SMALL GROUP TOURS Kyushu Elements CLASSIC 13 Nights Kyoto > Nagasaki > Unzen > Kumamoto > Aso > Kagoshima > Yakushima > Kyoto Visit Dejima Island and Glover Tour Overview Gardens, remnants of Nagasaki’s international past Kyushu is a little-visited yet highly rewarding pocket of Japan, famous throughout Japan for Take a helicopter ride over Japan’s its steaming volcanoes, bubbling hot springs, largest volcano, Mount Aso lush rainforests and sandy beaches. Not only is its countryside some of Japan’s finest, but Kyushu’s cities have plenty of historic culture Soak in hot spring baths at a and cosmopolitan charm – without the crowds traditional ryokan inn in Unzen that Tokyo is famous for. For centuries, Kyushu was Japan’s only gateway to Asia and the rest of the world, leaving it with Try your hand at shodo, Japanese a legacy of European influence and architecture calligraphy in Kumamoto that survives to this day. During this time, the only contact with the outside world was through Dejima - or “exit island” - an artificial Admire Sakurajima volcano from island off Nagasaki Port, where Portuguese and across the bay in Kagoshima Dutch traders were permitted to operate. Mount Fuji In the port city of Nagasaki you’ll visit Dejima Take a full-day tour of Yakushima Island and Glover Garden, the latter of which Kyoto Island with lunch included is home to the oldest Western-style residence in Japan. In Unzen you’ll admire Mars-like landscapes swathed in clouds of volcanic gas and soak in wonderful hot spring baths. Kumamoto city offers the chance to view its IJT CLASSIC TOURS impressive feudal castle and enjoy the serenity and landscaped perfection of Suizenji Garden. Mid-range tours that cover Japan’s classic Unzen Kumamoto sights or interest-specific itineraries (e.g. At Mount Aso, a helicopter ride will grant Nagasaki Mt Aso hiking, cultural activities, specific regions) you a bird’s eye view of the steaming crater lake (if conditions permit!), while in Kagoshima Kagoshima, the “Naples of Japan”, you’ll get Style Facts to admire the volcano of Sakurajima from • Three-star accommodation the city itself and from the sea, as you board a ferry across to the lower slopes of the volcano. Yakushima • En suite rooms in all locations (except at some unique traditional accommodation) Next you’ll move on to gorgeous Yakushima, • Airport meet-and-greet and transfers where you’ll be inspired by spectacular coastal scenery and walk with a local guide • Breakfast every day plus some lunches in the primeval rainforests that inspired & dinners Hayao Miyazaki’s animated masterpiece, • Selected entrance fees include Princess Mononoke. Day by day • Solo travellers: a single room is available Bookending your tour will be stays in Kyoto, throughout on payment of a mandatory the “City of Ten Thousand Temples”. Here, Many of our customers choose to arrive a supplement lush bamboo groves, golden temples, ancient day or two early to get over jet-lag and get palaces, hilltop shrines and a traditional geisha the most out of the tour. Whatever the case, district are just some of the treasures in store. we will be happy to make arrangements to suit your needs Kyushu Elements is the perfect tour for those who want to discover Japanese culture Day 1 Kyoto (D) in a stunning location away from the crowds Welcome to Japan! On arrival at one of Osaka’s – or for returning visitors who have seen Airports you will be met by your driver and make Honshu’s famous sights and are ready the transfer to your hotel in Kyoto, where your tour to venture further afield. leader will be waiting to meet you in the lobby. If you arrive early, you may wish to head to the food market area of Nishiki, or stroll along the Kamogawa River. Later in the evening you will have an orientation meeting with your group, followed by an included evening meal to help you get to PAGE 1 www.InsideJapanTours.com • [email protected] UK: 0117 244 3380 US: 303 952 0379 AUS: 07 3186 8800 ABTA No.Y6295 know your travelling companions – not to mention in 1991, when its lava dome collapsed sending afternoon will be free for you to begin exploring providing you with a great introduction to Japanese pyroclastic material flying down the valleys below. the city at your own pace, and your tour leader food and etiquette. will have plenty of great suggestions as to how Tonight, you’ll be served a delicious included to spend your time. Your stay tonight is at a Day 2 Kyoto (B) dinner comprising numerous dishes of seasonal conveniently located Western-style hotel, with a On day two you will take a tour of Kyoto with produce and local specialities. Unzen is a wealth of restaurants and shops nearby. your tour leader. As Japan’s imperial capital from renowned hot spring area, so no stay here would 794 until 1868, Kyoto is an incredible repository be complete without a nice, long soak in the inn’s Day 10 Kagoshima (B) of cultural and historical treasures – including a onsen bath before bed tonight. You will be joined by a local guide who will staggering 17 World Heritage Sites. In fact, during be able to show you some of Kagoshima’s World War II, Kyoto’s cultural importance was Day 6 Kumamoto (B) superb attractions, as well as give you extensive considered so significant that it escaped bombing After a Japanese-style breakfast you’ll continue background information on the area. Some entirely, leaving many of its original buildings intact. your journey by bus and ferry to Kumamoto, highlights of today might include the fantastic Your tour leader will take the group on a tour of another of Kyushu’s exciting cities. Kumamoto is Meiji Restoration Museum, where the history Kyoto using public transport and introduce you home to one of the few remaining original samurai of Japan’s dismantling of the samurai class is to a few of their favourite locations. You can stroll castles in Japan and Suizenji Garden, a beautiful told through animatronic displays; the beautiful along the Philosophers’ Path or perhaps gaze at landscape garden featuring a miniature Mount Fuji shoreside Senganen Gardens; and the Shiroyama Ginkakuji’s resplendent Silver Pavilion to name a and representations of all the stations on the old viewpoint, from where you’ll enjoy fabulous few highlights. Tokaido Highway trade route. views across the city with Sakurajima volcano in the distance. Day 3 Nagasaki (B) This is a “strolling” style garden, so please enjoy an This morning we will jump aboard Japan’s famous amble through its fabulous grounds, landscaped Day 11 Yakushima (B, D) bullet train, or shinkansen. The bullet train is an around a central pond. Kumamoto is also famous Today, it’s out into the deep blue on a high-speed exciting experience in itself – reaching top speeds for its tonkotsu ramen noodles, so try to slurp up a Jetfoil ferry for the journey from Kagoshima to of up to 320 kph (200 mph) on some sections of bowl at some point during your stay here! Yakushima. The mountainous subtropical island track. Sit back, relax, enjoy the countryside views, is renowned for its deep forests of towering, and in no time you will be on Kyushu Island. Day 7 Aso Kujo National Park (B, L, D) thousand-year-old Japanese cedar trees (sugi), Heading easterly out of Kumamoto, our private gorgeous coastline, and population of macaque We then take a further comfortable railway journey coach will take you into the lush, green volcanic monkeys and shika deer. on the stylish Kamome limited express, which caldera of Mount Aso, where you will be spending winds its way through lush green fields and two nights at a lovely Japanese-style inn. The After a minibus transfer to your luxurious hotel, along the coast to Nagasaki – an enchanting journey itself is thoroughly enjoyable, with beautiful you’ll be able to enjoy the sea air and fabulous ride. Although it has a richer, far more significant views of the passing scenery as you travel deep views from your room, or step out for a stroll to history, Nagasaki is most famous outside Japan as into the heart of this volcanic complex. We’ve explore the area. Tonight, you’ll be treated to a the second city ever to have been targeted with arranged a local guide to lead a walk taking in delicious meal at your accommodation, and don’t an atomic bomb. After arriving at your hotel, why waterfalls, rice paddies and stunning mountain forget to take a dip in those hot spring baths. not head out on the tram to ground zero for a vistas. After working up a healthy appetite it will be sobering visit to the Peace Memorial Park. time for a home cooked lunch followed by shodo, Day 12 Yakushima (B, L, D) a Japanese calligraphy experience. Today includes a full tour of Yakushima by private Tonight, you may like to join your tour leader for a mini-bus with your tour leader and an expert meal whether it be for seafood or one of the other This evening you will have a chance to relax in local guide. Some highlights include a two-hour local specialties: champon noodles. your inn’s onsen hot spring baths before another walk through Yakusugi Land (a nature park full fabulous kaiseki multi-course traditional feast at of ancient cedar trees), and some of the island’s Day 4 Nagasaki (B) your accommodation. beautiful waterfalls and beaches. Today’s focus will be on Nagasaki’s deeper reaching history.