Wendy Wu Japan and the Scenic South

– Explore charming Fukuoka
– Discover Kumamoto
– See the impressive Mount Aso
– Reflect in Hiroshima
– Admire Kyoto’s past
– Gaze at Mount Fuji

Days 1-2: Fly overnight to Fukuoka

Fly overnight to the charming city of Fukuoka, the gateway to the island of Kyushu. Depending on your time of arrival, the rest of the day is yours to start soaking up the local culture.

Day 3: Explore Fukuoka

The lovely Fukuoka is at the heart of an area considered a cradle of culture – the city’s position facing Korea and China across the sea means it’s long been a channel of outside influence. This morning take a stroll to the traditional Rakusuien Garden and visit the famous Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine, dedicated to the god of academic achievement.

Day 4: Discover Kumamoto

Transfer to Kumamoto, a city famous for its majestic castle, one of Japan’s largest and most complete. You’ll see the castle as part of your full day city tour, as well as Suizenji Garden. A traditional-style garden built in the 17th century, the garden recreates in miniature the important road that linked Edo (Tokyo) and Kyoto, including a mini Mount Fuji.

Day 5: Visit Mount Aso & Beppu

Travel from Kumamoto to Mount Aso, an active volcano at the centre of Kyushu island. Aso’s crater is one of the world’s largest; with a circumference of over 100km it encompasses a number of other active peaks, which you’ll be able to see (weather dependent). Continue to Beppu, one of Japan’s most famous hot spring resorts.

Day 6: Explore Beppu

Venture out into Beppu, starting the day with a jigoku meguri, a hell tour! Here you’ll find all sorts of volcanic features, including thermal mud and hot springs that have bubbled from the ground here for a millennium. Pop over to Yufuin, another hot spring resort that is home to a wealth of art museums, cafes and boutiques and is a delight to explore.

Day 7: Travel to Hiroshima

Depart Fukuoka for Hiroshima. Stop en route to explore the city of Yamaguchi, spending some time at Rurikoji, a Buddhist temple that boasts a spectacular national treasure – a five-storey pagoda built in 1442. Continue to Iwakuni for a lunch stop and then to the Kintaikyo Bridge, an elegant wooden bridge that crosses the Nishiki River.

Day 8: Discover Hiroshima

Hiroshima is a vibrant, forward-thinking city that is a pleasure to explore. Take a ferry across the Seto Inland Sea to the holy island of Miyajima and visit the Itsukushima Shrine before enjoying some time at leisure. Back in the city, reflect on Hiroshima’s tragic past at the Peace Memorial Park and Museum paying homage to the victims of the 1945 atomic bomb.

Day 9: Admire Himeji Castle

Depart Hiroshima for Kyoto, stopping in Himeji en route to visit the magnificent Himeji Castle, one of Japan’s most impressive feudal era forts, and stroll through Kokoen, an Edo-style garden just across the castle moat. Drop in on a sake brewery to learn about the process of this traditional Japanese spirit and enjoy some tasters, before arriving in Kyoto.

Day 10: Explore Kyoto

Capital for 1,000 years, until 1879, today Kyoto is the legacy of ancient Japan, full of tranquil temples, silk-clad geisha and sublime gardens. Start the day with a visit to the Fushimi Inari Shrine, remarkable for its 10,000 vermillion torii gate-lined pathways and impressive Nijo Castle.

Day 11: Visit Hakone

Transfer to Kyoto station, board a bullet train to Atami and transfer to Hakone by road. Discover the mountainous beauty and rich culture of the Hakone area, before travelling to Lake Ashi for a cruise that will allow you to take in the spectacular panoramas of the area, including the iconic, snow-capped silhouette of Mount Fuji (weather permitting).

Day 12: Tour Tokyo

As modern as Tokyo may appear, behind the neon façade is a traditional soul that is easy to find amongst the old alleyways, temples and shrines of the Edo era. Experience both sides of the city, ascending the soaring Tokyo Skytree, the world’s tallest tower, for panoramic views, and wandering through the old district of Asakusa. Stop at Sensoji, Tokyo’s most beloved temple.

Day 13: Fly Tokyo to UK

Fly to the UK, arriving home the same or following day.

Your accommodation is selected for convenience of location, comfort or character, and can range from a business hotel in one city to a family run guesthouse in a smaller town. In more remote areas, accommodation may be of a lower standard and may not have all western amenities.

Mount Aso
Gaze over Japan’s largest volcano and the smaller volcanoes within its huge crater, and admire the incredible scenery that surrounds it.

Cruise the Yanagawa River
Cruise the picturesque Yanagawa River on a ‘donkobune’, a poled riverboat. It’s a perfect and peaceful way to enjoy sights such as Yanagawa Castle and the traditional architecture of Yanagawa’s canals.

Relax at a Beppu Hot Spring Resort
Visit one of Japan’s most famous hot spring resorts, Beppu, and soak away any aches, pains and tiredness in the mineral rich waters of your hotel’s onsen pools.

• International flights and taxes
• Domestic transport
• Accommodation
• All meals: 11 breakfasts, 10 lunches and 11 dinners
• Touring with guides and entrance fees
• Visa fees for UK and EU passport holders

Please note, prices listed are guide prices only and are based on 2 people sharing and don’t include any additional supplements. Holiday prices are fluid and dynamic and may be changed at a moment’s notice, prior to booking, at which point they are confirmed. Please call the team free on 0800 707 6229 for more departure dates available and a quote.

Classic

These tours are designed for those who wish to see the iconic sites and magnificent treasures of South East Asia on an excellent value group tour whilst travelling with like-minded people. The tours are on a fully-inclusive basis so you’ll travel with the assurance that all your arrangements are taken care of. You will be accompanied by our dedicated and professional National Escorts and local guides, whose unparalleled knowledge will turn your holiday into an unforgettable experience.

The maximum number of people per group for this tour is 28.

This tour has a physical rating of 1. This means there will be some walking involved, as well as steps at certain locations and time spent on your feet

If you want to explore more of Japan or simply want more time in your destination, then you can add an extension or stop over.*

Choose from the following Extensions and stopovers
Tokyo Extension (Tokyo)
Kyoto Extension (Kyoto)
Nara Extension (Osaka)
Hiroshima & Miyajima Short stay (Osaka)
Naoshima Extension (Osaka)
Nikko & Kamakura Extension (Tokyo)
Sapporo & Otaru Extension (Sapporo)
Tokyo, Mount Fuji & Bullet Train (Tokyo)
Snow Monkeys Extension (Tokyo)
Koya-san Extension (Osaka)

*Available extensions and stopovers depend on your chosen airline