Luxury Tours

9 Day Luxury Kyushu Tour

*Prices and inclusions are subject to change.

Travel the length of Japan's southern island, Kyushu, on this 9-day tour through Kagoshima, Miyazaki and Beppu. Enjoy Fukuoka's soul food, 'Hakata Ramen', as well as mineral-rich onsen-steamed dishes in Beppu. Travel in style on the 36+3 train from Kagoshima to Miyazaki to enjoy the breathtaking scenery at Takachiho Gorge.

*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.

Board the courtesy shuttle to your accommodation at the Agora Fukuoka Hilltop Resort & Spa.

Boasting a beautiful location with an unbeatable panoramic view of Fukuoka, the AGORA Fukuoka Hilltop Hotel & Spa is built on the concept of "Excitement & Tranquility". Blending the "Excitement" of lively, bustling Fukuoka with the "Tranquility" the hotel provides through its impeccable hospitality.

After check in, return to Hakata Station on the shuttle bus and commence your exploration of Fukuoka. Your sightseeing might include:

Tochoji Temple - this temple is home to Japan's largest wooden Buddha, Fukuoka Daibutsu. Beside the statue an entrance leads to a 'tour of heaven and hell' which begins with chilling images of hell, then walking through a passage in darkness, you emerge to a vision of heaven.

Jotenji Temple - this became the birthplace of udon and soba noodles when the founder of the temple, a well-known priest introduced the methods to Japan.

Wakahachimangu Shrine - many Japanese people visit this shrine to expel the evil spirits that haunt them during their 'unlucky years' in life.

Ramen Stadium (11:00-23:00) - here you can sample a selection of different ramen from all over Japan. The servings are small so you can try a number of different flavours.

Hakata Machiya Folk Musuem (10:00-18:00/JPY200) - discover the daily life and culture of those living in Hakata City during the Meiji and Taisho periods. Traditional crafts are demonstrated and many products and souvenirs are available for purchase.

In the evening, continue on to 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, but many also offer Chinese and Western dishes.

Stay: Agora Fukuoka Hilltop Resort & Spa - 1/2

Day 02 - Fukuoka

Make a day trip to Dazaifu to visit Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine - the most popular shrine in Fukuoka. From the Hakata Bus Terminal, board a Nishitetsu bus to Dazaifu. (40 mins/JPY600)

The Tenmangu shrines are dedicated to the spirit of Sugawara Michizane who was a scholar and politician during the Heian period, and the Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine was built on the site of his grave. Michizane was fond of plum trees, so the Japanese gardens at the shrine contain over 6,000 plum trees which bloom from late February to mid-March.

On the way to the shrine, visit a teahouse and enjoy the garden view while sipping maccha green tea and savouring freshly-baked umegaemochi rice-cakes which are said to have the power to ward off illness.

Visit the nearby Komyozenji (08:00-17:00/JPY200), for the beautiful Zen gardens. The rear garden is a representation of bodies of land and water through the careful layout of raked pebbles, large rocks and moss patches.

Return to Hakata Station and board a subway train to Tenjin Station. (10 mins) Tenjin is the vibrant and central area of Fukuoka, and well-known as another area popular for "yatai" food stalls. The Hakata ramen is one of the popular local dishes.

Stay: Agora Fukuoka Hilltop Resort & Spa - 2/2

Day 03 - Fukuoka - Kagoshima

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

From Kagoshima-Chuo Station board the courtesy shuttle bus to your accommodation at the Shiroyama Hotel Kagoshima. Situated on Shiroyama hill 108 m above sea level, SHIROYAMA HOTEL kagoshima overlooks Kagoshima City and offers commanding views of Sakurajima, the symbol of Kagoshima, and Kinko Bay.

After check-in, return to the station and 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: Shiroyama Hotel Kagoshima - 1/2

Day 04 - Kagoshima - Kumamoto - Kagoshima

Make a day trip to Kumamoto by boarding a Sakura bullet train from Kagoshima-Chuo Station to Kumamoto Station. (45 mins)

Visit the Sakura-no-baba Josaien by boarding the Shiromegurin Bus from Kumamoto Station to Sakura-no-baba Josaien stop. (10 mins) Located at the foot of Kumamoto Castle, the Josaien (09:00-22:00) features facilities which introduce the food, history and cultural traditions of Kumamoto. The Sakuranokoji Shopping Arcade has a number of shops and restaurants selling local goods.

From here, walk to Kumamoto Castle. (7 mins) Kumamoto Castle was constructed over 400 years ago and known as one of the top three significant castles in Japan.

Next, walk to the Prefectural Traditional Crafts Center (09:00-17:00/JPY210) which is 8 minutes on foot. See the permanent exhibition of traditional local crafts such Shodai-yaki pottery, Higo-zogan inlay and Yamaga-Toro lanterns.

Stay: Shiroyama Hotel Kagoshima - 2/2

Day 05 - Kagoshima - Miyazaki

Check-out of your accommodation and return to Kagoshima-Chuo Station. From here, commence your journey to Miyazaki aboard the 36+6 train, a sleek, modern, luxury sightseeing train that runs a weekly circuit through Kyushu's different regions. The train is outfitted with traditional elements such as sliding shoji screens and intricate wooden latticework by local craftsmen.

Upon arrival at Miyazaki Station, board a taxi to your accommodation at the Garden Terrace Miyazaki Hotel & Resort. (4 mins)

After check-in, board a JR Nippo Line train to Miyazaki Jingu Station. (3 mins) From here, walk 5 minutes to Miyazaki Shrine. Miyazaki Shrine is said to have been established over 2,600 years ago, and is dedicated to the mythological first emperor and descendant of the Sun Goddess Amaterasu, Emperor Jimmu. The shrine is located in the centre of a lush, tranquil forest with pleasant walking trails.

In the evening, visit Miyazaki's restaurant district, Nishitachi. Nishitachi has more than 1,500 restaurants, and a retro atmosphere with streets flanked by lanterns. Try one of the many restaurants that serve the high-quality Miyazaki beef.

Stay: Garden Terrace Miyazaki Hotel & Resort - 1/2

Day 06 - Miyazaki / Takachiho Gorge

Meet your taxi driver this morning at the East Exit of JR Miyazaki Station. Your touring of the Takachiho area today will include a visit to the Takachiho Shrine, Takachiho Gorge, Amano Iwato Shrine and the Amanoyasu Dry Riverbed.

The town of Takachiho is rich in Japanese mythology, and the sites there relate to the legend of the Sun Goddess Amaterasu, who hid in a cave to escape her brother's taunts, sending Japan into darkness and prompting the other gods to attempt to lure her back out.

The highlight, picturesque Takachiho Gorge, is a narrow chasm with sheer cliffs of volcanic basalt columns and a 17m high waterfall cascading over the edge.

Stay: Garden Terrace Miyazaki Hotel & Resort - 2/2

Day 07 - Miyazaki - Beppu

Check-out of your accommodation and leave your luggage at the bell captain's desk for your later return.

From Miyazaki Station board a JR Nichinan Line train to Aoshima Station. (30 mins) From here, it is a ten minute walk to Aoshima Island, a small island surrounded by unique, corrugated rocks, lending to their name, "Demon washboards" and have been designated national natural monuments. In the centre of the island is the Aoshima Shrine which is surrounded by a subtropical forest.

Return to collect your luggage and from Miyazaki Station board a Limited Express Nichirin train to Beppu Station. (200 mins) Board the courtesy shuttle bus to your accommodation at the ANA Intercontinental Beppu Resort & Spa.
Enjoy a relaxing stay in guestrooms which feature private terraces and floor-to-ceiling windows and views of the Ogiyama mountainside.

In the evening board a taxi to the Jigokumushi Kobo Kannawa Steam Cooking Centre (10 mins), 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.

Stay: ANA Intercontinental Beppu Resort & Spa - 1/2

Day 08 - Beppu - Yufuin - Beppu

Today make a day trip to the charming village of Yufuin. Board the courtesy shuttle bus back to Beppu Station.

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.

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

Stay: ANA Intercontinental Beppu Resort & Spa - 2/2

Day 09 - Beppu - Airport

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) From Hakata Station, board the Fukuoka City Subway to Fukuoka Airport Station. (6 mins)