Hidden Japan: Spirit of Kyushu
Ideal for curious travellers and second-time visitors to Japan, the lesser-visited island of Kyushu offers a blend of rich culture and natural beauty. Witness a soul-stirring drum performance, admire steaming volcanoes, and soak in bubbling onsen baths on this journey into Kyushu’s green and wild heart.
- 12 Oct 2026 – 22 Oct 2026
from $11,990 pp twin share * - 09 Nov 2026 – 19 Nov 2026
from $11,090 pp twin share * - 16 Nov 2026 – 26 Nov 2026
from $10,990 pp twin share * - 22 Mar 2027 – 01 Apr 2027
from $12,190 pp twin share * - 29 Mar 2027 – 08 Apr 2027
from $12,190 pp twin share * - 12 Apr 2027 – 22 Apr 2027
from $12,190 pp twin share * - 25 Oct 2027 – 04 Nov 2027
from $11,690 pp twin share * - 01 Nov 2027 – 11 Nov 2027
from $11,690 pp twin share * - 08 Nov 2027 – 18 Nov 2027
from $11,690 pp twin share * - 15 Nov 2027 – 25 Nov 2027
from $11,690 pp twin share * - 22 Nov 2027 – 02 Dec 2027
from $11,190 pp twin share * - 28 Mar 2028 – 07 Apr 2028
from $12,790 pp twin share * - 04 Apr 2028 – 14 Apr 2028
from $12,790 pp twin share * - 11 Apr 2028 – 21 Apr 2028
from $12,790 pp twin share * - 09 May 2028 – 19 May 2028
from $12,790 pp twin share * - 26 Sep 2028 – 06 Oct 2028
from $12,190 pp twin share * - 03 Oct 2028 – 13 Oct 2028
from $12,190 pp twin share * - 10 Oct 2028 – 20 Oct 2028
from $12,190 pp twin share * - 17 Oct 2028 – 27 Oct 2028
from $12,190 pp twin share * - 31 Oct 2028 – 10 Nov 2028
from $12,190 pp twin share * - 14 Nov 2028 – 24 Nov 2028
from $12,190 pp twin share *
* Prices and category availability are subject to change without notice.
Itinerary
- Days 1-2 – Fly overnight to Fukuoka:
Fly overnight to Fukuoka, the gateway to Kyushu. Depending on your time of arrival, the rest of the day is yours to start soaking up the local culture before dinner. - Day 3 – Fukuoka:
Begin your island adventure with a visit to the Kyushu National Museum, where you’ll gain an insight into its long and storied history before lunch at a local winery. On select November departures, if availability permits, you will enjoy an authentic Japanese experience – Fukuoka’s annual sumo tournament! This evening, head to Fukuoka’s Nakasu district, famous for its yatai – street food stalls serving iconic Japanese foods from yakitori skewers to delicious ramen. Soak up the atmosphere here, popular with locals relaxing after work. The rest of your evening is at leisure – if you wish, why not stay longer and sample the yatai food independently? - Day 4 – Okawachiyama:
Drive to Nagasaki, enjoying several stops en route. First, soak up the harbour views at Karatsu Castle. Then, head to Imari, famous for its ceramics, and observe a potter at work. Take some free time in nearby Okawachiyama, known for its lovely porcelain and nicknamed ‘The Village of Secret Kilns. Enjoy lunch independently and browse the town’s many ceramics shops. The streets here are a delight to wander, with intriguing porcelain sculptures and a beautifully tiled bridge. Later, sip a cup of green tea in Ureshino. If your visit falls outside the workers’ busiest season (March-June), you may be lucky enough to meet a local farmer and hear about life in the tea fields. Continue to Nagasaki. - Day 5 – Nagasaki:
Pay your respects at the Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum and Peace Park, where you’ll hear the devastating story of the 1945 atomic bomb, its aftermath, and how Nagasaki rebuilt itself from the ashes. Later, visit Dejima Wharf, once the only permitted entry point for European traders into Japan. Lunch is at leisure among the various waterfront cafés here, from which you can admire yachts and fishing boats bobbing in Nagasaki harbour. Continue to Glover Garden, a hillside park filled with the manors of European traders from the 19th century. - Day 6 – Kuju Onsen:
Drive to Shimabara and hop on the 60-minute ferry to Kumamoto, where you can enjoy some free time for lunch. Continue to Mount Aso and take photos of its vast crater. Finally, drive on to the charming town of Tsuetate Onsen, or the wider Kuju area. Here, check in at your ryokan – a traditional Japanese inn with tatami mat floors. The evening is at leisure to relax in the hotel’s beautiful hot spring onsen – choose from indoor pools or a selection of open-air baths. - Day 7 – Meditation & Open-Air Drums:
Begin the day at the serene Fuko-ji Temple, where a stone stairway will bring you to a cliffside cave with beautiful views over a quiet valley. Here, experience a short meditation session led by a Buddhist monk. Continue to the lovely Kuju Flower Park, where a kaleidoscope of colours covers the 49-acre parkland from spring to autumn. This afternoon’s experience is truly special: a soul-stirring display of traditional drumming, performed on an open-air stage against the dramatic backdrop of Aso-Kuju National Park. At an elevation of 1,036 metres, this incredible venue is known as ‘the theatre in the sky’. Afterwards, stop by the museum to see a display of the troupe’s elaborate drumming costumes before returning to your ryokan. - Day 8 – Takachiho Gorge & Kirishima Hills:
Drive south to Takachiho Gorge, one of Kyushu’s most famous natural wonders. Here, the beautiful Gokake River runs through a mesmerising 80-metre-deep chasm between basalt cliffs, formed by volcanic eruptions from 100,000 years ago. Take time for photos at the gorge. Afterwards, get hands-on with a cooking experience, discovering the taste of Takachihostyle chicken or vegetables, seasoned and simmered inside bamboo. Continue to your hotel in the Kirishima Hills, nestled at the edge of Kirishima National Park. - Day 9 – Kamikaze & Kagoshima:
Drive down the Satsuma Peninsula to Chiran, a former samurai town from which hundreds of kamikaze pilots flew to their deaths at the Battle of Okinawa. Learn their story at the Chiran Peace Museum, which displays their photographs, farewell letters, and two recovered planes. Later, take a walk through Chiran’s samurai district before driving to Kagoshima. After lunch, visit the scenic Sengan-en Garden, where you can try on a traditional kimono! This afternoon, take the ferry to Mount Sakurajima, a dramatic volcano in Kagoshima Bay. Enjoy a refreshing open-air footbath before returning to Kirishima. - Day 10 – Flavours of Kagoshima:
Don’t leave Kagoshima Prefecture without tasting its shochu – a distilled local liquor, popular across Japan. Stop by a shochu distillery for a tasting before learning about another local speciality – ‘kurozo’, or black vinegar! Kagoshima’s ‘black gold’ has an earthy umami flavour from being aged in pots under the Japanese sun. Admire the rows of black ‘tsubo’ pots and enjoy lunch at the producer’s restaurant. Finally, drive to Kagoshima City, where the bullet train will whisk you back to Fukuoka in just 90 minutes, ahead of tonight’s farewell dinner. - Days 11-12 – Fly Fukuoka to Australia:
Fly to Australia, arriving home the same or following day.
Highlights
- Witness a soul-stirring drum performance.
- Admire steaming volcanoes and bubbling hot springs.
- Delve into Kyushu’s wartime history and vibrant food scene.
Ideal for curious travellers and second-time visitors to Japan, the lesser-visited island of Kyushu offers a blend of rich culture and natural beauty. Witness a soul-stirring drum performance, admire steaming volcanoes, and soak in bubbling onsen baths on this journey into Kyushu’s green and wild heart.
Inclusions
- Explore a renowned pottery village.
- Soak in an open-air onsen.
- Try on a traditional kimono.
- Reflect on Kyushu’s wartime history.
- Taste Kagoshima’s rich black vinegar.
- Visit an authentic shochu distillery.
FAQs
- Candeo Hotels Nagasaki Shinchi Chinatown
- Tsuetate Onsen Hizenya Ryokan Stay
- La Vista Kirishima Hills
How long is this journey?
This itinerary runs for 12 days and 9 nights.
When can I travel?
Departures are currently scheduled between 12 Oct 2026 and 24 Nov 2028, subject to live availability.
Are there different departure options?
Yes, multiple departures may be available depending on your preferred travel period.
What is generally included?
Inclusions typically cover guided touring and selected experiences, with exact details listed in the itinerary.
What style of accommodation is used?
Accommodation is pre-arranged as part of the journey, with specific properties shown in the trip details.
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