- Fukuoka
- Sasebo
- Beppu
- Kitsuki
- Usa
- Yanagawa
- Dazaifu
- Fukuoka
6 days / 5 nights
Group
Max 16 People
Limited Express + Local Train + Private Mini-Bus
from$4,160AUD
Overview
Relax your mind, body and spirit through Kyushu’s sacred and natural offerings
The southern island of Kyushu was formed by volcanoes and is known for its abundant picturesque nature and mild climate. Kyushu is home to a vast number of hot springs as well as sacred sites – making it a perfect destination for a wellness holiday.
In this tour you can enjoy the natural beauty of hot springs in Beppu, recharge your mind in the sacred Usa Jingu shrine, explore scenic samurai districts in Kitsuki and soak in a private open air bath overlooking the ocean from your own room at a luxury resort. You will also visit a Dutch themed park to frolic amongst the beautiful seasonal flowers, Fukuoka’s vibrant food stalls for a fun night and finally you’ll take a relaxing canal cruise in Yanagawa.
This tour is perfect for those who want something more than just a normal holiday.
Relax your body and mind through the wellness Kyushu offers.
- 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 Beppu at a luxury resort with a private open-air bath facing the ocean
- Visits to authentic samurai town and geothermal activities in Oita
- Enjoy a peaceful ride through the canal at historical city of Yanagawa
- Great for train enthusiasts! Experience a variety of train journeys including JR Kyushu limited express trains
- Stay in Fukuoka, the biggest city of Kyushu, to have more choice in your free time with the meals and shopping experience
Highlights
Local dining experience in open-air food stalls
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. With all-you-can-eat-and-drink at a stall for 90 minutes included, enjoy local dishes and the casual atmosphere with your fellow travellers!
An astonishing cobalt blue hot spring
The famous hot spring town of Beppu receives visitors to both sightsee and bathe in its natural hot springs. The geothermal hot-spots referred to as the “Seven Hells of Beppu” includes “Umi-Jigoku”, an astonishingly beautiful cobalt-coloured hot spring, which you can visit to see.
Sacred Usa-jingu Shrine
Usa-jingu is home to more than 40,000 Hachimangu shrines throughout Japan. The Usa-Kunisaki peninsula is a unique place, where Shintoism and Buddhism intertwined to develop a unique culture. The peaceful and sacred atmosphere of the shrine will calm your mind, body and spirit.
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 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.
JR Kyushu Limited Express Train “Sonic”
This limited express takes you to Beppy from Hakata station. The train offers a high quality ride using the tilting mechanism in order to maintain both smoothness and speed when the train is going around a curve.
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 30 m², 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.
Explore Beppu’s highlights and stay at luxury seaside resort
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Stay: Amane Resort Seikai (Superior Twin)
Grab your overnight bag and ride the limited express train Sonic to Beppu, one of the most renowned hot spring towns in Japan. The steamy townscape is simply a scenery unique to Japan and the town is also known for its collection of hot spring ponds for viewing called “seven hells” with different colours of water such as milky blue “Sea Hell” and bright red “Bloody Pond Hell”. Also visit the Yukemuri observatory for a magnificent panoramic view of Beppu town and the steam rising from the hot springs.
In the afternoon, visit Takasakiyama Monkey Park where you can walk freely among the resident monkeys, relaxing and grooming in the sun.
After a busy day, check in to the luxury seaside resort and soak in the private open-air bath, available in each guest room and embrace the dynamic sea views. Enjoy a freshly prepared meal using local produce for dinner.
Please note: Takasakiyama Monkey Park is a 5-minute walk up a hill and stairs from the entrance. You can also use the Monkey Rail to get to the top (It costs additional 110 yen for round trip/Not included in the tour).
Discover historical castle town of Kitsuki and Usa Jingu shrine
- Meals: Breakfast
- Stay: Miyako Hotel Hakata (Superior Twin or Superior Double)
The historic castle town of Kitsuki features authentic townscapes of samurai houses. The town sits on a plateau with two hills and a valley in between to hold samurai residences on each hill looking over the merchant district in the valley. This unique castle town offers an authentic atmosphere with well-preserved buildings and no power lines or commercial signs, and many visitors rent a kimono to stroll the beautiful town.
The tour continues to Usa Jingu Shrine, one of Japan’s major shrines with over 1,300 years of history. The shrine is said to be the birthplace of the fusion of Shinto and Buddhist cultures. Bathe in the calm, tranquil energy surrounding the shrine and recharge your mind, body and spirit. Also visit “Gankake jizo” statue that is said to grant one single wish for your life.
After a day in Kitsuki and Usa, hop on the limited express train to return to Fukuoka.
Please note: The castle town of Kitsuki has gentle slopes and stairs in many places. You can also enjoy the view from below and take pictures without going up to the top.
Boat cruise in “Kyushu’s Venice” and stroll through Dazaifu Shrine followed by a fun dinner at Fukuoka’s food stalls!
- 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.
On this last night of the tour, we’ll end the day diving into Fukuoka’s food stalls for a farewell dinner!
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 is directly connected to JR Hakata Station. From Fukuoka Airport, it’s only 5 minutes by subway and 5 minutes’ walk away. Superior room with room size over 30 m² features a comfortable space and a bathtub. The hotel also offers an outdoor spa and indoor hot spring where you can relax after a busy day of exploring.
Amane Resort Seikai
Superior Twin
This luxurious resort is located on the seaside overlooking the beautiful Beppu Bay. All guest rooms have an open-air private bath with ocean view. The infinity hot spring pool on the ground level is so close to the sea that it makes you feel as if you are floating in the ocean.
Inclusions
- 5 nights accommodation: Fukuoka (4 nights) & Beppu (1 night)
- Meals: 5 x Breakfast, 3 x Lunch, 3 x Dinner
- English-speaking tour escort throughout the tour
- Transportation: Limited express train, local train and private mini-bus
- 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
For 2021 departure
11 October – 16 October
Twin-Share Base
(Standard Price)
Sorry! N/A
01 November – 06 November
Twin-Share Base
(Standard Price)
Sorry! N/A
28 November – 03 December
Twin-Share Base
(Standard Price)
Sorry! N/A
For 2022 departure
12 June – 17 June
Twin-Share Base
Coming Soon!
Coming Soon!
26 June – 01 July
Twin-Share Base
Coming Soon!
Coming Soon!
Group size: Min 04 people / Max 16 people
*This tour is for travellers aged 15 years old and up.
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.
- For the Yatai food stalls on Day 5: The food stalls will be set up outdoor, so if there is a typhoon or heavy rain, they will not be able to operate. In that case, we will arrange another indoor dining venue instead.
- 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
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 and Melbourne 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.