Tour Contrasts of Japan and Kyushu Island - 14d - 2027

TOKYO 61ºF - 66ºF

Welcome to Japan! After completing customs procedures, you’ll be transferred to your hotel by shared shuttle bus. The rest of the day is yours to enjoy at leisure. In the afternoon, you’ll receive details about the start of your tour.

TOKYO 61ºF - 66ºF

In the morning, we’ll take a long guided tour—about seven hours—through this simply stunning city! Its vibrant energy and cutting-edge neighborhoods coexist with areas full of peace and tranquility.

We’ll make a short stop at Zojoji Temple to capture the most beautiful view of the Tokyo Tower. You’ll notice hundreds upon hundreds of Jizo statues, stone-carved deities considered guardians of children, adorned with knitted hats, bibs, and pinwheels.

Next, we’ll head to the famous Shibuya Crossing, that we will see from the bus. It is known as the busiest intersection in the world. Then we’ll visit Meiji Shrine, dedicated to the spirits of Emperor Meiji and his wife.

Then we’ll head to Tokyo Skytree (admission included up to Tembo Deck at 350 meters high), Japan’s tallest structure, where we’ll enjoy an unmatched panoramic view of the city.

We’ll end our visit in Asakusa, where we’ll explore the famous Nakamise Street. Afterwards, we’ll return to the hotel passing by Akihabara district, the "Electric City", known as the center of Japanese manga and anime culture; and Ginza district.

6:30 p.m. – We’ll meet our guide in the hotel lobby and take the subway (tickets included) to the Shinjuku area. From there, we’ll enjoy a walk through this lively district before heading to a local restaurant for dinner (included). We’ll return to the hotel by subway, accompanied by our guide.

Note: The order of the visits may vary depending on the admission time for Tokyo Skytree. In case of bad weather or other exceptional circumstances, access to Tokyo Skytree may be limited. In that case, an alternative visit to another iconic city viewpoint will be offered.

TOKYO 61ºF - 66ºF - MOUNT FUJI - KAWAGUCHIKO

We travel toward the beautiful Mount Fuji area, enjoying the scenic landscapes along our route. Our first stop is Arakurayama Sengen Park, famous for its beautiful pagodas and for offering some of the most iconic and breathtaking views of Mount Fuji.

We then continue to KAWAGUCHIKO, an idyllic town of charming houses, flowers, and mountains beside a stunning lake. Afterward, we’ll enjoy a pleasant boat ride on Lake Kawaguchiko, then begin our ascent toward Mount Fuji via the road that leads to the “Fifth Station.” Driving through spectacular forests and landscapes, we’ll reach an altitude of 2,305 meters (7,562 feet).

Note: In winter, the route to the Fifth Station is often closed due to snow or weather conditions; during those times, we’ll go as far as we’re permitted.

We’ll return to Kawaguchiko and stay overnight at a Ryokan (traditional Japanese inn), where you can relax and enjoy the Onsen (public hot spring bath). Dinner included.

Note: In the planned Ryokan, some rooms are Japanese-style with tatami mats, while others are Western-style. Occasionally, accommodation may be provided in a Western-style hotel instead.

KAWAGUCHIKO - IYASHI NO SATO NENBA - TOYOTA 68ºF - 70ºF - KYOTO 61ºF - 64ºF

In the morning, we’ll follow a scenic road that winds around picturesque lakes to visit Iyashi no Sato Nenba, a small village that was destroyed by a typhoon in 1966 and later restored as an open-air museum. Its traditional houses have been converted into arts and crafts shops, restaurants, and cultural exhibits, offering a glimpse into Japan’s past.

Next, we’ll visit the breathtaking Shiraito Falls, one of Japan’s most stunning natural attractions, with cascading water that spans a height of 20 meters.

From there, we’ll continue to Nagoya, where we’ll visit the Toyota Museum (admission included), a must-see destination for car enthusiasts and those curious about automotive innovation.

Finally, we’ll proceed to Kyoto for our overnight stay.

KYOTO 61ºF - 64ºF

We’ll spend the entire day exploring Kyoto, Japan’s capital from 794 to 1868 and home to the Imperial Court. Remarkably, Kyoto was the only major Japanese city spared from bombing during World War II, allowing it to retain its rich artistic heritage. Notably, the Kyoto Protocol, aimed at limiting greenhouse gas emissions, was signed here in 1997.We’ll include a visit to Kyoto’s most iconic landmarks. Our tour will begin in Arashiyama, where we’ll admire the Togetsukyo Bridge, or “Bridge over the Moon.” This spot offers a breathtaking panorama of the surrounding landscape.We will stroll through one of Japan’s most important Zen gardens: Tenryu-ji. Designed around a quiet pond, it combines rocks, pines, and maples with the surrounding mountains as a backdrop, creating a harmonious view that changes colors with every season of the year. Afterward, we will walk through its mystical bamboo grove. We’ll explore the magnificent Fushimi Inari Shrine; the Imperial Palace; and the Kinkakuji Temple, also known as the “Golden Pavilion", surrounded by its spectacular gardens (the order of the visits may vary).After the tour, you can enjoy some time to stroll through Gion, Kyoto’s vibrant traditional district, known for its lively atmosphere and geishas.

KYOTO 61ºF - 64ºF - NARA 64ºF - 72ºF - OSAKA 61ºF - 64ºF

We’ll depart for NARA, the ancient capital of Japan to visit the magnificient Todaiji Temple, and its Great Buddha before walking around its park where friendly deers roam freely together with visitors. We continue to OSAKA, and take a panoramic tour of the vibrant Dotonbori district. You will have free time for lunch and later we will admire Osaka Castle, built at the end of 16th century, and still one of the country’s most emblematic historic monuments. We will continue to Umeda neighborhood where Umeda Sky Building is located.

OSAKA 61ºF - 64ºF - HIMEJI 63ºF - 63ºF - KORAKUEN GARDEN - OKAYAMA 57ºF - 57ºF

We’ll depart for Himeji, where admission to its immense complex, showcasing the architecture of Japanese castles, will be included. After lunch at a local restaurant (included), we’ll continue to Okayama, where we’ll visit Korakuen, one of the most beautiful gardens in Japan, with its lakes, waterfalls, and traditional teahouses. By crossing a pedestrian bridge over the river, you’ll have the opportunity to visit Okayama Castle, a sixteenth-century Japanese fortification rebuilt in 1966 after being destroyed in a World War II bombing (visit inside the castle not included). Afterward, you’ll have free time to explore the city, an active provincial capital with just over 700,000 inhabitants.

Note: On some dates, we may stay in Fukuyama or Kurashiki. The visit to Kurashiki may take place on the same day in the afternoon.

OKAYAMA 57ºF - 57ºF - KURASHIKI 57ºF - 57ºF - ITSUKUSHIMA - HIROSHIMA 64ºF - 64ºF

We’ll set out for Kurashiki, a city renowned for its beautifully preserved historic center. You’ll have time to enjoy a leisurely stroll through its charming streets, where the atmosphere of the past is still alive.
Our journey will then take us to Hiroshima, a city forever marked by the atomic bomb that devastated it in 1945. We’ll through the Peace Memorial Park, the Atomic Bomb Dome, and visit the Peace Memorial Museum (admission included), where the history and resilience of this city are powerfully remembered.
Seeking for peace after these reflections, we´ll board a ferry to the island known as the place "where men and Gods coexist". We will stroll until we arrive in front of the emblematic Great Torii Gate of Itsukushima, which rises out of the sea and stands as one of Japan´s most iconic images. You will have free time to visit the Itsukushima Shrine, explore the island, and have lunch. We will then return to our hotel in Hiroshima. Dinner is included.

Note: The order of visits in Hiroshima may vary without affecting the itinerary´s content.

HIROSHIMA 64ºF - 64ºF - FUKUOKA 70ºF - 72ºF

After breakfast, we’ll depart for the island of KYUSHU. Connected to Japan’s main island by bridges, Kyushu is the third-largest island in JAPAN. Known for its milder climate, volcanic landscapes, and hot springs, it offers a fascinating blend of tradition and innovation.

We’ll arrive around midday in FUKUOKA, the largest city on Kyushu. Upon arrival, we’ll visit Canal City Hakata, a vast shopping and entertainment complex built around an artificial canal that creates an urban oasis, featuring fountain shows every 30 minutes. You’ll have time to stroll around and enjoy lunch.

Next, we’ll visit Tocho-ji Temple, founded in 806, famous for its five-story pagoda, a large statue of Buddha, and the Senju Kannon, a depiction of the thousand-armed female deity of mercy. Afterwards, you’ll have free time to explore at your own pace.

FUKUOKA 70ºF - 72ºF - DAZAIFU TENMANGU - NAGASAKI 77ºF - 77ºF

We’ll depart for DAZAIFU TENMANGU, located near FUKUOKA. This is one of Japan’s most important Shinto shrines, dedicated to Sugawara no Michizane, the deity of learning and scholarship. Surrounded by beautiful gardens and ponds, it is especially famous for its more than 6,000 plum trees, which bloom spectacularly in late winter.

We’ll then continue to NAGASAKI, a city that, like Hiroshima, was devastated by an atomic bomb during World War II. We’ll visit Ōura Church, Japan’s oldest Christian church, dedicated to the 26 Martyrs of Nagasaki. This church beautifully combines Gothic architecture with local elements and was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2018 as part of the “Hidden Christian Sites in the Nagasaki Region". You’ll have free time for lunch in Chukagai, Japan’s most famous Chinatown, known for its lively pedestrian street lined with food stalls and restaurants.
After lunch, we’ll visit the Atomic Bomb Museum (admission included), followed by the Peace Park, where we’ll admire the powerful sculptures donated by various countries as symbols of hope and peace.

Finally, we’ll explore the Dejima area, a reconstructed historical district that was once an artificial island where Dutch merchants lived — for centuries, it served as Japan’s only point of contact with the outside world (admission included).

NAGASAKI 77ºF - 77ºF - UNZEN JIGOKU - KUMAMOTO 70ºF - 70ºF

We are traveling through volcanic lands. We will depart from NAGASAKI toward the Shimabara Peninsula, known for its volcanic origins and dominated by Mount Unzen. We will stop at UNZEN JIGOKU, a geothermal area with steam vents, bubbling pools of boiling mud, and a strong sulfur smell. We will walk “through the hells,” as this area is popularly known, which in the 17th century was the setting of Christian persecution.
We will then continue to SHIMABARA, where we will board a ferry for a crossing of approximately 45 minutes.

Upon arrival in KUMAMOTO, we will have free time in the shopping area around the castle to stroll and have lunch. Afterwards, we will visit Kumamoto Castle (admission included), considered one of the three great castles of Japan, famous for its black towers and massive stone walls, some of which are still under reconstruction following damage caused by the 2016 earthquake.

We will also visit Suizenji Jojuen (admission included), a landscaped garden featuring miniature recreations of mountains and lakes. Free time afterward in this modern city.

KUMAMOTO 70ºF - 70ºF - ASO VULCANO - YUFUIN - BEPPU 64ºF - 64ºF

We will set out to visit one of Japan’s most active and spectacular volcanoes: MOUNT ASO, famous for its vast caldera, one of the largest in the world, measuring approximately 25 km in diameter. Inside the caldera are several volcanic peaks, the most active being Mount Nakadake. We will reach the crater by shuttle from the base of the volcano, where you can enjoy breathtaking scenery and see the steaming sulfur lake.

Note: at times, due to volcanic activity and safety reasons, access to Mount Nakadake may be restricted.

Afterward, there will be free time in the area where the Aso Volcano Museum is located (optional visit, admission not included), as well as walking trails, restaurants, and shopping areas.

We will then continue to YUFUIN, a charming onsen town set in a peaceful valley surrounded by rice fields. Time to enjoy a coffee and take a stroll.
Next, we will proceed to BEPPU, a city renowned for its remarkable geothermal activity, with more than 3,000 hot springs. We will visit the “Hells of Beppu,” including admission to Umi Jigoku, known for its striking blue water and beautiful gardens, and Kamado Jigoku, very popular with families for its ponds of varying colors and temperatures, decorated with demon figures.
After the visits, transfer to the hotel and free time.

BEPPU 64ºF - 64ºF - USA JINGU - FUKUOKA 70ºF - 72ºF

We’ll depart for USA JINGU, one of Japan’s most important Shinto shrines and the main sanctuary dedicated to Hachiman, the protective deity of Japan. It serves as the head shrine of more than 40,000 Hachiman shrines across the country. Founded in the 8th century, it beautifully combines traditional architecture with expansive gardens surrounded by nature. We’ll take a walk across its red bridge and through its main pavilions, a setting that is both photogenic and deeply spiritual.

We’ll then continue to FUKUOKA, arriving around lunchtime.

FUKUOKA 70ºF - 72ºF

After breakfast, our journey will come to an end, leaving you with wonderful lasting memories.