Living History and a Spectacle of the Earth
Tour Highlights
This journey through Kyushu Island, Japan's third largest island, shows a warm western spirit, with a blend of ancient shrines, samurai heritage, and creative experiences rooted in local flavor. Guests explore sacred Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine, try their hand at making ramen and gyoza (fried dumplings) in Fukuoka Prefecture, and experience Japan's largest stadium from behind the scenes. In Yame City, refined tea tasting and craft shopping highlight Kyushu's artisanal traditions, while Kumamoto Prefecture offers castle history and elegant dining in a unique venue beside its famed castle. The journey culminates in the volcanic landscapes of Aso and the relaxing hot springs of Beppu, where a farewell party celebrates Kyushu's hospitality and natural wonders.
Route Map
- Arrival at Fukuoka Airport
- Visit a historic shrine and traditional shopping street by private coach
- Guests visit Dazaifu Tenmangu, a historic Shinto shrine dedicated to the deity of learning, located in Dazaifu City, the gateway to the Kyushu region. Strolling along the lively approach, lined with local shops selling sweets and crafts, offers a first taste of Kyushu's charms.
- Welcome dinner in a century-old brewery venue
- The evening features a welcome dinner at Hakata Hyakunen-gura in a renovated century-old saké brewery, where traditional wooden beams and warm lighting create a relaxing, traditional atmosphere. Local cuisine and saké pairings introduce the culinary richness of Fukuoka City.
- Overnight in Fukuoka City
- Ramen and gyoza making experience
- Guests learn the fundamentals of Hakata-style ramen and pan-fried gyoza, guided by instructors who demonstrate noodle preparation, broth composition, and folding techniques. The session concludes with lunch featuring their own creations.
- Behind-the-scenes tour of a major baseball dome
- At Mizuho PayPay Dome, one of Japan's largest indoor stadiums and home to baseball's Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks, guests explore the normally restricted backstage areas. A commemorative group photo is then displayed on the giant LED screen, complete with the company/organization name, for a memorable shared experience.
- Visit to a city-center shrine
- Kego Shrine, a serene sanctuary in the heart of the city, provides a calm contrast to the surrounding business district. Guests learn about its cultural role and rituals during a short, guided visit.
- Reception at an elegant contemporary venue
- The evening reception is at The Kego Club by Happo-En, located just beside the shrine. This upscale venue is known for its contemporary Japanese aesthetic and carefully crafted cuisine. Guests can also enjoy a taiko (Japanese drum) performance, adding a dynamic cultural touch to the evening. The refined atmosphere and attentive hospitality create an ideal setting for networking and relaxed conversation.
- Overnight in Fukuoka City
Day 3
Yame Kumamoto
Green tea heritage and local craftsmanship
Fukuoka Yame Kumamoto
- Premium tea tasting in a preserved historic residence
- In Yame City, one of Japan's premier tea-producing areas, guests visit Kyu Ouchi-tei (the former Ouchi Residence), a restored traditional home of a merchant representing Yame's mercantile heritage. A guided tasting highlights the celebrated depth and sweetness of Yame tea, one of Japan's finest green teas.
- Lunch at a local restaurant
- Stroll and shopping in a traditional crafts district in Yame City
- Guests stroll through Yame Fukushima, a historic merchant town that flourished from the Edo period (1603-1868), with a townscape that remains today. The district is lined with about 150 traditional wooden townhouses, creating a timeless atmosphere. Today, these well-preserved buildings house a variety of shops and galleries, where guests can enjoy shopping for local crafts, textiles, and regional products while experiencing the area's living heritage.
- Transfer from Yame City to Kumamoto City by private coach
- Food-stall dining experience in Kumamoto
- Guests enjoy a relaxed, casual evening at Kumamoto Yatai Village, where multiple food stalls and small eateries offer local flavors in a lively, open setting. The Village can also be reserved for private use by groups of 200 or more persons.
- Overnight in Kumamoto City
- Walk through a classic Japanese landscape garden
- Guests explore Suizenji Jōjuen Garden, a classic landscape garden featuring a miniature Mt. Fuji and scenic ponds, which offers a peaceful interlude that captures Edo-period aesthetics.
- Lunch at a local restaurant
- Kumamoto Castle tour with samurai guide
- Guided by members of the local Bushotai, a performance group portraying historical warriors, guests explore the grand Kumamoto Castle and enjoy commemorative photos with samurai in full armor.
- Dinner in a cultural heritage complex
- The evening is hosted at Johsaien in Sakuranobaba, a cultural complex at the base of Kumamoto Castle that recreates the atmosphere of the historic castle town. Traditional-style buildings house craft shops and regional specialties, adding a sense of place before guests move to a reserved event space for a private dinner. The setting combines the charm of old Kumamoto with the grandeur of the adjacent castle, creating a memorable and culturally rich conclusion to the day.
- Overnight in Kumamoto City
Day 5
Aso Beppu
Volcanic landscapes and hot spring hospitality
Kumamoto Aso Beppu
- Spring-water tasting in a natural protected source
- At Shirakawa Suigen, one of Japan's most famous natural springs, a local guide explains the region's hydrology and geology; guests then compare the spring water with other local mineral waters.
- Scenic visit to volcanic landscapes and grasslands
- The tour explores Mt. Aso's Nakadake crater, an active volcanic caldera known for its impressive scale, volcanic activity, and rugged lava formations. Nearby are the wide-open grasslands of Kusasenrigahama, a plateau with grazing horses and a dramatic contrast of green fields against the volcanic peaks, showcasing the dynamic natural beauty of one of the world's largest caldera systems.
- Lunch at a local restaurant
- Transfer to Beppu by private coach, driving the scenic Yamanami Highway
- The journey follows the Yamanami Highway, one of Kyushu's most celebrated scenic routes, winding through volcanic landscapes, open grasslands, and panoramic mountain views, making the drive itself a memorable highlight of the journey.
- Beppu onsen hot spring area
- Beppu is one of Japan's most renowned hot spring destinations, famous for having the highest volume of hot spring water and the greatest number of sources in the country. Steam rising throughout the town reflects a deep-rooted onsen culture that has shaped daily life, cuisine, and hospitality for centuries.
- Farewell dinner at a traditional hot spring ryokan
- In Beppu, guests enjoy a farewell banquet with seasonal dishes at a ryokan (Japanese inn).
- Overnight at a ryokan in Beppu onsen hot spring area
- Tour of geothermal "hells"
- Guests visit the famous "Hells" of Beppu (Jigoku Meguri), a collection of colorful geothermal hot springs, each with a distinct character and legend.
- Jigoku-mushi lunch in a hot spring town
- Kannawa Onsen is one of Beppu's most atmospheric hot spring towns, known for its rising steam vents and traditional stone steam chambers. Here guests experience Jigoku-mushi, a local culinary method that uses naturally venting geothermal steam to cook fresh vegetables, seafood, and regional ingredients. The result is a simple yet flavorful meal created from the enduring hot spring culture of the area.
- Hands-on bamboo-craft workshop
- A workshop with artisans in Beppu, a city famed for bamboo craftsmanship, allows guests to experience the techniques behind this regional art form.
- Dinner at a local restaurant
- Overnight at a ryokan in Beppu onsen hot spring area
Day 7
Fukuoka
Departure
Beppu Fukuoka
- Transfer to Fukuoka Airport for international departure
