Southern Japan Experience
- Best price guaranteed
- No booking fees
- COVID-19protected
- City sightseeing
- Museum and gallery visits
- Countryside and village visits
- Natural landmarks sightseeing
- Family
- Customizable
- Booking Type Instant booking
- duration 12 days
- tour type Small group Request as private
- age requirement 15-99 yrs
- max group size 12
- guiding method Fully guided
- Tour Code BM-10847
- Footprint Carbonneutral CO2 emissions resulting from all trips on Bookmundi will be offset via investments in carbon reduction projects.
- Operated in English
- Explore the unique island of Naoshima – transformed from a sleepy fishing community into a world-class art destination, with sleek and stylish museums and artworks that harmonise with the landscape.
- Stay in a countryside homestay, taking you off the beaten track to experience excellent Japanese hospitality. Feast on home-cooked meals over fascinating conversations with your welcoming hosts and learn about rural life in Japan.
- Watch the steam coming out of the ‘hells’ (hot spring pools in Jigoku) of Beppu and enjoy a soak in a Michelin star onsen, followed by a unique experience for dinner – you’ll steam your food in the hot spring water, creating authentic flavours rich with healthy minerals!
- Take in the stunning view of the five peaks of Mount Aso from the Daikanbo Observatory, then a light hike on the moon-like terrain to the largest crater of Nakadake before hopping in a rowboat to paddle through the deep gorge of Takachiho.
- Expect the unexpected in Nagasaki, tragically famous for being one of the only two cities that were bombed during the war. Discover the unique charm of this port-side Dutch influenced city and all the history it has collected over the years.
- By travelling on this trip, you’ll directly support our Intrepid Foundation partner, Eden Reforestation Projects. Donations help them provide local employment opportunities and tackle climate change one tree at a time as they restore forests across 10 different countries.
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One of Japan’s greatest attractions is its ability to offer modern and traditional versions of itself. On this 12-day trip, you’ll veer off the main island of Honshu and travel to the less-touristy southwest. Discover revived art on the island of Naoshima, wander the castle in Matsuyama and spend a night in a tranquil homestay in the village of Usuki. Steam away your worries in the onsens in Beppu and be treated to two nights in the volcanic Mt Aso, staying right in the middle of a caldera in a traditional Japanese inn surrounded by rice terraces. Remind yourself of the sobering history of Nagasaki and end it all back where it began – in thriving Osaka. This adventure is the ultimate combination of modern art, bullet trains, countryside villages, traditional inns, delicious feasts and onsens, surrounded by impressive views of rice terraces, volcano craters and deep gorges. If you’re looking for a new side of Japan – this is it!
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Day 1: Osaka
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Day 2: Takamatsu
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Day 3: Naoshima Island/Takamatsu
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Day 4: Matsuyama
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Day 5: Usuki Homestay
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Day 6: Beppu
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Day 7: Mount Aso
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Day 8: Mount Aso
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Day 9: Arita/Nagasaki
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Day 10: Nagasaki
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Day 11: Osaka
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Day 12: Osaka
- Hotel (8 nights), Homestay (1 night), Japanese Inn (2 nights)
- 3 Breakfasts, 1 Lunch, 3 Dinners
- Train , Ferry , Public Bus , Private bus , Metro , Bullet Train
- An expert tour leader
- Takamatsu - Ritsurin Garden & Sanuki Folkcraft Museum
- Takamatsu - Naoshima day trip (ferry, public bus & bicycle)
- Matsuyama - Matsuyama Castle
- Usuki - Local Sake brewery visit and tasting
- Usuki - Japanese home-cooking experience
- Beppu - 'Hells' of Beppu (Jigoku)
- Beppu - local onsen
- Beppu - Steamed dinner (Beppu style)
- Mount Aso - Ogi Rice terraces
- Mount Aso - Daikanbo Observatory
- Mount Aso - Nakadake Crater
- Mount Aso - Sunasenri trail hike
- Takachiho - Takachiho gorge rowing boat ride
- Takachiho - Takachiho Shrine
- Arita - Tonbai Wall Alleys walking tour
- Arita - Tozan Shrine
- Nagasaki - Peace Park & Atomic Bomb Museum
- Any international flights to/from Osaka are not included in this price. We always recommend that you arrive 1 day prior to your tour starting date.
- Travel insurance is not included in this Southern Japan Experience tour. Travel insurance is mandatory to buy. World Nomads' travel insurance has been designed by travelers for travelers.
- Personal Itinerary can be tweaked and customized.
- Protected Travel within your own bubble.
- Professional Access our Travel Specialists' insider knowledge.
- Privacy Enjoy a tour focused solely on you or your travel group.
- Earn US$ 166+ in travel credits.
- Best price guaranteed.
- No credit card or booking fees.
- 100% financial protection.
- Carbon neutral tours.
- 25,000+ trip reviews, with an average rating of 4.8 out of 5.
- Read more reasons to book with Bookmundiless
No additional cancellation fees apply for this Southern Japan Experience tour. You can cancel the tour up to 58 days prior departure and avoid paying the full amount, but your deposit paid is non-refundable. No refund applies for cancellations within 57 days of departure.
PaymentFor any tour departures within 20 June 2024, full payment is required. For tours that depart later than 20 June 2024, a deposit is required to confirm this tour, and the remaining balance will be charged 57 days before trip departure.
Travel InsuranceSouthern Japan Experience tour requires that you have adequate and valid travel insurance covering medical and personal accidents, including repatriation costs and emergency evacuation. World Nomads offers travel insurance for independent travelers and intrepid families.
VisaFor this Southern Japan Experience tour getting the required visa(s) is the responsibility for each individual traveller, as visa requirements vary depending on your nationality. We recommend to check with your local embassies representing the countries that you are traveling to, as part of this itinerary.
Is this trip right for you- Japan is best to explore on foot – in fact, most travellers are surprised at how much distance they end up covering just exploring places! Make sure your shoes are comfy and sturdy, and you’re fit enough to spend most of each day on your feet.
- You’ll stay in a homestay and a traditional Japanese inn on this trip. It’s a great taste of tradition and local life and you’ll sleep on the traditional tatami mat (futons and blankets on the floor mat), just like the locals do! The facilities here will be shared.
- This trip uses mainly public transport, which means you’ll ravel the same way as the locals do. These are great opportunities to experience authentic local travel but be prepared to pack light and smart for this trip as you'll be required to carry your luggage between train stations and to hotels, which can include going up and down multiple flights of stairs in crowded areas.
This trip incorporates the following COVID-19 measures:
- This tour has received the World Travel and Tourism Council’s Safe Travels stamp, which provides travellers with assurance that COVID-19 health and hygiene global standardised protocols have been adopted.
- Hygiene and safety guidelines will be followed to ensure your well being is looked after during travels.