TOUR ITINERARY

Nov. 7 (TUE) HONOLULU,

Leave Daniel K. Inouye Int’l Airport. A meal and snack will be served aboard the flight. FREE Movies and Drinks.

Nov. 8 (WED) HAKATA,

HOTEL NIKKO FUKUOKA 

Arrive at Haneda Int’l Airport and after government formalities, transfer to your connecting flight to Fukuoka Int'l Airport. After clearance of government formalities, by bus to the hotel in Hakata, biggest city in Kyushu. We'll stay 2 nights at hotel located near downtown Nakasu area, where good for shopping & strolling, etc. 

Nov. 9 (THU) HAKATA,

HOTEL NIKKO FUKUOKA 

Go to Karatsu to visit its famous Yobuko Morning Market regarded as one of three greatest morning markets in Japan. Squid is the biggest charm of Yobuko. Good chance to buy famous homemade dried squid.  You can also find luxurious seafood that can’t be found elsewhere. If you like, you can try the fresh sea urchin caught in the early morning which has a rich and delicious flavor. Later enjoy Nanatsugama Cruise to fully enjoy the blue sea of Genkai-nada with incredible natural sea caves which designated as Natural Monument of Japan and were formed by rough waves have been eroding a huge lava plateau emerged from the sea millions of years ago. Then visit Hikiyama Exhibition Hall exhibits Giant festival floats for Karatsu Kunchi Festival that having 400 years history and registered as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage. You will see gorgeous floats in design of variety of forms such as Samurai helmets, lions, dragons, a sea bream, killer whale, etc. Then going back to Hakata and stop at Kawabata Shopping Arcade, Hakata’s oldest shopping street lined with various kind of store carrying Traditional souvenirs of Hakata, Japanese tea, etc.

Nov. 10 (FRI) KUMAMOTO,

THE NEW HOTEL KUMAMOTO

Visit Fujii Apiary, producing delicious Japanese Milkvetch honey and Acacia honey since 1909. Both will have a deep and sophisticated taste. We will learn the process of making the production and demonstration using beehives. Then head to the once Japan’s largest coal mining town Omuta, known for famous Bon dance song “Tankobushi.” We will visit Coal Industry and Science Museum, you can have fun learning the history of the coal industry which supported Japan’s modernization. Particularly noteworthy is the Dynamic tunnel, experience the operation of a coal mine in 1300 feet underground where you can view the impressive array of real mining machinery. Then we head to the third largest city in Kyushu “Kumamoto”, an old castle town blessed with an abundance of nature. Visit Tabaruzaka Seinan War Museum, located at major battlefield of Japan’s last Civil War which was a revolt of disaffected Samurai against the new imperial government. The climax of Tom Cruise’s 2003 movie “Last Samurai” was said to be based on this battle. An easy-to-understand exhibition using authentic materials such as large number of weapons, supplies ammunition, etc. Our hotel is located across Kumamoto station with 2021 opened shopping mall where you can enjoy shopping.

Nov. 11 (SAT) AMAKUSA,

HOTEL ALEGRIA GARDENS AMAKUSA (ONSEN)

In the morning enjoy “Must Try Autumn Flavor of Japan” Persimmon Picking. Try picking and taste sweat Japanese Persimmon in season. Then visit Misumi West Port, a historic masonry-stone wharf built in 1884 and was designated as World Heritage Sites as an important and unique national legacy of Japan’s era of industrial modernization. Then head to Amakusa by driving "one of the 100 Best Scenic Roads in Japan", Amakusa Pearl Line with the five bridges which praised as like a string of the pearl-like islands. This scenic road was named after pearl farming, one of Amakusa’s main industries so that can not miss chance for shopping beautiful pearl products including accessory at Pearl Center. Visit Amakusa Christian Museum that introduces Amakusa Shiro who was the teenage leader of famous Christian peasant uprising in 1637 against Edo Shogunate that was prohibiting Christianity. Our hotel has relaxing Onsen Hot Spring bath and Open Air bath. Private Onsen is available at your own expense also!

Nov. 12 (SUN) SATSUMA SENDAI,

HOTEL GREEN HILL KAGOSHIMA (ONSEN)

Go to World Heritage site Sakitsu Village, one of the places of the Hidden Christian Sites kept their faith alive in secret through centuries of persecution and suppression. Visit Sakitsu Church, a symbol of the village and the Christian revival. It's a beautiful example of a mix of Western and Japanese culture that is a Gothic-looking church has traditional tatami flooring inside. Then catch a ferry (30minutes) to Kagoshima. After arrival, go to Izumi city to watch “Nabe-Zuru (Hooded Crane)” which comes from Russia. About 10,000 cranes stay here during winter. It's representing more than 80% of the world population of this species. We will stay at Onsen resort hotel which has Onsen Hot Spring bath using 100% pure hot spring water.

Nov. 13 (MON) IBUSUKI,

IBUSUKI HAKUSUIKAN (ONSEN)

Visit Marutake Samurai armor factory producing traditional Samurai amour at the present day. You’ll see collection of their amours including ones actually used in Samurai movies and TV dramas. Later go to Amami-no Sato where you can learn about culture and nature of Amami Island, Japan’s latest World Natural Heritage Site. You will see beautiful Oshima Tsumugi Textile and Amami style traditional garden. Then visit Shiratsuyu Shochu Factory. Shochu is Japanese distilled liquor first appeared in Kyushu over 500 years ago. We will enjoy learning how the Shochu is processed, tasting their products and shopping. Then proceed to Ibusuki, one of Kyushu’s most popular hot spring areas and especially famous for sand bath. This unique bathing experience involves putting on a yukata robe, lying down, and being buried in the hot sand. You will get a chance to try this sand bath at your own expense. Also enjoy relaxing soak at Onsen Hot Spring bath

Nov. 14 (TUE) KAGOSHIMA,

KAGOSHIMA SUN ROYAL HOTEL(ONSEN)

We will see rare and valuable collection of world renowned Satsuma pottery at Satsuma Denshokan. This traditional craft of Japan has over 400 years history and its Kinrande or Gold brocade Satsuma wares admired and loved by Westerners as finely detailed art seems almost superhuman technique since 19th century. Visit Lake Ikeda, the largest volcanic lake in Kyushu. You can see Giant Unagi Eel inhabiting in the lake.Visit Saigo Memorial Museum introducing life & achievements of “Last Samurai” in Japanese history who is the central figure of the Meiji Restoration in 1867 to 1868 drive to modernize Japan. Museum exhibits his possessions, clothing, his handwritten diary, personal letters etc. Also you can visit Saigo’s grave at Nanshu Cemetery where he’s buried with 2000 of his fellows. Then visit 363-years old Senganen Garden which attracts tourists because of a so-called distinction of “1 of the 36 Japan’s most stunning places” selected by CNN. This World Cultural Heritage Sites constructed with fine design and has a refined taste, using Kinko bay to resemble the pond and Sakurajima island as the miniature mountain of the garden. We’ll stay 2 nights at the hotel facing to the magnificent Sakurajima Island, the symbol of Kagoshima. Soak in relaxing Hot Spring bath while viewing Sakurajima.

Nov. 15 (WED) KAGOSHIMA,

KAGOSHIMA SUN ROYAL HOTEL(ONSEN)

Head to Kawanabe Butsudan (Buddhist altar) Hall to try your hand on making “Raden” accessory. Raden is a traditional craft creating beautiful rainbow luster by putting previously designed shell into surface of the lacquer or wood & often used for decoration of Butsudan, Festival float, etc. Later head to Chiran, a small town with rich history called “Small Kyoto.” Enjoy strolling around the graceful Samurai residential area, selected as the preservation district for the groups of important historic buildings. Its immaculate gardens are designated as a National Cultural Asset by being evaluated as a place of scenic beauty. Also visit Kamikaze Fighter Museum, dedicated to the lives and deaths of 1,036 suicide Kamikaze fighters. They have thousands of exhibition including photographs of the pilots, personal effects, such as hachimaki headbands, water bottles, Hinomaru flags, etc. After going back to hotel, you can go to shopping center right next to our hotel.

Nov. 16 (THU) ASO,

GREEN PIA MINAMI ASO (ONSEN)

Visit Sogi Water Fall often called “Niagara in the Orient” boasts an impressive scale with 680 ft wide and 40 ft tall. We’ll visit observatory offering stunning up-close views of this very spectacular waterfall that selected as one of Japan's most beautiful spots. It is expected that the trees surrounding the fall turn to Autumn Color red at this time of season. Head back to Kumamoto to enjoy exciting Kumagawa River Boat Ride. Experience a thrilling ride that goes down rapid stream while dodging rocks. The boat men handle a boat with their amazing skill with the spirit of traditional Japanese past time dating back to Edo period. Tonight’s hotel is award winning mountain resort located at the scenic outer rim of the Mt. Aso’s caldera that is the world biggest. Enjoy a relaxing soak at Onsen Hot Spring bath with Open-air bath. Enjoy a magnificent scenery of Mt. Aso while relaxing in the Onsen.

Nov. 17 (FRI) KOKURA,

RIHGA ROYAL HOTEL KOKURA

In the morning enjoy riding on Aso Trolley Train with a feeling of openness and a nostalgic atmosphere. The train runs slowly through lush landscapes to marvel at the natural splendors with a magnificent Mt. Aso. Later visit Kitazato Shibasaburo Memorial Museum. You can learn the life of “the father of bacteriology in Japan” who discovered antibody activity against infectious disease. He will be portrait of new 1,000 yen bill in 2024. Then driving on Yabakei scenic road while watching beautiful Autumn color that is renowned as “Best in Kyushu”. Then head to Kokura, center of the 2nd biggest city in Kyusu. We will stay 2 nights at hotel that is located right across Kokura station with omiyage store, 100 yen shop, etc.

Nov. 18 (SAT) KOKURA,

RIHGA ROYAL HOTEL KOKURA

Visit Kokura Castle you can go inside of the reconstructed castle tower offering displays of historical exhibits, movie and the attractions using the latest technology, etc. Then cross Kanmon Straits to get Shimonoseki,Yamaguchi prefecture, known by some great historical sea battles in Japanese history such as battle leading to the fall of the Heike clan in 1185 and duel between Miyamoto Musashi and Sasaki Kojiro in 1612. We'll visit famous Karato Fish Market for some fun shopping for Dried seafood, seaweed, etc., with a lively atmosphere. This will be the best chance to enjoy today’s fresh caught Sushi at the famous fish market. Enjoy shopping and lunch at Aeon Shopping Mall before going back to the hotel. (Lunch/dinner will be at your own expense.)

Nov. 19 (SUN) KOKURA / HONOLULU,

At checkout time our agent will come to tape and tie-up the boxes and take the baggage to be checked-in down. In the afternoon proceed to Fukuoka International Airport to catch our domestic flight to Haneda Int’l Airport. Upon arrival at Haneda, transfer to International Airline Flight to Honolulu. Arrive in Honolulu the same morning, Nov. 19 (SUN) After clearing U.S. Customs, proceed home. (Lunch & dinner will be at your own expense.) 

Clients remaining back will be assisted in obtaining plane, train, and hotel reservations. Members may return to Honolulu individually, but no later than 90 days from day of departure. Weekend returns will cost more per person. Please call our office if you are extending your stay. MAHALO!

*Itinerary and Meals are subject to change at anytime.

*** TOUR CONDITIONS ***

AIR: Estimated airfare and May be more or May be less at time of ticket purchased. Airline tickets are Non-refundable once purchased unless you request a refundable ticket is usually charged by the airlines. 

INCLUDES: Land Transportation included in the itinerary, all hotel accommodations, meals, and all sightseeing listed, all transfer of passenger and baggage, souvenir picture and tour tax.

DOES NOT INCLUDE: AIRFARES, Individual expenses after termination of tour as stated in itinerary. Also, wine, liquor, mineral water, laundry and other items of personal nature, cost of obtaining passport and visa or other necessary documents.

LAND TOUR CANCELLATION POLICY PER-PERSON:

90 DAYS - 46 DAYS --- $800.00*

45 DAYS - 22 DAYS --- $1,000.00*

21 DAYS - 01 DAY ----- $1,500.00*

*No refund once tour starts. *May have extra cancellation charges along with the preordered event tickets for Miyako Odori show tickets, Tokyo Disney Sea tickets, Shinkansen ticket fee, etc. If Yen was already purchase to pay for this tour, Then the Yen exchange rate at time of refund will affect the refund since we have to convert the Yen back to U.S. dollars again.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CALL: TOHOKU TRAVEL SERVICE, INC. 

TOLL FREE PH: 1-888-966-3666

PH: 808-536-8618

EMAIL:contactus@tohokutravel.com 

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