Best of Kyushu Tour

This is the wooden gate of Fukiji Temple, located on the Kunisaki Peninsula in Oita, Japan. The two statues of Nio, one Agyo and the other Ungyo, stand on either side of the gate.

There are 7 prefectures, Fukuoka, Saga, Nagasaki, Oita, Kumamoto, Miyazaki and Kagoshima in Kyushu island. The features of Kyushu are a rich history, a lot of hot springs, active volcano, various local foods, beautiful islands and coasts. Especially Local people is so friendly that you will find southern hospitality in Kyushu.

Model course in Kyushu

We introduce some sample travel itineraries in Kyushu here, but there are many places that you should visit in Kyushu. These are some of them. We are very happy if you ask us about your travel plan in Kyushu.

Day 1: Fukuoka

This is Jotenji Temple in Fukuoka City. The Japanese dry landscape garden, made up of pebbles and rocks, is called Sentotei.

After you arrive at Fukuoka International Airport, if you have time, let’s walk around Hakata which was old city in Fukuoka. You know that Hakata is a historical place by visiting temples and shrines.

Beautifu flower scene with yellow rape blossoms in Nokonoshima Island park in Fukuoka, Japan.

It is a good idea to visit a small island “Nokonoshima island” to have a time relaxed pleasantly.

At night, there are several food stalls lined up on the sidewalk in Fukuoka, Japan. Customers inside the stalls are enjoying eating and drinking.

Let’s have dinner at Yatai! Street stalls “Yatai” serving tempura, ramen, oden, yakitori and so on are very famous in Fukuoka City.

Day 2: Hita, Onta Ware and Yufuin

This is Mameda-uwamachi Street in Mameda Town, Hita City, Oita Prefecture, Japan. Old houses with white walls line the street, making you feel as if you have slipped back in time to the past.

In the Edo era between the 17th and 19th century, Mamedamachi town in Hita City was in the direct territories of the Edo bafuku (called Tenryo) and flourished as a center of commerce and finance in Kyushu.

The town is designated as the Nation’s Preservation District for Groups of Historic Buildings. So trading houses and treasures of the Edo period remain and old townscapes are preserved.

This is a narrow, stone-paved street in Mameda Town, Hita City, Oita Prefecture, Japan. Old houses with white walls line the street, making you feel as if you have slipped back in time to the past.

You will be able to enjoy museums, sake brewery, miso, soy sauce, eateries, cafe by walking around the Mamedamachi town.

This is the village of Onta, Oita, Japan, where Onta Ware is made. A stream runs through the center of the village, and there are Onta Ware workshops, Japanese houses, and an ascending kiln.
This is an Onta Ware workshop in the village of Onta, Oita, Japan. In the front yard of the workshop, a lot of formed bowls are drying in the sun on wooden boards. Families are visiting the workshop.
This is an Onta Ware workshop in the village of Onta, Oita, Japan. In the front yard of the workshop, a lot of formed bowls are drying in the sun on wooden boards.

After walking around Mamedamachi town, we recommend visiting Onta Ware workshop. In the area, there are ten kilns of Onta Ware by only the 4th surname of Yanase, Kuroki, Sakamoto and Kobukuro (Kuroki). The ware is made up of only family members.

This is the village of Onta, Oita, Japan. A mortar using river water flow is crushing the soil. This mortar is called Karausu, and is a unique sight in Onta.

The river flows through the village and the mortar using the power of water from the river crush the clay. Occasionally you will enjoy hearing the sound by the mortar. The sound is chosen to “The scene of sound in Japan Best 100”. The village of Onta Ware is selected also an “important cultural landscape”.

This is Yunotsubo Street in Yufuin, Oita, Japan. Both sides of the street are lined with stores and restaurants where tourists enjoy strolling. Mt. Yufudake is in the background.

Yufuin is a popular hot spring resort with the second largest amount of hot water in Japan at the foot of the beautiful Mt. Yufudake. You can enjoy a relaxing stay with museums, fashionable shops and restaurants on the streets in Yufuin.

Day 3: Kunisaki Peninsula, Beppu

Kunisaki Peninsula is the place in which the Buddhist culture called Rokugomanzan prospered in the 8th century, between the Nara period and the Heian period.

This is the Kumano Magaibutsu Buddha located on the Kunisaki Peninsula in Oita, Japan. Two large Magaibutsu are carved into the rock face. Two worshippers are climbing up the mountain path.

The Magaibutsu (Buddha statues in cliffs and rocks) has two statues carved, the Fudomyoou statue and the Dainichinyorai statue. It is selected as an important cultural property and national historic site in Japan.

This is Fukiji Temple Odo, designated as a national treasure, located on the Kunisaki Peninsula in Oita, Japan. The pyramid-shaped roof of the Fukiji Temple Odo, called hogyo-zukuri, matches the surrounding trees.

Fukiji Temple is the oldest wooden building in Kyushu which is said to have been built in 718. The Temple is a valuable building that is selected as a national treasure. Fuki-ji Temple is referred to as “The three major Amida-do Halls” together with Hoo-do Hall of Byodo-in Temple in Kyoto and Chuson-ji Temple Konjiki-do Hall in Iwate.

Day 4: Kuju

The Yamanami Highway is a road that connects Yufuin in Oita to Aso in Kumamoto in Japan. Under the blue sky, a motorcycle is riding along a straight road in the grassland.

“Yamanami Highway” connecting Yufu City in Oita Prefecture and Aso City in Kumamoto Prefecture is a drive route with the marvelous view.
On the road, you will find wonderful places such as the Kuju mountains, Iida and Senomoto kogen highlands. Also there are guest ranchs, hot springs, leisure facilities that can experience nature, sightseeing spots and so on.

Day 5: Takachiho

This is Manainotaki Falls, the highlight of Takachiho. The mysterious waterfall can be seen from the trail along the gorge.

Takachiho Gorge is a valley that became a cliff of columnar joints because the lava flow injected by Aso volcanic activity was cooled rapidly. Mnainotaki is a famous waterfall at Takachiho Gorge, selected as Japan’s Top 100 Waterfalls.

This is the divine wooden Takachiho Shrine in MIyazaki, Japan. Two worshippers are standing in front of the Takachiho Shrine.

Takachiho Shrine which is known as a god of harvest, was founded about 1900 years ago. The shrine main hall is designated as a national important cultural asset in Japan. The shrine is known as the god of harvest, marriage and avoidance of bad luck and misery.

This is Amanoyasugawara riverbank in Takachiho, Miyazaki, Japan. There is a large cave with a torii gate and many piled up stones.

Amanoyasugawara riverbank is the most sacred large cavern where, according to legend, “Yao yorozu no kami” (eight million gods) assembled and consulted how to get the sun goddesss Amaterasu to come out of Iwato (the rock door of the heavenly cave) and end the darkness of the world. Previously it was only a shrine structure in the cavern, but people who prayed began to carry and pile up stones.

A traditional craftsman is carving Takachiho Kagura Masks.

A craftsman certified as a traditional craftsman in Miyazaki Prefecture has made the mask used for Takachiho Yokagura and keeps the tradition of Takachiho. In Takachiho it is said that if you decorate the Kagura mask at home, it will protect you from harm and bring good luck.

This is the Takachiho Kagura (Totori-no-mai dance) in the Kaguraden Hall on the grounds of Takachiho Shrine in Miyazaki, Japan. Tajikarao no mikoto, wearing a red mask and hakama, is holding a staff and performing a powerful dance.

Takachiho, the stage of legends and myths, has been known for a long time as a sacred place where the gods fall on the earth. The official Takachiho kagura dance “Takachiho Yokagura”, designated as an Important National Intangible Folk Culture Asset, is held in autumn and winter. But outside the official season of Takachiko Yokagura, you can enjoy ceremonial dance performances called “Takachiho Kagura” every evening from 8:00 pm to 9:00 pm. Don’t miss it!

Day 6: Fukuoka

It’s the final day. You transfer to Fukuoka International Airport and Have a nice flight! Please remember your precious experience with us!

Request custom tour. This image is linked to the website form page, the Request For Custom Private Tour.
General inquiry. This image is linked to the website form page, the General Inquiry.

Related posts:

This is a Hakata doll of a woman dressed in a traditional Japanese wedding white kimono. This image is linked to the Visiting Artisans in Kyushu, Japan page.Visiting Artisans in Kyushu, Japan This is a view from the window of an airplane, with clouds and the morning sun behind one wing of the plane. It is an image of accessible travel, where you can go anywhere. This image is also linked to the Accessible Travel in Japan page.Accessible Travel in Japan