Exploration of Kyushu Island: Southern Japan Tour

After a sumptuous breakfast this morning, you will meet your tour guide and step out onto the city streets, where you will be met by the spirited ambiance flooding its lively districts. There are a number of reasons people flock to this exuberant cityscape, and your tour will be set to reveal them. From the manicured lawns of Fukuoka’s proliferating parks to the Heian Period shrines that share insight into the origins of Japanese culture, you will come to discover what makes Fukuoka tick as you peruse its mesmerizing neighborhoods.

Nagasaki is a cosmopolitan city stationed on the banks of the sea and hemmed in the landscape by rolling mountains. Said to be one of the most beautiful destinations in the country, Nagasaki has grown in popularity since the devastating events that occurred here during World War II. Today, you will have the opportunity to relish the pleasures of Japan’s culinary delicacies, particularly the remarkable noodle and seafood dishes the country is famous for. An evening cable-car ride to the summit of Mount Inasa afterward will reveal the magical views of Nagasaki by night.

With a fascinating history, Nagasaki has so many highlights. From the Glover Gardens and Dejima Trading Post to Chinatown, the Spectacles Bridge and the Peace Park and Museum, your guide will organize the day around what you would like to see most.

Just beyond the shores of Nagasaki lies the small island of Gunkanjima, a mysterious former mining destination that was abandoned in 1974 for unknown reasons. Over the years, beating typhoons would batter and crumble the derelict buildings left on the island, and today only the shells of a former town stand waiting to be discovered. You will sail across the sparkling waters to Gunkanjima and wander around its eerie alleys, unraveling the mysteries surrounding the abrupt abandonment of this former homeland.

You will zip across Kyushu island this morning, heading from Nagasaki to Kumamoto. Kumamoto is riddled with heritage sites and today, you will be thrilled to explore the fabled Kumamoto Castle. The supposedly impenetrable fortress was constructed by Kato Kiyomasa more than 400 years ago and remains standing to this day, alas, slightly damaged by an army of samurai who invaded the building during Japan’s 1877 civil war. Following your visit, you will transfer to the postcard-perfect gardens flanking the Suizen-Ji Temple, a peaceful retreat amongst fragrant flowers.

Your adventures today will showcase the wilderness of Kyushu found just beyond the borders of Kumamoto as you transfer to the staggering Takachiho Gorge. The immense V-shaped gorge, dissected by the twinkling blue ribbon of the Gokase-gawa River, is a geothermal wonder of immaculate design. Boasting emerald forests leaning over the tranquil streams, a pounding 17-meter waterfall, and red-tinted precipitous cliffs, the gorge is a wildlife haven you will be absorbed by from the moment you catch a glimpse of the mountains painted in cherry blossoms.

Arriving in Kagoshima, known as the “Naples of Japan”, the first thing that you will see is the imposing Sakurajima volcanic island standing massively offshore, just a short ferry ride away. The city center is very much bubbling with energy and will sweep you away from the second you step outside of your accommodation. With many options in the surrounding area, you may opt to enjoy a day trip to Kirishima National Park, soak in the baths of Ibuskuki, visit the traditional homes of Chiran or sample some local beer and shochu.  

Kagoshima is yours to explore on the ninth day of your vacation, alongside a knowledgeable guide who will show you to some of the city’s beloved heritage sites and cultural landmarks. Beyond appreciating the wilderness that veils Sakurajima island, you will peruse picturesque parks emblazoned with colorful flowers and visit castles decorated in traditional Japanese art and architectural stylings. Every inch of Kagoshima is as beautiful as the last, proving to be one of the most idyllic destinations on this trip.

Yakushima island is somewhat of a hidden gem. Though visited by eager tourists year-round, the belting crowds commonly flooding many of Japan’s cities are not as abundant across this dreamy destination. As you arrive, you will be treated to views of rising and falling viridian hills that are peppered with cedar trees and crested with craggy rock formations. Yakushima is a magical destination whose sandy shores, piping hot springs, and fairytale forests have long been an inspiration for local artists.

To discover the wonders that lie along Yakushima’s landscape, you will hop on bicycles after breakfast and relish a leisurely cycle along the hills. Shaded paths will weave through the canopy, and you will breeze past the endemic flora as the creatures rumble from behind the leaves and birds hover in the sky. From gushing waterfalls flowing majestically over mossy rocks to leaping monkeys that rush through the treeline, there is an abundance of life swooping Yakushima’s wooded and forested parts.

Cycling is one way to witness the wilderness, but hiking allows you to get up close with the flora and fauna. Today, you will make tracks across the Kohana course, a mesmerizing trail winding through the greenery, leading to swing bridges and enormous cedar forests. The fresh breeze rolling through the trees will vitalize you as you pass by moss-coated rocks and under squiggly vines. Navigating through the path is like partaking in a moderate obstacle course, as the trail zigzags, ascends and descends, and is complete with ladders. Equal parts exhilarating and breathtaking, your hike will be unforgettable.

Your last full day in Japan will be spent where it began, in the atmospheric city of Fukuoka. After your transfer, you will have some time today to rest and recuperate before your long flight home tomorrow, allowing you to slowly soak up the sights and scenes you have yet to explore across Fukuoka. Whether you wish to bide your time people-watching from the terrace of an elegant café or take pleasure in a light stroll along back-alleys to hideaway stores and restaurants, you will find comfort in the simple pleasures of Fukuoka.

First light brings with it a new day and one last opportunity to savor the sumptuous flavors of Japanese cuisine for breakfast before you pack your bags and check out of your accommodation. Your private transfer will collect you from your hotel lobby when you are ready, giving you plenty of time to make it to the airport to catch your plane headed home. As you lift off into the sky and leave Japan behind, you will return home with a wealth of marvelous memories made along the way.