DAY 01 ARRIVAL FUKUOKA – TO NAGASAKI
DAY 02 NAGASAKI
- Visit the Nagasaki Peace Park and Ground Zero, built on a hill to the north of the hypocenter of the atomic bomb blast. The park features the 9.7-meter-high Peace Statue symbolizing the Nagasaki citizens' wish for peace.
- Then the Bomb Museum, which covers the history of the 9 August1945 bombing as a story, showcasing related photographs, relics, and documents.
- Explore the Glover Garden, an open-air museum with mansions of former Western merchants who settled down in Nagasaki after the end of Japan's era of seclusion in the second half of the 19th century. Enjoy a panorama of the city from the garden.
- After lunch, visit Nagasaki’s new Megami Bridge, the longest cable-stayed bridge on Japan’s southern island of Kyushu, a remarkable engineering feat and today, a new symbol of the Nagasaki Port.
- Overnight: Nagasaki
DAY 03 TO KUMAMOTO - KUROKAWA ONSEN
- Today we will transfer to Shimbara Port for your car ferry transfer to Kumamoto (approx. 30 minutes).
- Upon arrival, visit the Kumamoto Castle, one of the most impressive castles in Japan. This is one of only a few structures have survived the centuries since the castle's construction in 1607.
- We head on another 2 hours to your ryokan amidst beautiful mountains and lush gorges in Kurakawa Onsen, near the foot of Mt Aso, Japan’s largest active volcano.
- Overnight: Kurokawa Onsen
DAY 04 TO MOUNT ASO
- Morning, drive to Kusasenri where we can see the Mt Aso Crater. This active volcano has one of the largest caldera as well, which is said to have resulted from an explosion roughly 100,000 years ago, spanning a circumference of around 75 miles.
- Then, take a walk across the Kokonoe Yume Ootsuribashi, the suspension footbridge, at 173 meters tall and 375 meters across, is the longest and highest of its kind in the world.
- Stop at in Yufuin town, a hot-spring resort with a wealth of inns, unique art museums, galleries and shops, restaurants and coffee shops with an attractive atmosphere.
- Return to your ryokan this evening and relax.
- Overnight: Kurokawa Onsen
DAY 05 TO TAKACHIHO
- Drive approx. 1.5 hours to Takachiho, a town steeped in Japanese mythology. It is the site of legend where Amaterasu, the Shinto Sun Goddess, hid herself in a cave, prompting the other gods and goddesses to try and lure her out.
- Visit Takachiho Shrine nestled in a grove of tall cedars. Also the Amanoiwato Shrine, built near the cave where Amaterasu is said to have hid herself away.
- After lunch, take a leisurely self-rowing boat trip down the Takachiho Gorge, a narrow chasm cut through the rock by the Gokase River. Along the gorge, you will find the 17m high Minainotaki waterfall.
- Check into your ryokan tonight. In the evening, you may enjoy a Yokagura Night Dance, which reenacts a few scenes from the legend, performed by masked dancers with traditional instrument accompaniment.
- Overnight: Takachiho
DAY 06 TO KAGOSHIMA
- Today continue to Kirishima, an active volcanic mountain range of stunning highlands, volcanic lakes, hot springs and numerous hiking trails.
- Go on a 2-3 hours easy trek (can be tailored to your fitness) to immerse in the otherworldly beauty of this area. We end off in the small town of Ebino Kogen, nestled in the mountains. It is best known for the pampas grass that blankets the ground in summer, giving it a pinkish hue.
- Drive further 1 hour to Kagoshima and check in to your hotel.
- Overnight: Kirishima or Kagoshima
- Meals: Breakfast
DAY 07 DEPART KAGOSHIMA
- Today, visit Mt Sakurajima via Ferry to see the symbol of Kagoshima and one of the most active volcanoes in Japan which smokes constantly.
- Return to Kagoshima and spend some free time for shopping before your flight home or return to Fukuka.
- Meals: Breakfast
EXTENSION - 3 DAYS YAKUSHIMA ISLAND ADVENTURE
Go off the beaten track into Yakushima, a pristine subtropical island off the southern coast of Kyushu and covered by an extensive cedar forest that contains some of Japan's oldest living trees, the most ancient of which over 7000 years old. Enjoy the unspoiled richness of nature on a mysterious island where time stands still. For the rich flora and fauna, parts of the island is declared a UNESCO Natural World Heritage Site. Stay in resort renowned for serving delightful epicurean cuisine.
DAY 07 KAGOSHIMA/ YAKUSHIMA ISLAND
- Transfer by express ferry (approximately 2hours to) Yakushima island. Visit the Senpiro Fall – in the middle reaches of the Anbou River and where the water falls approx. 66 m on to a gigantic granite monolith.
- Take a walk in Yakusugi Land, a nature park populated by cedar trees over 1000 of years old. Walk 1-hour along well developed trails to enjoy this stunning setting. See Kigen-sugi, a 3000 year old, cedar 6km west of Yakusugi Land.
- Check into your resort this evening.
- Overnight: Yakushima Island
- Meals: Breakfast and dinner
DAY 08 YAKUSHIMA ISLAND
- Take on a beautiful 4- hours hike along the Shiratani Unsuikyo Ravine through the mist-cloacked emerald forests full of ancient tress. (Depending on your fitness, we can recommend a hike ranging from 10- 12 hours)
- Return to your resort and enjoy fine-cuisine from top quality local ingredients grown in the natural abundance of Yakushima. Rejuvenate in the resort’s spa – which offersThai treatment methods and organic herbs.
- Overnight: Yakushima Island
- Meals: Breakfast and dinner
DAY 09 YAKUSHIMA ISLAND /KAGOSHIMA / HONG KONG
- This morning at 1045hrs, transfer for your ferry to Kagoshima (2 hours approximately) and continue your exploration of the city.
- Overnight: Kagoshima
- Meals: Breakfast
In Nagasaki
- Ryokan Sanga: Situated among tranquil Japanese gardens, Ryokan Sanga boasts spacious open-air hot spring baths and classic Japanese-style guest rooms with a relaxing ambience. Offering a historic charm, each room is fitted with tatami (woven-straw) flooring and traditional futon bedding, and features a low table and chairs for guests to unwind with. 16 rooms only, free wifi. sanga-ryokan.com/
In Kurokawa Onsen
- Ryokan Sanga: Situated among tranquil Japanese gardens, Ryokan Sanga boasts spacious open-air hot spring baths and classic Japanese-style guest rooms with a relaxing ambience. Offering a historic charm, each room is fitted with tatami (woven-straw) flooring and traditional futon bedding, and features a low table and chairs for guests to unwind with. 16 rooms only, free wifi. sanga-ryokan.com/
- Ryokan Takefue (Ryokan Collection member): maintains a refined rustic style, the farm-type buildings all black beams and straw-and-plaster stucco. Interiors are likewise rustic, but with modern amenities and huge windows giving access to the lovely surrounding forest. The onsen hot springs are generated by the same geological processes that keep nearby Mt. Aso rumbling. takefue.com/
In Takachiho
- Hanare no yado Kamigakure: this ryokan features spacious guest rooms surrounded by tranquil mountains. It is a 7-minute walk to Takachiho Shrine and a 6-minute drive to Takachiho-kyo Gorge. Guests can use WiFi property-wide for free. 8 rooms only.
- Ryokan Shinsen: A 5-minute drive from the spectacular Takachiho Gorge, Ryokan Shinsen offers rooms with a Japanese-style decor and free Wi-Fi, some of which have open-air baths. Rooms boast a Japanese-style living area with a tatami (woven mat) floor and a low table with seating cushions. takachiho-shinsen.co.jp
In Kagoshima
- Nishitetsu Solaria Kagoshima: Opened in 2012, Solaria Nishitetsu Hotel Kagoshima is just a 2-minute walk from JR Kagoshima-Chuo Train Station and features a French restaurant and massage services. Its modern rooms impress with a 4-star decor, free wired internet and a spacious shower room with a bathtub. solaria-hotels.jp/kagoshima/english/
In Kirishima :
- Wasurenosato Gajoen: Member of Relais & Chateaux. Wasureno Sato Gajoen is located a 15-minute drive from Kagoshima Airport and a 20-minute drive from JR Hayato Train Station. Japanese-style guest rooms feature tatami (woven-straw) flooring and traditional futon bedding. Discover the exceptional recipes of the Relais & Châteaux in a renowned gourmet restaurant. http://gajoen.jp/
In Yakushima Island
- Sakara Hotel and Spa (a Small Luxury Hotel): sits upon elevated ground on the southeastern side of Yakushima, set against the mountains looking out to the sea with 29 rooms only. The restaurants are run by the noted French chef, Chiharu Takei who selects produce, marine products, and other ingredients himself grown here and on the Kyushu mainland. sankarahotel-spa.com/en/
