HIGHLIGHTS

Unique experiences:

Imari Porcelain Pigeon Painting Workshop, Minami Shimabara Dolphin Cruise, Shinkansen Bullet Train Experience (Green Car), Sand Bath Experience

Special Arrangement:

The Rail Kitchen Chikugo

Sightseeing & Shopping Experiences:

Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine, Okawachiyama Pottery Village, Huis Ten Bosch, Glover Garden, Oura Tenshudo Church, Kumamoto Castle, Sengan-en, Sakurajima Visitor Center, Arimura Lava Observatory, Aoshima Jingu Shrine, Oni no Sentakuita, Takachiho Gorge, Takachiho Shrine, Aso Daikanbo, Umi Jigoku Hell, Chinoike Jigoku Hell, Yufuin

Special Gourmet Delights:

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

Hotel / Ryokan Stays:

04-nights of authentic Japanese Onsen experience in Shimabara, Kagoshima, Miyazaki & Beppu. 03-nights of centrally located hotel in Nagasaki & Fukuoka

ITINERARY

Day 1 Assemble at Changi Airport for Check in

SQ656 SIN-FUK 0120-0810

Day 2 Fukuoka – Imari – Takeo 福岡 - 伊万 - 武雄

Hotel: Warakuen or similar / Japanese room

Meal: Meal on Board / L / D

Upon arrival at Fukuoka Airport, coach transfer to Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine (太宰府天滿宮). It enshrines Sugawara Michizane (845-903) as the god of academic achievement. During the entrance examination season each year, students from all over Japan will head to the shrine to pray for success in academic achievement. Next, transfer to Imari and stop for lunch [Japanese Set Menu] at a local restaurant and after that, visit the Okawachiyama Pottery Village (大川内山). Known as the Village of Hidden Kilns, this is where Japan’s imperial kilns were kept and was the official kiln of the Nabeshima family. The village was a representative production centre of porcelain where it produced high-quality pottery for the Imperial Court and various lords. Here, you will join an Imari Porcelain Pigeon Painting Workshop. Finally, transfer to the hotel for check in and dinner [Kaiseki].

Day 3 Takeo – Fukuoka – Sasebo 佐世保 - 福岡 - 平戸

Hotel: Hotel Okura Huis Ten Bosch or similar / Western room

Meal: B / L / -

This morning, we will board The Rail Kitchen Chikugo. This special sightseeing train travels through the rural Fukuoka and Chikugo regions. With a red-checkered exterior inspired by kitchen cloth and an interior designed with local resources, you can fully immerse yourself on board. The lunch on board is made with locally sourced ingredients such as Oki Town’s eryngii mushrooms and Hakata beef. The highlight of the meal would be freshly made pizza topped with seasonal vegetables served from the train’s built-in oven. After that, transfer to Nagasaki for hotel check-in. In the evening, we will visit Huis Ten Bosch (ハウステンボス). This is a theme that recreates a Dutch town and is named after one of the Dutch Royal Family’s residences. Here, there is a European atmosphere with picturesque canals, iconic windmills, beautiful gardens and architecture. In December, you can experience a ‘Kingdom of Lights’ with the illuminated streets and spectacular illuminations. Dinner will be at your own expense this evening and you can return to the hotel at your leisure.

Day 4 Sasebo – Nagasaki – Unzen 佐世保 - 長崎 - 雲仙

Hotel: Unzen Shinyu Hotel or similar / Japanese room

Meal: B / L / D

After breakfast, Glover Garden (グラバー園) which is an open-air museum of Western-style mansions of merchants from the West. The Former Glover House belonged to Thomas Glover, a Scottish merchant who assisted revolutionaries during the Meiji Restoration and plays a prominent role in Japan’s early industrialisation. Next, visit the Oura Tenshudo Church (大浦天主堂). This is Japan’s most famous and oldest Christian church built in 1864 at the end of the Edo period. It is also the first Western-style building in Japan to be designated as a national treasure. Today, the contemporary European architecture draws many tourists to learn more about the history of the church and Christianity in the region. This afternoon, lunch will be served at a local restaurant. After lunch, continue your journey to experience the Minami Shimabara Dolphin Cruise (みなみしまばらいるかうぉっちんぐ). There are approximately 200 wild dolphins settled in the Hayasaki Strait near Shimabara which you can spot from a boat throughout the year. Feel the dolphins up close and admire the sight of them swimming freely in the sparkling blue seas. Finally, transfer to Unzen Onsen for the hotel check in. Tonight, enjoy your dinner [Japanese Kaiseki] at the hotel.

Day 5 Unzen – Kumamoto – Kagoshima – Ibusuki 雲仙 - 熊本 - 鹿児島 - 指宿

Hotel: Ibusuki Seaside Hotel or similar / Western room

Meal: B / L / D

After breakfast, visit the Kumamoto Castle (熊本城), one of three most famous castles in Japan. It houses a museum which contains artefacts from the Kato and Hosokawa clans and detailed information on the castle’s remarkable history. After lunch [Japanese Set] at a local restaurant, take the Shinkansen Bullet Train Experience (Green Car) from Kumamoto to Kagoshima Station. Upon arrival at Kagoshima, coach transfer to Ibusuki for hotel check in. Tonight, enjoy dinner [Kaiseki] at the hotel and do not miss the Sand Bath Experience!

Day 6 Ibusuki – Kagoshima – Miyazaki 指宿 - 鹿児島 - 宮崎

Hotel: Sheraton Grande Ocean Resort or similar / Western room

Meal: B / L / D

This morning, start your day at Sengan-en (仙巌園). It is a Japanese-style landscaped garden along the coast of Kagoshima. In the park, you can see Sakurajima and the Kagoshima Bay as borrowed scenery. The garden also has small ponds, shrines and a bamboo grove. Next proceed to take a ferry to Sakurajima and visit the Sakurajima Visitor Center (さくらじまびじたーせんたー). The first stop on the island shares more about the volcano such as its past eruptions, formation and tourism activities. The next stop is Arimura Lava Observatory (有村溶岩展望所). The observation deck is one of the best viewing spots of the world-famous active volcano. Take the ferry back to Kagoshima and this afternoon, your lunch [Black Vinegar and Kurobuta Health Menu] will be served at a local restaurant. Thereafter, continue your journey to Aoshima Jingu Shrine (青島神社). The shrine is located off the shores of Southern Miyazaki and is nestled in a thick, tropical jungle. Follow the paths from the main building to explore the island and the smaller shrines. The shallow water around the island reveals a geological phenomenon called Oni no Sentakuita（鬼の洗濯板）which is also known as devil’s washboard. The perfectly straight rows of basalt rock are natural formations caused by ocean waves eroding the softer layers. Finally, transfer to hotel for check in. Tonight, enjoy your dinner [Buffet] at the hotel.

Day 7 Miyazaki – Usuki – Beppu 宮崎 - 臼杵 - 別府

Hotel: Grand Mercure Beppu Bay Resort & Spa or similar / R.O.H.

Meal: B / L / D

After breakfast, start your day at Takachiho Gorge (高千穂峡). Lining the gorge are volcanic basalt columns that resemble the scales of a dragon and the 17m high Minainotaki Waterfall cascading down to the river. This afternoon, your lunch [Takachiho Beef] will be served at a local restaurant. Following that, you will visit Takachiho Shrine (高千穂神社). The town is the site of one of the most important and well-known Japanese mythology legends. The story explores the Shinto sun goddess, Amaterasu, and today is performed for Kagura performances. Next, visit the Aso Daikanbo (大観峰). It is a natural observatory with the best 360-degree panoramic view of Mt. Aso’s peaks. On clear days, you will get the best views of the ‘sleeping buddha’ which is a silhouette formed by the 5 peaks of Mt. Aso. Finally, transfer to Beppu for hotel check in. Tonight, enjoy dinner [Kaiseki] at the hotel.

Day 8 Beppu – Yufuin – Kurume – Fukuoka 別府 - 由布院 - 久留米 - 福岡

Hotel: Hotel New Otani Hakata or similar / Western room

Meal: B / - / -

This morning, start the morning at Beppu Jigoku Hell (別府地獄めぐり). It features 7 different hot springs such as the Umi-Jigoku was created by a volcanic explosion at Tsurumidake Mountain about 1200 years ago. It is famous for its sea-blue cobalt blue hot spring water. You can also visit Chinoike Jigoku Hell which features a pond of hot red water. Next, transfer to Yufuin (由布院温泉) and explore the quaint onsen town on your own this afternoon. Besides the main shopping streets for all your souvenir needs, take a short walk to the rural streets for a slower pace of life. Lake Kinrin is a must-visit when you are here, with misty views caused by the warm hot spring water rising into the cool winter air. Lunch will be under your own arrangement here. We will then proceed to Fukuoka for hotel check in. Tonight, enjoy a free and easy time in the city and dinner will be at your leisure.

Day 9 Fukuoka – Singapore 福岡 - 新加坡

Meal: B / - / -

SQ655 FUK-SIN 0945-1520

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

We hope that you have enjoyed this vacation with JTB and we look forward to helping you create your next perfect moments, always!