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8-Day Ceramic Villages in Kyushu

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Overview

On this pottery-lovers' dream adventure, you'll spend eight days exploring the third-largest of Japan's main islands, Kyushu!

Beginning in the main city of Fukuoka, you'll hit the tourist trail to explore Arita, Imari and Karatsu, three of the main pottery villages in Kyushu located in the Saga prefecture.

The entire island is full of museums, historical sites, interesting shrines and more. With this Kyushu itinerary, you'll learn about the development of ceramics in Japan and dive into the history of the country as you explore!

**Rental car option is also available**
Sightseeing
Culture & Arts
Outdoors & Nature
Cruising

Itinerary

Day 1

Travel by Train from Fukuoka to Karatsu & Karatsu City Tour

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Travel by Train from Fukuoka to Karatsu & Karatsu City Tour

You'll start your Japanese adventure in Fukuoka, where your English-speaking guide will travel with you to Karatsu by local train. Upon arrival, you'll check-in at your hotel and start exploring the city with a local guide. First, you'll visit Karatsu Castle which was originally constructed in 1608. Next, you'll visit the Karatsu Hikiyama Exhibition Hall and finally, you'll take a walk along the Niji No Matsubara Pine Grove, a five-kilometre-long stretch of one million pine trees.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Karatsu Seaside Hotel3 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.
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    Activities

    Karatsu Castle

    Hikiyama Exhibition Hall

    Niji No Matsubara Pine Grove

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Train from Fukuoka to Karatsu Seaside Hotel

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Karatsu

Day 2

Explore Yokubo Market, Nanatsugama Park Cruise & Transfer to Imari City

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Explore Yokubo Market, Nanatsugama Park Cruise & Transfer to Imari City

This morning, you'll meet your guide and driver at your accommodation and start with a morning tour of Yokubo Market, which is held daily along a 200-metre-long street in the small port town of Yobuko. Afterwards, you'll head to Nanatsugama Park for a 40-minute cruise to explore these natural sea caves. Then, you'll drive the short distance to Imari, a small town well known for its long pottery history. You'll check into your accommodation and have the rest of the day free to explore.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Hotel Imari Aioibashi Bettei4 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

    Yobuko Morning Market

    Nanatsugama Park

    Imari City

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Karatsu Seaside Hotel to Yobuko Morning Market

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Karatsu

    Imari

Day 3

Day Trip to Okawachiyama Village

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Day Trip to Okawachiyama Village

Today, you'll enjoy a full day at Okawachiyama village. A short distance from Imari, you'll visit the different pottery shops and try to make your own Imari painting at one of the village’s numerous ateliers. Okawachiyama was the first place in Japan to produce porcelain after kaolin - the mineral essential to making porcelain - had been found in the area and craftsmen with the necessary skills had been brought from Korea into the country.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Hotel Imari Aioibashi Bettei4 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

    Okawachiyama Porcelain Village

    Imari-Arita Ware Traditional Crafts Centre

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Imari to Okawachiyama Village

    Private Driver from Okawachiyama Village to Imari

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Imari

Day 4

Day Trip to Arita Village

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Day Trip to Arita Village

Today is a full day at another ceramic village, Arita, which became the first place in Japan to produce porcelain. You'll spend the day sightseeing and finish at the somewhat bizarre Arita Porcelain Park. The history of Arita-yaki dates back about 400 years when Toyotomi Hideyoshi attempted to invade Korea and brought back several highly skilled Korean craftsmen to Japan.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Hotel Imari Aioibashi Bettei4 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

    Tozan Shrine

    Tombai Wall Alleys

    Izumiyama Quarry

    Arita Porcelain Park

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Imari to Tozan Shrine

    Private Driver from Arita to Imari

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Imari

    Arita

Day 5

Travel to Takeo Onsen & Explore the City's Sights

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Travel to Takeo Onsen & Explore the City's Sights

After breakfast, you'll join your guide and driver and head to the hot-springs town of Takeo. The town is said to have a history of over 1300 years as an onsen destination. You'll make a brief stop at the Takeo Public Library and then head to Keishu-En Garden where you will get to assist with a tea ceremony. At the end of the day, you'll visit Mifuneyama Rakuen garden to see its illumination inspired by the now very famous Team Lab group. You'll end the tour at your traditional accommodation.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Ogiya4 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

    Takeo City Library

    Keishu-en Garden

    Mifuneyama Rakuen

    Mifuneyama, Teamlab Ruins and Heritage

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Imari to Takeo city Library

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast and dinner

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Imari

    Takeo

Day 6

Kashima City Tour & Travel to Nagasaki

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Kashima City Tour & Travel to Nagasaki

This morning, you'll meet your guide and driver at the hotel lobby and head to Kashima and the Tara area. You'll enjoy a walk around Kashima’s old street and visit some of the Sake breweries in the area for a taste of the local liquor. In the afternoon, you'll take the car and head to Nagasaki city. You'll end the tour at your accommodation for the night.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Hotel New Nagasaki4 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

    Yūtoku Inari Shrine

    Floating Torii Gate of Oouo Shrine

    Kashima

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Kashima to Hotel New Nagasaki

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast and dinner

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Takeo

    Kashima

    Tara

    Nagasaki

Day 7

Nagasaki Sightseeing

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Nagasaki Sightseeing

As one of Japan's closest port cities to the Asian mainland, Nagasaki has played a prominent role in foreign trade relations for many centuries and was the most important of only a very few ports open to restricted numbers of foreign traders during Japan's period of isolation. Today, you'll enjoy a full day visiting the main sights of the city. You will be exploring without a guide, but one can be added if you prefer.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Hotel New Nagasaki4 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.
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    Activities

    Nagasaki Peace ParkOptional Activity

    Glover GardenOptional Activity

    Oura ChurchOptional Activity

    Nagasaki Koshibyo Confucius Shrine and Historical Museum of ChinaOptional Activity

    KofukujiOptional Activity

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Nagasaki

Day 8

Departure from Nagasaki

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Today marks the end of your Kyushu itinerary. You can continue your travels to Tokyo or Osaka, or return to Fukuoka for your flight back home.

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Nagasaki

  • notes icon
    Notes

    End of Tour

Included in Price

  • 7 nights accommodation
  • 19 activities
  • 7 breakfasts and 2 dinners
  • Airport transfer
  • Entrance fees
  • Ground transportation
  • Licensed English speaking guides
  • Travel insurance

Not Included in Price

  • Alcohol beverages
  • Domestic flights
  • Entry visas / airport departure tax
  • Gratuities
  • International flights
  • Laundry
  • Personal expenses
  • Trekking permits
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