TOUR ITINERARY
05 NOV (TUE) HONOLULU
Leave Daniel K. Inouye International Airport. Japan Airline Flight #73 Departing Honolulu at 11:55 P.M. A meal and snack will be served aboard the flight. Free Movies and Drinks.
06 NOV (WED) FUKUOKA,
HOTEL NIKKO FUKUOKA
Arrive at Haneda International Airport and after clearing government formalities, transfer to domestic flight JAL #331 departing at 6:40 P.M. to Fukuoka largest city in Kyushu, Japan’s third largest island. We will stay 2 nights at hotel located within easy walking distance to Hakata station with a great shopping district consist of Department store, Tokyu Hands, Souvenir shops, Restaurants, etc.
07 NOV (THU) FUKUOKA,
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 at the lively market street. You can also find luxurious seafood that can’t be found elsewhere. Later we will 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. Later we will visit Hikiyama Exhibition Hall exhibits Giant festival floats for Karatsu Kunchi Festival that having 400 years history and registered as a UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage. You will see beautiful and majestic floats in design of variety of forms such as Samurai helmets, lions, dragons, a sea bream, killer whale, etc.
08 NOV (FRI) KUMAMOTO,
KOKO HOTEL PREMIER KUMAMOTO
Visit Fujii Apiary, producing variety of delicious Japanese honeys since 1909. We will learn the process of making the production of honeys and see the demonstration using beehives. Then go to the once Japan’s largest coal mining town Omuta, known for famous Bon dance song “Tanko bushi.” 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 1,300 feet underground where you can view the impressive array of real mining machinery. Then we proceed to the third largest city in Kyushu “Kumamoto,” an old castle town blessed with an abundance of nature. We will 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 in 1877. 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. We will stay newly opened 2022 hotel that is connected to New Shopping complex with supermarket, 100 Yen shop, Grocery store, etc. Tour guide will assist you for “Holo-Holo” after hotel check in.
09 NOV (SAT) AMAKUSA,
HOTEL ALEGRIA GARDENS AMAKUSA (ONSEN) ♨
In the morning enjoy “Must Try Autumn Flavor of Japan” Seasonal Fruit Picking (Persimmon or Tangerine). Try picking and taste sweat Japanese Autumn fruit in season. Then visit Misumi West Port. This 140 years old historic masonry-stone wharf has been 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 through the “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 cannot miss chance for shopping beautiful pearl products including accessory at Pearl Center. We will also visit Amakusa Christian Museum introduces Amakusa Shiro who was the teenage leader of famous Christian peasant uprising in 1637 against Edo Shogunate that was prohibiting Christianity. We will stay Spa Resort hotel has relaxing Onsen Hot Spring bath and Open-Air bath. Private Onsen are available at your own expense also!
10 NOV (SUN) SATASUMA SENDAI,
HOTEL GREEN HILL KAGOSHIMA (ONSEN) ♨
Go to another 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. We will visit Sakitsu Church, a symbol of the village and the Christian revival. It will be interesting seeing a beautiful example of a fusion of Western and Japanese culture with a Gothic-looking church with traditional tatami flooring inside. Then catch a ferry (30 minutes) to Kagoshima. After arrival, we will head to Izumi city to watch the “Nabe-Zuru” over 80% of the Hooded Crane migrate every winter from Russia about 10,000 cranes will make it their winter home to get away from the freezing Siberian winter. Tonight’s Onsen Resort Hotel has a Onsen Hot Spring Bath that from 100% pure hot spring water.
11 NOV (MON) IBUSUKI,
IBUSUKI HAKUSUIKAN (ONSEN) ♨
Today we will visit Marutake Samurai Armor Factory where they produce traditional Samurai amour for modern times. This company became World Famous because they made the Samurai helmet that 2023 MLB MVP Shohei Otani teammates crowned him every time he hits a homerun. This was so popular that everyone on the team that hits a homerun would be crowned using the same Samurai Helmet. Even 2019 MLB MVP Mike Trout has been seen getting crowned after hitting a homerun. You will also see a huge collection of all types of amours they produce for Samurai movies and TV dramas. Afterwards we will go to Amami-no Sato where you can learn about culture and nature of Amami Island, Japan’s latest World Natural Heritage Site. We will see beautiful Oshima Tsumugi Textile and Amami style traditional garden. Next, we will visit Satsuma Muso Shochu Factory. Shochu is Japanese distilled liquor first appeared in Kyushu over 500 years ago. We will be learning about the distilling process of Shochu afterwards you will have time to sample their products and shopping. We will make a stop at Ariyoshi Yakusugi Cedar Center that carries a big selection of wood crafts made of Yakusugi Cedar that are a primitive species that has been growing on Yakushima Island and most of them are over 1,000 years old. Then head to Ibusuki, one of Kyushu’s most popular hot spring areas and exclusively famous for its sand bath. Your own expense you can try this unique bathing experience of you being buried in the hot sand while wearing a yukata. Afterwards you can enjoy relaxing soak at Onsen Hot Spring bath.
12 NOV (TUE) KAGOSHIMA,
SHIROYAMA HOTEL KAGOSHIMA (ONSEN) ♨
We will see rare and valuable collection of world-renowned Satsuma pottery at Satsuma Denshokan. This 400 years traditional craft of Japan has been admired by Westerners as the finely detailed technique art appearing almost superhuman since the 19th century. We will visit Lake Ikeda, the largest volcanic lake in Kyushu. This lake is home to Giant Unagi Eel we will get a up close view of them. We will visit Saigo Memorial Museum presenting the life and achievements of “Last Samurai” Saigo Takamori was the leading force of the Meiji Restoration in 1867 to 1868 spearheading the modernization of Japan. This Museum displays his possessions, clothing, his handwritten diary, personal letters, etc. You can also visit Saigo’s grave at Nanshu Cemetery where he’s buried with 2000 of his associates. Afterwards we will visit the 365-years old World Cultural Heritage Site Senganen Garden also known as Isoteien, this Japanese-style landscape garden along the coastline to Kagoshima. This traditional garden uses the principle of “borrowed scenery,” incorporating the background elements of the active volcano Sakurajima and Kagoshima Bay as part of the garden. Tonight’s hotel we will be staying two nights at this luxurious hotel facing to the magnificent Sakurajima Island, the symbol of Kagoshima. Enjoy a relaxing soak in the Hot Spring bath with views of Sakurajima and Kagoshima city from a height of 354 feet above sea level, enjoy soaking in an outdoor onsen filled with natural hot spring water wells up from 3,280 feet underground. Satsumanoyu’s hot spring waters contain minerals that will leave your skin feeling smooth and rejuvenated.
13 NOV (WED) KAGOSHIMA,
SHIROYAMA HOTEL KAGOSHIMA (ONSEN) ♨
Today we will head to Chiran, a small town with rich history called “Small Kyoto.” To visit the Kamikaze Fighter Museum, this museum is dedicated to the lives and deceases of 1,036 suicide Kamikaze fighters. They have thousands of exhibitions 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. Next, we will enjoy a leisurely stroll and history lesson about the graceful Samurai residential area that is selected as the Important Preservation Districts for Groups of Traditional Buildings. You can visit immaculate gardens are designated as a National Cultural Asset by being evaluated as a place of scenic beauty. Next 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 and often used for decoration of Butsudan, Festival float, etc. This hotel offers shuttle bus frequently running back and forth between Train station where you can enjoy shopping for local goodies and souvenirs of Kagoshima.
14 NOV (THU) ASO,
GREEN PIA MINAMI ASO (ONSEN) ♨
Visit Sogi Water Fall often called “Niagara Falls in the Orient” at an impressive 680 ft. wide and 40 ft. tall. We will visit the observatory providing stunning up-close views of this very mighty waterfall that’s been selected as one of Japan’s most beautiful spots. It is expected that the trees surrounding the falls will turn to the Autumn Color Red during this season. Later we will 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 their boat with amazing skill with the spirit of traditional Japanese past time dating back to Edo period. Then proceed to Mt. Aso widely known for the world biggest caldera with a circumference of around 75 miles. We will stay at award winning mountain resort located at the scenic outer rim of Mt. Aso. Enjoy a relaxing soak at Hot Spring bath and Open-air bath with a magnificent scenery of Mt Aso.
15 NOV (FRI) KOKURA,
RIHGA ROYAL HOTEL KOKURA
In the morning we will enjoy a refreshing ride on the Aso trolley train immersing you in a nostalgic atmosphere of days gone by. This train runs slowly through lush landscapes to marvel at the natural splendors with a magnificent Mt. Aso. Later visit Kitazato Shibasaburo Memorial Museum here we will learn the life of “the father of bacteriology in Japan” he discovered the antibodies to fight against infectious disease. He will be featured of new 1,000-yen bill in 2024. We will drive along the Yabakei Scenic Road while taking in the beautiful Autumn Colors known as the “Best Autumn leaves spot in Kyushu.” Heading to the city of Kokura the 2nd biggest city in Kyusu. Tonight’s hotel we will be staying 2 nights that is located right across Kokura station with souvenir shop, 100-yen shop, etc. After hotel check in, tour guides will take you “Holo-Holo” to shopping area.
16 NOV (SAT) KOKURA,
RIHGA ROYAL HOTEL KOKURA
Our last day of sightseeing we will visit the impressive Kokura Castle. You will be given time to explore the inside the reconstructed castle. The tower houses historical artifacts with displays and exhibits, there is a movie and other attractions that use the latest technology. We will cross Kanmon Staits to get Shimonoseki, in Yamaguchi Prefecture. Known for 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 will also visit the famous Karato Fish Market for some exciting shopping for dried seafood, seaweed, etc. This is your best chance to enjoy freshly 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.)
17 NOV (SUN) KOKURA / HONOLULU
At check-out time our agent will come around to tape and tie-up the boxes and take the baggage’s to be checked-in down. In the afternoon go to Fukuoka Airport to catch our Japan Airlines domestic flight # 324 to Haneda airport at 5:25 P.M. After arrival to Haneda we will transfer from domestic terminal to the international terminal to catch our Japan Airlines international flight # 74 departing for Honolulu at 9:00 P.M. We will arrive in Honolulu the same morning, 17 NOV (Sunday). 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:
69 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 LLC
TOLL FREE PH: 1-888-966-3666
PH: 808-536-8618
EMAIL:contactus@tohokutravel.com
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