Summer 2023 Kunisaki Peninsula Historic Kyushu Tour Package (6d/5n)

Summer 2023 Kunisaki Peninsula Historic Kyushu Tour Package (6d/5n)

Join us on the Kunisaki Peninsula Historic Kyushu Tour Package in the summer of 2023!

The Kunisaki Peninsula in northwestern Kyushu is an attractive place that’s largely been hidden from the tourist crowds. There are many old temples and ruins of temples with old stone statues of Buddha left from the days of yore, and you will feel as if you have been transported back to the medieval era. You will experience the many well-preserved old towns and pottery villages in this area and immerse yourself in the beautiful scenery and hot springs, too. Imagine enjoying the flowers and lush green nature in Kyushu’s balmy subtropical summer.

Kunisaki Peninsula Kyushu Tour Highlights

1. We visit some of the old temples with stone statues in Kunisaki Peninsula which are rarely visited by foreign tourists.

2. Kitsuki and Hita are very well preserved beautiful old towns.

3. A special agriculture experience in Ajimu will be unforgettable, as you will help out with the rice transplanting work of this season. After work, you are invited by the farmers to have lunch at their house.

4. Yabakei is a beautiful spot where you can enjoy a dynamic view.

5. We stay at a hot spring hotel in Japan’s most famous hot spring town Beppu.

Wifi is available on the bus.

Tour Date and Price

Arrival and departure: Starts and ends in Fukuoka
Tour date: Summer 2023 (6 days and 5 nights) *exact dates TBA. If you’d like to be updated once the dates are known, please let us know with the inquiry form below and we will add you to our mailing list.
Tour price: USD 1,890 (price per person, based on twin/triple room occupancy)
Single room price: USD 2,380

Kunisaki and Kyushu Tour Highlights

Tour Itinerary

Day 1: Fukuoka

Today we will meet at the hotel in Fukuoka individually. We can arrange your transfer from Fukuoka International Airport upon your request. Fukuoka is the biggest city in Kyushu, and if you arrive early you can enjoy exploring this bustling city.
Royal Park Hotel Fukuoka or similar
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Day 2: Fukuoka – Yabakei – Nakatsu

An English-speaking guide will meet you at the hotel lobby. In the morning, we visit Yabakei, allegedly one of the three most beautiful sights in Japan boasting a unique view of oddly-shaped rocks. We go up the hill by chair lift and see the amazing Rakanji Temple with 3,700 stone Rakan (disciples of Buddha) statues.

Then we move to Nakatsu, an old castle town. Nakatsu Castle is also called ‘Ocean Castle’ because they brought the sea water into its moat. We will also take a stroll around the beautiful Teramachi district.
Gran Plaza Nakatsu or similar
B / L /

Day 3: Nakatsu – Usa – Kunisaki

Usa is located at the entrance to the Kunisaki Peninsula, where we will visit one of Japan’s most important Shinto shrines, the Usa Jingu. It is the headquarters of 40,000 Hachiman Shrines in Japan. The vermilion color of the shrine building is very beautiful.

Then we go deep into the mountains of the Kunisaki Peninsula. Shugendo (mountain worshiping) was developed in these mountains where the worshipers took their ascetic training. There are still old temples in the mountains and ruins with just stone Buddhas. We will visit Fukiji Temple, the Sentoji ruins, and enjoy a delicious vegetarian lunch at the Futagoji Temple.
Villa Kunisaki or similar
B / L / D

Day 4: Kunisaki – Kitsuki – Beppu

In the morning, we visit castle town Kitsuki which is located in the southern part of the Kunisaki Peninsula and is a small quiet town with 30,000 residents. There are a lot of slopes, making the townscape very photogenic. We walk along the Kitadai Samurai district and visit one of the old Samurai residences. The view from the Kitsuki Castle is spectacular.

Our next destination is Beppu, Japan’s biggest hot spring town. There are many spring water sources with different ingredients which give each hot spring pond a different color. They name this the ‘Tour of Hell’. One pond is blue which led to the name ‘Ocean Hell’, while the other pond is red giving it its moniker ‘Blood Hell’.

We spend the night in this town and enjoy the hot spring in the hotel.
Suginoi Hotel or similar
B / – / D

Day 5: Beppu – Ajimu – Hita

Today, you will have a unique experience in Ajimu. Ajimu is the first town in Japan that started agri-tourism. A farmer family will welcome us and explain how they grow vegetables or rice. Spring is a rice transplanting season. The agricultural products we will deal with depends on the timing. After the work, they will invite us to their house and treat us to lunch which is mainly made with their own agricultural products.

At the end of the day we will drive to old town Hita and stay there overnight.
Kameyamatei Hotel or similar
B / L / D

Day 6: Hita – Onta – Fukuoka

In the morning, we will take a walk in the old district of Hita including a visit to the Gion Yamahoko Kaikan which exhibits festival floats used for the local festival. Next on the program is a visit to Onta, a small pottery village. It is very interesting to look around in the village because they still use very old equipment to make materials for their pottery. You can visit some of the kilns and of course purchase their products if you are interested.

We will then head back to Fukuoka, where our tour finishes at Hakata Station. From here you can catch the shinkansen train to your next destination. Thank you for coming to Kyushu, and we hope to see you again!

B / – / –

INCLUDED

• 5 nights Western-style accommodation (*hotel type is subject to change)
• Private minibus transfers from day 2 to day 6
• Comprehensive escort of our professional English-speaking tour guide as described in the itinerary
• Meals as described in the itinerary (5 breakfasts, 3 lunches, and 3 dinners)
• Admission fees to sites as listed in the itinerary

EXCLUDED

• International airfares
• Transportation to and from Fukuoka.
• Meals that are not included in the itinerary
• Travel insurance
• Alcoholic beverages and soft drinks
• Personal expenses such as telephone and laundry bills
• Gratuities

EXTENDED PLAN

You can extend your vacation before/after the tour in Fukuoka, Tokyo, Osaka, or other areas.  Please contact us for more details.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Transport: Travel by air-conditioned private minibus (from day 2 to day 7) and baggage handling free
Arrival/Departure: We start the tour at the hotel in Fukuoka and finish at Hakata Station (Central station in Fukuoka). If you need a hotel and transfer, we can arrange them upon request.
Meal Requests: Vegetarian, halal or special meals can be arranged
*Please note that the tour schedule and prices are subject to change without notice

CANCELLATION POLICY

>46 days prior to arrival date in Japan: no penalty
45-31 days prior to arrival date in Japan: 10% of the tour fee
30-15 days prior to arrival date in Japan: 20% of the tour fee
14- 8 days prior to arrival date in Japan: 30% of the tour fee
7 – 3 days prior to arrival date in Japan: 50% of the tour fee
<3 days prior to arrival date in Japan: 100% of the tour fee