Leisurely Sojourn: Beppu Hot Springs & Kumamoto Discovery 7 Days

Day 1

Oita Airport / Kitsuki / Beppu

■ We visit Kitsuki, the castle town of the Kunisaki Peninsula, from Oita Airport. Enjoy exploring the castle town with its beautiful streetscape of continuous white walls and charming sloping roads.

■ After the stroll, we proceed to your hotel in Beppu.

Accommodation：Beppu (3 nights)

Day 2

Beppu / Takegawara district / Beppu Hells, Hell Museum

■ In the morning, we guide you on a stroll around the Takegawara hot spring area, which is close to your hotel and exudes a retro atmosphere.

■ Afterwards, we take you on the Beppu Hell Tour, visiting Beppu’s diverse hot spring sources.

■ We also introduce you to the Beppu Hell Museum, which presents Beppu hot springs from multiple perspectives.

■ After lunch, you have free time.

Accommodation：Beppu

Day 3

Beppu (Fishing boat cruise, morning market visit and breakfast at the market Kannawa district)

■ Early morning, we take you on a fishing boat cruise to view the Kunisaki Peninsula from the sea. After arriving at Ogami Fishing Port, you’ll tour the morning market alongside local fishermen. You’ll explore the market whilst listening to stories from the locals. Following the tour, you’ll enjoy a fisherman’s breakfast. Afterwards, we return to Beppu by boat and have a brief rest at the hotel.

■ We then guide you to Kannawa district, another exploration highlight of Beppu. New workshops and galleries have opened amongst the retro townscape, making it a fresh exploration point for Beppu.

■ Afternoon free time.

Accommodation：Beppu

Day 4

Beppu / Yufuin / Daikanbo Observatory / Kumamoto　

■ We head to Yufuin, a hot spring resort known as Beppu’s inner sanctuary. In Yufuin, you’ll enjoy strolling through the town with magnificent views of Mount Yufu and the impressive, beautiful Lake Kinrin.

■ After lunch, we travel to Aso via the “Yamanami Highway,” a scenic road that crosses Kyushu.

■ We stop at Daikanbo Observatory, a viewing platform overlooking Aso.

■ In the afternoon, we proceed to your hotel in Kumamoto.

■ In the evening, we guide you to see the illuminated Kumamoto Castle.

Accommodation：Kumamoto (3 nights)

Day 5

Kumamoto / Kumamoto Port Shimabara Port / Shimabara Castle, Samurai Residence Ruins / Shimabara Port Kumamoto Port / Kumamoto

■ Enjoy a full-day excursion to Shimabara, a castle town on the Shimabara Peninsula.

■ Travel from central Kumamoto to Kumamoto Port in the suburbs. From here, board a ferry for a one-hour crossing to Shimabara Port.

■ Upon arrival, visit Shimabara Castle (which houses a Christian historical museum), the samurai residence district, and Shimabara Catholic Church.

■ In the afternoon, return to Kumamoto Port by ferry and proceed to your hotel.

Accommodation：Kumamoto

Day 6

Kumamoto Kumamoto Castle (Take the tram to explore the town) Natsume Soseki’s former residence Kumamoto

■ Spend the full day exploring Kumamoto city on foot and by tram.

■ In the morning, visit Kumamoto Castle, which has achieved recovery from the earthquake. Enjoy the castle where restoration work has been completed overall.

■ In the afternoon, we guide you to another delight of Kumamoto: “Castle town exploration by tram.” From the four established walking routes, we introduce the “Kyomachi Route” on the north side of Kumamoto Castle, featuring Natsume Soseki’s former residence and the brick courthouse.

■ After the walk, free time.

Accommodation：Kumamoto

Day 7

Kumamoto / Kumamoto Airport

■ In the morning, depart the hotel at a leisurely pace and proceed to Kumamoto Airport.