- Fukuoka
- Sasebo
- Kagoshima
- Kumamoto
- Yanagawa
- Dazaifu
- Fukuoka
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DURATION
6 days / 5 nights
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TOUR TYPESmall-group tourMax 16 people
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TRANSPORTATION
Bullet train + Limited Express + Local Train + Private Mini-Bus
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PRICE(Per Person)From $5,160 AUD
Overview
Immerse in the samurai legacy of Kyushu
While the southern island of Kyushu is mostly famous for its mild climate, picturesque nature and cultural integrations, it’s also known as a place where Samurai legacy can still be seen with historic sites from the end of the samurai era.
This tour reveals the “last samurai” legacy by taking you to a historical samurai estate, stunning Japanese style garden, and of course, the majestic castle that are in Kagoshima and Kumamoto regions. You will also visit a Dutch themed park to frolic amongst the beautiful seasonal flowers, Fukuoka’s vibrant food stalls area and finally you’ll take a relaxing canal cruise in Yanagawa.
This tour is suitable for those who wish to go beyond major cities and dig a little deeper on Japan’s wonderful cultural roots of modern day Japan.
Feel the aesthetics of the samurai ethos in the architecture and culture of Kyushu loaded through this tour’s interesting itinerary!
- Fully escorted by our local English-speaking tour escort
- Hassle free! Keep your luggage in the main hotel & hop around the cities with a minimum baggage
- Stay 4 nights in a stylish hotel directly connected to Fukuoka’s major station
- Stay 1 night in Kagoshima to dig a little deeper on local wonders
- Great for train enthusiasts! Experience a variety of train journeys including JR Kyushu bullet train and limited express
- Enjoy the panoramic view of an active volcano in Kagoshima from a samurai garden
- Discover how Kumamoto castle is recovering from the recent earthquake
- Enjoy a peaceful ride through the canal at historical city of Yanagawa
- Stay in Fukuoka, the biggest city of Kyushu, to have more choice in your free time with the meals and shopping experience
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Highlights
Local dining experience
Fukuoka’s open-air food stalls may be the city’s best-known symbol. Around 100 stalls open as the night falls and invite you to the local food culture.
Spectacular views of Sakurajima volcano from samurai garden
UNESCO-listed Sengen-en garden was built in 1658 as a villa for a samurai clan family. There’s much to discover here, including the spectacular views of the bay and the active Sakurajima volcano puffing in the distance.
Majestic Kumamoto castle, one of the three best castles in Japan
Kumamoto Castle was built about 400 years ago and is well known for its steep castle walls that repelled its challengers. The castle was damaged by a recent earthquake, but restoration work is ongoing with the help of many people. Witness the resiliant “samurai spirit” coming through here!
Visit “little Netherlands” in Japan
Visit Huis Ten Bosch, a unique Dutch-themed amusement park in Sasebo to see the fruits of the Dutch influence on Japanese culture. You will be met with meticulous precision used in re-creating an entire Dutch town in Japan, complete with windmills, canals, and seasonal flowers.
Take a tour of Kyushu’s Venice
Enjoy the nostalgic canal town of Yanagawa, also called “the Venice of Kyushu”. The town has hundreds of kilometres of canals and is famous for its canal cruise in low flatboats by boatmen. Hop on a boat ride and take in the picturesque scenery.
A luxurious and convenient home base of the tour
The tour will be mainly based from the brand new Miyako Hotel Hakata, which is directly connected to a major Station in Fukuoka. With the spacious rooms and rooftop spa, the hotel ensures you a comfortable and pleasant stay.
JR Kyushu Bullet Train “Sakura”
The tour will be taking this high-speed bullet train “Sakura” between Fukuoka and Kagoshima. “Sakura” means cherry blossom in Japanese.
JR Kyushu Bullet Train “Tsubame”
The tour will be taking another bullet train between Fukuoka and Kagoshima. The name “Tsubame” means a swallow.
JR Kyushu Limited Express Train to Huis Ten Bosch
The tour will visit a Dutch-themed Park “Huis Ten Bosch” by this orange coloured limited express train operated by Kyushu Railway Company. The train runs between Hakata station and Huis Ten Bosch.
Itinerary
Welcome to Hakata, a foodie’s paradise!
- Meals: Dinner
- Stay: Miyako Hotel Hakata (Superior Twin or Superior Double)
Welcome to vibrant city of Fukuoka!
Check in to Miyako Hotel Hakata, a brand new hotel located just a few minutes walk from JR Hakata station. Your journey begins at this stylish hotel, featuring spacious and stylish rooms with room size over 30m², and access to both rooftop pool and indoor natural hot spring.
Meet your tour escort and fellow travellers at the hotel and enjoy a local gourmet dinner together.
* If you are arriving between 9am and 11am at Fukuoka airport, you can request a tour escort to meet you. The escort will provide directions and assist with making your own way to the hotel.
Day trip to little Netherlands in Japan by limited express train
- Meals: Breakfast
- Stay: Miyako Hotel Hakata (Superior Twin or Superior Double)
Hop on a limited express train to Huis Ten Bosch, Japan’s largest theme park recreating a 17th-century style Dutch Town. While the train allows you to enjoy the countryside scenery of Kyushu, it leads you to a little piece of the Netherlands with beautiful windmills, canals and splendid seasonal flowers. At Huis Ten Bosch, not only you can witness Japan’s ultrahigh precision in recreating an entire foreign town, you can also learn how Japan has adopted foreign culture throughout its history. Enjoy a full day exploring the vast park visiting attractions including museums, shops, restaurants, theatres and rides.
Stay overnight in Kagoshima to visit samurai garden overlooking active volcano Sakurajima
- Meals: Breakfast
- Stay: Kagoshima Sun Royal Hotel (Standard Twin)
Take the bullet train to Kagoshima for an overnight trip. On arrival, visit Ishin Furusato Museum and Sengen-en, a garden of a samurai clan estate listed as a World Heritage site where you can step back in time to the samurai era. Enjoy the breathtaking view of the bay and the active volcano Sakurajima puffing in the background from the garden and feel like a samurai lord.
You can also take time to see another World Heritage Site, Shuseikan, Japan’s first modern factory that started Japan’s industrial revolution. Here you can appreciate coloured glass craft “Satsuma Kiriko” originated from this factory and other traditional local crafts and specialities that are only available in the region.
Stopover at Kumamoto to discover Kumamoto castle’s recovery and resilience
- Meals: Breakfast
- Stay: Miyako Hotel Hakata (Superior Twin or Superior Double)
Stop over in Kumamoto on the way back from Kagoshima to visit Kumamoto Castle, one of the three best castles in Japan and the beautiful landscape of Suizenji Garden. Due to the damage from the recent earthquake, Kumamoto Castle is still undergoing restoration, but you can see how the castle and also Japan itself are building back with resilience. After lunch, take a walk around Suizenji Garden, a traditional Japanese garden with a natural spring pond at its heart. Visitors can enjoy traditionally-prepared Japanese tea at the teahouse within the park for an authentic experience. Finally, hop on the bullet train back to Fukuoka.
Boat cruise in “Kyushu’s Venice” and stroll through Dazaifu Shrine
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Stay: Miyako Hotel Hakata (Superior Twin or Superior Double)
Start the day with a visit to Yanagawa “the Venice of Kyushu” by local train. In Yanagawa, a town meshed in hundreds of kilometres of canals, take a ride on a low flatboat and enjoy the beautiful view of the greens and sunlight reflecting on the water. For lunch, enjoy a meal of the iconic local delicacy of grilled and steamed unagi (eel) in sweet and spicy sauce with rice.
Moving on to Dazaifu Tenmangu, a magnificent shrine dedicated to the spirit of the learned scholar, enjoy a walk along serene gardens, and snack on locally-loved Umegae Mochi rice cake and deep-fried chicken Dazaifu Burger.
Farewell to Kyushu, but come back again!
- Meals: Breakfast
Your tour officially concludes today.
Enjoy a leisurely breakfast with a view of the city of Hakata and hotel stay until check-out.
Continue a safe and enjoyable journey all the way home.
Accommodation
Miyako Hotel Hakata
Superior Twin or Superior Double
This brand new hotel connects directly to JR Hakata Station. From Fukuoka Airport, it’s a quick five-minute subway ride to Hakata Station. From there, the hotel is just a five-minute walk away. At over 30m², your Superior room provides a comfortable space complete with a bathtub. The hotel also offers an outdoor spa and indoor hot spring where you can relax after a busy day of exploring.
Kagoshima Sun Royal Hotel
Standard Twin
The hotel is located about 20 minutes from Kagoshima Chuo Station. The hotel overlooks Kagoshima’s spectacular Sakurajima and Kinko Bay. Enjoy the magnificent view of Sakurajima from your room or from the top floor hot spring.
Inclusions
- 5 nights accommodation: Fukuoka (4 nights) & Kagoshima (1 night)
- Meals: 5 x Breakfast, 1 x Lunch, 2 x Dinner
- English-speaking tour escort throughout the tour
- Transportation: JR Kyushu Shinkansen (Bullet train), limited express train, local train, private mini-bus and shuttle bus between hotel and station in Kagoshima
- Admission fees to museums, temples and other attractions detailed in the itinerary
Exclusions
- Flights
- Transfers between hotel and Fukuoka airport
- Transfers outside the tour itinerary
- Hotel incidental charges
- Personal expenses such as telephone, laundry, shopping, drinks during meals.
- Entrance fees to museums, temples and other attractions or places of personal interests not detailed in the itinerary
- Travel insurance
- Visa not included if required (note: Visa to enter Japan is not required for Australian citizens for trips less than 90 days)
Dates & Prices
Group Booking Discounts Available
Share the fun, save the cost.
Travel in a group and get 8% off per person on selected Japan tours!
For 2023 departure
Start Date – End Date
26 November – 01 December
(TOUR CODE: EAE261123N)
Standard Price
per person
in a twin-share room
Available Offer
Availability
Booking closed
For 2024 departure
Start Date – End Date
12 May – 17 May
(TOUR CODE: EAE120524S)
Standard Price
per person
in a twin-share room
Available Offer
Availability
Booking closed
Start Date – End Date
07 July – 12 July
(TOUR CODE: EAE070724S)
Standard Price
per person
in a twin-share room
Available Offer
Availability
Booking closed
Group size: Min 4 people / Max 16 people
*This tour is for travellers aged 15 years old and up.
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Important Information
- Please kindly note that, due to COVID-19, the schedule is subject to change.
- There will be a moderate amount of walking during the tour.
- Travel restrictions are constantly changing. Please check the latest travel advice before you book and before you travel.
Terms & Conditions
- Please read our General Booking Terms & Conditions
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From sushi-making class to watching sumo wrestlers in action, a small group tour gives you access to experiences you might not otherwise see in Japan. All Kintetsu Japan tours are limited to just 20 people, ensuring you don’t miss a thing.
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We know Japan! As a Japanese company, each one of our carefully curated itineraries taps into our team’s vast local knowledge and network of partners. We know where to go, where to stay and everything in between.
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Go beyond the major sights and immerse yourself in the unique culture – all while our expert staff show you the way! Travel abroad can be overwhelming, but with everything taken care of, the only thing you need to decide is when to go!