Southern Japan Tours

8 Day Kyushu Adventure

Travel the length of Japan's southern island, Kyushu, on this 8-day tour through Kagoshima, Kumamoto and Beppu. Enjoy Fukuoka's soul food, 'Hakata Ramen', as well as mineral-rich onsen-steamed dishes in Beppu. Visit the sand baths of Ibusuki, the volcanic Sakurajima Island, and the picturesque Yufuin, among the highlights of Kyushu on this tour.

*inclusions shown in the bullet points - package does not include airfares

Day 01 - Arrive Fukuoka

Welcome to Fukuoka! Upon arrival at Fukuoka Airport, clear customs with your luggage and exit to the Arrivals Lobby. Board a Subway to Hakata Station. (10 min) Visit the JR Kyushu Ticket Office within Hakata Station, and issue your Japan Rail Pass.

Your accommodation at the JR Kyushu is a two minute walk from the Hakata Exit of Hakata Station.

After check in, visit the Nakasu area where you will find yatai food stalls stretching along the Naka River. Many of the stalls here serve up ramen, oden, gyoza, tempura and stir-fry noodles, and many also offer Chinese and Western dishes.

Stay: JR Kyushu Hotel Fukuoka - 1/1

Day 02 - Fukuoka - Kagoshima

Today is the first day of your 7 Day All Kyushu Rail Pass.

From Hakata Station board a Sakura bullet train to Kagoshima-Chuo Station. (95 mins)

Your accommodation at the JR Kyushu Hotel Kagoshima is a one minute walk from Kagoshima-Chuo Station.

After check-in, board a Kagoshima City View bus to visit the Senganen Gardens. (50 mins) These beautiful Japanese-landscaped gardens feature ponds, streams, a bamboo grove, and the impressive Sakurajima and Kagoshima Bay as a backdrop.

Continue by bus to the Kagoshima Suizokukan (Kagoshima City Aquarium/Sakurajima Wharf). (15 mins) From here, walk down to Sakurajima Ferry Terminal and board a ferry to Sakurajima Port (15 min) to explore Sakurajima Island - one of the active volcanoes in Japan, and symbol of Kagoshima.

Using the local buses, visit the highlights of Sakurajima Island:

Nagisa lava trail (10 min walk): about 3 km long walking trails from nearby Sakurajima Ferry Terminal through to a lava zone.

Nagisa Foot Bath Park (5 min walk): the park has 100m long open-air foot bath available for public.

Yunohira Observation Point (get off at Yogan Tenbojo bus stop): located on the 4th station of Mt Kita Dake - the highest spot you can climb up on Sakurajima. Here you can enjoy a 360 degree panoramic view, overlooking the beautiful forest.

Stay: JR Kyushu Hotel Kagoshima - 1/2

Day 03 - Kagoshima - Ibusuki - Kagoshima

Travel to the Ibusuki area which is well-known for its unique 'Sunamushi' sand bath.

From JR Kagoshima-Chuo Station, use your rail pass to board a JR Ibusuki Makurazaki Line train to Ibusuki. (70 mins)

Alternatively, purchase a ticket to board the Tamatebako, a vintage tourist train with passenger seats that face the window so that you can enjoy the ocean view. (*advanced reservations required)

Upon arrival at Ibusuki Station, take a taxi to the Ibusuki Hakusuikan. (10 min) This luxury hotel has a range of hotsprings that you can try at their large Japanese Onsen. Enjoy this therapeutic experience and feel refreshed and relaxed afterwards!
The Hakusuikan also boasts a magnificent antique collection for which it has received a Michelin Star award.

Stay: JR Kyushu Hotel Kagoshima - 2/2

Day 04 - Kagoshima - Kumamoto

Check-out of your accommodation and from Kagoshima-Chuo Station, board a Sakura bullet train to Kumamoto. (60 mins)

Your accommodation at the New Hotel Kumamoto is a 1 minute walk from JR Kumamoto Station via the Shirakawa Exit.

Spend the afternoon exploring Kumamoto's attractions including:

Kumamoto Castle - constructed over 400 years ago and known as one of the top three significant castles in Japan.

Hosokawa Mansion - this 990m2 property used to be a property of the samurai clan (Hosokawa). The mansion still conserves the original layout of the house from over 360 years ago and it is registered as a 'Tangible Cultural Property' of Kumamoto Prefecture.

Suizenji Jojuen (Suizenji Park) - The origin of this garden dates back to 1632 when Hosokawa Tadatoshi from the first generation of local lords who ruled over the Higo provinces built Suizenji Temple by the lake. The temple was later relocated and a tea room was built in its place. Subsequently, the site became a retreat and the garden for the Hosokawa family for many years (7.30am-6pm/JPY400).

A 'city circle' bus, called the Shiromegurin, operates every 20 minutes between 8:30 - 17:10. The circle bus departs from Kumamoto Station and goes around the castle area, then back to Kumamoto Station.

Stay: The New Hotel Kumamoto - 1/2

Day 05 - Kumamoto

Today is a free day for sightseeing.

Continue exploring in Kumamoto City, or make a day trip to a number of accessible day trip destinations from Kumamoto including Kurokawa Onsen, Yanagawa (also known as the little Venice of Kyushu), or the 120 islands of the Amakusa Archipelago.

Stay: The New Hotel Kumamoto - 2/2

Day 06 - Kumamoto - Beppu

Check-out of your accommodation and return to Hakata Station by bullet train. Change trains to board a Limited Express train to Beppu. (110 mins)

Your accommodation at the Hana Beppu is a six minute walk from the West Exit of the station.

After check in, begin exploring the spa resort town of Beppu. This is the town for real onsen enthusiasts. Beppu is unique in its various types of onsen, not limited to natural hot spring baths, but also sand baths, steam baths and mud baths. Explore the various hot spring facilities throughout the town.

In the evening board a bus to the Kannawa bus terminal. (15 mins) Here you will find the seven "Hells" of Beppu - seven unique hot springs intended for viewing, not bathing. Among them include the bubbling hot mud bath, and the red "Blood Pond".
In the area you will also find the Jigokumushi Kobo Kannawa Steam Cooking Centre, a facility where you can steam your own meal using a traditional method of cooking with natural hot steam from the hot springs. This style of cooking is said to be healthy and the naturally mineral-filled steam enhances the flavour of the food. Plates of vegetables, chicken, seafood etc. can be purchased for JPY150-3,100, then a steam chamber can be rented for JPY510 for 30 minutes, plus JPY150 for each additional 10 minutes. Staff will assist with getting your cooking underway.

*Your stay at the Hana Hotel includes breakfast daily

Stay: Hana Beppu - 1/2

Day 07 - Beppu - Yufuin - Beppu

Today make a day trip to the charming village of Yufuin.

At the Tourist Information Center within Beppu Station, purchase bus tickets for the Yufurin Bus to Beppu Ropeway (40 mins) to enjoy the panoramic views of Beppu, Oita, Yufu and the Kuju Mountains.

Next, continue on the Yufurin Bus to Yufuin. (28 mins) The bus takes a scenic route past Mt Yufu and the beautiful countryside and concludes its route at the bus terminal in front of JR Yufuin Station.

Stroll through the main shopping street (Yunotsubo Street) which is lined with cute cafes, boutiques and small museums. The scenic street with a feel of the old Edo period leads to the beautiful Lake Kinrin. Make sure you try some of the delicacies that they sell in the little shops.

If you feel like going to an onsen we recommend a visit to the Sansuikan Ryokan, located right near Yufuin Station by the Oita River. (12:00-16:00 / JPY700)

Return to Beppu by boarding a train from Yufuin Station via Oita. (85 min)

Stay: Hana Beppu - 2/2

Day 08 - Depart Beppu

Today is the final day of your 7 Day Japan All Kyushu Rail Pass.

Check-out of your accommodation and from Beppu Station, board a Limited Express train to Kokura Station. (72 mins) Change trains to board the bullet train to Hakata Station. (20 mins)

*Or discuss with the Japan Travel Experts at JPT who can recommend a range of exciting extension options such as further exploration in Kyushu, travel to the island of Shikoku, or travel around the the main island of Honshu.