TOUR ITINERARY

25 FEB (TUE) HONOLULU

Leave Daniel K. Inouye International Airport. A meal and snack will be served aboard the flight. There will be FREE Movies and Drinks.

26 FEB (WED) HAKATA,

HOTEL NIKKO FUKUOKA

We arrived at Haneda International Airport, and after clearing government formalities, we transferred to our domestic flight to Fukuoka, the largest city in Kyushu. Japan’s third-largest island offers modern towns, many historical treasures, and natural beauty with the grandeur of ever-changing landscapes. We will stay two nights at a hotel located within easy walking distance of Hakata train station with a fantastic shopping district consisting of a Department store, Tokyu Hands, UNIQLO, Local Souvenir shops, and a variety of Restaurants from local foods to High-class gourmet, etc. 

27 FEB (THU) HAKATA,

HOTEL NIKKO FUKUOKA

Go Dazaifu was an important administrative center of Japan about 1,000 years ago. We will visit Tenmangu Shrine, Kyushu’s most holy place and a must-see destination. It will be the best time to visit the shrine to see the colorful 6,000 Ume trees bloom and fill the garden. (depending on the climate of the year). The approach to the shrine is lined with various local shops, including shops selling local specialty “Umegae mochi.” You will get a chance when it’s best eaten hot off the grill, which is only available at the place. Kyushu is made up of 7 prefectures, and each prefecture has some of Japan’s most uniquely flavored local dishes. We will explore Kyushu’s unique and varied food culture through this tour! It seamlessly blends Japanese, Chinese, and Western sensibilities. Today’s lunch will be Fukuoka prefecture’s famous local specialty, Chicken Mizutaki hot pot, a chicken hot pot dish that has a longstanding history and originated as a Japanese home-style dish with international influences adding to the mix, Western consommé techniques and Chinese chicken stewing methods. Later, visit the Machiya Furusato Museum in the 150-year-old houses of a traditional weaver. You will learn Hakata's history and cultural heritage with the creative displays of folk culture and items used in everyday life. It will be a perfect place to purchase Hakata’s traditional crafts such as Hakata textiles, dolls, etc. You will get a chance to enjoy strolling at Kawabata Shopping Arcade, Hakata’s oldest shopping street lined with various kinds of stores carrying traditional souvenirs of Hakata, Japanese tea, Kimono shops, etc. There’s a shop selling the famous “Strawberry Daifuku,” praised as “The best in Japan,” available only for a limited season, and the expiration date is Today! 

28 FEB (FRI) SASEBO,

HOTEL OKURA JR HUIS TEN BOSCH (ONSEN) ♨

Head to Ogi to visit Yokan (a thick, jellied dessert made of red bean paste) Shop. Yokan is one of the traditional sweets that represent Japan. Especially, Ogi Yokan is historically old and highly regarded as a famous brand. You can enjoy shopping for local specialty sweets. Then, you can go to Ushinoo Ume Forest, the best Ume flower viewing place in Kyushu since the 19th century. 13,000 Ume trees lining over at the foot of a mountain. Today, we will enjoy lunch of Saga prefecture’s local cuisine, the premium quality wagyu Saga beef. Then to Kyushu’s most popular sightseeing spot Huis Ten Bosch a medieval theme park that recreates a Dutch town in the 17th century. The entire park is filled with life-size replicas of old Dutch-style buildings, lovely windmills, etc., with picturesque canals and beautiful flowers that make you feel like you are in the Netherlands. You can enjoy various types of entertainment, including the spectacular “Takarazuka style Revue show.” With great singing and dancing by female dancers called the “Broadway in Japan.” The location of our hotel is right in front of Huis Ten Bosch, with an extensive gift shop, pastry shop, Onsen Hot Spring bath, and Open-air bath. After dinner, those who want to go back to the park again will experience the Kingdom of Lights festival, with over 13 million lights and illumination displays throughout the park. It was awarded Number 1 in the National Illumination Ranking for ten consecutive years and called the “World’s greatest light festival.” 

1 MAR (SAT) NAGASAKI,

HOTEL NEW NAGASAKI

Kyushu is a prominent producer of strawberries. Today, we will enjoy “Strawberry picking” in season. You can taste sweet and fresh Japanese strawberries as many as you like. Then, proceed to Nagasaki, an intriguing and attractive city with an incredible history and close ties to Europe and China. Today’s lunch will be Nagasaki prefecture’s famous local specialty dish, “Turkish rice,” a pork cutlet on rice pilaf, spaghetti, and salad on one plate. It’s like a plate lunch in Hawaii. Then, we will visit Nagasaki’s most popular spot, “Glover Garden,” an emblem of Nagasaki known as the setting for the famous opera Madame Butterfly. The elegance of the period of foreign settlement, nestled in the scenic background, offers a superb and extensive view of Nagasaki Harbor. The garden features the 161-year-old former Glover Residence, Japan’s oldest western wooden building that has been added to the list of UNESCO’s World Heritage sites. Then, visit Dejima, a historical site of the former Dutch trading post that was Japan’s only “Window to the outside world” during the national isolation period (1641-1859). You can enjoy strolling at an open-air museum with many traditional buildings, including various residences for Dutch traders, warehouses, a protestant school, etc. We will stay two nights at a hotel next to the shopping building with souvenir shops carrying Nagasaki’s local souvenirs, a supermarket, Tokyu Hands, etc. After hotel check-in, tour guides will take you to Holo-Holo near the hotel. 

2 MAR (SUN) NAGASAKI,

HOTEL NEW NAGASAKI

Nagasaki’s unique history has tremendously influenced Chinese and Dutch culture. We will visit Koshibyo Shrine, Japan’s only full-scale Chinese-style Confucius mausoleum, built in 1893. This colorful, atmospheric shrine is quite prominent and represents the unique culture of Nagasaki. The museum exhibits a wide range of artifacts from China that show a close relation to Nagasaki. Today’s lunch will be “Saraudon Fried Noodle,” a significant noodle dish representing Nagasaki gourmet food. Enjoy the rich flavor of a combination of crispy, thin, fried noodles with a thick sauce of fresh ingredients mixed with the original chicken-based sauce. You can enjoy shopping for Pearl products at the lunch place, one of Nagasaki’s specialties.  After lunch, visit Nagasaki Peace Park, which commemorates the city’s destruction by the Atomic Bomb that was dropped on Aug. 9, 1945. A massive Peace Statue and various other statues promote and urge the concept of World Peace. We will also visit the Atomic Bomb Museum, aiming to contribute to the abolition of nuclear weapons and the realization of lasting world peace. Tonight’s dinner will be at a restaurant halfway up the mountain that offers a breathtaking panoramic view of Nagasaki City Skyline, considered “1 of 3 most spectacular night views in the world,” along with Hong Kong and Monaco. 

3 MAR (MON) KUMAMOTO,

HOTEL NIKKO KUMAMOTO

Head to Unzen-Amakusa National Park. We will stop at Chijiwa Observatory, where you can see the scenery interweaving sites such as Tachibana Bay, Chijiwa Beach, and Mt. Unzen volcano. You can buy Nagasaki’s most popular souvenir sweets, “Castella sponge cake,” at a direct sales store. Later, catch a 45-minute ferry ride to the third largest city in Kyushu, “Kumamoto,” an old castle town blessed with abundant nature. Today’s lunch will be the soul food of the Kumamoto people, “Taipi En soup,” a healthy noodle soup with plenty of toppings such as seafood and fried eggs. After lunch, we will visit Suizenji Garden. A spacious Japanese-style garden built in the 17th century is registered as a National Historic Site of Scenic Beauty. This landscape garden features the reproductions of the 53 post stations of the Tokaido road, which is the most crucial route in the Edo period, connecting Kyoto to Edo (modern-day Tokyo). Enjoy a relaxing walk along a circular path where you can even find a miniature Mt. Fuji. If you like Japanese sweets, you can try a local treat, “Ikinari Dango Dumpling,” with a fresh texture and simple sweetness. It’s a steamed manju filled with thick Azuki red bean paste and mashed Japanese sweet potato sold at the shop on the approach to Suizenji Park. We will stay at an excellent city hotel in the city's center, close to the department store and shopping arcade. Enjoy Holo-Holo after hotel check-in! 

4 MAR (TUE) KAGOSHIMA,

KAGOSHIMA SUN ROYAL HOTEL (ONSEN) ♨ 

Head to Hitoyoshi, a 700-year-old castle town called a “Hidden gem in Kyushu.” We will visit Kamada Jozojo, a long-established Miso and Shoyu maker producing products with a unique flavor and aroma created by natural fermentation.   See where their Miso & Shoyu are made and enjoy shopping for their authentic products at their factory shop. Afterward, head to Kagoshima, which has been gaining attention because of a historical figure, "The Last Samurai" Takamori Saigo, who was born and raised in Kagoshima. Kagoshima is renowned for its black pork; we will enjoy a Tonkatsu pork cutlet lunch. After lunch, we will visit Sengan-en Garden. This beautiful Japanese-style landscape garden attracts tourists because of its distinction of being “1 of the 36 Japan’s most stunning places” selected by CNN. This World Heritage site was constructed in 1658 with delicate design and refined taste, using Kinko Bay to resemble the pond and Sakurajima Island as the miniature mountain of the garden. Those who want to try their specialty, “Jambo Mochi,” can do so. This giant Moch dumpling is served on two bamboo skewers and is said to have been loved by Samurais in this area. We will stay at a modern city hotel that faces Sakurajima Island, the symbol of Kagoshima. Enjoy a relaxing soak in the Onsen Hot Spring bath while viewing Sakurajima Island in the distance. 

5 MAR (WED) MIYAZAKI,

MIYAZAKI KANKO HOTEL (ONSEN) ♨ 

Today, we will visit the Museum of Meiji Restoration; you can learn about the dramatic history of the Meiji Restoration, called “The End of the Samurai Era,” with the robotic show, including Takamori Saigo, appearing with English translation. Then, catch a 15-minute ferry, which allows you to enjoy the beauty of Kinko Bay and Sakurajima Island, one of the world’s most active volcanoes with minor eruptions, which occur multiple times per day. After landing on the island, you can feel the power of nature when you can see steam rising from the earth. Today, we will enjoy the local seafood of Kagoshima for lunch. Then, proceed to Miyazaki, known for its natural splendor thanks to an environment of rich nature, green mountains, and a beautiful coastline. We will visit Aoshima Island, a National Special Natural Monument with an unusual wavy rock formation called Oni-no Sentakuita (Ogre’s washboard), with stripe patterns that show up at low tide. These perfectly straight rows of rock look as if they were manmade. We will stay at a popular resort hotel across the Oyodo River. Enjoy a relaxing soak at the Onsen Hot Spring bath and Open-air bath.  

6 MAR (THU) BEPPU,

MORINOYU RESORT (ONSEN) ♨

Go to Saitobaru, a National Historic Site where more than 300 burial mounds from the 4th ~ 7th century are scattered around, the largest site in Japan. We will visit the Archaeological Museum, which displays excavated artifacts from the tombs and takes you back to ancient times in Japan. Today’s lunch will be Miyazaki prefecture’s most popular local cuisine, “Chicken Nanban, or Fried chicken with tartar sauce. This regional specialty was inspired by the Portuguese meal, which is thought to have been brought to Kyushu in the 17th century by Portuguese traders. Then, go to Usuki to see the most celebrated Buddha sculptures carved into the cliff during the 12th- 14th centuries. The high-quality number of sculptures represents Japanese piety and Japan’s National Treasure. Then, proceed to Beppu, called “Onsen Hot Spring Capital” because of the world’s 2nd largest source of thermal spring water after Yellowstone National Park. Enjoy the famous Beppu’s Onsen Hot Spring bath and Open-air bath tonight. You can use the mixed bathing Onsen “Soranoyu” while wearing a bathing suit. A limited number of bathing suits are available for rent if you don't have one or didn't bring one. You can rent a bathing suit if you don't bring one.

7 MAR (FRI) KOKURA,

RIHGA ROYAL HOTEL KOKURA

We will enjoy the incredible attraction in Beppu Jigoku (Hell of Boiling Spring). Tour the hot springs for spectacular views instead of bathing, which has a different effect. Chinoike Jigoku (Blood Pond Hell) features a pond of hot, blood-red water. This amazing pond takes its impressive color from red clay that dissolves in the natural hot spring water. And see Umi Jigoku (Sea Hell). One of the most beautiful hells features a pond of boiling, turquoise-blue water that resembles the sea. Its waters are 394ft deep and with a temperature of 208 degrees F. Today’s lunch will be a local specialty of Oita prefecture, Toriten (chicken tempura), Dango Soup (Miso soup with strip-shaped wheat dumplings), and Yaseuma (a sweet dessert of hand-pulled dumplings covered with sweetened soybean flour). After lunch, we will go to Ao-no Domon, the rugged 600-foot-long tunnel that one Buddhist monk in the 18th century dug only using a chisel hand, and it took 30 years to complete. You can feel the monk’s indomitable spirit trying to repent for his sins. Then, proceed to Kita Kyushu, the second largest city in Kyushu. We will stay two nights at a hotel near Kokura train station and its shopping area. After hotel check-in, the tour guide will take you "Holo-Holo" to the station area. 

8 MAR (SAT) KOKURA,

RIHGA ROYAL HOTEL KOKURA

Today, we will leave Kyushu and head to Japan’s Main island (Honshu). We will cross the Kanmon Straits to Shimonoseki in Yamaguchi prefecture, at the end of Japan’s main island. This strategic location has made it historically significant. It’s known for some great historical sea battles in Japanese history, such as the battle leading to the fall of the Heike clan in 1185 and the duel between Musashi Miyamoto and Kojiro Sasaki in 1612. We will visit the famous Karato Fish Market for fun shopping for dried seafood, seaweed, processed sea products, etc., with a lively atmosphere. For seafood lovers, this will be the best chance to enjoy today’s freshly caught Sushi at the famous fish market (You can purchase at your own expense from 1 piece to several pieces). Later, visit Shiranoe Botanical Garden to see the early bloomers from the 60 varieties of 800 Sakura Cherry trees, depending on mother nature. Before returning to the hotel, we will also enjoy shopping at Aeon Shopping Mall. (Lunch & Dinner will be at your own expense)  

9 MAR (SUN) KOKURA / HONOLULU

At check-out time, our agent will tape and tie up the boxes and take the baggage to be checked in. I will go to Fukuoka Airport in the afternoon to catch a domestic flight from Japan Airlines to Haneda Airport. Then, catch our Japan Airlines international flight in the evening to Honolulu. Arrive in Honolulu the same morning, MAR 9 (Sunday). After clearing U.S. Customs, proceed home. (Lunch & Dinner will be at your own expense)

Clients remaining back can get plane, train, and hotel reservations. Members may return to Honolulu individually by 90 days from departure. Weekend returns will cost more per person. Please call our office if you are extending your stay. MAHALO!

*Price, Itinerary, and Meals are subject to change without notice.*

*** TOUR CONDITIONS ***

INCLUDES: Land transportation included in the itinerary, all hotel accommodations, meals, sightseeing listed, tax, all passenger and baggage transfers, and a souvenir group picture.

DOES NOT INCLUDE: Individual expenses after tour termination as stated in the itinerary—the cost of obtaining all personal items, passport/visa, and other necessary documents. 

AIR: JAL's TFS (Fuel Surcharge) determines the final price for the group economy booking. For premium economy, business, and outer-island bookings, please don't hesitate to contact our office for a price quote whenever you can. For more information, please refer to the Airline Questions segment of our Frequently Asked Questions. 

LAND TOUR CANCELLATION POLICY PER PERSON:

A non-refundable and non-transferable deposit of $250.00 per person is required at tour sign-up. This deposit will be applied to the full payment.

70 DAYS - 46 DAYS --- $800.00*

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

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

*No refund once the tour starts. *There may be extra cancellation charges along with the preordered event tickets for Miyako Odori show tickets, Tokyo Disney Sea tickets, Shinkansen ticket fees, etc. If the yen has already been purchased to pay for this tour, then the yen exchange rate at the 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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