7 DAYS SPLENDOR OF OITA NATURE WITH KUNISAKI HIKING

Car Transfer: Airport - Hotel 
Meet your driver at the airport for transfer to hotel (approx 2hr 30min). Upon check in, enjoy the day at leisure.  

Full Day Monjusenji Temple Tour 
Meet your driver, who will be at your disposal for the day, at the hotel lobby. 
 
Monjusenji Temple is the ultimate spiritual wisdom spot of Kunisaki and one of Japan's top 100 nature spots. A gentle hike of 300 steps shaded by ancient Cedar and Zelkova trees lead to this temple. On the 25th of every month, the Gomataki ritual will take place. It involves the burning of wooden fragrance sticks as an offering to the deities. You can drink the Water of Wisdom, which flows from a nearby cave, just like the many local student who do this in hopes of passing their exams with flying colours. As part of this tour, 2 hiking options are available for you to choose from to explore Monjusenji and its surroundings. 
 
At the end of today's exploration, your driver will ensure your safe return to the hotel. 

• Hiking Option 1 (Easy): Temple Hike 
  This temple hiking (12km/3hours, elevation gain 430m), which will also bring you to Futagoji and Iwatoji temples before arriving at Monjusenji as the highlight of this trail.  
• Hiking Option 2 (Intermediate): Monjusenji to Baien no Sato Hike 
  This hike begins at Monjusenji and ends at Baien no Sato. During this route (9km/4hrs, elevation gain 460m) skirting around Mount Futago, you will be greeted with panoramic views across northern Kunisaki, Seto Inland Sea and Honshu.

Full Day Kunisaki Rokugo Manzan Exploration 
Meet your driver, who will be at your disposal for the day.  
 
You will enjoy an active day of hiking or sightseeing. The remote Kunisaki Peninsula is undoubtedly a haven for Rokugo Manzan temples as this region was once the birthplace of Rokugo Manzan, an indigenous culture resulted from the assimilation of Buddhism, Shintoism together with mountain worship. As part of this tour, a few options to delve into Rokugo Manzan are available for you to choose from. 
 
After this spiritually enriching day, your driver will ensure your safe return to the hotel. 

• Option 1: Rokugo Manzan Leisurely Sightseeing with Easy Hiking 
  For a leisurely option, go sightseeing with your driver at your disposal. The must visit Rokugo Manzan temples include the grand Usa Jingu Shrine and Chaoanji Temple, where seasonal flowers bloom voraciously. In November, these temples will be blanketed with golden autumn leaves. Certainly, a scene from paradise. One of Kunisaki's most scenic and underrated temples is Tennenji Temple, where you can enjoy the surrounding mountain scenery through the "mineiri" mountain worship trail (4km/1hr 30min, elevation gain 200m, easy hike) and admire ancient rock carving of Fudo-myoo, the vanquisher of evil in Buddhism. 
• Option 2 (Intermediate Hiking): Omoto Kodo Trail 
  The Omoto Kodo Trail (9.2km/4-5hrs, elevation gain 526m) is an ancient trail on Mount Omoto, where the Usa Jingu Shrine first sprang up and Rokugo Manzan culture began. On this trail, you'll be following the footsteps of monks from ancient times. 
• Option 3 (Advance Hiking): Kunisakihantou Long Trail K-1 Section 
  Sample the Kunisakihantou Long Trail by hiking the K-1 section (11km/3hrs, elevation gain 700m). This trail will bring you to the Jizo Buddha statue, the largest stone statue in Kyushu; Ofudo Iwaya cave and Rokugo Mazan temples off the beaten path.  

Car Transfer: Kunisaki Peninsula - Yufuin with en route Sightseeing in Oita 
Meet your driver at the hotel lobby for transfer to Yufuin with en route sightseeing in Oita. 
Kunisaki Peninsula - Oita (approx 1hr 20min) 
Oita - Yufuin (approx 44min) 

Oita Day Trip 
Begin this day by harvesting Shiitake Mushrooms (one of Oita's main exports) with local farmers and hear stories about their way of life. After harvesting these mushrooms, reward yourself with a homely lunch at the farmer's restaurant, where you will be served these mushrooms other local specialties. 
 
In April, you may proceed to Isshinji Temple for its famed Cherry Blossom Festival, where various species of Sakura bloom in all its glory. One of them is a rare type of green cherry tree, Gyoiko. 
 
If you love art, be sure to visit Oita Prefecture Art Museum, where you can admire paintings from Oita's local artists. This museum also houses the largest collection of bamboo craft in Japan, where you may engage a curator to explain these bamboo artifacts.  

Optional: Shikuntei Experience 
Shikuntei is the home of renowned bamboo artist, Shono Shounsai, where his son, Shono Tokuzo will personally talk about bamboo craft and his father's life over a traditional Japanese tea ceremony. This is still a private residence not usually open to public making this a very exclusive experience.

Yufuin Day Trip 
Meet your driver, who will be at your disposal for the day, at the hotel lobby. 
 
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. 
 
At the end of this memorable day, your driver will ensure your safe return to the hotel.

• 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). 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. 

Car Transfer: Hotel - Train Station 
Meet your driver at the hotel lobby for transfer to Yufuin Train Station. 

Train Transfer: Yufuin - Fukuoka on Yufuin no Mori 2 
Before this sightseeing train ride (approx 2hr 18min), soothe away any weariness from this trip in a footbath in Yufuin Station. Onboard Yufuin no Mori 2, 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. 
 
After arrival at Hakata Station, take a short walk along an underpass to your hotel. If required, a porter can be arranged to assist with your luggage along this walk. Upon check in, enjoy the evening at leisure.  
 
If you prefer, a private car and driver can be arranged to replace this train transfer.  

Car Transfer: Hotel - Airport 
Meet your driver at the hotel lobby for transfer to Fukuoka Airport.