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.

 

Day by Day Itinerary

Day 1 Tokyo

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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!