Welcome to Kyoto! Meet at the tour hotel in central Kyoto in the evening. There will be a Welcome Dinner at a nearby restaurant.

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Start the day at Ginkaku-ji, the Silver Pavilion, a Zen temple modeled after the famous Golden Pavilion. Next, enjoy a peaceful stroll along the Philosopher’s Path, a scenic walkway lined with hundreds of cherry blossom trees along a water canal.

Arrive at Nanzenji Temple, a renowned Zen temple once the retirement villa of Emperor Kameyama, where you can admire ancient Japanese architecture and beautiful views.

After lunch, visit Nijo Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage site and an outstanding example of feudal-era Japanese castle architecture. Finally, explore Nishiki Market, known as 'Kyoto's Kitchen.' This narrow shopping street is packed with restaurants and shops offering Kyoto specialties, such as Japanese sweets, pickles, dried seafood, and sushi.

In the morning, we take a local train to Asuka, one of Japan’s first capitals and a key site in early civilization and Buddhism. Then, we head to Osaka port and board an overnight ferry to Beppu, cruising through the Seto Inland Sea. Enjoy the view of thousands of islands, relax in your private cabin, and unwind in a Japanese hot bath.

Walking distance: 5.3 km / 3.3 miles
Time required: About 1.5 hours

Beppu is a famous hot spring resort. Its Jigoku Meguri, or "Boiling Hells," are known for their steamy, hell-like appearance and are meant for viewing rather than bathing.

After Beppu, we travel to Kurokawa Onsen and stay in a traditional Ryokan. Enjoy the natural onsen and a kaiseki dinner.

We head to Takachiho by private charter bus. Along the way, we pass by Mt. Aso, Japan’s largest active volcano. The Five Peaks of Mt. Aso are said to resemble a sleeping Buddha, giving it the name “Reclining Buddha.”

We continue to the southern part of the mountain range and stop at Shirakawa Springs, where we will spend the night. In addition to the natural hot springs, a local treasure, we will also enjoy sampling the renowned mineral water with some of the locals.

We continue towards Takachiho and first visit the Amano Iwato Shrine, built near the cave where Amaterasu, the Shinto Sun Goddess, is said to have hidden herself.

Next, we explore the stunning Takachiho Gorge, a narrow chasm carved by the Gokase River. The sheer cliffs are made of volcanic basalt columns, resembling dragon scales where the stone twisted and flowed as it formed.

After dinner at our Ryokan, we head to Takachiho Shrine for a Yokagura Dance Performance. This lively and humorous dance is said to have lured Amaterasu out of her cave, bringing her light back to the world.

Walking distance: 6 km / 3.75 miles
Time required: About 2 hours

We continue our journey from Takachiho to Kumamoto and visit the Suizen-ji Garden. This Japanese-style landscape garden pays tribute to the Tokaido, one of the five important routes of the Edo Period which connected Kyoto to Edo (Modern Day Tokyo). There is even a miniature version of Mt. Fuji!

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Then, continue to the city of Kagoshima, rich in culture and cuisine that is distinctly unique from other places in Japan such as local dishes like Kurobuta and Grilled Bonito. Shochu rivals Sake as drink of choice in these parts as well.

We take a relaxing day trip from Kagoshima to Ibusuki, an onsen town famous not for its hot spring baths, but for its unique sand baths. Visitors, dressed in a yukata (robe), spend 10-20 minutes buried in naturally heated volcanic black sand, warmed by steam rising from below.

In the evening, we return to Kagoshima for dinner.

Walking distance: 6.3 km / 4 miles
Time required: About 1.5 hours

Today, we take a ferry to our next destination, Yakushima Island, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The island is famous for its ancient cedar trees, including Jomonsugi, which is named after the Jomon period of Ancient Japan and is estimated to be 2,000 to 7,500 years old.

Tonight, we stay at a family-run guesthouse, or minshuku, where we’ll enjoy a meal made from locally grown ingredients and the day’s fresh catch.

^{Copyright: Yakushima Tourism Association}

On our second day in Yakushima, we hike through lush green forests filled with giant cedar trees along one of the many scenic trails. One trail leads to Shiratani Unsuikyo, which inspired the setting for the Studio Ghibli film Princess Mononoke. After the hike, we return to our minshuku by bus.

Walking distance: 5 km / 3 miles
Time required: About 3 hours

^{Copyright: Yakushima Tourism Association}

Our third day on Yakushima is spent visiting a lovely beach and one of the most spectacular hot springs in Japan, built into the rocks lapped by the waves. After lunch, we enjoy a short walk on the trail to a charming hidden waterfall.

^{Copyright: Yakushima Tourism Association}

In the morning, we take a ferry back to Kagoshima and board a bullet train to Nagasaki. As an international port, Nagasaki played a key role in foreign trade with China and select Western countries during Japan’s isolation period. The city is a cultural melting pot, where both Buddhism and Catholicism were introduced to Japan. This mix of influences is reflected in the architecture of its temples and churches.

Nagasaki also shares a tragic history with Hiroshima, as it was the second city hit by an atomic bomb during World War II, now serving as a symbol of peace.

We start by visiting Dejima, a man-made island in Nagasaki’s port. Originally, this island was used to segregate Portuguese merchants to limit their missionary activities.

Next, we visit Sofuku-ji Temple, built for Chinese settlers and now part of the Obaku School of Zen Buddhism. The temple’s unique architecture reflects a Chinese style, setting it apart from other Japanese temples.

Afterward, you can either relax and do some last-minute shopping or visit the A-bomb Museum, which commemorates the events of August 9, 1945. The museum’s mission is to promote peace and ensure such tragedies are never repeated.

In the morning, we visit Glover Garden – an open-air museum where you can see a fine collection of historic mansions of former residents of Nagasaki who moved there from the western world. After lunch, we make our way to Osaka by bullet train. Upon arrival, you are free for leisure to relax or explore the area for some shopping and site seeing one your own.

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After breakfast, the tour officially ends. Your guide will be happy to offer assistance and advice for your journey to the airport or onward travel in Japan.