Best of Southern Japan

Welcome to Japan, where ancient traditions and futuristic wonders mingle in the coolest ways imaginable! Our adventure kicks off in vibrant Osaka, the country's third-biggest city and a total playground for foodies, night owls and curious explorers alike. Think: melt-in-your-mouth street food at every corner, neon lights reflecting in rivers and locals whose energy is downright contagious.

We don't want you to miss out on any aspect of your small group tour. To ensure that you don't, we recommend you arrive by 5.00pm for dinner at the hotel with the guide. For those arriving in the evening and unable to attend the dinner, we'll meet you the following morning when our touring begins. Please refer to the letter you received upon check in with further details on the start time and your guide's information.

Get ready for a day packed with fun and unforgettable sights! Our first stop today is Tokushima, where you'll be swept off your feet by a vibrant Awa Odori dance performance. The infectious rhythms and swirling costumes are guaranteed to get your toes tapping. Dive into the dance's fascinating history as we check out the museum and maybe pick up a few moves ourselves!

Next, we're off to Takamatsu, a city that's basically a walking postcard. The star here? Ritsurin Koen, Japan's largest and hands-down one of its most gorgeous gardens. Be surrounded by glossy ponds, rolling hills, ancient pavilions and lush greenery everywhere we look. You'll have plenty of free time to leisurely wander the pathways, snap beautiful photos and soak in the serenity.

Before we leave, don’t forget to stop by the gift shop for unique souvenirs. Whether you're a culture buff, garden lover or just hunting for your next adventure, today will fill your senses and camera roll!

This afternoon, we arrive at our hotel and have some time to settle in before sitting down to enjoy our welcome dinner.

This morning, we're hopping on a ferry to Naoshima — a quirky little gem in Japan's Seto Inland Sea that locals lovingly call “Art Island.” Here, creativity spills out everywhere in the coolest possible ways; think rolling hills dotted with world-class museums, jaw-dropping sculptures and installations that seem to spring right from your wildest daydreams.

Special Experience: Admire the many different works of art across the museums including Chichu Art Museum, Benesse House Museum, Naoshima New Museum of Art and the Art House Project.

Our day is spent diving into Naoshima’s arty wonderland! We’ll take a relaxed stroll around the port and see if you can spot the island’s most Instagram-famous residents: Yayoi Kusama’s giant polka-dot pumpkins. Pop into contemporary galleries, get up close with sculptures or just wander. The whole place is an open-air museum begging to be explored.

When hunger hits, find a spot for a tasty bite. Soak up the sunshine, snap a few selfies with the iconic spots and feel your imagination come alive at every turn. Naoshima is a breath of fresh, creative air, and trust us, we'll leave totally inspired!

Lace up those sneakers and get ready to work a sweat if you feel up for a challenge. Today we're diving into the Shikoku Henro pilgrimage, a legendary trail with 88 historic temples looping around Shikoku Island. While the full pilgrimage takes serious dedication (think 30–60 days on foot!), we're treating ourselves to the highlight reel—a scenic, soul-soothing 5km stroll from Temple 81 (Shiromine-ji) to Temple 82 (Negoro-ji). This is going to be no easy climb but promises stunning views along the way.

Once we've finished our mindful walk, it's feet up as we drive to Kurashiki, a storybook village adored for its postcard-perfect canal lined with classic Japanese architecture, quirky shops, galleries and cute cafes. Pause for lunch amid the charm—find a bistro or bakery that catches your eye—and snap lots of photos of this magical waterway!

Finally, we head to Okayama, a city which flourished as a castle town during the Edo Period (1603 – 1868) and became a place of significant influence and power in the region. Okayama is also famed as the setting of Japan's best loved folklore Momotaro (Peach boy), and you may spot some references to the legendary hero scattered throughout the city.

Challenging Day: Today is a particularly challenging day, where there will be extended periods of walking time, often across uneven ground and in areas of high altitude or heat and humidity.

Get ready for a day packed with gorgeous scenery and unforgettable flavours! We'll kick things off at Okayama Korakuen, one of Japan's Top 3 gardens. Picture peaceful ponds, rolling greenery and hidden teahouses, all designed 300 years ago as the ruling Ikeda family's ultimate chill-out zone. Don't miss the stunning Okayama Castle peeking through the garden, it's seriously majestic!

Next, we're off to Onomichi City. Hold on tight as we ride a cable car up Mount Senkoji for jaw-dropping city views and a visit to the famous Senkoji Park Temple. Hello, panoramic selfie!

Our journey takes us to Setoda, nestled in the heart of the Setouchi region. Here, we'll be surrounded by sparkling coastlines, breezy bike rides and cool art installations. Setoda wraps all that up with loads of local charm.

Special Experience: Enjoy two nights at the stunning Azumi Setoda, a beautifully reimagined family estate of a formerly affluent merchant.

Challenging Day: Today is a particularly challenging day, where there will be extended periods of walking time, often across uneven ground and in areas of high altitude or heat and humidity.

Today's your day to let curiosity lead the way—Setoda is all yours to explore. If you're a cycling enthusiast (or just love a scenic ride), you're in luck as Setoda is home to the legendary Shimanami Kaido, a cyclist's heaven that winds across 280 kilometres of jaw-dropping views, island-hopping bridges and quirky roadside charm. With 150+ cyclist-friendly stops along the route, you'll never be far from a snack, a comfy rest or a photo op.

Fancy exploring at your own pace? Go for it! Or hop on an optional bike tour and pedal your way through this spectacular landscape side-by-side with your new friends. More of an art lover than a cyclist? Swing by the Hirayama Ikuo Silk Road Museum, where you'll discover stunning works by one of Japan's artistic legends and lose yourself in the colourful world of Nihon-ga painting.

After a day of exploring, treat yourself to a blissful soak at Yubune bath house — just steps from our accommodation. Even better? The experience is complimentary for hotel guests. Your ultimate Setoda relaxation begins here.

Optional Excursion: Shimanami Kaido Cycling – Rent an e-bike and cycle your way across the scenic route of Omishima Island with a local guide. 2.5 hours/17km – from AUD $160pp. Please note your height will be required when booking.

Challenging Day: Today is a particularly challenging day, where there will be extended periods of walking time, often across uneven ground and in areas of high altitude or heat and humidity.

This morning, get ready for an adventure back in time as we head to the awe-inspiring Matsuyama Castle, one of Japan's rare “original” castles that's still standing strong. We'll hop on a ropeway up the hill, soaring above those famous castle grounds and — you guessed it—get an epic view of over 200 cherry trees. If you're here in spring, prepare a pink-tastic, picture-perfect panorama!

Matsuyama is home to Japan's legendary Dōgo Onsen, rumored to be the oldest hot spring in the country. Fun fact: the stunning building even inspired the magical bathhouse in Studio Ghibli's award-winning animation, Spirited Away.' This afternoon, the city's yours to explore at your own pace and get some lunch. Why not try the local specialty for lunch — sea bream, a delicious fish known for its delicate flavor and tender texture. Will you soak in history at Dōgo Onsen? View the quirky Botchan Train? Or maybe catch the whimsical Karakuri Tokei clock tower come to life on the hour?

Get ready for a truly Japanese stay experience as our beds are replaced with traditional tatami mats. Made from woven straw and rice straw cores, these mats are soft yet firm, and not only add aesthetic value to Japan's minimalist design but also known to have several health benefits for our joints and posture.

As the sun sets, a traditional kaiseki ryōri feast awaits! Savour a parade of beautiful courses, each one packed with local flavour, colour and chef-wizardry!

This morning, put on your walking shoes because we're off to Iwaya-ji temple—number 45 on the legendary Shikoku Henro Pilgrimage. If you see just one temple on this route, make it this one. We'll kick things off at the mountain's base, then tackle the 800-meter stairway to the top. Don't worry, we'll pause here and there to catch our breath (and snap some jaw-dropping photos of our surroundings.)

The climb is totally worth it: the temple is dramatically set into a weathered cliff, creating an atmosphere that feels straight out of an adventure movie. Among these high-altitude cliffs are where monks once practiced their religious disciplines.

After soaking up the serenity, we'll say goodbye to Shikoku and hop aboard a ferry to our next destination, Kyushu. This island is the third largest in Japan and is famous for its steamy hot springs, gorgeous beaches, active volcanoes and balmy subtropical weather. We'll land in the lively town of Beppu and to celebrate our arrival in Kyushu, we'll dig into a delicious group dinner together. Get ready for a day packed with adventure, scenery and some very well-earned food!

Challenging Day: Today is a particularly challenging day, where there will be extended periods of walking time, often across uneven ground and in areas of high altitude or heat and humidity.

Kick back and enjoy a slow, easy morning. Later, we're turning up the heat with a friendly stroll through Beppu's steamy Kannawa District, home of the famous “Hells of Beppu.” Get ready to check out these unique hot springs, where we'll spot clouds of steam swirling everywhere — Beppu's version of a magic show! But that hot, mineral-rich steam isn't just for show. Locals have been using it for centuries to whip up “Hell Steam Cuisine.” Think veggies, eggs, and other goodies, all naturally cooked to delicious perfection—talk about flavour that comes from the earth.

Special Experience: Savour a meal of “Hell Steam Cuisine”, where dishes are cooked using the mineral-packed steam from natural hot springs, intensifying their authentic flavours. The rest of your day is all yours. Perhaps you could try Beppu's legendary Sand Baths, where you're gently covered in warm, mineral-rich sand. As your worries melt away (seriously, it works), your blood starts flowing and your body sighs with relief. Interested? Just ask your guide for the details.

This morning, we bid farewell to steamy Beppu and head toward dramatic nature at Takachiho Gorge — a true slice of Japanese paradise, carved by Mount Aso’s fiery power over 100,000 years ago. Get ready for a stroll along trails and bridges that zigzag through the gorge, where waterfalls tumble and the scenery is awash in lush greens or a fiery autumn rainbow of reds and golds. It's a sensory overload in the best possible way.

In the evening, we learn about Japan's intriguing folklore in a traditional Kagura performance. Watch as the gods, myths and legends come alive through an extravagant dance, rhythmic drums and elaborate costumes.

Challenging Day: Today is a particularly challenging day, where there will be extended periods of walking time, often across uneven ground and in areas of high altitude or heat and humidity.

This morning, we'll drive through the magnificent Aso National Park, home to some of Japan's most dramatic landscapes. We make a stop in Kusasenri where we're surrounded by endless green meadows, a shimmering pond (that's often home to friendly horses) and a vibe that feels straight out of a dreamy postcard. Breathe in that fresh mountain air and maybe even say hello to a horse or two before we head for a delicious lunch.

Next, get ready to spot live volcanoes puffing away at the Mt Aso Crater (Hakadake), wild grassy plains that seem to roll on forever and views that'll totally fill up your camera roll.

Our next stop is a fantastic photo opportunity at Daikanbo, where you have access to the best 360-degree views in the area, featuring the Five Peaks of Aso and the Kuju Mountain Range.

Once we've soaked up all that volcanic magic and snapped enough pictures, we're off to our next destination, the vibrant city of Kumamoto.

Welcome to Kumamoto, the local favorite spot that's got scenery so good even Japanese tourists flock here for a getaway. This city is bubbling (literally!) with hot springs, all thanks to the fiery powers rumbling beneath Mount Aso's famous volcano.

Our first stop today is the Reigando Cave, where the legendary swordsman, Miyamoto Musashi, spent the last two years of his life. Here, he penned the ‘The Book of Five Rings', a philosophical take on a practical guide to swordsmanship and life.

Next, we visit Kumamoto Castle, one of the most extensive and impressive castle complexes in Japan. It's no wonder it is listed among the best. This afternoon, delve into its intriguing history with an in-depth walking tour.

The rest of the day is for you to enjoy at your own pace. Perhaps you could consider a wander through the serene, picture-perfect Suizenji Garden, where every turn brings a new little slice of paradise.

Challenging Day: Today is a particularly challenging day, where there will be extended periods of walking time, often across uneven ground and in areas of high altitude or heat and humidity.

This morning, we're hopping on a ferry bound for Nagasaki — a city bursting with history, flavour and plenty of surprises. Nagasaki is Japan's second oldest port, playing host to the world between 1639 and 1859 (imagine all the stories those ships could tell!). In the early 20th century, it became the country's shipbuilding hub that, heartbreakingly, made it the target of the second atomic bomb.

Today, we'll take a moving journey through this history at the Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum and Peace Park. The stories and artifacts here honor the lives forever changed, highlighting resilience, hope and the determination for peace.

This evening, we'll dine together at a local restaurant. Afterwards, we'll board a cable car and head high above the city for stunning panoramic views. Nagasaki's shimmering nightscape has earned a spot among the world's Top 3 Night Views—and trust us, all those twinkling lights will make your heart skip a beat.

Our morning starts with an orientation tour of Nagasaki, that'll have you spotting layers of global flair everywhere you look! This is a city where East meets West in the coolest ways, from architecture to tasty street eats. The tour starts at Deijima, the old Dutch trading post. Once off-limits and mysterious, now it's a time machine to the days when Nagasaki was Japan's one window to the world. History buffs, you're going to love it! Next, we'll stroll through Glover Garden and check out the oldest Western-style wooden building in all of Japan — imagine throwing a 19th-century garden party here!

Alternatively, if you have chosen to undertake the optional tour to Hashima Island (must have been pre-booked at time of tour booking), you will make your way to Nagasaki Port and embark on your cruise out to the Gunkanjima sea.

Once we're back at the hotel, the rest of the afternoon is free for you to explore at your own pace. Feeling peckish? You could set off to Japan's oldest Chinatown, a kaleidoscope of sights, sounds and smells. If you do, be sure to try some of Nagasaki's famous Chinese-inspired eats—Chanpon and Sara Udon. Trust us, your taste buds will thank you!

Optional Excursion: Hashima Island (Gunkanjima/Battleship Island) – Cruise out to Hashima Island, once a deep-sea coal mining Island. Closed for over 40 years, this battleship-shaped island has been reawakened and is now open to the public to explore. 2.5 hours – from AUD $60pp. Please Note: This optional excursion will be done in lieu of today's morning sightseeing in Nagasaki. The cruise is subject to local weather conditions and landfall cannot be guaranteed.

Today, we're heading north across Kyushu Island with a tea stop like no other on the way! The gorgeous Yame Tea Fields awaits us, where lush green rows stretch over gentle hills as far as your eye can see.

Next, we'll sip and savor our way into the Hoshino Tea Museum. The museum's restaurant is a love letter to green tea, and we can expect dishes infused with delicate, delicious tea flavors that will make our tastebuds incredibly happy!

Special Experience: Learn the traditional art of green tea making during a hands-on experience in the esteemed Hoshino Village. Then it's back on the road to Fukuoka—Kyushu's biggest, brightest, most buzzing city! Once we arrive in the evening, we suggest heading to the Yatai Food Stalls for dinner. These iconic open-air food stands each seat a handful of people and provide a unique atmospheric outdoor dining experience.

This morning, we'll take a tour of the Nakamaru Soy Sauce Factory to learn about the production of Japan's favourite condiment. After the tour, we make our way back to Fukuoka's Canal City, a vibrant complex bursting with shops, eateries and even a canal running straight through it! Enjoy a leisurely lunch wherever your nose (and cravings) lead you — Japanese, international or maybe just dessert.

In the afternoon, we're going full culture-mode on a walking tour of Fukuoka's greatest hits. We'll wander Hakata Old Town with its charming streets, soak up the serenity at Tochoji Temple (don't miss the giant wooden Buddha), and time travel through local life at the Hakatamachiya Furusatokan Museum, complete with vintage homes and fun exhibits.

This evening, join your fellow explorers for a farewell dinner at a local restaurant. Share your favorite moments, laugh about your Japanese adventures and toast to new friendships. What a way to say sayonara to this unforgettable journey.

Our tour concludes this morning. We hope you leave with fantastic memories!