This course will take you to famous tourist destinations in Northern Kyushu, including Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine, Kumamoto Castle, Daikanbou with its spectacular view of Aso, a walk in the famous Yufuin, and the Beppu Hot Springs Experience.
The TOTO Museum, a slightly different type of museum, is a popular destination for both Japanese and foreign visitors alike, as it offers a glimpse into the history and evolution of the creation of a new lifestyle and culture.
In the traditional culture experience, you will try your hand at bamboo crafting in Beppu, and at Suizenji Park, you will try on a kimono and experience matcha (powdered green powdered tea).
At the end of the tour, enjoy Fukuoka’s local cuisine such as mizutaki and motsunabe, as well as a tour of the food stalls in Fukuoka.
Day1
Fukuoka Airport International Flight – Fukuoka City
Upon arrival at Fukuoka Airport, an English-speaking assistant will meet you at the arrival lobby and accompany you to your hotel for check-in.
For dinner, enjoy Fukuoka’s famous yatai stalls and local cuisine in the vicinity of your hotel. (on your own)
Overnight stay at a hotel in Fukuoka City (1 night)
Day2
Fukuoka City – Dazaifu – Aso, Kumamoto
Breakfast will be provided at the hotel.
Depart from the hotel by private car to Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine which is dedicated to Sugawara no Michizane, the god of learning, and enjoy shopping and eating on the road leading to the shrine.
After leaving Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine, you will visit Kumamoto Castle, a symbol of reconstruction. Enjoy Kumamoto’s local cuisine at Josaien for lunch (on your own).
After lunch, stop by Suizenji Park, a Japanese garden, where you can try wearing a kimono and take a rest drinking green tea. Following the rest, travel to Aso by private car.
Overnight stay at Aso (1 night)
Day3
Aso – Yufuin – Beppu
Breakfast will be provided at the hotel.
After breakfast, you will take a private car to Mt. Aso, which has one of the world’s largest calderas. Visit the crater of Mt. Aso which is famous for being an active volcano.
Kusasenrigahama is one of the most popular sightseeing spots in Kumamoto. Enjoy a horseback riding experience in the prairie.
You will stop at Daikanbo, where you can enjoy a 360-degree panorama.
You will take you to Yufuin, where old buildings stand side by side as if you were transported back in time to the world of period dramas.
Take a stroll along Yunotsubo Highway and visit Lake Kinrin for great photos! (on your own)
In the evening, relax at Beppu Onsen, which hot springs have one of greatest amount of water discharge in Japan, and recover from the fatigue of the trip.
Overnight stay in Beppu Onsen (1 night)
Day4
Beppu – Kitakyushu – Fukuoka
Breakfast will be provided at the hotel.
After breakfast, you will visit Umi-Jigoku (Hell) which is famous for jigoku-mushi (steamed pudding).
A private car will take you to Jigoku Labo, where you will enjoy a bamboo crafting experience.
Please enjoy Jigoku-mushi for lunch
After lunch, you will visit Usa Jingu Shrine, the head shrine of more than 40,000 Hachiman shrines in Japan, by private car.
You can enjoy the seasonal beauty of the shrine, with about 100 Someiyoshino cherry trees in spring and lotus flowers in summer.
Afterwards, a private car will take you to the TOTO Museum, where you can see the history and evolution of TOTO, which has created a new lifestyle and culture, as well as its passion for manufacturing.
The museum building itself has many innovations that are human and eco-friendly.
For dinner, return to Fukuoka City and enjoy local cuisine such as mizutaki and motsunabe (on your own).
Overnight stay at a hotel in Fukuoka City (1 night)
Day5
Fukuoka – Fukuoka Airport International Flight
Breakfast will be provided at the hotel.
Enjoy shopping and strolling in Tenjin, Canal City, and Lalaport Fukuoka, which just opened in 2022, until departure time for the airport.
You will be transferred by private car to Fukuoka Airport in time for your international flight.
Upon arrival, check in. We hope you enjoyed your five-day trip to Kyushu. See you again soon!
Japanese Traditional Culture Experience
- Kumamoto Castle
- Hot spring experience in Aso
- Bamboo craft experience in Beppu
- Kimono dressing and green powdered tea at Suizenji Park