8 DAYS KYUSHU HIGHLIGHTS

Car Transfer: Airport to Hotel with en route Sightseeing 
Meet your driver at the airport and transfer to hotel with en route sightseeing. Upon check in, enjoy the evening at leisure.

Fukuoka Half Day Tour 
Explore Fukuoka as your stepping stone into Kyushu and learn about Fukuoka’s distinctive local culture.  Begin in Gion for its historical shrines and Buddhist temples, including Shofukuji, Japan’s first Zen temple.  In April, Maizuru Park would be a prime spot for Cherry Blossom viewing.  While you’re in the park, do not miss Fukuoka Castle Ruins.

Optional Craft Experience: Make Yame Tesuki Paper and Lacquer Chopsticks 
Crafting with Yame Tesuki Japanese paper is one of the oldest cultural traditions in Kyushu. Apply this ancient method to make your own, one-of-a-kind postcards. In addition, you will create your own pair of chopsticks by applying a lacquer coating technique used on Japanese Buddhist altars.

Train Transfer: Fukuoka – Dazaifu 
Your guide will meet you at the hotel lobby and accompany you on the train journey (approx 30min). If you prefer, a private car and driver can be arranged for this transfer.  

Dazaifu Walking Tour (2hr) 
This scenic walking tour starts at Dazaifu Tenmagu Shrine, dedicated to Michizane Sugawara, a 9th century politician and scholar deified and worshipped as the Shinto god of literature and learning, before heading to 7th century Kanzeon-ji Temple, a former mega-temple that played a key role in the history of Buddhism in Japan. It finishes with time to explore the Dazaifu Government Office Ruins – the political centre of Japan’s western capital. 
 
After this tour, your guide will accompany you on the train journey and ensure your safe return to the hotel. If you prefer, a private car and driver and be arranged for this transfer. Upon return to the hotel, enjoy the evening at leisure.

Train Transfer: Fukuoka – Beppu on Yufuin no Mori 3  
Take a short walk along an underpass from your hotel to Hakata Station to board Yufuin no Mori 3 sightseeing train to Beppu (approx 3h 15min). If required, a porter will assist you with your luggage along the walk.  
 
Onboard Yufuin no Mori 3, enjoy local delicacies as refreshments and souvenirs unique to the train are available. Sit back and relax on comfortable seats and lounges as the train passes by sights like Minou Mountains and Jion-on-taki Fall. 
 
Families with children may choose the Aru Ressha train (approx 3hr 10min). The design of the interior and exterior of this train is inspired by whimsical and dreamy fairytales – truly a train from a childhood storybook come to life. Young ones and those with a sweet tooth will surely be tantalised by the included onboard menu, which includes 2 types of sweet treats. 
 
If you prefer, a private car and driver can be arranged for this transfer.

Car Transfer: Train Station to Hotel with en route Sightseeing 
Meet your driver at Beppu Train Station for transfer to hotel with en route Jigoku Meguri

Jigoku Meguri Hell’s Tour 
Beppu’s Jigoku-also known as the Seven Hells of Beppu-got the name from the mysterious and temperamental springs here. Boiling water and gas bubbled up from the land so violently that people in ancient times loathed its presence. You can witness the same expulsions of gas, iron oxide-rich steam and bubbling hot mud that have continued to spook guests and locals since the beginning of time. Experience all seven hells, each with distinctive characteristics. One of the hells is an “alligator hell”, so be sure to visit its reptilian residents. You may also try egg and pudding steamed in these natural hells.  

Car Transfer: Beppu – Kurokawa with en route Sightseeing in Yufuin 
Meet your driver at the hotel lobby for transfer to Kurokawa (Mount Aso) with en route sightseeing in Yufuin. 
Beppu – Yufuin (approx 40min) 
Yufuin – Kurokawa (approx 1hr 40min) 
 
This evening, in Kurokawa, be sure to spend some time relaxing in the hotel’s Onsen or explore the quaint surroundings of the hotel. 

Yufuin Day Trip 
Begin this day trip at Kononoe Yume Suspension Bridge, Japan’s longest pedestrian suspension bridge. It presents panoramic scenes of the verdant countryside, waterfalls and the valley below. In November enjoy beautiful autumn colours. Thereafter, embark on some nature appreciation and sightseeing by hiking. As part of this tour, 2 hiking options are available for you to choose from.

• Hiking Option 1 (Easy): Yufuin Tourism Walk 
  For a more leisurely hike, choose the Yufuin Tourism Walk (4.5km, approx 1hr30min round trip, elevation gain 70m, beginner level). You will pass the main street of town, Yunotsubo Street to reach the highlight – Lake Kinrin. As hot springs flow into this lake, the water temperature is high throughout the year, creating a beautiful phenomenon of steam rising from the surface.  
• Hiking Option 2 (Intermediate): Climb Mount Yufu-dake 
  For a more challenging hike, climb the 1,583m Mount Yufu-dake (approx 2hr 30min round trip, elevation gain 883m). The trail to the top zig zags up through lovely deciduous tree forests. Higher up the trees fade away and the glorious views open up across Yufuin. Nearer the top the path steepens but reaching the mountain’s peak is rewarded with a grand 360-degree panorama across Kyushu to Beppu Bay and Kunisaki.

Mount Aso Day Trip 
Meet your driver, who will be at your disposal for the day, at the hotel lobby. After today’s awe-inspiring exploration, your driver will ensure your safe return to the hotel. 
 
On this day trip you will explore the Mount Aso and its surrounding, which has been influenced by this volcano’s seismic activity. Mount Aso has a huge caldera with active volcanoes inside, including Nakadake crater and Komezuka volcanic cone. The drive up the mountain is one of the most beautiful roads in Japan, with breathtaking views of the mountains of the Mt. Aso range on one side and vast ocean vistas on the other. 
 
Besides Mount Aso itself, there are other gems nearby worth exploring, which are included in this tour. 

Visit to Nabegataki Waterfall 
At Nabegataki Waterfall, you can stroll amid the beautiful nature. Walk behind the cascade for a refreshing experience and see how the water has carved the rock over the centuries.  

Oshitoishi Hill Exploration 
Oshitoishi Hill is an area known as a sacred place and power spot. When the weather is clear you can enjoy a panoramic view from the top of the hill. You will find many big stones beautifully placed on the hill, which look as if they must have been placed there by some ancient civilization – there are numerous cracks, scars from lightning strikes, and erosion patterns on the surface of the stones that look like ancient writing and carvings. Truth is, they are entirely natural – the creation of the great volcano, Mt. Aso.  

Colours of the Season Appreciation at Kusasenrigahama 
Kusasenrigahama is a flat plain that spreads over the foot of Mt. Eboshidake. The gorgeous pastures where wild horses can be spotted, change colour with the season – deep green in summer, golden in autumn and silver in winter. Kusasenrigahama have inspired numerous songs and poems.  

Car Transfer: Kurokawa – Takachiho with en route Sightseeing 
Meet your driver at the hotel lobby for transfer to Takachiho (approx 1hr 15min) with en route sightseeing. After today’s sightseeing, your driver will ensure your safe return to the hotel.  

Takachiho Day Trip 
The highlight of this day trip is Takachiho Gorge, formed over 100,000 years ago after eruptions from Mount Aso. it is an area rich with nature, scenery, adventure and mystical legends. There are a few ways to admire the gorge and Manai Falls, you can rent a rowboat or hike. As part of this tour, 2 hiking options are available for you to choose from.  

• Hiking Option 1 (Easy): Gokase River Course 
  The Gokase River course (1km, approx 45min) is an easy hike, suitable for the entire family, which winds through flowing water and greenery. At the end of this course, you will arrive at the gorge and Manai Waterfall.  
• Hiking Option 2 (Intermediate): Takachiho Course 
  Avid and experienced hikers can choose Takachiho Course (12.3km, elevation gain 200m, approx 5-6hr). This course first will pass Takachiho Shrine, draping branches and huge trees. The mid-point is the gorge and Manai Falls, where you may take a break on a rowboat. Continue to Mukaiyama Shrine, where green tea fields grow and quench your thirst with a cup of Maruono green tea. End off in Kamadase Market, where you can reward yourself with a good meal and local delicacies of Takachiho.  

Optional: Takachiho Packrafting Tour (3hr) 
In this packrafting tour with an expert guide, you will paddle an inflatable packraft along the Gokase River to a hidden waterfall. On the way, you will also visit Hattai-Ryugu Shrine. All equipment will be provided (wet pants, aqua boots, life jackets and helmet) and no prior water sport experience is required. Please bring a change all clothes. This activity is suitable for guests above 13 years. 

Ya-kagura Performance (1hr) 
Ya-kagura simply means “night kagura” in Japanese. Kagura is a sacred dance rooted in shamanism, which celebrates the gods of Shinto. Kagura dances are performed across Kyushu Island, where the gods of Shinto were believed to initially have descended from the heavens. In Takachiho, Ya-kagura has been performed for over 800 years.  

Optional: Private Visit to Kagura Mask Studio 
If you appreciate the arts, you will enjoy this private visit to the Wood Carving Artisan, where you will observe how the wooden masks used in the Ya-kagura performance are carved. In Takachiho, only two craftsmen, who are father and son, are skilled in this craft, which has been passed down from generation to generation.

Car Transfer: Takachiho – Kumamoto with en route Sightseeing 
Meet your driver at the hotel lobby for transfer to Kumamoto with en route sightseeing. 
After dropping you off at Kumamoto Castle, your driver will continue to the hotel with your luggage. When sightseeing concludes, you can return to the hotel by a short walk. If you prefer, a private car and driver can be arranged for this transfer from Kumamoto Castle to hotel. Upon check in, enjoy your evening at leisure.  

Half Day Kumamoto Tour 
Begin your day at Kumamoto Castle, which has a history of 400 years and is famous for being one of Japan’s three major castles. Located within Kumamoto Castles, lies Kato Shrine, where 16 century military commander Kiyosama Kato, who constructed the castle and helped develop the castle town is enshrined. In the outermost area of Kumamoto Castle, is the site of Old Hosokawa Gyobu-tei House, former residence of high-ranking Samurai. In November, you can admire the beautiful scenery of the autumn colours. Once trodden by Samurai headed towards the castle, Sakuranobaba Johsaien is where you can now enjoy some local street food and get a souvenir to remember Kumamoto Castle.

Optional Kumamoto Samurai Experience: Spirit of Miyamoto Musashi (100min) 
This is highly recommended for those who wish to deeply experience the history and spirituality of Kumamoto Samurai. As Miyamoto Musashi is renowned as Japan’s foremost swordsman, a Samurai Master will tailor a program for you, according to your fitness level and experience to delve in Samurai martial arts. The Samurai master will also impart teachings and philosophy of Miyamoto Musashi and the Samurai spirit while enjoying Matcha and traditional Japanese sweets.  

Car Transfer: Hotel – Airport 
Meet your driver at the hotel lobby for transfer to Fukuoka Airport (approx 1hr 40min).