Rural and remote, the island of Kyushu is a world away from the non-stop hive of activity of Japan’s eastern seaboard. From the laid-back historic port city of Nagasaki to the hot spring town of Beppu and the ancient forests of Yakushima Island, there are many treasures waiting to be discovered.
World Heritage Yakushima Island is sure to be a highlight of this trip, possessing one of Japan's most treasured natural wonders - a stunning ancient forest containing 1900 species of flora and dating back thousands of years. You will be staying close to the sea and the forest allowing you to enjoy and absorb the atmosphere of this magical island which was the inspiration of Hayao Miyazaki's classic animated film, Princess Mononoke.
Staging point for your Yakushima stay is the city of Kagoshima, often referred to as the Naples of Japan due to its similar climate and proximity to Mt. Sakurajima volcano - Kagoshima's Vesuvius. Mt. Aso also provides awe-inspiring natural landscapes; the lush green slopes of the world's largest volcanic caldera framing the harsh fiery void at its centre.
To the west, the port of Nagasaki was the only place in Japan that was open to the outside world during more than two centuries of national isolation and as a result has influences from China, Holland and Portugal which can be seen throughout the city. The reconstructed Dutch factory of Dejima and the Meiji period colonial style homes echo this. Nagasaki is perhaps most famous for being the victim of the second nuclear bomb at the end of World War Two. You may like to take a tram over to the Peace Memorial Park at Urakami, the epicentre of the bomb and where now stands a moving museum dedicated to that dark chapter in history.
Opportunities for hot spring baths await in Beppu, one of Japan's foremost onsen (spa) towns and famed for its brightly coloured lava pits known as 'hells'. Beppu's sand baths, meanwhile, are renowned for their therapeutic qualities. Kumamoto by contrast, is a castle town with one of Japan's best samurai castles to explore as well as some lovely surrounding gardens.
Unzen is a much more rural hot spring resort. Along the Shimabara Peninsula, you will head 800 metres above sea level to this active volcanic national park set amongst a Martian landscape of reddish coloured ground and bellowing clouds of sulphuric gas. You can take a walk alongside the bubbling waters of Jigokudani (Hell Valley), or soak in one of the vast number of hot spring baths for which the area is famous.
Prices:
2012
Standard:
Twin: £2610 Single: £3050
Upgrade:
Twin: £3440 Single: £4710
Click for full details of pricing including extra nights
What's Included:
- 16 nights accommodation (7 nights Japanese-style)
- Breakfast each morning
- 7 evening meals
- Meet and Greet upon arrival at Tokyo Narita Airport
- Airport transfers on arrival and departure
- Most transport between destinations including domestic flights (some airport transfers are not included and need to be paid for on the day)
- Tokyo Pasmo card for use on subway
- 8 hours private guide service in Tokyo
- InsideJapan Tours Info-Pack
- International Flights
- Local transport (buses, subways, taxis) at any destination
- Airport transfer for domestic flight to / from Tokyo Haneda Airport
- Day 6 – Bus from Kumamoto port to Kumamoto station (400yen per person)
- Any entrance fees including those for shrines, temples and museums
- Baggage handling - you will be expected to carry your own bags for the duration of the trip
Supplements
Seasonal supplement of £289 per person applies for packages
starting 22nd Nov to 2nd Jan; 18th Feb to 28th March and 2nd
July to 28th August.
Black Out Dates
Please note that during certain Japanese holiday periods, the prices
detailed in this brochure are NOT valid for packages if any of the
nights? accommodation fall within the following dates:
29th December to 4th January New Year
29th April to 5th May Golden Week
9th August to 17th August Obon Festival
Included evening meals are in Unzen (1), Aso (2), Beppu (1), Yufuin (1) and Yakushima (2)
Day by Day Itinerary
Day 1 Tokyo
Meals: None
Arriving on the main island of Honshu at Tokyo’s Narita Airport, you will be met by one of our representatives and will transfer to central Tokyo by train, with a short taxi ride to your hotel. You will be staying in the historic Asakusa district which is home to the famous Senso-ji temple and its imposing Thunder Gate, as well as some of the oldest restaurants and bars in the city.
Day 2 Tokyo
Meals: Breakfast
Today you will have a full day to explore this exciting city with the help of your very own private guide. The local English-speaking guide will help you get the most out of your stay in Tokyo meeting you at your hotel and taking you to all the main sights and anywhere else that you wish to visit whether it be the neon of Shinjuku or Shibuya or the various serene strolling gardens dotted throughout the city. This will be an opportunity to get a feel for a modern city and an ancient culture through a local person.
Day 3 Tokyo
Meals: Breakfast
Today is a free day to further explore Tokyo and its wealth of sights. The key to understanding and appreciating Tokyo is to visit as many of its different distrcts as possible, each with its own atmosphere and character. From the upmarket boutiques and grand kabuki theatre of Ginza to the teenage fashion hubs of Shibuya and Harajuku, Tokyo is all about sharp contrasts and unexpected surprises! Getting around the city is simple with your included transport pass, which lets you jump on almost any overland and subway train in the city. In the evening you will be spoilt for choice with more visits than you could visit in a lifetime, from streetside beer and snack stalls to a range of Michelin-starred restaurants – Tokyo has twice as many as Paris!
Day 4 Nagasaki
Meals: Breakfast
Flying south, you will arrive on the island of Kyushu and the worlds first off-shore airport in Omura Bay. A short bus transfer takes you to the historic trading city of Nagasaki. The port of Nagasaki was the only place in Japan that was open to the outside world during more than two centuries of national isolation and as a result has obvious influences from China, Holland and Portugal which can be seen throughout the city.
Day 5 Nagasaki
Meals: Breakfast
Today you have a full day to explore the early and modern history of the city, from the vibrant China Town to the reconstructed Dutch factories of Dejima or maybe the Meiji period colonial style homes. You could also take the tram over to Urakami, and the site of what Nagasaki is perhaps most famous for - the world’s second nuclear bomb - visiting the Peace Memorial Park and the moving museum dedicated to the city’s darkest day. In the evening, you can recap on your day’s sightseeing by taking a cable car trip up to the top of Mount Inasa for the “Million Dollar View” of this beautiful city.
Day 6 Unzen
Meals: Breakfast/Dinner
Train and bus take you along the Shimabara Peninsula today, as you head 800 metres above sea level to Unzen Onsen. This active volcanic national park and the Unzen Onsen area itself provides something of a Martian landscape with its reddish coloured ground and billowing clouds of sulphuric gas. You can take a walk along side the bubbling waters of ‘Jigokudani’ (Hell Valley) or soak in one of the vast number of hot spring baths that makes the area famous. Tonight will be your first experience of traditional Japanese-style hospitality with an overnight stay in a ryokan (Japanese inn).
Day 7 Kumamoto
Meals: Breakfast
Journey today by bus and ferry to the pleasant city of Kumamoto, home to one of Japan’s most spectacular castles. Kumamoto if also famous for its Suizenji garden which features a long landscape piece depicting the famous tokaido trading route.
Day 8 Mt Aso
Meals: Breakfast/Dinner
From Kumamoto you will continue by train inland to the volcanic caldera of Mt Aso, one of the largest calderas in the world, and a place where you can really get an idea of the scale of Japan’s unstable geological history. Tonight you will be staying at another Japanese style ryokan with a selection of hot spring baths heated up by one of Aso’s five active volcanoes.
Day 9 Mt Aso
Meals: Breakfast/Dinner
At over 128km in circumference the Aso caldera offers plenty of walking through the grassy flatlands. You can hike (or take the easier option of a cable car) up to the top of the active Nake-Dake volcano crater and visit the excellent museum depicting the history of the volcano. From the top of any of the five peaks, you will be offered splendid views overlooking Aso’s impressive crater. After a day of walking or exploring by bus, you can be reassured in the knowledge that you are able to soothe any aches and pains in the ryokan baths.
Day 10 Beppu
Meals: Breakfast/Dinner
A short train ride today to the amazing spa town of Beppu on the east coast of Kyushu. If you thought you had experienced hot-spring bathing already on your trip, then you ain’t seen nothing yet! Beppu is one of Japan’s most famous spa resorts, and although undeniably tacky in parts it is a great place to see Japanese tourism in action and of course to join the locals in what they do best – spending the day wandering from bath to bath, enjoying a succession of relaxing soaks! Baths come in all shapes and sizes from traditional wooden tubs to huge modern bath complexes – you can even be buried up to the neck in hot volcanic sand to experience it therapeutic effects! You might like to check out some of the ‘hells’ that are Beppu’s other claim to fame; hot bubbling pools of volcanic activity (of various colours) which are definitely NOT for bathing in.
Day 11 Yufuin
Meals: Breakfast/Dinner
Today you will travel to the nearby town of Yufuin, a small town that regards itself as a more refined version of Beppu, with its own hot springs and a range of interesting art museums, all set around a central lake. You can explore the foothills or make a climb of Mt. Yufu if you wish - some great views make the effort worthwhile!
Day 12 Kagoshima
Meals: Breakfast
Today you will continue your journey south to Kagoshima. Kagoshima is by far the biggest city in the area and is often referred to as the Naples of Japan due to its similar climate and proximity to Mt. Sakurajima volcano – Kagoshima’s Vesuvius. The city is dominated by Sakurajima which can be reached via a ten minute ferry ride from the port. You can take a bus around the city visiting the museums and castle ruins of the Shiroyama area or take a ride on the Ferris-wheel that sits on top of the main shopping arcade enabling for a great view of the city.
Day 13 Kagoshima
Meals: Breakfast
You may like to take things easy today, a chance to enjoy the facilities of a place the size of Kagoshima, before you head to the remote Yakushima island tomorrow. If you are feeling more adventurous you may like to make a day trip north into the Kirishima National Park, a beautiful area famous for its volcanic scenery and colourful lakes.
Day 14 Yakushima
Meals: Breakfast/Dinner
From Kagoshima you will be taking the speedy jetfoil ferry to the World Heritage site of Yakushima Island. This is one of Japan’s most treasured natural wonders boasting a stunning ancient forest containing 1900 species of flora and dating back thousands of years. You will be staying close to the sea and the ancient forests allowing you to enjoy and absorb the atmosphere of this magical island.
Day 15 Yakushima
Meals: Breakfast/Dinner
Today, you can spend time walking along the beautiful coastline or through the forests. The island has so much to offer whether it be the monkey, deer or even the giant turtles that can be seen laying eggs on the beaches at certain times of year. Walking through these ancient forests gave famous animator Hayao Miyazaki the inspiration for his classic animation film, “Princess Mononoke”. The hot springs in the sea are also not to be missed.
Day 16 Tokyo
Meals: Breakfast
Boarding a flight from Yakushima you will be treated to an aerial view of the stunning scenery and Sakura-jima volcano, then connecting with another flight at Kagoshima you will leave the steaming south and arrive back in the bright lights of Tokyo. You will have a last chance to do some shopping and sample some of the high paced atmosphere of Shinjuku, one of Tokyo’s most exciting districts and a real contrast with old-world Asakusa where you began your adventure. Shinjuku is full of energy, bright lights and great shopping and nightlife options, making this a great place to finish your adventure.
Day 17 Depart
Meals: Breakfast
Sadly your adventures in Japan are at an end. The Narita Express train will speed you back to Narita Airport in good time for your flight home. Have a safe flight!
Photos
No photos currently available.
Pricing Information
| 2012 | |||
| Standard Price: | £2610 (Single Price: £3050) | ||
| Upgrade Price: | £3440 (Single Price: £4710) | ||
Extra Nights: |
|||
Standard Grade |
|||
| Start: Twin Share pp £65
Single pp £65
End: Twin Share pp £65 Single pp £80 |
|||
Superior Grade |
|||
| Start: Twin Share pp £90
Single pp £110
End: Twin Share pp £115 Single pp £175 |
|||
Accommodation
Asakusa Blue Wave Inn
Tokyo
Moderate Hotel
The Blue Wave Inn is located just a stone's throw from Sensoji Temple, the oldest and most venerated in Tokyo. Rooms are modern and bright and fully en-suite. The Ginza and Asakusa subway lines are just a short walk away meaning access to the rest of Tokyo is easy and the nearby Tobu line provides direct trains to Nikko.
APA Hotel Nagasaki Eki-Minami
Nagasaki
Moderate Hotel
The APA Hotel Nagasaki Eki-Minami is a smart and comfortable business hotel conveniently located near the harbour and a short walk to the bars and restaurants of Dejima Promenade and Wharf. A seven minute walk from Nagasaki station and a great base for sightseeing rooms are Western-style and are equipped with the basic amenities.
Unzen Fukiya Ryokan
Unzen
Ryokan (JP)
In Unzen you will stay at the Fukiya Ryokan, deep within the ‘Jikoku’ ('hells') of the area and with views facing out over the sulphurous valley. This Japanese style hotel has a fine selection of natural hot spring baths to enjoy, including open-air rock baths, sauna and baths which can be reserved for private use. All rooms are Japanese style, with tatami mat floor, seating area and en-suite facilities. Evening meals are cooked using fresh, locally grown ingredients, prepared at the hotel daily and served in the Japanese-style hotel restaurant.
Dormy Inn Kumamoto
Kumamoto
Business Hotel
The Dormy Inn is a modern, western style hotel with comfortable rooms, and the added bonus of hot spring baths on the top floor, perfect for a relaxing soak after a day's sightseeing! The hotel also offers a small restaurant, laundry facilities and and shuttle bus service to/from nearby Kumamoto station.
Onsen Ryokan Shinwaen
Mt. Aso
Ryokan (JP)
This is a beautiful traditional ryokan just a short walk from the centre of town. The wooden building is full of character and has a lovely atmosphere. The Japanese style rooms do not have attached bathrooms or toilets but both the indoor and open air hot spring baths are available for private use.
Nogami Honkan
Beppu
Ryokan (JP)
The Nogami Honkan is a lovely Japanese-style inn located in the main entertainment and shopping district of Beppu. Rooms are traditional style with attached bathroom. There are also five hot spring baths to choose from, three of which are private use.
Yufuin Minshuku Hasuwa
Yufuin
Minshuku (JP)
The Minshuku Hasuwa is a traditional style Japanese guest house near the Yufu mountain range in Japan and convenient for all of the natural sights in this area. The minshuku has its own hot spring baths to enjoy as well as a bath available for private use. There are only five Japanese-style rooms making it a wonderfully cosy and friendly stay. English is spoken here and an internet computer is also available.
Richmond Hotel Kinseicho Kagoshima
Kagoshima
Business Hotel
Located in the heart of downtown Kagoshima and a short tram ride from Kagoshima Chuo Station, this is a great business hotel with small, but comfortable en-suite Western-style rooms. A good hotel from which to explore not only the city, but also Sakurajima one of Japan’s most active volcanoes and Kirishima National Park both of which are easily accessible by public transport. Ineya, the hotel’s Japanese restaurant, is located on the ground floor.
Yakushima Ryoso Miyama
Yakushima
Ryokan (JP)
The Ryoso Miyama is a friendly newly built Japanese style inn located in the small port town of Miyanoura on Yakushima island. The inn features home-cooked meals and is a great base for exploring the island. All of the 8 rooms are Japanese style and although they are not en-suite, the traditional style bath can usually be used privately.
Shinjuku Sunroute Plaza
Tokyo
Moderate Hotel
The Shinjuku Sunroute Plaza is conveniently located on the south side of Shinjuku station and opened in late 2007. The building has a sleek and modern design throughout, from the spacious lobby area to the well-appointed guestrooms, which offer flatscreen TV with video-on-demand and spacious bathrooms. The hotel has its own restaurant and bar and also a guest lounge providing internet access and complimentary hot drinks. The hotel is in a fantastic location in the lively Shinjuku district of Tokyo, with an endless choice of shopping, dining and entertainment options within a few minutes' walk. The hotel is also just two minutes on foot from Shinjuku station, offering easy access to other areas of the city.
E-mail to a Friend
Order a
-2010.jpg "The Guardian, The Observer - Travel Awards 2010 Winner - Best tour operator (small)")
.jpg "Inside Japan Tours - Silver at the British Travel Awards 2009")
