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Suggested itineraries
Tailoring your trip
The itineraries shown are designed to give you a
flavour of what is possible, and are routes that
work particularly well. We can use these as a
basis to plan your trip or can design a completely
different itinerary to suit your tastes and interests.
Please call one of our Japan specialists to start
planning your itinerary.
Nagasaki
Kumamoto
Kurokawa
Tokyo
Matsuyama
Iya Valley
Takamatsu
Tokushima
Osaka
Telephone: 01993 838 210
Getting around
Kagoshima
Kirishima National Park
Kyushu is accessed from Honshu by air or rail.
Flights operate from Tokyo or Osaka and other
regional airports to several destinations on the
island, and are about an hour’s duration. The
bullet train runs as far south as Kagoshima, so it
makes sense to pick up a hire car here to explore
the national parks and hot springs. The island of
Shikoku is best accessed by bus from Osaka, train
from Okayama or ferry from Hiroshima. There
are also flights from Tokyo and Osaka and other
regional airports. Once in Shikoku a hire car is
most useful, although not always necessary,
particularly in eastern Shikoku as trains and buses
run efficiently between locations. Flights to
Okinawa’s Naha airport on the main island depart
from Tokyo and Osaka. There are also direct
flights from Tokyo to Miyako and Ishigaki islands,
but you may need to connect to a flight from
Naha, depending on the schedules. Ferries run
from Naha to the islands of Tokashiki, Kume and
Zamami and can be visited as a day trip from the
main island. Once on your designated Okinawan
island a hire car may be beneficial if you are
planning to explore beyond the beaches.
When to go
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
~ ✓ ✓✓ ✓✓ ✓ ✓ ~ ✓ ✓ ✓✓ ✓✓ ~
✓✓ The best time to travel.
✓ A good time to travel, but there may be some factors to be aware of.
~ Travel is possible, but this is not the best time of year.
✕ Travel is not recommended.
The weather in southern Japan tends to be
warmer than that of central and northern Japan,
particularly in Okinawa. Temperatures here vary
from 18-30C with showers and typhoons
common throughout August, September and
October. In Kyushu and Shikoku spring and
autumn are typically the best times of year to visit.
Time difference: GMT+9 hours
Flight time from UK: 12 hours
Prices
We offer trips to cater for a wide range of
budgets. You can find up-to-date guideline prices
for your trip to Japan on our website, alternatively
please call our specialists to discuss your plans.
Kyushu Explorer
This rail and self-drive trip discovers the variety
of Japan showcased in this little-visited island,
from the cosmopolitan cities of Nagasaki and
Kumamoto, the splendid walking routes and
abundant nature of the Kirishima National Park,
the vast caldera of Mount Aso and the volcanic
hot spring waters of Kurokawa. An itinerary perfect
for those looking to strike out into nature and
finish off with a relaxing dip in pure onsen waters.
Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
Day 5
Day 6
Day 7
Day 8
Day 9
Day 10
Day 11
Day 12
Day 13
Fly overnight from London to Tokyo.
Arrive in Tokyo and transfer to your
city centre hotel.
Explore Tokyo at your own pace.
Transfer to the airport and fly south
to Nagasaki. Explore the city,
including the moving Peace Park.
Travel to Kumamoto via the
religiously historic town of Unzen.
Pick up your hire car and drive out
to the spectacular Aso Caldera.
Drive south to Kagoshima and
explore the town’s gardens and other
sights in the afternoon.
Visit the active Sakurajima volcano in
the morning and then drive on to the
Kirishima National Park.
Walk, hike or simply relax in the
Kirishima area.
Drive from Kirishima to
Kurokawa Onsen, via the scenic
Takachiho Gorge.
Relax in any of the many hot springs
of Kurokawa.
Drive to Fukuoka and then return
to Tokyo by bullet train.
Return to the airport and fly back to
the UK, arriving back the same day.
Stay longer
To extend your trip we recommend that from
Kagoshima you drive and take the ferry across to
the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Yakushima
to see beautiful coastlines and magnificent,
towering cedar trees.
Japan’s Hidden Island
Shikoku may be a small island but offers a wealth
of sightseeing opportunities. Combine vibrant city
life with rural, off the beaten track wilderness and
adventure. Starting in the east, Shikoku is accessed
by road over the world’s longest suspension bridge
and you take in the towns of Takamatsu and
Tokushima before visiting the quiet Iya Valley and
finishing in the hot spring town of Matsuyama.
Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
Day 5
Day 6
Day 7
Day 8
Day 9
Day 10
Day 11
Day 12
Fly overnight from London to Tokyo.
Arrive in Tokyo and connect to a
domestic flight to Osaka. Transfer to
your central hotel.
Take a public bus to Tokushima,
across the world’s longest
suspension bridge.
Explore Tokushima, including the
Bunraku puppet theatre.
Take the train from Tokushima
to Takamatsu and explore the
town, including the pleasant
Ritsurin gardens.
Take the ferry across to Naoshima
Island to visit the Benesse House
museum and art site.
Pick up your hire car and drive to
the secluded Iya Valley in the heart
of Shikoku.
Explore the area and perhaps
try some white water rafting in
the afternoon.
Take the train to Matsuyama, on the
west of the island.
Explore Matsuyama, including
the castle and the Dogo
Onsen hot spring.
Take the train to Okayama, back
on Honshu Island and explore
the excellent Kourakuen garden.
Continue on to Tokyo in
the afternoon.
Transfer to the airport for the flight
back to the UK, arriving back the
same day.
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