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 and enjoy a soak in a Michelin star onsen, followed by a unique experience for dinner – you’ll steam your food in the hot spring water, creating authentic flavours rich with healthy minerals!
- 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 before hopping in a rowboat to paddle through the deep gorge of Takachiho.
- 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.
- By travelling on this trip, you’ll directly support our Intrepid Foundation partner, Eden Reforestation Projects. Donations help them provide local employment opportunities and tackle climate change one tree at a time as they restore forests across 10 different countries.
What's this trip about?
Details
Travel Themes
Destinations
Attractions
Activities
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 dinner (Beppu style)
- Mount Aso - Ogi Rice terraces
- Mount Aso - Daikanbo Observatory
- Mount Aso - Nakadake Crater
- Mount Aso - Sunasenri trail hike
- Takachiho - Takachiho gorge rowing boat ride
- Takachiho - Takachiho Shrine
- Arita - Tonbai Wall Alleys walking tour
- Arita - Tozan Shrine
- Nagasaki - Peace Park & Atomic Bomb Museum
Itinerary
Konnichiwa! Welcome to Osaka, Japan. Ever-vibrant Osaka is also 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 travellers. Yo...
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 and get on a public bus to the village. You’ll visit the local sake brewery, where you...
Say goodbye to your hosts after a traditional home-cooked breakfast together. Then, head to Beppu, famous for its variety of hot springs and onsens in Kyushu. Enjoy a lunch that is special to Beppu. This specialty restaurant offers a unique dining experience where you...
Today is all about chasing stunning 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, which locate between Mt. Aso and Kuju Mountains Range. When you’ve snapped some ph...
This morning after breakfast, you’ll head out and visit the stunning Takachiho Gorge – a narrow chasm cut through the rock by the Gokase River. This gorgeous spot has sheer cliffs of volcanic basalt columns, which the locals say represent the scales of a dragon. Here,...
This morning, say goodbye to your scenic guesthouse and hop back on the train to the porcelain town of Arita – porcelain in Japan was first produced here and this small town is known nationwide for its pottery, known as Arita-yaki. Embark on a walking tour to see the ...
Wake up in Nagasaki this morning – the coastal city set on a natural harbour, with the surrounding hills providing gorgeous 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 ...
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 with Intrepid Travel.
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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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.
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