Fukuoka Tours and Trips

Delightful variety of experiences, wonderful group leader. This trip was definitely more than the sum of its parts. Many of the visits to artisanal towns, ie, for porcelain, candles and to castles didn't really resonate with me personally. There were more stays in cities than I would have liked, as I expected this to be more rural-oriented. Yet somehow, the whole experience, with the outdoor-orientation of the group, great food, wonderful hotels, an unforgettable group leader, added up to a trip I'll always cherish. It was a perfect introduction to Japan for me.

Maybe you have been to Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto and come home loving Japan but feeling you have missed the natural beauty and any sense of the real Japan away from tourist attractions. Or maybe, you have always wanted to visit but don't like crowds and regimented itineraries. If so, this trip is for you. We explored a quieter area of Japan at ground level, on buses, trams, local and fast trains, ferry and yes, on foot and by bicycle. Some days were challenging, so it's definitely for those who love an active life. But other days were fascinating, charming and awe-inspiring as we walked in the footsteps of princesses and warriors (wear socks!) and saw Mother Nature's raw volcanic power up close (bring sturdy shoes). There's a lot of travelling on this trip, but the landscapes are so lovely I finally understood the old maxim - better to travel than to arrive.

This was one of the best tours I have been on. The itinerary was fantastic… Travelling through the Japanese islands and doing activities like hiking or cycling and visiting small villages was amazing. Our tour leader Ayako was delightful… always attentive and ensuring everyone was having a good time and able to complete the activities. She had to ensure that we always arrived on time for the trains, trams or buses, and also guide us through different sites with full explanations. She had done her to research ahead of time and as well versed at every site. Our group bonded well and we had lots of laughs. All in all… 5 stars! ⭐️

Dorian and Kit enjoyed a mixture of fast trains, buses, hill-walking, cycling, exploring countryside and visiting historic castles, small towns as well as cities. Action-packed, but with time to chill out and absorb Japanese culture and the way of life, especially the intriguing local food. With raw fish often on the menu even at breakfast, it’s not for the conservative taste, but we loved the variety on offer. However, the hotel breakfasts included western staples such as toast and scrambled eggs for the unadventurous. The hotels provided comfy beds, and even futons in one traditional place. We learned to respect the Japanese way of life, for example not to be noisy on a local bus where we annoyed the driver!

I was travelling as an Exodus Staff Member: Immerse yourself in the various Onsens & Public baths, cycle, Hike and explore using mostly public transport! This trip had a little bit of everything, you felt like you were getting to see the real Japan, away from the bright lights. Having said that, we still saw some larger towns such as Nagasaki, Fukuoka (at the end of the trip) and Osaka (just one night at the start) so you do feel like you have scratched the itch of everything whilst not hanging around in one place for too long. After a busy day, you could relax in the hotels hot baths or swimming pool, it does take a little getting used to as a Brit who isn't used to Onsens but once you do it's an amazing post day relaxation. We saw the start of the Chery Blossom season having gone in late March early April so it was great seeing them bloom the further south we travelled. The food was so fresh and reasonably priced too - Overall as my first time travelling Japan, I absolutely loved it and will definitely be going back.

We had a really amazing trip. Our guide Raya is so knowledgeable and we learnt so much more than we would have done on our own. We really enjoyed going further afield and into Western Japan which is much more rural but still with an interesting history. Raya went out of her way to deliver things that people were interested in e.g zen gardens, cherry blossoms, cultural experiences etc - it was just great and I'd highly recommend you book with Explore.