Asakura & Ukiha one-day tour

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Exploring Chikugo region, Asakura and Ukiha starting from Fukuoka-city using

a private vehicle.

Chikugo region is a agricultural industries area spreading in the Kyushu’s largest

Chikugo plain. Let’s meet real Japan by enjoying Japanese traditional countryside

landscape, local cuisines, breweries, fruit picking and cultures of Japanese

towns & villages.

 

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Overall schedule 

9:00 Depart Fukuoka-city

Transfer to Asakura 

Exploring Akizuki

Fruits harvest experience

Exploring Shirakabe-dori Avenue

Lunch at the featured restaurant Shirakabe

Visiting Ukiha Inari Shrine

Visiting a Shochu brewery

Back to Fukuoka using Kyushu Express Way

17:30 Arrive Fukuoka-city 

 

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Where to explore        

 

9:00 Start of the tour

English speaking driver of a private vehicle will meet you at designated place such as

Airport or Hotel and navigate you the Asakura and Ukiha tour.

 

Akizuki Akizuki is a former Castle town located in northern part of Asakura.  You can enjoy the harmony of countryside landscape and former castle town scenery that makes the atmosphere like a time of 400 years ago.

Fruits harvest experience Let’s enjoy harvesting Fruits. In the harvest time, the Chikugo region boasts many area with beautiful fruit orchards. Fukuoka here is one of the leading fruit-producing prefecture in all Japan.

Shirakabe-dori Avenue Time-honored scenery, back to 100 years ago. The avenue of houses with white wall were constructed about 100 years ago.  About 250 houses in the area has been designated as National important traditional buildings preservation district.

Lunch at featured Restaurant, Shirakabe The restaurant Shirakabe is in the former merchant’s building constructed in 1928.  Japanese cuisines using best local ingredients that vary by season can be enjoyed. The chef who makes that cuisines also experienced the imperial family’s cook.

Ukiha Inari Shrine Breath taking scenery harmonizes with the Shrine. Ukiha Inari Shrine, located at foot of Mino mountain range, 130 m height from sea level.  The 90 vermilion coloured Torii Gates stand on the 300 steps stairs is introduced you from bottom area to the Shrine main building.

Shochu Brewery Let’s sample Chochu at Beniotome Shuzo. Shochu is a Japanese distilled beverage less than 45% alcohol by volume. The shochu of Beniotome Shuzo is distilled from Sesame. The brewery can be visited and there is a tasting corner,  Let’s sample Chochu.

Map of Asakura & Ukiha

 

 

 

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Aso & Takachiho 2 days tour

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Exploring Aso and Takachiho starting from Fukuoka-city using a private vehicle.

The dynamic nature of Aso and Takachiho where is spreading around Mount Aso.

Mount Aso is the largest active volcano in Japan, is among the largest in the world and

has a fairly large caldera which is one of the largest caldera in the world, 25 km north-south

and 18 km east-west with a circumference of around 120 km, although sources vary on the

exact distance. The present Aso caldera formed as a result of four huge caldera eruptions

occurring over a range of 90,000 to 300,000 years ago. 

You will discover the large scale of the Dynamic nature which cannot be seen in no other

area in Japan.

 

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After breakfast, drive to Takachiho where offers dynamic and beautiful Takachiho

Gorge and here is the birthplace of Japanese mythology.

 

Exploring Takachiho Gorge where a narrow chasm cut through the rock by the Gokase River.  The nearly sheer cliffs lining the gorge are made of slow forming  volcanic basalt columns.
Lunch : Local cuisine , Somen nagashi Somen is a kind of noodle which is made by wheat and is usually eaten by dipping style.  Somen nagashi is the way of eating Somen with waterslide traditionally made by bamboo  like as video below. Nagashi means flowing.
Takachiho Gorge boat riding  is the most recommended activity at Takachiho Gorge that  flows down the base of the gorge on a rental boat. The spot you can see waterfalls and the columnar shaped valley together is rare in the world.
Amano Iwato shrine  The birth place of Japanese indigenous religion, Shinto.  Takachiho is the site of one of the best known legends of Japanese mythology. In the story, Amaterasu, the Shinto sun goddess, became so outraged by her brother’s cruel pranks that she hid herself in a  cave,  refusing to come out and depriving the world of her life-giving light.
Return to Fukuoka using Kyushu-Chuo Expressway and Kyushu Expressway.   18:00 Arrive Fukuoka, end of the tour

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Yufuin & Beppu Onsen 2 days tour

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Exploring the most recommended Onsen resorts Beppu and Yufuin starting from

Fukuoka using a private vehicle. Those two Onsen resorts are located in 

Oita-prefecture, and have different fascinating features. Oita-prefecture is on 

the north-eastern area of Kyushu and a representative Onsen resort areas in Japan,

total boasting hot spring sources and hot spring flowing volume are both Japan’s

largest.

 

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Day by Day

 

8:00 Depart Fukuoka, start of the tour

Airport or Hotel and navigate you the Nagasaki tour.

Drive to Tosu from Fukuoka using Kyushu Expressway and then to Kokonoe using Oita

Expressway.

 

Visit Kokonoe Yume Otsurihashi The longest pedestrian suspension bridge in Japan and the 2nd longest in the World Splendid and beautiful view from the thrilling suspension bridge over the Naruko river valley.

Drive to Yufuin through a mountainous countryside area, Yufuin is is a beautiful and

tranquil Onsen resort representing Kyushu and is spreading in the Yufu basin at the

mountain foot of Yufu.

 

Exploring Yufuin 

Yunotsubo Avenuewhere the avenue is started near JR Yufuin Station and connected to Kinrinko lake. Through Yunotsubo Avenue, it takes about 30 minutes on foot from JR Yufuin Station to Kinrinko lake. There are 70 shops, gift shop, galleries, curiosity item shops as well as cafes.

Yufuin Floral Village where is is the amusement facility that recreated the street of the Cotswolds region in England, which was also used as the location for Harry Potter. Cute owls welcome you in OWL’s FORESR. You can enjoy strolling, gourmet and shopping.

Kinrinko lake,  where is one of landmark in Yufuin. Hot water gushes from the bottom of the lake, and hot steam rises from its surface on a cold day.  The lake is located at the end of the town’s main walking route, about a kilometer and a half from the Yufuin station.

Stay at Yufuin, Japanese style accommodation included dinner

                                    

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Day 2   Beppu  

 

After breakfast, drive to Beppu where is one of the most famous Onsen resort in Japan.

 

Just before Beppu, going up to top of Mount Tsurumi. Soaring 1375 metres into the sky, Mount Tsurumi is a breath taking mountain overlooking Beppu that offers some decent hiking, rare flora and outstanding vistas. Visitors can take  a ropeway 800 metres up and revel in being surrounded by acres of rolling greenery.

Beppu Hell Tour  A collection of hot springs where the water bubbles forth from underground, often with unusual result. Seven of the hells are located in the Kannawa district where over 4 km northwest of Beppu station, and two in the more remote Shibaseki district.

Foot bath Have you tried Foot bath before?  Foot bath is called Ashiyu in Japanese and is a public bath in which people can bath their feet.  Ashiyu in Beppu set up at Kannawa Onsen near the Hell tour spot.

Return to Fukuoka

 

18:00 Arrive Fukuoka, end of the tour

                                                     

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Map of Yufuin

 

 

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Map of Beppu

 

 

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Kawachi Wisteria garden one-day tour

 

Kawachi Wisteria Garden is selected as a beautiful place of the real world 10 and is a private

garden at the Mountain foot of Sarakura in Kitakyushu-city and the garden is opened to the

public seasonally during the wisteria season which usually peaks around late April to 

middle of May.

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Tour date : April 28, 29, 30, May 2, 3, 4, 5

 

 

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Where to visit

The tour takes you Kawachi Wisteria garden and featured tourist destinations in Kitakyushu-city,

and operated during Kawachi Wisteria blossom period from late April to middle of May depending

on the Wisteria condition.

 

Kawachi Wisteria garden Kawachi Wisteria Garden famous for its spectacularly presented, large numbers of wisteria flowers. The garden’s most prominent features are two, roughly 100 meter long tunnels made of wisteria trees of differing varieties and colors, ranging from white to dark purple.

Kokura Castle The castle had a five fold and six layered donjon and it was built in the architectural style called “Kara-zukuri”. Then, it served as a residence of the Ogasawara clan. In 1866, it was burnt down by the Choshu War, and the  existing castle was reconstructed in 1959.

 

 

Location of Kitakyushu-city

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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6 days North-East Kyushu tour

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At a glance 

 

 

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Where to Explore  

Day 1 : Depart Fukuoka  →  Chikugo region, stay Harazuru Onsen

Day 2 : Okubungo ( Kokonoe, Bungo-ono, Takeda, stay Nagayu Onsen )

Day 3 : Yufuin and Beppu, stay Beppu

Day 4 : Kitakyushu, stay Kitakyushu

Day 5 : Kitakyushu, stay Fukuoka

Day 6 : Fukuoka, stay Fukuoka

 

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 Travelling route 

 

 

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 Itinerary  

 

Day 1   Chikugo region 　

 

Option : the following site can be arranged as an option.

Fruits harvest experience         

 

 

Shochu Brewery

Shochu is a Japanese distilled beverage less than 45% alcohol by volume. The shochu of

Beniotome Shuzo is distilled from Sesame. The brewery can be visited and there is a tasting

corner.  Let’s sample Chochu.

 

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Option

 

Fruits harvest experience

 

Stay

 

Harazuru Onsen

A tranquil Onsen Resort near Fukuoka-city and is located on the banks of Chikugo River. 

The quality hot spring is weakly alkaline and sulfur is mixed and has the effect of dropping

old horn and creating beautiful skin.

 

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Day 2   Okubungo ( Kokonoe, Bungo-ono, Takeda, Nagayu Onsen)

Dinner at Hotel : Japanese style kaiseki dinner included local speciality cuisines

 

 

Okubungo

Kokonoe Yume Otsurihashi

The longest pedestrian suspension bridge in Japan and the 2nd longest in the World Splendid

and beautiful view from the thrilling suspension bridge over the Naruko river valley.

 

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Lunch at Kokonoe

Featured restaurant Nonohanano-sato,  served local cuisine.

 

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Takara Hachiman Shrine

Have you ever seen a wild white boar? The wild white bore at the Shrine has function as both

guardians and messengers for the deities at Shinto shrines. The white boars are thought to

bring happiness. After visiting the shrine, you should ask the cute boars for some good-luck

blessings.

 

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Harajiri Waterfall

It is called Niagara Falls of Japan, In the Ogata River, running through the center of the Ogata plain.

The falls, 120 meters wide and 20 meters height, are selected as one of the best 100 falls in Japan.

Lava flows produced by the great eruption of Mt. Aso accumulated and chighreated Harajiri Falls.

 

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Oka Castle Ruin 

Great Castle wall construction, a magnificent view from the top. The Castle originally constructed

in 1185, and had been enlarged multiple times and eventually covered a widespread area on the

steep hills overlooking a river and all the surrounding countryside up to the Kuju mountain range

clearly visible in the distance.

 

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Stay

 

Nagayu Onsen resort

One of the most popular hot spring for foreign tourists, located at the foot of Kuju mountain

range in Oita-prefecture. The hot spring is known as one of the world’s top carbonate spring.

 

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Itinerary

Leave Hotel at Nagayu Onsen Resort 

 

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Option

Mount Tsurumi

Jigoku Mushi kobo

Onsen Hoyo land

 

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Where to explore

 

Yufuin

Graceful Onsen Resort located in the Yufu basin surrounded by Mount Yufu and Tsurumi

One of the most popular among ladies and International tourist visits to here are increasing. 

 

Yunotsubo Avenue

Main street in Yufuin located at the foot of mount Yufu. The avenue is started near JR Yufuin

Station and connected to Kinrinko lake. Through Yunotsubo Avenue, it takes about 30 minutes

on foot from JR Yufuin Station to Kinrinko lake. There are 70 shops, gift shop, galleries, curiosity

item shops as well as cafes.

 

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Yufuin Floral Village

Floral Village is the amusement facility that recreated the street of the Cotswolds region in

England, which was also used as the location for Harry Potter. Cute owls welcome you in

OWL’s FORESR. You can enjoy strolling, gourmet and shopping with beautiful flowers in

the Village, and there is Alice in Wonderland shop here.

 

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Kinrinko lake

One of landmark in Yufuin. Hot water gushes from the bottom of the lake, and hot steam rises from

its surface on a cold day.  The lake is located at the end of the town’s main walking route, about a

kilometer and a half from JR Yufuin station.

 

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Lunch at Yufuin

 

Yufumabushi

Yufumabushi is a local cuisine which serves really nice BUNGO Beef. But surprisingly, the way they

serve beef is not BBQ or SUKIYAKI style that are seen in most cases, but “Yufumabushi ” style which

we rarely see for beef dish.

 

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Local gourmet restaurants

There are many kind of restaurants and cafes around Kinrinko lake and at the Yunotsubo Avenue,

 

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Beppu

The popular hot spring town nestle at the foot of volcanos, Mt. Yufu and Mt. Tsurumi. Boasting more

than 2,800 hot spring sources and flowing rate of nearly 137,000 kiloliters per day.

 

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Options

 

Mount Tsurumi

Soaring 1375 metres into the sky, Mount Tsurumi is a breath taking mountain overlooking Beppu

that offers some decent hiking, rare flora and outstanding vistas. Visitors can take a ropeway 800

metres up and revel in being surrounded by acres of rolling greenery. You can see as far as the

Kuju Mountains, a famous mountain range that runs between Oita and Kumamoto-prefectures.

 

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Jigoku Mushi kobo

Jigoku Mushi, literally “hell-steaming” is a unique cooking method found in Beppu. The ingredients

such as vegetables, seafood and meals are cooked using the steam from natural hot spring.

You can operate the steam cookers all by yourself and you can cook whatever you want.

 

 

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Enjoy local specialty cuisines in Oita-prefecture

Bungo Beef, Seki  Aji & Seki Saba, mackerels, Oita fugu, blowfish

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Day 4   Kitakyushu-city

 

Itinerary

Leave Hotel in Beppu

Transfer to Kitakyushu-city

Kukura Castle 

Kokura Castle Garden

Lunch at Featured restaurant  

Higashida district   UNESCO World Heritage

Mount Sarakura 

Dinner at Kokura

Stay in Kitakyushu-city, Western style Hotel, included breakfast

 

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Option

Kawachi Wisteria Garden

Aanga Museum and Aru Aru City

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Where to explore

 

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Kokura Castle Garden

Kokua Castle Garden made at the former site of lord’s guest house, located next to Kokura Castle.

This garden consists of a Japanese garden and a lord’s house, a building of the style of Japanese

domestic architecture. In this garden, not only can you see Japanese traditional architecture,

but also enjoy the Tea Ceremony at the Experience Zone.

 

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Lunch, local cuisines at Kokura

 

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Higashida

Japan’s modern steel industry was started as Yawata steel Works at Higashida district in 1901.

Since then, the Works greatly contributed to Japan’s industrial modernization. The three sites

in Higashida have been registered on UNESCO World Heritage  as Sites of Japan’s Meiji

Industrial Revolution.

 

Higashida No.1 Blast Furnace

Only the Blast  Furnace in the world which preserved as it was. The birth place where Japan’s

steel industry began in 1901. It contributed greatly to the development of the Japanese steel 

industry and was used until 1972, and has been preserved just as it was.

 

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First Head Office of the Steel Works  / UNESCO World Heritage  

Built in 1899, ahead of production facilities. It is an architectural fusion of Japanese and

European design, a two story red brick building with bilateral symmetry and a central dome

set in a Japanese tile roof.

 

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Itinerary

Leave Hotel in Kitakyushu-city

Exploring Moji

Mjiko Retro 

Konamon Pedstrian tunnel  

Lunch at Moji

Transfer to Fukuoka-city

Stay at  Fukuoka-city, Western style Hotel, included breakfast

Dinner at Fukuoka-city, local speciality Cuisine

Transfer to Fukuoka–city

Stay in Fukuoka-city,  Western style Hotel, included breakfast

Dinner at Fukuoka-city, local speciality Cuisines

 

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Option : the following sites can be arranged as options.

Hiraodai karst plateau 

Kawachi Reservoir

Minami Kawachi-bashi bridge

 

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Where to explore

 

 

Kaikyo Plaza

The shopping area in the Mojiko Retro district located by the sea. “Full of a romance market which

stir up forgetting contentment” is the direct translation of the concept Kaikyo Plaza is based on. 

The area has a very romantic ambience and evokes feeling of nostalgia and contentment that will 

never be forgotten. 

 

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Mojiko Station

It is the only Station building that is designated as an Important National Cultural Property together

with Tokyo Station. Mojiko Station is a beautiful station built in the Renaissance style and modeled

on the Termini Station in Italy. 

 

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Mojiko Retro Observatory       

Situated on the 31st floor of the high-rise apartment building “Retro Hi-Mart”.  The 103 metre-high

observatory offers magnificent views of the Mojiko Retro district, the Kanmon-kyo Bridge over the 

Kanmon Strait, as well as the Shimonoseki area.

 

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Konamon Pedestrian tunnel

Only the place in the world !   You can cross the strait on foot.  The Kanmon Strait, separating

Honshu and Kyushu, is a very beautiful and busy waterway with as many as 700 small and 

large ships a day passing through it. the Kanmon Pedestrian Tunnel, which enables people to 

cross on foot.

 

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Lunch, local cuisine to be selected from the following

 

Kawara Sobe

Kawara soba is a local cuisine which Soba noodles and meat are cooked together on a Kawara

(stone roof tile) and dipped into a special sauce when eating it.

 

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Yaki curry

Yaki curry latterly means baked curry and is local cuisine in Moji which is curry with rice topped

with cheese and/or egg heated in oven. The melted cheese and soft-boiled egg combine with

the spicy curry to enhance its flavour even more.

 

 

Kawachi Reservoir

The first-class civil construction heritage completed in 1927, the triggered the registration of World

Cultural Heritage of Sites of Japan’s Meiji Industrial Revolution.  The Kawachi Reservoir was

constructed for the industrial water supply to Yawata Steel Works. The dam was constructed at the

Okura River and upper stream of the dam was expanded and making the 7milion cubic metre reservoir.

 

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Minami Kawachi-bashi bridge

 

 

Day 6  Fukuoka-city 

 

Itinerary

Leave Hotel

Exploring  Fukuoka-city

Lunch : local cuisine in Fukuoka-city

Stay in  Fukuoka-city , Western style Hotel, includedbreakfast

Dinner at Fukuoka-city, local speciality Cuisines

 

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Where to explore

 

Fukuoka-city

Has a long history as commercial town and castle town, and prospered as important district

to Asian Continent for many years. Now, Fukuoka-city is the International hub of Kyushu, the

nation’s fourth largest economic zone.  You can enjoy various things by selecting from the

following.

 

Shopping and meals

JR Hakata Station

Canal City Hakata

Tenjin

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Seaside Momochi

The water-front resort area, only a 15 minute drive from Tenjin in the centre of Fukuoka-city. 

The park is surrounded by Fukuoka Tower and high rise contemporary high rise buildings, 

all of which help make a modern urban landscape. 

 

Fukuoka tower

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Marizon

The complex facility for the wedding hall, shops and restaurants and is located in Seaside

Momochi Park.

 

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Historical places

Kushida Shrine

Tochoji Temple

Fukuoka Castle Ruins

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Kawabata-dori Shopping Street

Japanese traditional Shopping Street where you can find a lot of Cool Japan. The entrance of the

shopping street is located next to Kushida Shrine. Approximately 130 shops built in the 400 metre

arcade. There are also souvenir shops including Hakata dolls, shops collected Hakata Gion

Yamakasa goods. ​Enjoy lunch, Hakata Ramen at the birth place of Nagahama Ramen.

 

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Hakata Ramen Yatai

Food stalls “Yatai” is one thing to enjoy in Fukuoka. Despite a decline in recent year,

there are said to be more than 160. The food stalls have all kind of food, but you have

to try Hakata ramen, usually made with white soup from pork bone and thin noodles.

 

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Yame & Hoshino village one-day tour

 

The city of Japanese Tea and Traditional Crafts. Located in the southern part of

Fukuoka-prefecture, Yame grew in size after the merger with Kurogi town,Tachibana

town,Yabe village,Hoshino village in 2010.

 

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 Travelling route  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Tour conditions 

 

The tour is the private tour exclusively for your group.

・Minimum number : 2 person

・Maximum number : 30 person

・Tour date : please specify the date

・English speaking tour attendant escorts your journey to produce a pleasant trip.

・Chartered vehicle is utilized as per number of person.

 

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Itinerary

 

8:30 Depart Fukuoka-city

Transfer to Yame

Exploring  Yame Central Tea Plantation  

Visit Yame Traditional Craft Museum

Lunch at Yame Ginnoka  

visit  Sake brewery Kitaya

Transfer to Hoshino village

Exploring Hoshino village

Transfer to Fukuoka-city  

18:00 Arrive at  Fukuoka-city

 

Option : the following sites can be arranged as options.

Kurogi large Wisteria tree

Fruits harvest experience         

 

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Where to Explore

 

Yame Central Tea Plantation  

The country of Green Tea, the Green Tea grown in Yame is one of the highest grade of tea

throughout Japan. This is the large Tea plantation spreading on a gently sloping hilly area,

about 70 ha. There is an observatory at the top of hill, Ariake bay as well as Shimabara

Peninsula in Nagasaki-prefecture can be seen on sunny days.

 

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Yame Traditional Craft Museum

Yame is the Centre of Japanese artificial crafts. The Museum was built in 1986 with the

purpose of gathering traditional craft items together and transferring traditional techniques

and development of local industry.

 

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Yame Fukushima

White-walled townscape

The Fukushima area is designated as an important traditional buildings preservation area

by the Japanese government. Since the Edo Era (1603 – 1868), the area has flourished

as an economical and political base, and many merchant houses which retain the atmosphere

of that time remain even today, mainly in the towns of Miyano, Kyo, and Furumatsu.

 

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Sake Brewery Kiyaya

Kitaya is renowned Saka brewer in Yame, was founded some 190 years ago during the Edo

Era. The Sake is produced using high-grade rice if brewing quality rice of brewing cultivated

in Fukuoka-prefecture. The Brewery can be visited and enjoy sampling Sake.

 

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Featured Japanese restaurant Ginnoka

The restaurant Ginnoka uses Japanese old style house built 100 years ago, and located

next to the Sake brewery Kitaya. The restaurant opened in 2014 and serving Japanese

cuisines which is compatible with Sake using local abundant ingredients such as vegetables,

fruits and fresh river and sea fishes.

 

 

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Hoshino village

The most beautiful village in Japan located in the south-eastern part of Fukuoka Prefecture,

and east side of Yame-city, at altitudes between 200 and 1,000 metres above sea level.

As 84 percent of the village is covered with mountain forests, agriculture and forestry are

the two main industries.

 

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Option  

 

Kurogi large Wisteria tree

The Wisteria Festival takes place between mid-April and early May. The tree is more than

600 years old. The total area of its scaffolding structure at 3,000 square meters and its

longest flower clusters measuring in at 150 centimeters, the tree looks truly spectacular

when it blooms.   

 

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Munakara & Fukutsu / UNESCO Sacred region one-day tour

 

Munakata and Fukutsu are located in the west part of Fukuoka-prefecture and facing

to Genkai Sea.

The Sacred Island Okinoshiam and Associated site in the Munakata Region has been

registered on the UNESCO World Heritage in 2016. This tour introduce UNESCO

World Heritage and related places in Munakata and Fukutsu.

 

                                                                                                 Make an Enquiry    How to Book 

 

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Location of Munakata & Fukutsu

 

　 

 

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Tour conditions 

 

The tour is the private tour exclusively for your group.

・Minimum number : 2 person

・Maximum number : 30 person

・Tour date : please specify the date

・English speaking tour attendant escorts your journey to produce a pleasant trip.

・Chartered vehicle is utilized as per number of person.

 

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Itinerary  

 

9:00 Depart Fukuoka-city

Transfer to Munakata

Exploring Munakata

　Munakata Shrine Hetsu-gu 

   Takamiya Saijo

Lunch at Munakata

Transfer Fukutsu

Exploring Fukutsu

   Shinbaru-Nuyama Mounted Tombs

   Miyajidake Shrine

   Sake Brewery

Transfer to Fukuoka-city

17:00 Arrive  Fukuoka-city

 

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Where to explore

 

Munakata Shrine Hetsu-gu  / UNESCO World Heritage

Hetsu-gu is one of the three shrines that comprise Munakata Shrine and enshrines

Ichikishimahime–no-Kami, one of the three female deities of Munakata.  Visitors passing

through the torii gate and proceeding along the path will find the Main Hall, dedicated to

Ichikishimahime-no-Kami, beyond the Shinmon gate. 

 

 

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Takamiya Saijo

The steps lead to Takamiya Saijo (Ceremonial Site), where ancient rituals were performed.
Takamiya Saijo is very important since the rituals currently observed at Hetsu-gu originated

there. To the northwest of the ceremonial site, visitors can view the marine route linking

Hetsu-gu with Okinoshima via the Tsurikawa River, Oshima, and finally across the Genkai Sea.

 

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Shinbaru-Nuyama Mounted Tombs  / UNESCO World Heritage

The Tomb Group comprises the tombs of the Munakata clan, an ancient powerful family that led

interactions with overseas countries. The Munakata clan also performed rituals on Okinoshima

and nurtured the tradition of faith in in the sacred island.

 

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Miyajidake Shrine

The Shimenawa is the biggest in Japan. Surprisingly, weight is 3ton, with 2.6m diameter and

11m length. Shimenawa is the thick, twisted, straw rope. It was believed in ancient days that 

a Shimenawa had the power to keep off evil sprits, so many objects connected with Shinto

Shrines decorated.

 

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Sake Brewery, Katsuya Shuzo

Katsuya Shuzo is a renown local Sake brewery has long history, established in 1790.

The Goshinshu or dedicated Sake to deity for Munakata Shrine is being made this Brewey.

Recommended Sake are Okinoshina, Naranoki and Genkainada.

 

 

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Home  Tailor-made tours　Study tours　Christian Pilgrimage tours　Golf tour

 

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Munakata, Oshima & Okinoshima UNESCO Sacred region one-day tour

 

Munakata is located in the west part of Fukuoka-prefecture and facing to Genkai Sea. Oshima is

an island of Munakata, located in the Genkai Sea and 11 km from Konominato Port and is the largest

island in Fukuoka-prefecture. The population of the island is around 700.

The Sacred Island Okinoshiam and Associated site in the Munakata Region

has been registered on the UNESCO Wlorld Heritage in 2016.

 

The tour introduce the UNESCO World Heritage sites in Munakata and Oshima

 

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 Location of Munakata & Fukutsu

 

　 

 

 

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Tour conditions

 

The tour is the private tour exclusively for your group.

・Minimum number : 2 person

・Maxum number : 30 person

・Tour date : please specify the date

・Chartered vehicle is utilized as per number of person.

   (1) less than 8 person

    　a chartered taxi is used with English speaking driver

    　English speaking driver assist the tour as tour guide and tour attendant

   (2) more than 9 person

　　a chartered bus is used with Japanese speaking driver

　　English speaking guide who also works as a tour attendant is accompanied

   　for assist the tour in the case of using a chartered bus

 

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Itinerary  

9:00 Depart Fukuoka-city

Transfer to Munakata

Exploring Munakata

　Munakata Shrine Hetsu-gu → Takamiya Saijo

Transfer from Kono-minato to Oshima Island by Ferry boat

Exploring Oshima

  Munakata Shrine Nakatsu-gu

  Lunch at Japanese Inn

  Okitsu-gu Yohaisho → Windmill Observatory → Mitake mountain Observatory

Transfer from Oshima Island to Kono-minato by Ferry boat

Transfer to Fukuoka-city

17:00  Arrive Fukuoka-city

 

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Where to explore  

 

Munakata

 

Munakata Shrine Hetsu-gu, UNESCO World Heritage

Hetsu-gu is one of the three shrines that comprise Munakata Shrine and enshrines

Ichikishimahime-no-Kami, one of the three female deities of Munakata.  Visitors passing

through the torii gate and proceeding along the path will find the Main Hall, dedicated to

Ichikishimahime-no-Kami, beyond the Shinmon gate. 

 

Torii Gate

Entran

Shrine main building

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Takamiya Saijo

The steps lead to Takamiya Saijo (Ceremonial Site), where ancient rituals were performed.
Takamiya Saijo is very important since the rituals currently observed at Hetsu-gu originated there.
To the northwest of the ceremonial site, visitors can view the marine route linking Hetsu-gu with

Okinoshima via the Tsurikawa River, Oshima, and finally across the Genkai Sea.

 

Entrance of Takamiya Saijo

Worship at Takamiya Saijo

Takamiya Saijo Japan’s oldest  Ancient style Shrine

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Oshima Island  

Oshima Island located 11 km from Konominato Port in Munakata-city, and is the largest

island in Fukuoka-prefecture. The population of the island is around 700.

 

Access to Oshima Island by a Ferry : It takes 25 minutes by Oshima and 15 minutes

by Shiokaze

 

Konominato Port

To Oshima Island

Oshima Port

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Munakata Shrine Nakatsu-gu,  UNESCO World Heritage

Nakatsu-gu, one of the three shrines that comprise Munakata Taisha, is situated on this island

and enshrines Tagitsuhime-no-Kami, one of the Three Goddesses of Munakata.

 

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Okitsu-gu Yohaisho, UNESCO World Heritage

Because Okinoshima has long been an object of worship, public access to the island is strictly limited. 

The Okinoshima landscape has been preserved intact until now because local people have strictly

observed various taboos.  For example, even if one is allowed to land on the island, one is forbidden

to speak a word about what one has seen or heard there; and one must never take anything from the

island, not even a twig, blade of grass, or pebble.

 

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Lunch at Japanese Inn

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Windmill Observatory

From the site of a cannon fort used during World War II, visitors can view Okinoshima on a clear day.

The path linking the fort site with Okitsu-gu Yohaisho was constructed by the Japanese Imperial Army.

 

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Mitake mountain Observatory

From the observation deck atop Mt Mitakesan, visitors can view not only the main

island of Kyushu, but also Okinoshima Island.

 

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Contact us

 

Tour results

We are offering various types of tours, and the tour results up to now are shown links below. 

Tailor-made tour      Study tour       Golf tour 

 

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 HOME    About us   Our Services    Terms and Conditions

 

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Kumamoto, Aso and Takachiho 3 days tour

 

The tour covers the major tourist destinations in the Central Kyushu.

The areas to be traveled including Takachiho formed huge caldera eruptions occurring

over a rage of 90,000 to 300,000 years ago.

As the result of the history of the earth, dynamic scenic beauty where you never seen before

can be enjoyed at any places during the tour.

And also, Takachiho is known as birth place of Japanese mythology,

 

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Travelling route

 

Day 1 : Fukuoka-city  → Kumamoto →   Aso  →  stay at Kurokawa Onsen

Day 2 :  Aso  sightseeing →   stay at Kurokawa Onsen

Day 3 : Takachiho sightseeing  →　Fukuoka-city 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Tour conditions 

 

The tour is the private tour exclusively for your group.

・Minimum number : 2 person

・Maxum number : 30 person

・Tour date : please specify the date

・Chartered vehicle is utilized as per number of person.

   (1) less than 8 person

    　a chartered taxi is used with English speaking driver

    　English speaking driver assist the tour as tour guide and tour attendant

   (2) more than 9 person

　　a chartered bus is used with Japanese speaking driver

　　English speaking guide who also works as a tour attendant is accompanied

   　for assist the tour in the case of using a chartered bus

・Accommodations is selected as per your required grade, room conditions and budget

    and the location is considered sightseeing, dinner and nightlife as well.

 

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Day 1  

Itinerary

Depart  Fukuoka-city  → transfer to  Kumamoto   ( 100 minutes)

Sight seeing Kumamoto   : Kumamoto Castle and  Suizenji-koen Park   

Transfer to Aso

Sightseeing Aso : Daikanbo   

Stay at  Kurokawa Onsen

 

Option : the following site can be arranged as a option.

Kikuchi Valley

 

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Where to explore

 

Kumamoto Castle

The Castle is one of the three great castles and one of the 100 best places in Japan to

view cherry blossoms. Due to the Earthquakes in 2016, several of the castle’s shacihoko ornaments

were destroyed, and a large number of kawara tiles also fell from the roof. Now the restoration activities

are being performed as fast as possible. Now, the Kumamoto Castle can be seen from the outside of

the moats surrounding the castle.

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Suizenji-koen Park

Imitated the beautiful scenery of Japan, is a refined circular garden of Momoyama period style and 

represents the 53 Stations of the Tokaido Road including Mt. Fuji.

The fresh springs in the garden release clean, cold water, which flows there from Mount Aso via

underground currents.

 

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Daikanbo 

A Mecca for tourists visiting Aso, Daikanbo literally means a big observatory peak.

The circumference of the Aso caldera is about 130 kilometers. From the observation site, you can

clearly see its conical shape. Early in the morning, the clouds had spread out below us, and hung

over the caldera as if they were a large sea.

 

Over view from Daikanbo

At the top

Observatory place

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Kurokawa Onsen

One of the most popular hot spring resort, located on the northern side of  Mt. Aso .

Widely known for its open-air baths, it is one of the best places to enjoy the atmosphere of

old town in Japan, where more than 20 inns（Ryokan）and gift shops standing in a row

along the Tanoharu River, a headstream of the Chikugo River.

 

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Option

 

Kikuchi Valley

Enjoy short trekking in the Nature. Kikuchi Valley is located in Aso Kuju National Park and

underground water flows out of the subsoil for 4km along the valley floor.  It is also called the

Kikuchi water source and its water was selected as one of the 100 best waters in Japan.

 

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Day 2   

Itinerary

Depart Kurokawa Onsen

Kusasenri-ga-hama  

Mount Aso, Nakadake

Local cuisines lunch at Takamori Dengaku-no sato   

Exploring Minami Aso by Tourist Tram   Minami Aso Rail Way

Stay at Kurokawa Onsen

 

Option : the following sites can be arranged as a option.

Aso shrine　

Nabegataki Waterfalls 

Sensui-kyo ravine

 

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Where to explore

 

Kusasenri-ga-hama 

The beautiful prairie of 785,000 square meter in the crater 

Spreads in northern part of Mt. Eboshi that is one of the Aso Five Mountains.

A big pond at its center and grazing horses round about make an idyllic scene.

 

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Mount Aso

The largest active volcano in Japan

Its peak is 1592 m above sea level. Its caldera is 25 km across north to south and 18 km 

across east to west. The caldera has a circumference of around 120 km, although sources

vary on the exact distance.

 

Japan’s largest active volcano	Look down the Crater	Around the Crater

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Featured restaurant / Takamori Dengaku-no sato 

Enjoy Aso beef and local cuisines. The restaurant uses the old private house with thatched roof

built more than 200 years ago. Bake the meat and local ingredients with charcoal at a Japanese

traditional style fire place.

 

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Tourist Tram   Minami Aso Rail Way

Enjoy the magnificent scenery of Aso. The Minami Aso railway is a private railroad offering a

very scenic ride from Takamori to Nakamatsu in the south east of the caldera.

Lovely and magnificent scenery can be enjoyed.

 

 

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Option

 

Aso shrine　

Aso Shrine is popular as a god protecting worshipers from traffic accidents, and exorcism,

marriae, and learning. Aso shrine one of the oldest and most prominent shrines in Japan. 

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Nabegataki Waterfalls

The hidden tourist spot in Kumamoto prefecture, located just outside Oguni town in Aso region.

One of the area’s more well-known waterfalls. Looking like a mini-Niagara.

It is very unique waterfalls, you can actually clim b behind the falls to see how the water has

carved out the rock over the year.

 

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Sensui-kyo ravine

Located in a place with an altitude of 900m of the foot in Mout Aso Nakadake, where a dynamic

view of the Aso valley and northern part of Aso Caldera can look down under their view. Sensui-kyo

is one of the most beautiful places of azalea in Kyushu, about 50,000 shares of azaleas dye whole

area pink from the middle of May to the beginning of June.

 

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Day 3  

Itinerary

Check out Kurokawa Onsen

transfer to Takachiho

Sightseening Takachiho  : Takachiho Gorge , Takachiho Shrine ,  Amano Iwato Shrine

Back to Fukuoka-city

 

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Where to explore

 

Takachiho Gorge

The narrow chasm cut through the rock by the Gokase River. The nearly sheer cliffs lining the gorge

are made of slow forming volcanic basalt columns which resemble the scales of a dragon where the

stone twisted and flowed as it formed.

 

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Takachiho Shrine

 Located just west of the town center, is nestled in a grove of tall cedars. During the day the

shrine’s nondescript, unpainted buildings blend in naturally with the surrounding trees.

The light that filters through, brings with it an air of calm, peaceful reverence.

 

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Amano Iwato Shrine

Legends of Japanese mythology. In the story, Amaterasu, the Shito sun goddess, became so

outraged by her brother’s cruel pranks that she hid herself in a cave, refusing to come out and 

depriving the world of her life-giving light. 

 

 

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Tour results

We are offering various types of tours, and the tour results up to now are shown links below. 

Tailor-made tour    Study tour     Golf tour

 

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Shimabara & Unzen Onsen 2 days tour

 

The tour introduces Shimabara peninsula in Nagasaki-prefecture.

Shimabara peninsula is located about 30 km east of Nagasaki-city and facing Ariake Sea.

The other side of Ariake Sea is Kumamoto-city and Amakusa which are connected by

three ferries.

At the center of peninsula is Mount Unzen, and there are Onsen Resorts around the

mountain such as Unzen , Obama and Shimabara.

 

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Travelling route  

Day 1 : Fukuoka-city  →  Shimabara sightseeing →　Unzen 　 

Day 2 :  Unzen  sightseeing → Obama →　Fukuoka-city 

 

　　  

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Tour conditions 

The tour is the private tour exclusively for your group.

・Minimum number : 2 person

・Maxum number : 30 person

・Tour date : please specify the date

・Chartered vehicle is utilized as per number of person.

   (1) less than 8 person

    　a chartered taxi is used with English speaking driver

    　English speaking driver assist the tour as tour guide and tour attendant

   (2) more than 9 person

　　a chartered bus is used with Japanese speaking driver

　　English speaking guide who also works as a tour attendant is accompanied

   　for assist the tour in the case of using a chartered bus

・Accommodations is selected as per your required grade, room conditions and budget

    and the location is considered sightseeing, dinner and nightlife as well.

 

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Day 1  

Itinerary

Depart Fukuoka-city  →  transfer to Shimabara   

Shimabara sightseeing

transfer to Unzen 

Sightseeing Unzen  : Nita Pass

Stay at Unzen Onsen

 

Options : the following site can be arranged as a option.

Harajo Castle ruins

 

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Shimabara Castle

Located in Shimabara-city and was built in 1625 by the feudal load Matsukura Shigemasa, 

who was regarded as a master of castle building.

Samurai Houses

Samurai was a term for the military nobility in pre-industrial Japan.

The Samurai Houses in Shimabara along the old Samurai street nearby Shimabara Castle

were built in 18th century.

 

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Unzen

Unzen is a beautiful highland Onsen Resort in Shimabara peninsula situated Unzen National Park 

The first area to be designated as a National Park in Japan and then the area has been developed

as Onsen Resort for both tourist Japanese and foreigner.

Even now, many tourist from all over the world are visiting here for enjoying Nature.

 

Nita Pass

One of the best scenic spot in Unzen

At any time of the year the natural scenery of Nita Pass in Unzen is magnificent.
Azaleas, green leaves, brilliant autumnal tints of maples and silver frost represent 

each season of the year.

 

Stay at Unzen Onsen Resort

There are 17 Hotels and Japanese style inns around Unzen Jigoku.

From every hotel,  beautiful scenery which changes by season can be enjoyed.

 

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Option

Harajo Castle ruins

The Battle field of Shimabara Rebellion which was a peasant uprising agaist bakufu’s persecution of

Christians under the leadership of Amakusa Shiro in 1637.  Christian farmers rose in a riot due to their

grievance about the oppression by Matsukura Shigemasa. The Shogunate regarded this riot as Christian

rebellion and sent its punitive force, therefore locked themselves in the castle and with their leader

 

Entrance to Harajo Castle Ruins

Battle field of Shimabara Rebellion

The Statue of Amakusa Shiro

 

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Day 2 

Itinerary

Leave Hotel in Unzen  

Sightseeing  Unzen

Sightseeing Obama

transfer to Fukuoka-city 

 

Options : the following sites can be arranged as a option.

Unzen Trekking 

The Japan’s longest foot bath in Obama

 

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Where to explore

 

Unzen Jigoku

Jigoku, means Hell, is the number one attraction of Unzen with a peculiar smell of sulfur emitted

from the springs, and with white smoke rising from the ground over a wide area.

This is a striking reminder that Unzen Volcano is still very much alive.

 

Option

Unzen Trekking 

Various trekking routes are prepared with the Onsen Onsen Resort town as the starting area,

through the Unzen Jigoku.  Everyone including mountain climber can enjoy by choosing

preference route, Nita pass and summit of mount Myuken and Fugen can be reached.

 

The Japan’s longest foot bath in Obama

Called “Hot foot 105”  The length of foot bath is 105m which is same number of the hot spring

source temperature of 105 degree Celsius.

 

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Contact us

 

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