Southern Japan Experience
Overview
Highlights
- Explore the unique island of Naoshima – transformed from a sleepy fishing community into a world-class art destination, with sleek and stylish museums and artworks that harmonise with the landscape.
- Stay in a countryside homestay, taking you off the beaten track to experience excellent Japanese hospitality. Feast on home-cooked meals over fascinating conversations with your welcoming hosts and learn about rural life in Japan.
- Watch the steam coming out of the ‘hells’ (hot spring pools in Jigoku) of Beppu. Enjoy a local lunch, cooked in the unique local way – you’ll steam your food in the hot spring water, creating authentic flavours rich with healthy minerals! And followed by a relaxing soak in the local onsen if you wish!
- Take in the stunning view of the five peaks of Mount Aso from the Daikanbo Observatory, then a light hike on the moon-like terrain to the largest crater of Nakadake.
- Expect the unexpected in Nagasaki, tragically famous for being one of the only two cities that were bombed during the war. Discover the unique charm of this port-side Dutch influenced city and all the history it has collected over the years.
What's this trip about?
Details
Travel Themes
Destinations
Attractions
Activities
Max Group Size
Trip includes
- Takamatsu - Ritsurin Garden & Sanuki Folkcraft Museum
- Takamatsu - Naoshima day trip (ferry, public bus & bicycle)
- Matsuyama - Matsuyama Castle
- Usuki - Local Sake brewery visit and tasting
- Usuki - Japanese home-cooking experience
- Beppu - 'Hells' of Beppu (Jigoku)
- Beppu - local onsen
- Beppu - Steamed lunch (Beppu style)
- Mount Aso - Nakadake Crater
- Mount Aso - Sunasenri trail hike (or Kusasenri trail, weather and access dependent)
- Mount Aso - Ogi Rice terraces
- Mount Aso - Daikanbo Observatory
- Nagasaki - Glover Garden
- Nagasaki - Peace Park & Atomic Bomb Museum
- Nagasaki - tram day pass
Itinerary
Konnichiwa! Welcome to Japan. Your adventure begins in vibrant Osaka, the country’s unofficial culinary capital, whose motto is 'Kuidaore' (eat until you drop). Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm where you'll meet your trip leader and fellow travelle...
Depart Osaka this morning and begin the journey west. Take the train across the bridge spanning the stunning Inland Sea and onto Takamatsu. This may be the largest city on the island of Shikoku (the smallest of Japan’s four main islands), but it's a beautifully unpret...
Take the ferry this morning for a daytrip to the island of Naoshima, in the Inland Sea between Takamatsu and the mainland – famous worldwide for its modern art galleries, museums, avant-garde architecture and lovely natural setting. Explore the island by public bus or...
This morning, take the train and head west to Matsuyama – one of Japan’s least discovered prefectures coined ‘the citrus state’ by the locals. When you arrive and have maybe picked up a mikan (mandarin) or two, visit the hill-top Matsuyama Castle with your group. This...
Get ready for a bit of a travel day today. Jump on a train and then ferry for Usuki, on Kyushu Island – the third largest of Japan’s four main islands. When you arrive around midday, take a public bus to the village to visit the local sake brewery, where you’ll get to...
Say goodbye to your hosts after a traditional home-cooked breakfast. Then, head to Beppu, famous for its variety of hot springs and onsens in Kyushu. Have lunch at a specialty restaurant that offers a unique dining experience where you can select the food you’d like, ...
Today is a free day in Beppu. This is the perfect opportunity to take it easy in this onsen town, soaking your muscles and taking advantage of the benefits. Maybe explore other onsens in the city or alternatively, explore Beppu at your own pace. Maybe check out Jigoku...
Today is all about chasing views! Hop in your private transfer this morning and head to Mt Aso, stopping at Ogi Rice Terrace along the way. Soak up the scenic landscape of Ogi between Mt Aso and the Kuju Mountains Range. When you’ve snapped some photos, head on to the...
This morning, say goodbye to your scenic guesthouse and hop back on the train to Nagasaki, arriving in the early afternoon. Nagasaki was the sole port in Japan to trade with Dutch and Portuguese back in the 16th century, so city has a fascinating mixture of traditiona...
Wake up in Nagasaki this morning – the coastal city set on a natural harbour has surrounding hills with many viewpoints over the scenic hub. Visit the Peace Park and Atomic Bomb Museum for a sobering reminder of what happened on that dreadful day – the 9th of August 1...
Say goodbye to Kyushu and jump on the shinkansen back to Osaka. When you arrive this afternoon, soak up some free time to relax or explore. Tonight, why not head out for dinner and drinks with your leader and fellow travellers, to celebrate an amazing trip in southern Japan.
With no further activities planned, your trip comes to an end this morning. That doesn’t mean your time in Japan has to end! There is plenty to do and explore in Osaka, so if you’d like to extend your stay, just speak to your booking agent ahead of time.
Want a tailor-made trip instead?
Your trip, your way, planned by an expert:
- You choose budget, destinations, activities, transport & lodging type
- Expert designs the itinerary for you, and once approved, takes care of logistics
Dates & Availability
Check current availability, prices, specials & more.
The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.
Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.
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Tour Operator
The Intrepid Travel Experience
If you’re looking for adventure, you’ve come to the right place. For the past 25 years, we’ve been taking small groups of travelers on unforgettable trips around the world. What makes them unforgettable? Take a look for yourself and discover the Intrepid experience.
Our travelers have three styles of tour to choose from: Basix, Original and Comfort. Each has a different level of inclusions and accommodation, but all have unforgettable real life experiences as part of the package. Travellers can also choose themed trips, such as Family, Sailing or Food, to suit their interests.
Our group size has an average of just ten travellers, which allows us to get off the beaten track, use local accommodation and transport, and really get to know the culture. It also ensures we are contributing to the local economy; by choosing local suppliers we were able to keep AUD 60 million in local economies in 2012. We’re also working hard to reduce our carbon footprint and were the first in our sector to introduce carbon offset trips. This, along with our many corporate sustainability activities, has meant we’re one of the travel industry’s leaders in responsible travel.
Why Intrepid?
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- Intrepid travelers - like-minded companions
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Intrepid Travel has come a long way since its beginnings in 1989. From two university friends, a typewriter and a kitchen desk, it is now a proud member of The Intrepid Group, taking over 100,000 travelers every year.
Intrepid Travel is part of The Intrepid Group of companies, alongside leading small group adventure companies Peregrine, Urban Adventures and PEAK DMC.
Despite growing into a global business with over 1,000 staff based all over the world and over 800 different trips across every continent, we’ve remained devoted to the same grassroots values and responsible travel philosophies that we had at the very beginning.
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Finish point
- The Bridge Hotel Shinsaibashi
- 1-10-24, Nishishinsaibashi, Chuo-ku, Osaka-shi 大阪府大阪市中央区西心斎橋1-10-24
- Osaka
- Osaka
- 542-0086
- JAPAN
- Phone: +81 649636501
Alternate Finish point
- For trips departing on the following dates, use this finish point.
- 13 Mar 2026 (CJSO260313), 20 Mar 2026 (CJSO260320), 24 Mar 2026 (CJSO260324), 27 Mar 2026 (CJSO260327), 31 Mar 2026 (CJSO260331), 03 Apr 2026 (CJSO260403), 05 Apr 2026 (CJSO260405), 07 Apr 2026 (CJSO260407), 10 Apr 2026 (CJSO260410), 19 May 2026 (CJSO260519), 22 May 2026 (CJSO260522), 29 May 2026 (CJSO260529), 12 Jun 2026 (CJSO260612), 26 Jun 2026 (CJSO260626), 12 Jul 2026 (CJSO260712), 28 Jul 2026 (CJSO260728), 07 Aug 2026 (CJSO260807), 21 Aug 2026 (CJSO260821), 04 Sep 2026 (CJSO260904), 11 Sep 2026 (CJSO260911), 18 Sep 2026 (CJSO260918), 25 Sep 2026 (CJSO260925), 02 Oct 2026 (CJSO261002), 09 Oct 2026 (CJSO261009), 13 Oct 2026 (CJSO261013), 20 Oct 2026 (CJSO261020), 30 Oct 2026 (CJSO261030), 06 Nov 2026 (CJSO261106), 13 Nov 2026 (CJSO261113), 27 Nov 2026 (CJSO261127)
- Hearton Hotel Nishi Umeda
- 3-3-55 Umeda, Kita-ku, Osaka-shi
- Osaka
- JAPAN
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