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10-Day Self-Drive Kyushu Tour

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Overview

Embark on a journey that will take you to the most iconic destinations on one of Japan's main islands, Kyushu.

Somewhat less explored than the rest of Japan, a self-drive Kyushu tour offers travellers something different. The island is known for its subtropical climate, its active volcanos, beautiful beaches and natural hot springs. Beginning in Nagasaki, you'll learn about the 1945 devastation caused by an atomic bomb before moving on to Saga and then Fukuoka, a city home to museums and shrines.

Next up, you'll find yourself marvelling in awe at the thermal hot springs of Beppu and hiking to the top of Mount Yufu before venturing to Aso for yet another volcanic trek. After a day in Kumamoto, you'll complete your trip in Kagoshima where you'll return your rental car in favour of exploring on foot and by public transport.
Outdoors & Nature
Hiking & Trekking
Culture & Arts
Wellness
Sightseeing
Food & Drink

Itinerary

Day 1

Welcome to Nagasaki

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Welcome to Nagasaki

Upon arrival, you'll pick up your rental car at the meeting point to begin your self-drive Kyushu tour. You will enjoy the freedom of this rental car for eight days from your arrival in Nagasaki until your arrival in Kagoshima. The car, Nissan X-trail, is perfect for your journey on this volcanic island. After checking into your hotel, you can take a walk in the Peace Park or visit the Atomic Bomb Museum to learn about the history of this area and the victims and survivors of the atomic bomb.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Dormy Inn Nagasaki3 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    Nagasaki Peace ParkOptional Activity

    Nagasaki Atomic Bomb MuseumOptional Activity

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Nagasaki Airport to Dormy Inn Nagasaki

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Nagasaki

  • notes icon
    Notes

    Upon arrival, you'll pick up your rental car at the meeting point indicated by your travel expert. You will enjoy this rental car for eight days from your arrival in Nagasaki until your arrival in Kagoshima. You will then freely visit the city on foot or by public transportation for the last two days. The car, Nissan X-trail, is perfect for your journey on this volcanic island. It is equipped with a GPS (in English). Assistance and insurance are also included in your rental.

Day 2

Journey to Saga via Okawachiyama and Karatsu

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Journey to Saga via Okawachiyama and Karatsu

Today, you'll drive yourself to explore the cities of Okawachiyama and Karatsu on your way to your next destination, Saga. First, you will start in the ceramic village of Okawachiyama. Located in the heart of the mountains, it offers landscapes and an atmosphere typical of the countryside of the island of Kyushu. Next, you will explore Karatsu Castle in Karatsu where you can enjoy a spectacular 360 ° view of the city, Karatsu Bay and the Ariake Sea. You'll then continue to your hotel in Saga.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Garden Terrace Saga

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    Okawachiyama Porcelain VillageOptional Activity

    Karatsu CastleOptional Activity

    Nanatsugama Limestone CaveOptional Activity

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Rental Car from Nagasaki to Saga

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Nagasaki

    Imari

    Karatsu

    Saikai

    Saga

Day 3

Travel from Saga to Fukuoka and Sightseeing

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Travel from Saga to Fukuoka and Sightseeing

Today you will drive yourself from Saga to Fukuoka. First, you can visit the Saga Castle History Museum located inside the main dungeon. If you're keen for a nice view before leaving Saga, you can head up to the city observation platform for a 360-degree view of the illuminated city. Upon arrival in Fukuoka, one hour away, you can explore Hakata Bay, stroll through Ohori-koen Park and discover Canal City Hakata to try the local specialty: Hakata Ramen.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Nishitetsu Inn Kokura3 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    Saga Castle History MuseumOptional Activity

    Hakata BayOptional Activity

    Ohori ParkOptional Activity

    Canal City HakataOptional Activity

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Rental Car from Saga to Fukuoka

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Saga

    Fukuoka

    Kitakyushu

Day 4

Travel from Fukuoka to Yufuin via Beppu and Mount Yufu

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Travel from Fukuoka to Yufuin via Beppu and Mount Yufu

Today, you'll set off on another journey in your rental car, this time to Yufuin, a hot spring town at the foot of Mount Yufu. To begin the day, you'll travel to Beppu to discover the famous thermal springs of Beppu. These sources are not intended for swimming but only for observation, the spectacle they offer is impressive, both for the colors and the vapors that emanate from them. On the way to Yufuin, you can stop at Mount Yufu for a hike to the summit to make the most of the views.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Ryokan Yufuin Yamaboushi2 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    Discover the Thermal Springs of BeppuOptional Activity

    Mount Yufu HikeOptional Activity

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Rental Car from Fukuoka to Yufuincho Kawakami

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Kitakyushu

    Beppu

    Yufu

Day 5

Drive Yourself from Yufuin to Aso via Kikuchi Valley

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Drive Yourself from Yufuin to Aso via Kikuchi Valley

This morning, you'll set off to Aso. The distance is short but you can stop at many interesting places on the way including Lake Kirin. This stunning place will present you with superb landscapes and allow you to appreciate the calm and the charm of the city during a pleasant walk. You can also stroll through Yu no Tsubo Street to admire the Edo-style buildings and try local dishes. On the way to Aso, you can visit the famed Kikuchi Valley with its spectacular gorges carved by the river

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Yumeoi-so4 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    Kinrin LakeOptional Activity

    YufuinOptional Activity

    Kikuchi GorgeOptional Activity

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Rental Car from Yufuincho Kawakami to Aso

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Yufu

    Kikuchi

    Aso

Day 6

Aso Volcano Museum and Mount Nakadake Trek

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Aso Volcano Museum and Mount Nakadake Trek

Before heading to explore the Aso volcanoes, it is recommended that you visit the Aso Volcano Museum in order to educate yourself and learn a little more about the volcanoes in the region. Afterwards, you can set off towards Mount Nakadake for a trek on the highest volcanic cone of Mount Aso at 1592 metres! Long closed to the public due to too much volcanic activity, it has now been reopened. Make sure you are well equipped for this trek as it can be challenging and dangerous at times.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Yumeoi-so4 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    Aso Volcano MuseumOptional Activity

    Mount Nakadake TrekOptional Activity

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Aso

Day 7

Travel from Aso to Kumamoto and Explore the Sights

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Travel from Aso to Kumamoto and Explore the Sights

Today, you'll drive from Aso to your next destination, Kumamoto. You'll then have the day free to enjoy the sights. Firstly, you can visit the Suizen-Ji Joju-En Garden, a traditional Japanese garden set around a natural spring pond where colorful carp swim. The Kokin-Denju-no-Ma Teahouse located inside the park was brought in from Kyoto in 1912 and is now a place where visitors can enjoy traditionally brewed Japanese tea. Afterwards, you can visit the Kumamoto Castle.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Mitsui Garden Hotel Kumamoto3 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    Suizenji Jojuen GardenOptional Activity

    Kumamoto CastleOptional Activity

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Rental Car from Aso to Kumamoto

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Aso

    Kumamoto

Day 8

Travel to Kagoshima and Explore the Sengan En Garden

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Travel to Kagoshima and Explore the Sengan En Garden

Today, you'll drive three hours from Kumamoto to Kagashima. You'll then have the rest of the day free to explore the Sengan En Garden. This superb park which spreads over more than 50,000 metres-squared is recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Offering an idyllic setting expressing typical and traditional Japanese refinement, there's a superb view on the volcano of the island of Sakurajima. You can spend the majority of your day here before heading to your hotel.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Art Hotel Kagoshima3 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    Senganen GardenOptional Activity

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Rental Car from Kumamoto to Kagoshima

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Kumamoto

    Kagoshima

Day 9

A Day to Explore the Island of Sakurajima

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A Day to Explore the Island of Sakurajima

Today, you'll head to Sakurajima to spend a day exploring this volcanic island. To reach it, you just need to take a ferry from Kagoshima Port and then hop in a taxi, bus or on a bicycle to explore the island and its volcanos from many different viewpoints. A symbol of Kagoshima, Sakurajima is one of the most active volcanoes in Japan. Constantly smoking and occasionally erupting several times a day, Sakurajima is the most prominent feature of the area - it's over 1000 metres high.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Art Hotel Kagoshima3 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    SakurajimaOptional Activity

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Ferry from Kagoshima Port to Sakurajima PortOptional Activity

    Ferry from Sakurajima Port to Kagoshima PortOptional Activity

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Kagoshima

Day 10

Full-Day Guided Hiking Tour of Yakushima Island to End Your Kyushu Trip!

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Full-Day Guided Hiking Tour of Yakushima Island to End Your Kyushu Trip!

Today, you'll set off for a full day of hiking on Yakushima Island accompanied by your English-speaking guide who is an expert and knows the island like the back of his hand. You'll reach this island of legends, located just south of Kagoshima, by ferry and then set off for a six- to eight-hour hike through its lush and mysterious forest. At the end of the hike, you'll head to the airport or another destination bringing your Kyushu trip to an end.

  • activities icon
    Activities

    Full-Day Hiking Tour of Yakushima Island

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Kagoshima

    Yakushima

Included in Price

  • 9 nights accommodation
  • 1 activity
  • 9 breakfasts
  • Ground transportation

Not Included in Price

  • Airport transfer
  • Alcohol beverages
  • Domestic flights
  • Entrance fees
  • Entry visas / airport departure tax
  • Gratuities
  • International flights
  • Laundry
  • Licensed English speaking guides
  • Personal expenses
  • Travel insurance
  • Trekking permits
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