Walking in Kyushu: Yakushima & Kunisaki Trail

Welcome to Kyushu! Your expert local guide will meet you on your arrival at Fukuoka Airport, and you will then head into the city to start exploring.

Laidback Fukuoka is the largest city on Japan's southwestern island of Kyushu, and exploring it is a feast for the senses. Take in the sights and smells as you stroll along Nakasu Yatai Street – an avenue of street food stalls where each stall has about eight seats around a counter, like a tiny restaurant. You will have some time to explore at your own pace, with your guide providing local recommendations depending on your interests – gourmet or architecture, local art or hidden backstreets. You will then gather for a group meeting while sampling some local cuisine. Enjoy tasting some of the local specialities as your guide runs through the itinerary and plans for the days ahead. You will then head to the port for your first unique travel experience – a ferry to what is sure to be a highlight – Ojika Island (6hrs). Sleep overnight on the ferry which houses its own onsen onboard! Cabins are twin share with shared facilities. As the lights of Fukuoka are left behind, you will awaken to the sun over the small Goto Hanto string of Nagasaki prefecture islands. Stay: On Ferry – Basic Cabin or similar (D)

This morning your ferry will arrive at the tiny island of Ojika. Ojika Island is a peaceful paradise with historical sites, scenic beaches and a rustic countryside life that will make you feel you have stepped back in time. The island is home to only 2500 people, most of who are farmers and fisherman living a simple life, in harmony with nature. Central to Ojika's culture, is Omoiyari, a concept that revolves around showing consideration for others, and looking for ways to show kindness to those around you. This type of generosity means a fisherman might provide some fish for his neighbour, who in turn might reciprocate by leaving him some seasonal vegetables the following morning. The people of Ojika believe that generosity leads to greater happiness, and their lifestyle reflects this.

Your local guide will show you around this tiny island and you will be able to witness it go about its traditional ways as it has done for so thousands of years. You will have the chance to explore by bicycle, visiting breathtaking view spots, stunning coastline, local fisherman's homes and farmers' fields. The friendly locals welcome any visitors with open arms, and your day will be spent basking in the local hospitality. Your accommodation for the next two nights, will be in a ryokan (traditional Japanese Inn), run by a local family. Here you will be treated to a seven-course feast of locally sourced produce, and you will learn the origins of this mouth-watering food and how it is prepared. In the evening after dinner, your group will head off to enjoy the only karaoke bar on the island – an experience not to be missed! Stay 2 Nights: In a local home – Ojika Goen-Ojika (small family run ryokan) (B/D)

Enjoy breakfast at your ryokan this morning before departing to visit the lively local fish market, where you can learn more about some of the fresh seafood you ate the previous evening.

You will then take a ferry (approx. 45 min) to neighbouring Nozaki Island, a small uninhabited island where the only inhabitants are wild deer and Japanese wood pigeons. In the seventeenth century, this island became a sanctuary for Christians fleeing persecution. It is the perfect place to explore on foot and you will be able to stretch your legs as you follow a gentle trail to Nokubi Church. In 1868, Japan lifted the ban on Christianity and the Christian community built this church as a permanent reminder of their faith. It is considered one of the most beautiful churches in the country.

You will stay on Nozaki Island for about four hours, giving you plenty of time to explore and enjoy the natural beauty, and become acquainted with the wild Japanese deer who live here. You will then take the ferry back to Oijka Island. Tonight, you will enjoy dinner at your ryokan and then have the evening at leisure. (B/L/D)

Enjoy breakfast at your ryokan before saying farewell your hosts and travelling by jet ferry to Sasebo (approx. 1.5 hours). Once in Sasebo, you will have a chance to experience the Japanese train system as you travel from Sasebo to Yanagawa (approx. 3 hours). Yanagawa is known as “the Venice of Kyushu” due to its large number or canals, originally part of an irrigation system, but later fortified into moats when the city was turned into a castle town at the beginning of the 17th Century. This was prior to the start of the Edo period at the beginning of the 17th century, and the castle was referred to as the ‘Water Castle' due to all these canals that stretched across the town. Relax and enjoy the view as you take a canal cruise to get acquainted with this historical city.

Next, you will enjoy an Unagi (eel) lunch. As you taste this local delicacy, you will learn about the history of this traditional food and its effect on the body (and soul).

After lunch, you will continue to Kagoshima. Across the bay, the active volcano Sakurajima looms, creating a dramatic backdrop to this seaside city. This evening you will enjoy a night walk exploring Tsurumaru Castle wall and Shiroyama Observatory amongst some other hidden secrets. Stay: Kagoshima JR Hotel or similar (B/L)

Depart early this morning to explore Kagoshima. By now, you will be equipped with some local phrases, and your expert guide can share some suggested areas and locations to explore independently. You will then travel by fast ferry (2 hours) to Yakushima. This journey provides great views of the active volcano, Sakurajima, the most active of all the volcanos in the country. On arrival, enjoy an informative orientation walk to learn about the UNESCO island Yakushima, her fauna and flora and history (and future).

Yakushima is a subtropical island located in the south of Kyushu. Thanks to its geography and natural beauty, the island is a real paradise for hiking and outdoor enthusiasts. This tiny island is covered by an extensive cedar forest. Its giant trees, some of which are thousands of years old, are an impressive sight and contribute to creating a magical and mysterious atmosphere. Fully included in a protected National Park area, Yakushima has been declared a UNESCO Natural Heritage Site and constitutes a unique area of almost completely untouched nature and wilderness in Japan. Stay 3 Nights: Hotel Yakushima Ocean & Forest or similar (B/D)

This trip is filled with many highlights but today will be very high on the list as you enjoy trekking the Shiratani Unsuikyou route of Yakushima. This part of the UNESCO park is incredibly special with its moss forest well known as the inspiration for Miyazakis film `Princess Mononoke'. This is a beautiful full day hike – approx. six hours. Some of these footpaths date back to the Edo period over 400 years ago. If the weather is clear, the views of the valley below are simply breathtaking. (B/L/D)

• Distance: Approx 6km
• Incline/decline: 600m/1070m
• Grading: Gentle

Today is no less special than yesterday, as you again wake and explore this island home for one more day and enjoy some more great hiking – up to eight hours – as you visit the Yamato-sugi area with its +1,000 year old cedar trees. Weave through paths lined with huge rugged, twisted trees and roots. Traverse bridges and along train tracks. Yamato-sugi is one of the oldest conifers on the island and possibly the largest in Japan. (B/D)

• Distance: Approx 20km
• Grading: Intermediate

Today, retrace your steps back to Kagoshima and then travel to Beppu via ferry and train which is around six hours. Enjoy an orientation walk on arrival which includes the Beppu markets and Bamboo craft museum. You will have some free time to stretch your legs and try one of the local activities such as steaming your own food in a public steamer or visiting the different coloured local springs. Beppu is well known for not only its hot springs, but it's hot sand. One of the most unique activities that you can try here is sand bathing, where you lie on your back and are buried in sand up to your neck. This activity is great for circulation and a very relaxing experience. After a couple of days hiking on Yakushima, you will welcome the opportunity to relax. Perhaps soak in your ryokan's onsen before tasting some local sake – a well known cure for aches and pains! Dinner this evening, is at a local izakaya (a small Japanese bar) where you can enjoy a traditional dining experience amongst the locals. Stay: The Seaside Hotel Mimatsu-Beppu or similar (B/D)

Prepare for another stunning day today, as you enjoy time on the Kunisaki Trail. From Beppu you will head two hours by train and bus to the beautiful Iwatoji temple area. Our chosen trail is around six hours and along the way you will enjoy some Japanese religious history as you pass by gravestones, ancient stone structures, and amazing temples. It truly is an open-air museum you are surrounded by on today's walk, and with wonderful trail views that stretch all the way to Honshu on a clear day. Tonight, enjoy a special final stay in Japan as you spend the night at a working Monastery. This monastery is the one of oldest, ancient temples on the Kunisaki peninsula with over 1300 years of history. Over 100 monks spent their time here training in Buddhism in the 1600's. The 1000-year-old Zelkova tree here is a symbol of this monastery. Guests will be welcomed by the monks as you slip into monastic life and learn of the philosophy of Buddhism. After your final onsen in the spring feed baths, enjoy a basic but filling monastic dinner and learn more about the temple and the life of those who live here. Stay: MonjyuSenji Monastery or similar (B/L/D)

Start your morning by praying with the monks before your vegetarian breakfast. Your guide is on hand to explain everything you are eating as each ingredient has its own story and significance. You have time to talk to the monks and learn about their life, morning prayers and meditation. You will experience a fire ceremony called ‘Gomataki' which is to ward off bad luck and spirits from the body. The head monk will chant a Buddhist sutra with a burning plate of wood which has the names of our travellers written on it. It is said that the smoke of the fire will remove all evil and take it to the sky where the body can heal and bring only happiness. Take time to enjoy the area and temple surrounds before you depart for the two-hour trip back to Fukuoka where your tour ends on arrival. (B/L)