Itinerary

Day 1

ARRIVE KYUSHU ISLAND Depart from Osaka’s
Itami Airport, arriving at Kyushu’s Oita Airport this
afternoon. From here you will transfer to the coastal
town of Beppu. Known as a spa town and one of the
most active geothermal areas on the planet, Beppu
boasts thousands of hot springs and geysers. With a
selection of hundreds of baths, the town draws
domestic and international visitors alike. This
afternoon you’ll visit the picturesque Jigokudani
Valley, also knows as The Hells, and its geothermal
wonders magically placed in a series of valleys.
Continue on to the nearby and peaceful town of
Yufuin where you will have dinner and overnight at a
traditional ryokan.

Day 2

YUFUIN Following breakfast this morning, spend a
full day exploring Yufuin, a forested town serenely
placed at the foot of the majestic Yufu-dake, a double
peaked volcano. Here you may explore the town on
foot, by bicycle, or horse drawn carriage. There are
various museums and a small art gallery worth visiting
during your exploration. For those that are feeling
energetic, you may opt to summit Yufu-dake, a brisk
hike which can generally be done within a couple of hours. Another more leisurely way to experience
Yufuin is by sampling its various onsen or hot springs, and you may feel free to do so.

Day 3

YUFUIN TO ASO Follow the scenic Yamanami Highway into the mountainous central region of
Kyushu today as you travel to Aso, the inspiring home of volcanic Aso-san or Mount Aso. With a
circumference of 58 miles, the crater here is home to complete villages, roads, towns, and a peppering of
smaller volcanic cones and peaks. From the Aso Volcanic Museum take the cable car (conditions
permitting) to the peak of Naka-dake, which last erupted in 1993. While in Aso you will also have the
opportunity to visit some of its local museums and, if you are so inclined, sample another onsen or two.

Day 4

ASO TO KUMAMOTO Journey by express train to the vibrant
city of Kumamoto. On arrival you’ll visit Suizenji Park, an
extensive garden offering the perfect place for strolling. Stop off
at the centuries-old teahouse which was once frequented by young
emperors at Kyoto’s Imperial Palace before being moved here in
the early 1900s. Continue on to Kumamoto Castle. Originally
constructed in the 17th century by Kato Kiyomasa, it was burned to
the ground nearly 200 years later in an historic last stand made by
rebel samurai warriors and their leader, Saigo Takamori. The
restored castle which stands today is one of Japan’s finest.

Day 5

KUMAMOTO TO NAGASAKI Travel by ferry this morning to
Shimabara where you’ll explore this port city’s fine castle and its
expansive grounds which feature koi or carp ponds and mossy
gardens. Visit Teppo-cho and its collection of former Samurai
houses before continuing your explorations into the Unzen Jigoku
Valley, a lovely national park with an active volcanic center. Later
you’ll drive to Nagasaki where you will spend the night.

Day 6

NAGASAKI Your full day of exploration will include Glover Garden with its superb views, koi ponds,
Meji period homes, and the nearby Oura Church. You’ll see the Dutch Slopes where beautifully restored,
if oddly placed, Dutch homes stand. The former Dut ch trading post known as Dejima Wharf was once
Japan’s eye to the outside world, and today, you will sample its more contemporary offerings in an array
of restaurants, shops, and galleries. No visit
to Nagasaki is complete without a visit to
the Atomic Bomb Museum and Peace
Memorial Park. Your tour will guide you
through moving exhibits which investigate
not only the fateful day, but the years
leading up to August 9, 1945, as well those
that have followed.

Day 7

IMARI, ARITA AND DEPART Owing to
its plentiful volcanic ash, Kyushu is well
known of its pottery villages, and the
porcelain centers of Imari and Arita rank as
some of its best. Enjoy a morning visit to these areas before your afternoon transfer to the Fukuoka
Airport for your onward flight to either Osaka or Tokyo, where you will connect with your international
flights onward. Geographic Expeditions’ services conclude here.

More information from Geographic Expeditions:

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