• Fukuoka
  • Sasebo
  • Kagoshima
  • Kumamoto
  • Yanagawa
  • Dazaifu
  • Fukuoka

  • DURATION

    6 days / 5 nights

  • TOUR TYPE
    Small-group tourMax 16 people
  • TRANSPORTATION

    Bullet train + Limited Express + Local Train + Private Mini-Bus

  • 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


Itinerary

 
DAY 1Fukuoka

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.


© HUISTENBOSCH/J-19712
DAY 2Fukuoka > Huis Ten Bosch in Sasebo > Fukuoka

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.

© K.P.V.B
DAY 3Fukuoka > Kagoshima

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.

© KYUSHU RAILWAY COMPANY
DAY 4Kagoshima > Kumamoto > Fukuoka

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.

 
DAY 5Fukuoka > Yanagawa > Dazaifu > 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.

 
DAY 6Fukuoka

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
Fukuoka

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
Kagoshima

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!

Learn more

For 2023 departure

Start Date – End Date

26 November – 01 December

(TOUR CODE: EAE261123N)

Standard Price

A$5,160

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

A$5,160

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

A$5,160

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

Why book Japan tours with us?

Small groups, BIG Experiences

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.

Japan tours by Japan experts

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.

Great peace of mind abroad

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!

About Kintetsu

In Australia

Kintetsu International Express (Oceania) is an ATAS accredited travel agent in Australia, a member of the Australian Federation of Travel Agents. In Australia, we specialise in arranging Corporate and Group Travel for businesses, schools, religious groups and cultural organisations. We have Travel Centres in Sydney serving our Australian customers and offices in Cairns, Gold Coast and Auckland handling Japanese inbound tours. We are also an authorised travel agent to sell Japan Rail Pass and Kintetsu Rail Pass in Australia

In Japan and Worldwide

Kintetsu International belongs to the travel arm of the Kintetsu Group, a multi-billion-dollar conglomerate which operates a major Japanese rail system, bus & freight forwarding companies, department stores, restaurants & hotel chains. We have more than 150 offices in Japan and more than 40 overseas offices worldwide. Utilising our global network, we guide our customers to every location around the globe with quality and dependable services.