Japan's Southern Treasures: 14 days Fukuoka to Fukuoka

Welcome to the island of Kyushu, Japan. Fukuoka is the capital city of Fukuoka Province and most populous city on the island. Enjoy your welcome reception at your luxury hotel in the centre of the city.

Begin the day with a visit to Fukuoka Tower and Fukuoka castle ruins in Maizuru Park. After lunch drive to the historic town of Dazaifu, established in the late 7th century and served as the administrative centre of the entire island of Kyushu for over 500 years. After wandering through the shops in the main street, check in to your Special Stay ryokan for the night, a decentralized hotel that renovates buildings from the late Edo and Meiji periods that are scattered around Dazaifu Tenmangu shrine.

Scenic Enrich
Enjoy an evening and after hours visit to the atmospheric Dazaifu Tenmangu shrine accompanied by one of the resident priests.

Head to one of the main tea growing districts of Kyushu, Hoshina village known for its high-quality tea. Here at the Hoshino Tea Museum, partake in some lessons about tea culture, from grinding the tea leaves through to how to correctly drink Matcha Tea.  Continue to Tao Open Air Theatre in Aso Kuju National Park for lunch at Tao House.

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Take your seat in this open-air theatre overlooking the picturesque expanse of the Aso mountains and endless grasslands to witness a live performance on their 'Skyward Stage' by the world-renowned taiko drumming entertainment group DRUM TAO.

After the performance, drive to Konokoe Yume Suspension Bridge, Japan’s longest and loftiest pedestrian bridge, before continuing onto Beppu and your Special Stay hotel for the next three nights, perched in the foothills overlooking Beppu.

Visit the Kannawa District, the location of some of the Seven Hells which are renowned hot springs that are too hot to bath in with very different appearances.  You will visit three of the seven, the colbolt blue Umi Jigoku (Sea), Oniishibozo Jigoku (Muddy) and Kamado Jigoku. Afterwards take a short walk to the Beppu Kannawa Jigoku Onsen Museum.  Then stroll around the streets of Beppu observing how the geothermal steam vents have shaped the layout of the town. Today’s lunch is a local specialty at Mushichiarou restaurant, where your lunch is cooked using the geothermal steam of the region using specially designed and manufactured pots made from stainless steel.

Scenic Freechoice:
This afternoon, choose from one of these Scenic Freechoice options.

Sand Bath: For centuries, Japanese have travelled to Kyushu to experience the health benefits of the geothermally heated sand. Dressed in a yukata you will be covered in geothermally heated sand (42 °C) on the beach where you listen to the sound of the waves as the warm sand relaxes your muscles.

Nagai Bamboo Factory: Take part in the whole process from washing, cutting and shaving the bamboo material to make useful bamboo products.

Head down from the mountains and drive to Kitsuki, Kyushu’s little Kyoto, to visit Japan’s smallest castle and its surrounding Samurai District. After lunch continue into the forests in Kunisaki Peninsula to visit Monjusenji Temple reputed to have been opened in 648.

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Witness the Gomataki Fire Stick ritual, where a sacrificial fire is kindled and consecrated by a monk before invoking divinities and making offerings of your prayers written on sticks.

Continue to Futago-ji Temple located on the slopes of Mt Futago.  It was established in 718 as the centre of ancient worship by devotees of Rokugo Manzan, a religion that combined elements of Buddhism, Shintoism, and ancient mountain worship.  Devotee monks would trek through the peninsula's mountains in prayer, chant and meditation. Return to your hotel for a night at leisure to try the hotel’s deluxe onsens.

Drive to Yufuin onsen where on arrival enjoy a 30-minute rickshaw ride around town and Lake Kinrin. Then walk along the main street, Yunotsubo Kaido which boasts charming cafes, restaurants, museums. Continue to Kuju Winery located at the foot of Mount Kuju. Established in 2002 the winery is now Japan’s largest and produces their own original wine at its 5-hectare vineyard. After lunch here, enjoy some wine tasting and a tour before driving through the grasslands of Aso Kuju National Park to Mt Aso Nakadake Crater to view inside Japan’s most active volcano (access permitting). Continue your drive to Kuma Valley and check-in to your award-winning accommodation in the Kuma Valley.

Scenic Freechoice:
This morning, choose from one of these Scenic Freechoice options.

E-bike ride through the valley: Cycle through the Hidden Valley of Spirits where you embark on an exhilarating adventure through the picturesque countryside.

Local Cuisine Cooking Adventure: Discover the art of creating umami (means delicious savoury taste in Japanese) through traditional fermentation with Secchan. An unforgettable experience with a charismatic local chef.

After lunch visit the Kuma shochu brewery, the oldest shochu distillery in the Kuma Valley with a history dating back 350 years.

This morning at the treasured Shinguzenji Temple, discover your inner warrior and try the Taisharyu Samurai and sword experience, a style of traditional martial arts that was founded in the late 16th century by the legendary samurai Marume Kurando, who hailed from the Sagara domain. Drive to Kumamoto, one of Japan’s less visited gems. After lunch upon arrival, move to Suizenji Jojuen Garden, built by the Hosokawa family in 1671.  Explore the artfully manicured gardens and enjoy some traditional Japanese sweets and matcha tea at the garden’s teahouse with a view. Ride the Kumamoto City Tram (streetcar) service to your hotel for the next two nights.

Scenic Freechoice Dining:
This evening, choose from one of these Scenic Freechoice Dining options.

Local fare at Yokobachi: With your Scenic Tour Director, explore the local nightlife in the surrounding streets and alleyways around Shimotori Arcade with a meal at Yokobachi, an Izakaya restaurant.

Suncielo Dine at Suncielo: an Italian restaurant that offers authentic courses made with local seasonal ingredients at ANA Crowne Plaza Hotel.

Spend the morning exploring the iconic Kumamoto Castle, now reopened after repairs from the devasting earthquake in 2016. This castle played a pivotal role in the Seinan Civil War which occurred a few years after the Meiji Restoration, during which the famous samurai Saigo Takamori led an uprising in Kyushu against the new government who had troops garrisoned inside the castle. The Uto Turret is one of the few structures that survived the siege of 1877.

After lunch, learn about the art of creating the traditional Japanese sweets called ‘wagashi’ in a hands-on class at the 230-year-old sweet shop Kitagawa Tenmeido. The remainder of the day is at your leisure.

Drive back into the countryside of Kyushu to the small town of Yamaga, home to one of the 17 remaining traditional Kabuki theatres left in Japan. Walk throughout this theatre to understand the backstage workings of this traditional art. On arrival in Nagasaki, check into your boutique hotel for the next two nights.

Scenic Freechoice: This morning, choose from one of these Scenic Freechoice options.

Christianity in Japan: Explore the footprint of Christianity left by the European powers through the Oura Catholic Church, the Shrine to the 26 Martyrs and Glover Garden and House.

Atomic Legacy: Visit Peace Park and the Atomic Bomb Museum and reflect on a more tragic and modern notoriety.

Enjoy your afternoon at leisure before meeting up to venture by cable car to Inasayama Observatory at the top of Mt Inasa to take in the sweeping vista of the city, another of Japan's three best night views.

Leave Nagasaki and cross through the countryside of Saga Prefecture to Fukuoka, stopping into the world-famous pottery village of Arita en-route. Arita was where porcelain was first made in Japan and a visit to the Kyushi Ceramic Museum will help you gain an understanding of the character and history of Kyushu ceramics. After walking the old streets of Arita continue to Karatsu for lunch and a visit to the Karatsu Hikiyama Exhibition Hall, which houses a collection of 19th century floats used in the annual Kunchi Festival. Later arrive at your luxury hotel for the next two nights in the centre of the city.

This evening your Tour Director will take you down to Fukuoka’s open air food stalls (Yatai), located walking distance to your hotel, to help you choose your own meal of Yakitori, Oden or Hakata Ramen dinner.

Begin your exploration of the city at Shofuku-ji, the oldest Zen Temple in Japan. Your last stop before a free afternoon is to a Sake Brewery to taste and learn about the local brewing process of the different types of Sake. After lunch your afternoon is free at leisure. Gather tonight for your farewell dinner.

Depart today with treasured memories of your wonderful time in Kyushu, Japan.

The itinerary is a guide only and may be amended for operational reasons. As such Scenic cannot guarantee the journey will operate unaltered from the itinerary stated above. Please refer to our terms and conditions for further information. Hotels are indicative and subject to change.