Your Adventure in Japan

Nov 7 – 9, 2024: Fukuoka (2 nights)

• Grand Hyatt Fukuoka

Nov 9 – 11, 2024: Nagasaki (2 nights)

• Nagasaki Marriott Hotel

Nov 11 – 13, 2024: Kumamoto (2 nights)

• Hotel Nikko Kumamoto

Nov 13 – 14, 2024: Yufu (1 nights)

• Yufuin Kamenoi Besso

Nov 14 – 16, 2024: Beppu (2 nights)

• ANA InterContinental Beppu

In November, Kyushu experiences mild to cool temperatures, with average highs ranging from 15°C to 20°C (59°F to 68°F) and lows between 7°C and 12°C (45°F to 54°F). The island sees occasional rainfall, with an average of 8 to 12 rainy days throughout the month, so it's advisable to pack a light jacket and an umbrella. Despite the slightly cooler weather, November is an excellent time to visit Kyushu, as the autumn foliage reaches its peak, transforming the landscapes into a stunning array of vibrant colors.

Arrive at Fukuoka Airport. A private English speaking driver will greet you at the arrivals hall of the airport and transfer you to your hotel in a luxury vehicle.

Grand Hyatt Fukuoka
1x Grand King Room

• Breakfast included

Begin your day by meeting your English-speaking guide in the hotel lobby. Depart for Dazaifu by private car, enjoying a scenic 1-hour drive. Upon arrival in Dazaifu, an administrative center of Kyushu Island for over 500 years, known for its historical significance in diplomacy and national defense, you'll visit Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine, dedicated to Michizane Sugawara, the god of study. Observe students praying for success in their studies and entrance exams.

Next, indulge in a local specialty, Umegaemochi, a popular Kyushu sweet consisting of grilled thin mochi filled with sweet red azuki bean paste and a Japanese plum mark in the center. Then you'll visit Komyozenji, a small Zen temple renowned for its beautiful Zen garden featuring rocks, pebbles, and moss.

Depart Dazaifu and return to Fukuoka city, where you'll visit Fukuoka Tower and enjoy panoramic views of the Fukuoka coastline and surrounding area. The tour concludes at the hotel in Fukuoka, where you'll bid farewell to your guide.

This itinerary allows you to explore the historical and cultural highlights of Dazaifu, taste a local specialty, experience a serene Zen temple, and take in the views from Fukuoka Tower, all with the convenience of a private car and an English-speaking guide.

Booked By scenset

Grand Hyatt Fukuoka
1x Grand King Room

• Breakfast included

Travel by private car to Karatsu, a city known for its castle, the annual Karatsu Kunchi festival (November 2-4), and its local pottery. Visit Karatsu Castle, built by Hideyoshi Toyotomi, which is unique for being constructed on a plain rather than a hill or mountain, earning it the nickname "Dancing Crane Castle." Next, explore a Karatsu-yaki pottery gallery to appreciate the local craftsmanship.

Continue your journey with a transfer to Imari, where you'll visit Okawachyama village, known as the "Village of Secret Kilns." From 1675 to 1871, Okawachiyama served as the official kiln of the Nabeshima family of the Saga Domain and was a renowned production center of high-quality porcelain for the Imperial Court, the shogunate, and various lords.

Finally, transfer to your hotel in Nagasaki, a journey that takes approximately 1.5 hours. You will arrive at your hotel in Nagasaki in the late afternoon, concluding your full-day tour of Saga Prefecture, which showcases the region's rich history, cultural heritage, and artistic traditions.

Booked By Scenset

Nagasaki Marriott Hotel
1x Deluxe King City View

• Breakfast included

Enjoy a full-day tour of Nagasaki, one of Japan's closest ports to other Asian countries, which has played a crucial role in foreign trade and was one of the few ports open during Japan's isolation period. Begin your tour by meeting your English-speaking guide in the hotel lobby and traveling by private car. Drive up to the Mt. Inasa Observation point, located 333 meters high, offering a stunning view of Greater Nagasaki and the Port of Nagasaki.

Next, visit the Nagasaki Peace Memorial Park, established to commemorate the atomic bombing of Nagasaki city on August 9th, 1945. Take a moment to reflect at the memorial museum. Afterward, explore the picturesque Glover Garden on the hill, overlooking Nagasaki Port. The garden features former residences and buildings of European merchants, showcasing the city's rich history of international trade.

Continue your tour with a visit to Oura Tenshudo, the oldest wooden church in Japan, registered as a National Treasure. The church was established by a French missionary and dedicated to the memory of the 26 Christians who were executed in the city in 1597 during the ban on Christianity. Your tour concludes at your hotel in Nagasaki in the late afternoon, having experienced the city's unique blend of European and exotic influences, as well as its historical significance.

Booked By Scenset

Nagasaki Marriott Hotel
1x Deluxe King City View

• Breakfast included

Begin your day with a drive to Unzen, a scenic journey that takes approximately 1 hour. If you're interested, visit "Hot Foot 105," the hot foot bath measuring 105 meters long, which is said to be the longest foot bath in Japan!

Continue your journey by driving through Mt. Unzen for about an hour, and visit the Volcano Exploratorium Gamadasu dome. This informative center features displays about the disastrous eruption of Mount Unzen and its effect on daily life, local plants, and wildlife found on the mountain. You'll also find an interesting exhibit on hot springs that explains the different types of springs and how they are formed. Next, visit Shimabara Castle, a historical site where heavy taxation imposed to pay for its construction, together with the religious persecution of local Christians, were major factors that led up to the Shimabara Rebellion (1637-1638).

To conclude your tour, take a ferry to Kumamoto, a relaxing 1-hour journey. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel in Kumamoto, where you will arrive in the late afternoon. This full-day tour offers a fascinating blend of natural wonders, historical significance, and cultural experiences, showcasing the unique attractions of the Unzen and Shimabara regions.

Booked By a scenset

Hotel Nikko Kumamoto
1x Standard King

• Breakfast included

Begin your day by meeting your English-speaking guide in the hotel lobby and starting your tour by private car. Your first stop will be the iconic Kumamoto Castle, completed in 1607 by the first daimyo (feudal lord) of the castle, using great effort and the latest technology of the time. After exploring the castle grounds, visit the beautiful Suizenji Garden, a spacious, Japanese-style landscape garden built by the Hosokawa family in the 17th century. Enjoy a leisurely stroll along the circular path, taking in the miniature representations of the 53 post stations of the Tokaido, the important road that connected Edo with Kyoto during the Edo Period, including a small-scale replica of Mt. Fuji.

Next, immerse yourself in the local culinary scene by visiting the Kumamoto Tasaki Market, a bustling food market where you can discover the fresh ingredients and flavors that make Kumamoto's cuisine so special. Spend some time exploring the market, sampling local delicacies, and observing the lively atmosphere.

Your tour concludes at your hotel in Kumamoto in the late afternoon, having experienced the city's rich history, stunning gardens, and vibrant food culture. This full-day itinerary offers a perfect balance of historical sites, natural beauty, and gastronomic delights, showcasing the best of what Kumamoto has to offer.

Booked By Scenset

Hotel Nikko Kumamoto
1x Standard King

• Breakfast included

Drive to Mt. Aso, a journey that takes approximately 1 to 1.5 hours. Upon arrival, enjoy a breathtaking panorama view of Mt. Aso from the observation deck. Mt. Aso is an active volcano located in the center of Kyushu, with recent eruptions in 2021 and 2016. The mountain boasts one of the world's largest ancient calderas, measuring up to 25 kilometers in diameter and over 100 kilometers in circumference. In the center of the caldera, you'll find the mountain's active volcanic peaks, including Mount Nakadake, whose spectacular crater is accessible to tourists.

After taking in the awe-inspiring views, visit the Aso Volcano Museum to learn more about the geological history and significance of this natural wonder. The museum offers fascinating exhibits and information about the formation and activity of Mt. Aso, as well as its impact on the surrounding landscape and communities.

Following your visit to the museum, transfer to your hotel in Beppu, a journey that takes approximately 2 to 2.5 hours. You will arrive at your hotel in the late afternoon, concluding your full-day tour of Mt. Aso. This itinerary offers a unique opportunity to witness the raw power and beauty of one of Japan's most iconic active volcanoes, while also gaining a deeper understanding of its geological and cultural significance.

Booked By Scenset

Yufuin Kamenoi Besso
1x Japanese room with private open-air bath

• Breakfast included

Begin your day by meeting your English-speaking guide in the hotel lobby and setting out on your tour by private car. Your first stop will be the Beppu Ropeway, which will take you to a small park near the summit of Mt. Tsurumi, a 1,375-meter-high mountain that overlooks Beppu. The park offers multiple observation decks with panoramic views of Beppu and Oita City, Mount Yufu, and, when visibility is good, as far as the Kuju Mountains. Take in the stunning scenery and enjoy the fresh mountain air as you explore the park.

Next, visit the famous Beppu Jigoku Hells, a series of seven spectacular hot springs designed for viewing rather than bathing. Each hell boasts unique characteristics, displaying steaming ponds of various colors, bubbling mud pools, and other fascinating hydrothermal activity. As you walk through the hells, marvel at the otherworldly landscapes and learn about the geological forces that create these incredible natural wonders.

Your tour concludes as you arrive back at your hotel in Beppu in the late afternoon. This full-day itinerary showcases the best of Beppu's natural attractions, from the breathtaking views atop Mt. Tsurumi to the mesmerizing beauty of the Jigoku Hells, offering a memorable and exciting experience in this unique corner of Japan.

Booked By Scenset

ANA InterContinental Beppu
1x Classic King city view room

• Breakfast included

The Kunisaki Peninsula's terrain consists of the 721-meter-tall Mount Futago at the center and a series of valleys radiating from it. The region's tranquil countryside is dotted with dozens of temples and some shrines, traditionally divided into six areas known as Rokugo Manzan, which literally means "Six Towns Full Mountain."

Your first stop will be Senpukuji Temple, founded in the 14th century as a training monastery for Zen monks. One of the halls is thatched and is registered as an Important Cultural Property. A warlord burned the temple to the ground in a campaign against Buddhism and Shinto. Next, visit Futagoji Temple, a prominent temple with a history of more than 1,300 years. If you're interested, you can experience Zazen (seated Zen meditation) and copying of sutras in a Zen Buddhism temple.

Finally, visit the Kumano Magaibutsu Buddhist relief carvings (stone buddha). Kunisaki is a treasure trove of Buddhist artifacts, and the twin Kumano Magaibutsu Buddhist relief carvings, depictions of Dainichi Nyorai and Fudo Myo-o, are the largest among these. Thought to date from the earliest days of Buddhism on Kunisaki, they can only be reached by climbing a flight of uneven, rocky steps, which legend relates was built by a devil over one night. Your tour concludes in the late afternoon, as you return to your hotel in Beppu, having experienced the rich history, spiritual significance, and natural beauty of the Kunisaki Peninsula.

Booked By Scenset

ANA InterContinental Beppu
1x Classic King city view room

• Breakfast included

This morning after breakfast, check out and meet your driver in the hotel lobby for your transfer to the airport.

• Meeting Location: Hotel Lobby
  
• Drive Time: About an hour

Private transfer to Oita airport (about an hour). Arrive at the airport and have a safe flight.

Booked by Scenset