Ultimate Japan tour - Volcanoes & Spa

6 days - A luxury tour that promises you a once in a life time holiday to discover the hidden diversity of Japan. After visiting the major highlights in central Japan, you join us to the southern sub-tropical island of Kyushu, famous for its mountainous landscape, volcanoes, gardens, hot springs and ancient myths. We will stay in the best Japanese Inn (Ryokans) with traditional open air spa facilities for the ultimate in relaxation, where you can indulge yourself in Japanese culture...

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Price & Departure dates

Day 1 Kagoshima
Upon arrival at Kagoshima, you are met by our guide. We have our lunch at a restaurant, then you are driven to visit Chiran Samurai Residence, an area specified as the traditional significant preservation district in Japan. It has splendid garden with beautiful views. For tea lovers, the residence produce it's own exquisite tea from their own garden, which is a must buy from people all over Japan for the visit - make sure you bring some home!

Then we drive to Ibusuki city, the popular hot spring resort. Stay at one of the best traditional Ryokan (Japanese style Inn) for the ultimate indulgence. This is the place for Japanese people to enjoy Sunamushiburo (Sand bath). For hot springs aficionados, Ibusuki's sand baths are a must! The Ryokan also has open air hot spring facilities to unwind. Japanese full course dinner is served in the evening (includes: Lunch, Dinner).

Day 2 Kagoshima to Kumamoto
Breakfast at hotel. Drive to Kumamoto. Visit Suizenji-jojuen Garden, a typical Momoyama style hill garden which was laid out in 1632. Kumamoto Castle, once one of the great castles of Japan built in the beginning of 1600 by the general Kato Kiyomasa, now a modern reproduction. Then to Hosokawa-gyobu tei, residence of hosokawa okitaka, who was appointed to be the feudal-era ministry of justice in 1604. The whole construction covers over 990 square meter, constructed with the straight and curving lines characteristics “karahafa” style. This mansion is so significant to be one of the unique Cultural Property of Kumamoto prefecture today not only that it can reflect the hosokawa family’s historical position but also that it completely displayed the outstanding constructive technology. It is said the mansion is the only a few buildings with the samurai characteristics remaining in Japan today (includes: Breakfast, Lunch, Diner).

Day 3 Kumamoto to Beppu
Drive to Mount Aso, the 'Land of Fire' still the largest active volcanic caldera in the world and which is the highlight of todays visit. We ascend the majestic volcano by cable car to see the volcanic activity from its huge crater. Lunch at a restaurant.

Then drive to Beppu, the famous hot spring resort. Beppu city is well known for it's hot springs. The blast of boiling hot water and steam from geo-thermal heat make you realize that the earth is alive. Visit steaming and boiling 'Jigoku' hot springs. For travelers who enjoy their bath at home, it is highly advisable to purchase some condensed 'hot spring water powder' to bring home! Dinner and accommodations at an excellent Ryokan (Japanese style Inn) tonight. (includes: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner).

Day 4 Beppu to Nagasaki
Breakfast at hotel. Drive to Nagasaki. Visit some of the well-known sites of the city, including Glover Mansion, the former mansion of British merchant Thomas Glover and other 19th century buildings are preserved in this spacious hillside garden overlooking Nagasaki Harbor, Oura Cathedral and the Peace Park. Lunch at a restaurant. The souvenir of Nagasaki is Castella, a sweet sponge cake and you can find this in almost every sweet shop and souvenir store in town. Dinner and accommodations at hotel. (includes: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 5 Nagasaki to Fukuoka
Breakfast at hotel. Drive to Fukuoka. On arrival at Fukuoka, visit Hakata (Fukuoka), the biggest city in Kyushu. We will also visit Dazaifu Shrine. After a restaurant lunch your guide and driver will leave you to explore the city which is renowned for its vibrant nightlife. Accommodations at hotel in Fukuoka. (includes: Breakfast, Lunch)

Day 6 Fukuoka to home
Breakfast at hotel. Take a flight to your next destination. (includes: Breakfast).

Departure Dates & Price Land-only

Ref	Departure Dates	Twin Share
JKY	March to November	From £2070 / $3375 Contact us for Prices

Our tours include (The prices shown above are 'per person')

• Flight from Osaka to Kagoshima, out from Fukuoka.
• Admission - entrance fee to Chiran Samurai Hause "Buke-Yashiki", Sand Bath, Suizenji Park, Kumamoto Castle, Hosokawa Gyobu-Tei, Hot spring Hell "Jigoku" 2places, Glover Mansion and Oura Cathedral.
• Meal - (5)Breakfast, (0)Lunch and (4)Dinner.
• Deluxe Hotel - 2 pax in a room occupancy basis at the hotels as specified in the itinerary or similar class hotels: Ibusuki - Ibusuki Hakusui Ryokan or similar (B)(D) (Japanese style) Kumamoto - Kumamoto Hotel Castle or similar (B)(D) (Western style) Beppu- Suginoi Hotel or similar (B)(D) (Western style) Nagasaki Hotel New Nagasaki or similar (B)(D) (Western style) Fukuoka- Solaria Nishitetsu Hotel or similar (B) (Western style).

Price Does Not Include

• International Flights: We are happy to provide flights with full ATOL Protection.
• Your travel arrangement in Tokyo, Kyoto etc, please contact us for details.
• Travel Insurance.

Why choose to travel with Magical Japan?
From the moment you talk to our travel consultants, who have all travelled extensively in Japan and Kyushu, our experience ensures you will have a magical holiday. Magical Japan pioneered Kyushu Island as a tourist destination, therefore you can benefit from our indepth knowledge of the Prefecture.

Our service includes meet & greet at airport, no additional entrance fees or transportation costs on any sightseeing tours that are already listed in our programme. Your tours are with officially qualified professional English speaking tour guides. Transfers are by air-conditioned deluxe coach and you will have time to enjoy each sightseeing place on foot.

Flights If you require international flights, as an agent for many airline consolidators, we can obtain flights in various classes with reputable airlines such as ANA, BA, Virgin, Air France, KLM, Lufthansa, Finnair etc. For the cheapest deal we recommend you book your international flights at time of booking, as this can save you pounds off your final holiday price. Full ATOL Protection Available.

Your Accommodation for this tour Carefully selected Deluxe accommodation using both luxury Ryokan and hotels. The tour uses some of the best traditional Ryokans with Onsen spa facilities available on Kyushu. A mixture of western style rooms and Japanese style rooms are provided for the ultimate cultural indulgence. Japanese style rooms use traditional futon beds laid on Tatami mats.

Your Meals Meals are as specified in the itinerary. Many dinners in Ryokans will be served in a traditional Japanese arrangement, using fresh local ingredients.

This tour is suitable for travellers of all ages, who are reasonably fit and healthy. Add on tours and city extensions are available, for details visit optional tours page. Tour particular for people who love nature, great scenery and like to indulgence in hot spring spa!!! Minimum 8 people per tour.

MT Aso summit is occasionally unaccessable due to adverse atmospheric conditions, however on these occasional we will visit the attractive grass covered volcanic MT Komezuka instead.

Our itinerary is designed according to the most up to date information available at the time. The above itinerary highlights the main attractions that are to be visited each day. In regards to expected transfer times and train times these may vary as they are subject to schedules and availability controlled by the various railway companies. It is extremely rare that itineraries ever need changes and we will always act in your best interest to handle any amendments if this did occur. However we reserve the right to change, amend or alter the itinerary if required, for example occasionally the tour sequence and duration of time spent in each city can change due to local conditions which are out of our control or due to heavy traffic conditions or bad weather. Please refer to the booking form for detailed terms & conditions.