9-Nights Highlights of Southern Japan: Undiscovered Kyushu from $4,389

Day 1: Arrive in Fukuoka

Hotel: Mitsui Garden Hotel Fukuoka Gion (4 Star Rating)

Mitsui Garden Hotel Fukuoka Gion combines modern comfort with a warm, welcoming atmosphere in the lively Hakata district. Guests can enjoy well-appointed rooms, relaxing baths, and easy access to local shopping, dining, and cultural sites. Its convenient location and thoughtful amenities make it an ideal choice for both business and leisure travelers exploring Fukuoka.

Explore Hakata Old Town, where centuries of history unfold along narrow streets lined with traditional architecture and cultural landmarks. Visit Sennen-no-Mon, the symbolic gate to Hakata's heritage sites, and Joten-ji Temple, the birthplace of the famous Hakata Gion Yamakasa Festival. Continue to Tocho-ji Temple, home to the striking five-story pagoda and the Fukuoka Daibutsu - Japan's largest wooden seated statue of Buddha, standing 10.8 meters tall. Within its base, experience The Hell and Pure Land Tour, symbolizing spiritual renewal and the release of worldly worries.

Take a relaxing break at Mitsuyasu Seikaen Chaho, a 300-year-old tea shop, where you'll enjoy kabusecha, a smooth, umami-rich green tea from Yame, paired with uiro, a soft Japanese sweet that originated in Fukuoka.

Conclude your tour at Kushida Shrine, Hakata’s oldest and most beloved Shinto shrine, affectionately known as Okushidasan. This sacred site is home to the Yamakasa Festival's grand floats, displayed year-round. Nearby, visit the Hakatamachiya Furusatokan, a charming museum showcasing traditional crafts, festivals, and everyday life, offering a vivid glimpse into Hakata's timeless spirit and cultural legacy.

Take an evening stroll through the central Nakasu-Kawabata and Tenjin districts together with a local guide. Fukuoka's open-air food stalls (yatai) are a symbol of this southern city. Yatai can generally seat about seven or eight people and provide an atmospheric outdoor environment to savour a variety of simple, filling street foods. There are more than 150 yatai scattered across Fukuoka, but the best places to find them are along the river in Nakasu-Kawabata and lining the streets of Tenjin.

Hotel: Hotel Shiragiku (4 Star Rating)

Located in the heart of Beppu, Hotel Shiragiku invites travelers to experience the timeless charm of Japanese hospitality surrounded by serene gardens and soothing hot springs. Guests can unwind in luxurious indoor and open-air baths fed by Beppu's famous natural onsen waters, or enjoy the ultimate relaxation in rooms featuring private semi-outdoor baths. Every stay is elevated by exquisite kaiseki cuisine crafted from the finest Kyushu ingredients, offering a true taste of local culture and indulgence.

This morning, make your own way to Hakata Station in Fukuoka to take the highway bus to Beppu (bus tickets with reserved seats will be provided). Beppu is one of Japan's most famous hot spring resorts, offering an unparalleled variety of bathing experiences, including - hot water baths, mud baths, sand baths and steam baths. In addition, the Hells of Beppu feature several spectacular hot springs for viewing.

The highway bus will take you directly from Fukuoka to Kannawaguchi bus stop in Beppu, a journey of approximately 2 hours and 40 minutes. Upon arrival, you will have the rest of the day to explore Beppu at your own pace. We recommend taking a short walk to visit some of the Hells of Beppu and then visit Hyotan Onsen, one of the city's most beloved day-use hot spring facilities. Hyotan Onsen offers a wide range of hot spring experiences, including an open-air bath, waterfall bath, steam bath, sand bath, foot bath, family private baths and a steam inhalation station.

The following Hells of Beppu are within a few minutes’ walk from Kannawaguchi bus stop. Visiting all of them may take 1.5-2 hours.

1. Umi Jigoku (Sea Hell), a blue cobalt pond with a garden, shrine, and pudding made from the onsen steam.

2. Oniishibozu Jigoky (Shaven-Head Hell), with bubbling mud pools. This one only requires a short visit.

3. Shiraike Jigoku (White Pond Hell), a milky white pond in a quiet Japanese garden.

4. Kamado Jigoku (Cooking Pot Hell), multiple colours pools. Visitors can enjoy hand and foot baths and try various snacks cooked or steamed by the hot spring.

At the end of the day we suggest you take a taxi to your hotel or ryokan in Beppu, or to go to Beppu Station for your onward journey.

Hotel: Yama no Hotel Musouen (4 Star Rating)

Yama no Hotel Musouen is a tranquil retreat nestled in the mountains, offering serene views of lush forests and seasonal landscapes. The hotel features cozy, elegantly designed rooms, traditional Japanese hospitality, and relaxing hot spring baths for a rejuvenating stay. Its peaceful location makes it an ideal base for exploring nature, hiking trails, and nearby cultural sites.

Hotel: ANA Crowne Plaza Kumamoto New Sky by IHG (4 Star Rating)

The ANA Crowne Plaza Kumamoto New Sky offers modern comfort and stunning views of the Shirakawa River and Mount Aso, just minutes from Kumamoto Station. Guests can enjoy spacious rooms, refined dining options, and easy access to iconic attractions like Kumamoto Castle. Ideal for both business and leisure travelers, the hotel blends warm Japanese hospitality with international elegance.

Meet your guide at Kumamoto Station and transfer to your private vehicle to begin your tour with a two-and-a-half hour drive to Amanoiwato Shrine.The legendary Amanoiwato Shrine is a place steeped in Japanese mythology. This sacred site is dedicated to

Amaterasu Omikami, the sun goddess, who once hid herself in a nearby cave - Amanoiwato - after becoming upset with her brother. According to ancient lore, her retreat plunged the world into darkness. From the shrine, enjoy a short 10-minute walk to the Amanoyasugawara Dry Riverbed, where it's said that eight million gods gathered to coax Amaterasu out of hiding and restore light to the world. The serene forest trail and spiritual atmosphere make this a deeply memorable stop. Next, stop for lunch (not included), and then continue to the historic Takachiho Shrine, located just a few minutes away. This shrine, over 1,800 years old, is surrounded by towering cedar trees and is believed to enshrine deities central to the mythology of Amaterasu. Then, continue to Takachiho Gorge for a scenic stroll. Walk along the riverside path or rent a boat (not included) to see the Manai Falls, a picturesque waterfall cascading into the emerald waters below. The dramatic basalt cliffs and lush greenery make this spot one of the most iconic natural landscapes in Japan. After the tour, return by private vehicle to your hotel in Kumamoto.

Visit Suizenji Garden, a spacious traditional landscape garden. The garden reproduces in miniature form the 53 post stations of the Tokaido, an important road once connecting Edo with Kyoto, including a small Mt. Fuji. Kumamoto Castle is one of the most impressive castles in Japan. With large castle grounds and a variety of buildings, Kumamoto Castle offers its visitors one of the most complete castle experiences throughout the country.

Hotel: Sheraton Kagoshima (4 Star Rating)

The Sheraton Kagoshima offers modern luxury with stunning views of Sakurajima Volcano and Kagoshima Bay. Guests can enjoy spacious, well-appointed rooms, exquisite dining, and top-notch amenities including a fitness center and spa. Conveniently located near the city center, it provides easy access to shopping, cultural sites, and scenic attractions, making it ideal for both leisure and business travelers.

Begin your day at Sengan-en Garden, a historic Japanese landscape garden set along the coast just north of downtown Kagoshima. Once the villa of the powerful Shimazu clan, the garden is famed for its elegant design and stunning use of Sakurajima and Kinko Bay as borrowed scenery, creating a breathtaking natural backdrop. Stroll along peaceful paths lined with ponds, bamboo groves, and seasonal flowers, and take in the timeless beauty of this cultural treasure.

Enjoy lunch at the garden’s restaurant, where you’ll savor a full-course meal of Satsuma specialties - traditional dishes that showcase Kagoshima’s rich local ingredients, from Kurobuta pork to fresh seafood from nearby waters.

In the afternoon, board a ferry to Sakurajima Island, Kagoshima’s iconic volcano and enduring symbol. Admire panoramic views of the bay during the crossing, then explore the island’s viewpoints, hot spring foot baths, and scenic hiking trails, each offering a closer look at the powerful natural landscape that defines Kagoshima.