Essential Japan with Kyushu: 25 days Tokyo to Fukuoka

Welcome to Tokyo, Japan's capital and the world's most populous metropolis. Check-into The Capital Hotel Tokyu, your Scenic Special Stay for the next three nights. With direct access to four subway lines, the hotel was recently rated in the Forbes Travel Guide as Tokyo’s exclusive Japanese decor 5-star luxury hotel. Rooms overlook the most picturesque sites in Tokyo, such as the Imperial Palace, the 500-year-old Hie Jinja Shrine and beautiful landscaped Japanese gardens. This evening meet for your welcome reception and dinner.

Gather your bearings of Tokyo from above as you take in the view from the Tokyo Sky Tree, the world’s tallest freestanding broadcast tower in the world at 634 metres.

Scenic Enrich
Partake in an interactive, private group demonstration and lesson in playing the Taiko drums, led by renowned Taiko masters.

The remainder of the afternoon is free at leisure.

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

Ninja Akasaka: This popular but unusual restaurant has an underlying ninja theme to create a memorable dining experience.

Nobu Tokyo: Part of the famous international chain of Japanese restaurants by Nobu Matsuhisa, this casual but chic restaurant is known for its fusion cuisine blending traditional Japanese dishes with Peruvian ingredients.

Izakaya Nightlife: Sample a Yaki-tori and Kushiyaki dinner over some drinks at small local bars. This is a chance to mingle and dine in a traditional Japanese way.

Visit the Asakusa district, known as the centre of Tokyo’s shitamachi or ‘low city’ capsulizing the atmosphere of Tokyo’s past, paying your respects at Sensoji temple, the city’s oldest Buddhist temple. Surrounding the temple is the Nakamise shopping area, featuring many traditional shops that sell Japanese crafts and souvenirs.

Scenic Freechoice:
This afternoon, explore the city on one of these Scenic Freechoice excursions.

Meiji Shrine and Shibuya Crossing: Explore the tranquil evergreen forest of the Meiji Shrine complex, before walking across the busiest pedestrian crossing in the world and seeing the famous Hachiko dog statue in Shibuya.

Cultural Shinjuku and Gyoen Gardens: Stroll through Shinjuku-Gyoen Gardens, one of the most beautiful areas for cherry blossoms in Tokyo. Visit Shinjuku’s shopping and entertainment districts. You can also choose to stay and join the crowds later into the night.

Be amazed at the dazzling teamLab Borderless Digital Art Museum. Wander freely amongst the immersive displays, created by hundreds of projectors, lights and computers. Then dress up in your chefs’ clothes to make your own sushi lunch with the help of a local chef.

Later, drive to the Fuji Five Lakes District and learn about kimono craftsmanship at the Itchiku Kubota Art Museum, dedicated to the Japanese textile artist. Kubota is renowned for his use of the tsujigahana technique, used to dye kimonos during the Muromachi Period (1333-1573), and has created an unparalleled collection of these traditional garments. For tonight, soak in the views of Mt Fuji from the Fuji Marriott Hotel Lake Yamanaka or similar.

Drive to Hakone and cruise on Lake Ashinoko on the First-class deck (if available) of your pirate ship with Mt Fuji as a backdrop. Admire the stunning scenery during your cable car ride up to the hot springs of the Owakudani geothermal area before moving to study the art works and sculptures at the Hakone Open Air Museum, Japan’s first open air museum. Relax this evening at Hotel Indigo Hakone Gora, an IHG Hotel or similar.

Travel via Shinkansen train in Green (Business) Class to Nagoya and visit the Shinkansen Train Museum at SCMaglev and Railway Park. Stepping into the SCMaglev and Railway Park brings you face-to-face with an impressive evolution of high-speed rail, from vintage steam engines to futuristic maglev prototypes. The highlight of the experience is walking through retired, iconic Shinkansen cabins and trying your hand at the ultra-realistic bullet train driving simulators.

Continue to the historic castle town of Inuyama.  Enjoy a two-night Scenic Special Stay at Hotel Indigo Inuyama Urakuen Garden, situated right next to the historic Urakuen Garden and the National Treasure Jo-an Teahouse, with direct, unobstructed views of the hilltop Inuyama Castle and the Kiso River.

Visit the Dondenkan and Karakuri Museum, dedicated to the historic Inuyama Festival and traditional mechanical puppetry before exploring the old town and Inuyama Castle, the oldest of just five castles nationwide designated as national treasures.

Scenic Freechoice:
This afternoon, explore the city on one of these Scenic Freechoice excursions.

Meiji Mura: Outdoor Museum for Reconstructed Buildings Meiji Mura, or Meiji Village, is a stunning demonstration of Meiji period (1868-1912) architecture from Japan. Walk around this vast theme park museum to see how Western culture inspired the architects of Japan as it moved from its samurai past to its modernised future.

Seki Traditional Swordsmith and Museum: Seki City is one of the most well-known and highly regarded blade-producing areas in the world. To this day, Japanese swords continue to be produced by swordsmiths in the traditional forging style that has been passed down for centuries. The museum shows off the history and tradition of blade-making that date back over 700 years with a possible demonstration by the master swordsmith in action.

Head north to the historic villages in Gokayama a UNESCO World Heritage region in Nanto City, Toyama Prefecture, famous for its 100-to-400-year-old traditional gassho-zukuri (praying hands) thatched-roof farmhouses. Here try your hand at a Washi paper making workshop.

Continue to Kanazawa, famous for its well-preserved Edo-period samurai and geisha districts, traditional arts, and the renowned Kenroku-en landscape garden. Enjoy a three-night stay at the centrally located Hyatt Centric Kanazawa or similar.

Ryokan Upgrade
For a unique insight into Japanese culture, choose to stay tonight in a Ryokan (at additional cost, must be pre-booked before departure). This independent stay at a traditional Japanese Inn has futon beds and private facilities and includes dinner and breakfast.

Wander around Kenroku–en Garden, one of Japan’s three great gardens located across from Kanazawa Castle Park.  The spacious grounds used to be the outer garden of Kanazawa Castle and were constructed by the ruling Maeda family over a period of nearly two centuries. Opened to the public in 1871, Kenrokuen is famous for its grand strolling design, traditional teahouses, and seasonal beauty.

Later, catch a glimpse of life in Feudal Japan with a visit to former Kaga Clan Samurai houses in the Nagamachi district, located at the foot of the former Kanazawa Castle.

Scenic Enrich
Partake in a 1300-year-old ritual in Kannon-in Temple. The rarely seen Gomadaki Fire Stick Ceremony is a Buddhist ritual that burns wooden sticks which represent the destruction of your negative energies and detrimental thoughts.

Afterwards explore the Higashi-Chaya tea house district and visit the Kanazawa Gold Leaf craft shop. Later visit the Yamato Soy sauce & Miso Co factory for a tour on how traditional Japanese soy sauce and miso is made.

Travel by Shinkansen and local train to the culturally rich city of Kyoto, home to many World Heritage-listed sites.

Scenic Enrich

Partake in a Japanese tea ceremony while dressed in a traditional Japanese kimono, a great photo opportunity.

Settle into a three-night Scenic Special Stay at the Hilton Kyoto, celebrated for its spacious, modern Japanese-inspired rooms with executive lounge access.

Visit the famous Kinkaku-ji or Golden Pavilion, because it is completely covered in gold leaf.  Afterwards glide through the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove by rickshaw followed enjoying a vegetarian meal at the World Heritage listed Tenryu-ji Temple.

This afternoon, visit Nijo Castle, built in 1603 as the Kyoto residence of Tokugawa leyasu, the first shogun of the Edo Period. (1603-1868).

Scenic Enrich
At tonight’s special dinner, you will be able to interact with a Geiko and Maiko as they host your meal. It’s an excellent opportunity to learn about what is involved in becoming a Geisha and the art of Japanese hospitality.

Begin your day with an early morning optional visit to beat the crowds at the Fushimi Inari Shrine, famous for its thousands of vermilion torii gates and its appearance in the film ‘Memoirs of a Geisha’.

After breakfast continue to Nara, Japan's first permanent capital established in the year 710 as Heijo, the city now known as Nara. Here you’ll visit Todaiji Temple, constructed in 752 as the head temple of all provincial Buddhist temples of Japan.  The Temple grew so powerful that the capital was moved from Nara to Nagaoka in 784 in order to lower the temple's influence on government affairs. Also see deer in Nara Park before returning to Kyoto. The remainder of the day is at leisure.

Drive to the Kirin Kobi Beer Factory for lunch, tasting and a tour of the factory.

Continue to Osaka to enjoy a two-night Scenic Special Stay with full club lounge access at the Marriott Miyako Osaka Hotel. This evening ride the Osaka Metro to wander around Dotonbori and Hozenji Yokocho food alley. This stone-paved alley is lined with more than 60 traditional and restored shops and restaurants, is one of the most beautiful streets in all of Osaka.

Drive to a Sumo Museum in Kehayaza, the area where Sumo originated.

Scenic Enrich
Learn about the history, life and training routine of a sumo wrestler during a private visit to a Sumo Museum in Kehayaza, said to be the birthplace of sumo. After your welcome ceremony, see a demonstration of Jinku (traditional folkloric songs) and watch the wrestlers in action in the dohyo.

Following lunch at a restaurant owned by a retired Sumo wrestler, return to Osaka to enjoy your Club Floor benefits before your dinner at the hotel overlooking the skyline of Osaka.

This morning travel by Shinkansen in Green (Business) Class to marvel at Himeji Castle, an original and Japan’s most spectacular castle and one of the few remaining original feudal castles. Afterwards continue to Hiroshima.

Scenic Enrich
Experience an emotional visit to the Peace Park and Museum, dedicated to the legacy of Hiroshima as the first city in the world to suffer a nuclear attack. Move to Orizuru Tower to learn how to create your own special origami crane offering for the Orizuru Wall.

Check into the Sheraton Grand Hiroshima Hotel or similar for the night. Tonight, sample Okonomiyaki, a delicious savoury Japanese-style pancake and specialty of the region.

Travel by ferry to Miyajima Island to visit Daisho-in Temple and its famous floating Torii Gate at the Itsukushima Shrine. After lunch continue by Shinkansen train to Fukuoka, the capital city of Fukuoka Province and the most populous city on the island of Kyushu. Stay the night at the Grand Hyatt Fukuoka, your luxury hotel 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.

Board the specialty scenic train 'Yufuin no Mori', a resort-style limited express sightseeing train to Yufuin. Disembark and continue to Tao Open Air Theatre for lunch at Tao House.

Scenic Enrich
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 Scenic Special Stay hotel for the next two nights, the InterContinental - ANA Beppu Resort & Spa, an IHG Hotel 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 at a local specialty 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.

Drive to Yufuin onsen where on arrival enjoy a 30-minute rickshaw ride around town and Lake Kinrin. 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 to Kumamoto and check into Hotel Nikko Kumamoto or similar for your two-night stay.

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 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.

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.

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.

Visit a sake brewery enroute to Nagasaki where on arrival check into the Hilton Nagasaki or similar for 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.

After an afternoon at leisure, take the cable car to Inasayama Observatory at the top of Mt Inasa for dinner with a view, ranked as one of the three best night views in Japan.

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 check in for your last night at the Grand Hyatt Fukuoka or similar and your farewell dinner.

Bid a fond farewell to the ‘Land of the Rising Sun’.

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.