HIGHLIGHTS

Autumn Leaves Viewing:

Mifuneyama Rakuen Garden, Yutoku Inari Shrine, Unzen Ropeway, Kirishima Jingu Shrine, Takachiho Gorge, Yabakei Gorge Hitome Hakkei

Unique experiences:

Ferry from Shimabara to Kumamoto, Shinkansen from Kumamoto to Izumi (Kagoshima), Ibusuki Sand Bath, Tea Picking, Fruit Picking

Special Activities:

Hygge Experience in the Woods

Sightseeing & Shopping Experiences:

Castella Land, Unzen Hell, Kumamoto Castle, Sakuranobaba Joseien, Shimotori Shopping Street, Soginotaki Park, Shiroyama Observatory "The Great View of Sakurajima", Satsuma Denshokan, Kurozu Pot Field “Tsubo Batake”, Onino Sentaku Ita Coast, Umi Jigoku Hell, Chinoike Jigoku Hell

Special Gourmet Delights:

Sumptuous Japanese multi-course dinner Japanese Kaiseki or buffet in Ryokans/Hotels, local delights at restaurant

Hotel / Ryokan Stays:

03 nights of authentic Japanese Onsen experience in Ibusuki, Kirishima & Beppu. 04 nights of centrally located hotels in Nagasaki, Kumamoto & Fukuoka

ITINERARY

Day 1 Assemble at Changi Airport for Check in

SQ656 SIN-FUK 0120-0810

Day 2 Fukuoka – Takeo – Nagasaki 福岡 - 武雄 - 長崎

Hotel: The Global View Nagasaki or similar / Western room

Meal: Meal on Board / L / D

Upon arrival at Fukuoka Airport, coach transfer to Takeo city and visit Mifuneyama Rakuen Garden (御船山楽園) ✿. The 50-hectare garden is located at the base of Mt. Mifuneyama and in autumn, the landscape is filled with red, orange and yellow fall leaves. Next, proceed for lunch [Japanese Set with Saga Beef] at a local restaurant before transferring to Kashima for Yutoku Inari Shrine (祐徳稲荷神社) ✿. This Shrine is known for its vermillion-lacquered main shrine building, built on a slope, and is sometimes called the Nikko of Chinzei. Take a brief break at Castella Land (カステラランド) where you can purchase Castella cakes, a popular confectionery in Nagasaki. Continue on the transfer to Nagasaki city for hotel check in and enjoy your dinner [Western Course] at the hotel.

Day 3 Nagazaki – Unzen – Shimabara – Kumamoto 長崎 - 雲仙 - 島原 - 熊本

Hotel: ANA Crowne Plaza Hotel Kumamoto New Sky / Kumamoto Hotel Castle or similar / Western room

Meal: B / L / -

After breakfast, begin your day at Unzen Hell（雲仙地獄）.High-temperature hot springs and gasses erupt violently from everywhere, and with the strong smell of sulfur, the steamy scenery evokes a vision of hell. You will also take the Unzen Ropeway (雲仙ロープウェイ) ✿ to view the fall foliage lining the slopes of the active volcano. At the peak of Mt. Unzen, enjoy the cooler weather as you enjoy the warm colored scenery. After that, have lunch [Japanese Set] at a local restaurant. Next, take the ferry to Kumamoto Pier and visit Kumamoto Castle (熊本城), which is considered to be one of the three most famous castles in Japan and bustling with numerous tourists throughout the year. Continue your journey to visit Sakuranobaba Josaien (城彩苑) for shopping. Located at the foot of Kumamoto Castle, it brings together 23 shops selling specialty items unique to Kumamoto Prefecture. Followed by free time at Shimotori Shopping Street (下通商店街), the largest shopping arcade in Kumamoto Prefecture. Dinner will be under your own here. After dinner, transfer to the hotel for check in.

Day 4 Kumamoto – Kagoshima – Ibusuki 熊本 - 鹿児島 - 指宿

Hotel: Hakusuikan or similar / Japanese Western room

Meal: B / L / D

After breakfast, tranfer to Kumamoto Station and take the Shinkansen to Kagoshima. Upon arrival at Izumi station (Kagoshima), meet our driver and visit Soginotaki Park (曽木の滝公園). Known as the Niagara Falls of the East, take in the impressive scenery of waterfalls amongst autumn leaves! Next, have lunch [Japanese Set] at a local restaurant and transfer to Kagoshima after. You will get to enjoy the best view of Sakurajima from the Shiroyama Observatory (城山公園). After that, transfer to Ibusuki and upon arrival, visit Satsuma Denshokan (薩摩伝承館). The museum is a temple-style building that has the illusion of floating on a lake. Inside the museum, it is filled with the history and culture of the Kagoshima region. Finally, transfer to hotel for check in. Before enjoying dinner [Japanese Kaiseki] at the hotel restaurant don’t forget to pamper yourself at the Special Sand Bath (砂風呂) in the hotel.

Day 5 Ibusuki – Kirishima 指宿 - 霧島

Hotel: Kirishima Hotel / Kirishima Kokusai Hotel or similar / Western room

Meal: B / L / D

After breakfast, transfer to Chiran city and experience Tea Picking! The city boasts one of the highest tea productions with a history of more than 90 years. Next, transfer to Kirishima and visit a local restaurant for lunch [Kagoshima Black Pork Set]. After lunch, visit Kurozu Pot - Field (坂元のくろず). Kurozu is black vinegar produced from unpolished rice that uses the tsubo-dzukuri (jar-making) method in Fukuyama Town. Normally, vinegar is produced in factories with artificial room temperature and humidity management. But Kurozu is produced outdoors in rows of jars that take advantage of the natural environment. Thereafter, visit the Kirishima Jingu Shrine (霧島神宮) ✿. The original shrine was built at a different location during the Muromachi Period and the current one was constructed in 1715. Surrounded by forests, the backdrop of the shrine turns warm, filled with the autumn colors. Finally, transfer to Aoshima for hotel check in. Tonight, dinner [Japanese Kaiseki] will be served at the hotel.

Day 6 Kirishima – Takachiho Gorge – Beppu 霧島 - 高千穂峡 - 別府

Hotel: Suginoi Hotel or similar / Western room

Meal: B / L / D

After breakfast, visit Oni no Sentakuita Coast (鬼の洗濯板). Nicknamed Devil’s washboard, the coastal rocks are sandstone layered upon each other. This is caused by the natural erosion of waves that removed the soft layers, creating a washboard look. After that, proceed to Takakchiho and enjoy lunch [Beef Steak Set] at a local restaurant before proceeding to Takachiho Gorge (高千穂峡) ✿. It is a V-shaped gorge created by the Gokase River. Red-tinted precipitous cliffs rising up on both sides of the gorge extend for a long distance. Finally, transfer to hotel for check in and dinner [Buffet].

Day 7 Beppu – Yabakei Gorge – Asakura – Fukuoka 別府 - 耶馬渓 - 朝倉 - 福岡

Hotel: Hotel Monterey La Soeur Fukuoka / Hotel New Otani Fukuoka or similar / Western room

Meal: B / L / D

After breakfast, visit Umi Jigoku Hell (海地獄 ). The Umi-Jigoku was created by a volcanic explosion of Tsurumidake Mountain about 1200 years ago. It is famous and for its sea-blue cobalt blue hot spring water. You will also be visiting Chinoike Jigoku Hell (血の池地獄), which features a pond of hot red water. Transfer to Yabakei Gorge for lunch [Tempura & Soba Set] at a local restaurant first before heading to Hitome Hakkei (一目八景) ✿. Literally translating to one look, eight scenic views, and the observation point offers eight different views in Yabakei Gorge. The stone pillars are entwined with maple trees that reveal a layered, various shades of red and yellow scenery in autumn. Next, transfer to Asakura for Fruit Picking, where you will enjoy persimmon picking in season. Finally, transfer to Fukuoka for dinner [Western Course] at a local restaurant before heading to the hotel for check in.

Day 8 Fukuoka 福岡

Hotel: Hotel Monterey La Soeur Fukuoka / Hotel New Otani Fukuoka or similar / Western room

Meal: B / L / -

This morning, enjoy a Hygge Experience in the Woods. Hygge is a Danish lifestyle that aims to create a warm atmosphere to enjoy the good things in life with good people. Take a relaxing break in nature with the sounds of the river flowing and rustling leaves while you enjoy various experiences such as a pizza baking experience, wood splitting, fire starting and toasting marshmallows. Savor the Pizza you baked before heading back to the hotel. The rest of the day will be free and easy at your leisure, with dinner arrangements left to your own preferences.

Day 9 Fukuoka – Singapore 福岡 - 新加坡

SQ655 FUK-SIN 0945-1520

Meal: B / - / -

After breakfast, bid farewell to Kyushu as we proceed to the airport to take a flight back to Singapore.

JTB Singapore