

• The Shinto shrine Kasuga-taisha and its thousands of lanterns;
• Tôdai-ji, its great bronze Buddha, and the imposing Nan-Daimon gate;
• Kôfuku-ji temple and its charming pagoda

Return to Kyoto for sunset at Fushimi Inari-taisha, the immense shrine with 10,000 torii gates in Kyoto.

If you would like to be accompanied during this day, one of our English-speaking guides will reveal all the secrets of Japan's first capital (optional).

In the morning, take the Shinkansen to Hiroshima, transfer to a local train or tram, then take the ferry to Miyajima.

It's time to explore the island! The Itsukushima-jinja shrine and its large torii gate standing in the sea are a must-see.

Take the cable car up Mount Misen and walk back down. A breathtaking view of Hiroshima Bay awaits you!

Don't miss the Daisho-in Buddhist temple, nestled among the trees at the foot of Mount Misen. The grounds are home to hundreds of Buddhist statues scattered throughout the pavilions and paths.

Traditional Japanese breakfast at the ryokan.

In the morning, stop in Hiroshima to visit the park and peace memorial.

From Hiroshima, head to Kyushu Island and its capital, Fukuoka, just 1 hour away by shinkansen.

With its 2,000 years of history, the capital of Kyushu has always been a gateway to Asia and Western culture.

Capital of a booming region, Fukuoka is now one of Japan's most dynamic cities with its many high-tech companies.

In the evening, visit the lively districts of Nakasu and Tenjin with their hundreds of delicious and welcoming outdoor restaurants offering low prices, known as "yatai."

Join your guide for a morning tour and discover Fukuoka's iconic sites:

• Momochi district: Fukuoka Tower and other futuristic buildings - 22nd-century Japan
• Canal City Hakata: a huge shopping mall harmoniously integrated into an urban park and charming canals
• Asian Art Museum: the world's first museum dedicated to modern Asian art
• Shôfoku-ji Temple: the oldest Zen temple in Japan
• Hakata Machiya: a captivating neighborhood lined with traditional merchant houses

In the afternoon, continue your tour of Fukuoka or take a trip to the surrounding area:

• The beaches around Fukuoka, such as Itoshima and Kusatsu
• Dazaifu, the most famous temple complex on the entire island of Kyushu, south of Fukuoka

This city offers visitors evidence of its rich past. As a trading port with Asia, it was long Japan's only gateway to the outside world, as well as a refuge for Japanese Christians persecuted during the Edo period.

We recommend visiting the following sites:

• Glover Garden (former foreign concession) and Oura Basilica
• Dejima Polder Museum (former Dutch concession)
• Memorial and Museum of the 26 Martyrs
• Sôfukuji Chinese Temple
• Atomic Bomb Museum

Breakfast at the hotel.

There are plenty of day trip destinations from Nagasaki:

• The ghost island of Gunkanjima (boat tickets optional)
• The Shimabara coast, with the slopes of Mount Unzen, one of the world's most active volcanoes, whose eruption in 1991 claimed the lives of volcanologists Katia and Maurice Krafft

And more cheerful sites:

• The *torii gates floating on the sea, with superb views from the coast.
• The village of Amari, famous for its Japanese ceramics.
• Huis Ten Bosch, a theme park recreating a Dutch region, symbolizing the shared past of the two countries.

Breakfast at the hotel and departure for Kumamoto.

We recommend visiting its castle and park, as well as the magnificent Suizen-ji Garden, accessible by tram from the center.

We offer a day trip to explore an active volcano, Mount Aso, east of Kumamoto, or Sakurajima, to the south:

• Mount Aso, accessible in 1 hour and 45 minutes (JR train + bus), is one of the largest calderas in the world, home to 50,000 people despite the volcano still being active. A volcano museum, cable car with views of one of the craters, and a short hike are all on the agenda for this extraordinary day.
• Sakurajima borders the city of Kagoshima, the capital of southern Kyushu. It is nicknamed "the Naples of Japan" for its proximity to this active volcano reminiscent of Vesuvius. Kagoshima City can be reached in 1 hour by Shinkansen, covered by your 5-day North Kyushu Pass. In addition to the view of one of Japan's most famous volcanoes, Kagoshima offers a fabulous garden that is well worth a visit: Senga-en.

Translated It is possible to approach the volcano from Kagoshima.

Send your luggage to your hotel in Yufuin so you can travel light, then set off to explore Hita, a charming town nicknamed the "Kyoto of Kyushu" for its historic streets inspired by the ancient capital.

Start your visit in the Mameda district, located north of the station. The historic heart of the city, it is distinguished by its straight streets lined with traditional buildings. Stroll through this period atmosphere and discover the Kuncho Shuzo sake brewery and its museum dedicated to sake and shochu, the Nihon Marukan Traditional Medicine Museum housed in a remarkable Edo-era building, and the Hita Shoyu Hina Goten, where thousands of delicate hina dolls* are on display.

South of the station lies the old district of Kuma, once a fishing village established along the Mikuma River. Today, it is Hita's onsen district, with modern ryokan and hotels offering baths fed by local hot springs. You can also board traditional yakatabune boats for a dinner cruise on the river and, from May to October, watch cormorant fishing for ayu fish.

Breakfast at the hotel.

In the morning, continue exploring Hita, then depart at noon for Yufuin. The train travels through fabulous landscapes combining mountains, countryside, and the Japanese coast, far from the usual tourist trails.

In the late afternoon, you will arrive in Yufuin, where you can settle into your ryokan and enjoy a traditional dinner.

At the foot of the majestic and lush Mount Yufu, you will enjoy this hot spring resort, one of the favorites among Japanese people. Not to mention the tranquility of the warm waters of Lake Kirin-ko in the city center, or the omnipresent nature of the surrounding area. A peaceful break during your trip!

Don't forget to have your luggage transferred to Osaka so you can travel light the next day.

In the evening, enjoy a second dinner and spend the night at your ryokan.

Traditional breakfast at the ryokan.

Departure by train to Beppu (1 hour 10 minutes, 1 change, all inclusive).

This large seaside city is home to nearly 3,000 hot springs! With its industrial feel, Beppu offers baths for all tastes, whether you want to visit or take a dip.

The walk through the 8 Hells of Beppu (including the Lake of Blood!) is one of a kind: it winds its way between different open-air pools filled with volcanic water. Numerous thermal experiences, including the famous black sand baths, await you in Beppu. Travel around the city by local bus from the central station.

In the early evening, head to the waterfront and the ferry terminal to board a cruise ship. You can have dinner on board (to be paid for directly on site) before spending the night rocked by the waves. Overnight trip on the Seto Inland Sea, arriving in Osaka in the early morning.

Arrive in the morning at Osaka Port. Take the train to the city center and begin your exploration.

We recommend starting gently, with the northern and eastern districts:

• Osaka Castle, popular for its many plum and cherry trees;
• Downtown and Nakanoshima Island, famous for its rose garden surrounded by skyscrapers;
• Utsubo Park, a refreshing oasis in the heart of the business district;
• Visit Umeda, the temple of Japanese shopping;
• Climb to the top of the Umeda Sky Building at dusk for a 360° view of the city.
• End the day in Osaka's liveliest district, Dotombori, famous for its neon signs, vibrant atmosphere, and restaurants.

One of our many experienced English-speaking guides can also accompany you during the day.

For your second day in Osaka, we recommend the following itinerary:

• Osaka Kaiyukan Aquarium: one of the most impressive aquariums in the world in terms of size, famous for its huge central tank and whale shark.
• Tennoji district and Shitenno-ji temple: discover one of Japan's oldest Buddhist temples in a district that blends tradition and modernity.
• Spa World: a vast spa complex offering baths inspired by different cultures, for a unique onsen experience in the heart of the city.
• Shinsekai: a neighborhood with retro charm, dominated by the Tsutenkaku Tower and renowned for its popular atmosphere.
• DenDen Town: a paradise for lovers of electronics, manga, and Japanese pop culture.
• Finish with Dotonbori, the liveliest neighborhood.

For lunch, try takoyaki, delicious octopus bites that are emblematic of the city.

Looking for thrills or to relive your childhood?

Translated Spend the day at Universal Studios Japan (USJ), one of the country's most popular theme parks, with immersive worlds such as Super Nintendo World and the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. An excellent alternative for a day of non-stop entertainment.

Direct transfer to Kansai International Airport KIX.

If you prefer a private transfer at a time of your choice, directly to the airport and without any stops along the way, select the "Private taxi to the airport" option.

Feel free to extend your stay by a few days... we will be happy to assist you!