Japan - Kyushu Cherry Blossom Tour

Meet your tour leader and fellow travelers in Fukuoka city and hit the road. First stop will be for a stroll to the remains of a 17th century castle. It’s one of the most marvelous displays of cherry blossom in the whole of Fukuoka.

We’ll stop for lunch at a specialty eel restaurant. Westerners may not have much experience with eel but it’s a classic Japanese dish. The meat is tender and the sauce is delicious.

After lunch we’ll do some more cherry blossom viewing at the shrine.

For the first night of this tour we’re staying in Hita city, the hub of Kyushu in the Edo period. Before checking into our hotel let’s explore the well-preserved old town and bygone era shops. Dinner will be in a much-beloved casual restaurant that has been serving locals for more than a century. You will feel like one of its regulars while you enjoy your dinner and get to know your fellow travellers.

After breakfast we’ll check out and head into the scenic heart of Kyushu. On the way we’ll stop at a temple that is unusual in combining elements of both Shintoism and Buddhism. The temple was established 1,200 years ago and is crowded with over 2,000 statues dedicated to the guardian deity of children. It’s incredibly photogenic.

At Aso Volcano you’ll get the unique opportunity to stare right into an active volcano crater! Smell the devilish sulphur pong and see the smoke billowing out. If the crater is closed on the day for safety reasons we’ll still get as close as we possibly can. In this rural area expect a countryside lunch made with freshest seasonal local ingredients.

We’ll stay tonight in a wonderfully picturesque location. Enjoy indoor or outdoor onsen (natural hot spring baths) with glorious natural views. For dinner let’s have the Japanese favourite of sukiyaki. Expect the tastiest beef grass-reared on a private ranch.

Today we continue our journey through the remote countryside. We’ll visit one of the most idyllic locations for cherry blossom viewing. This single cherry tree is over 14 meters tall and 400 years old. Its beautiful flowers have been captivating Japanese for generations and now you can experience it too. We’ve arranged a special private lunch served in a 100 year-old traditional inn. Each dish will be lovingly hand-prepared.

We’ll continue our journey taking in the sea breeze as we hop on the ferry to Shimabara peninsula.In Shimabara we hope to see another wonderful display of cherry blossom blooming, this time set amongst acres of bright yellow rapeseed with a mountain backdrop. Time-permitting we’ll also pay a quick visit to see the remains of houses buried up to their roofs after a volcanic explosion and landslide. It’s a truly dramatic sight.

Tonight we’ll be staying in a seaside hotel. As all Japanese know there’s nothing better than seafood when you can smell the sea. Enjoy a variety of fresh and tasty dishes based on the fifishermens’ catch of the day.

Stop first at the dramatic Unzen Hells.  It is an unforgettable experience wandering through this boiling an dbubling landscape as blistering steam rises all around.  Even the most experienced traveller is unlikely to have encountered anything like this before.

You can't visit Japan without having sushi, right ?  Have you tried chirashi-zushi ? It's not so common overseas but it's popular in Japan (especially for special occasions) so that's what we'll be having.

To burn off our lunch calories we'll visit a park famous for its amazing collection of 2,000 flowering cherry trees of 20 different species.  In fact it's on the list of Japan's top 100 cherry blossom spots!  The park is situated amongt the remains of a 17th century castle.

Next enjoy a fun and practical hands-on activity.  We'll learn how to brew green tea like a pro !  You will have your own tea, pot and hot water and will learn tips and tricks from an expert.

Today will be staying at an authentic Japanese inn (ryokan) with onsen ho-spring baths.  Japanese have been enjoying onsen in this area for a staggering 1,300 years.  Ladies (and guys!) come here from across Japan to bathe in the silky smooth water and enjoy the beautifying effects on the skin.

Tonight enjoy an unforgettable multi-course feast (kaiseki).  Each dainty course is served with the chef's pride and made with the freshest local ingredients.

Today’s cherry blossom view is another venerable old tree. It’s a different species of cherry flower so see if you can tell the difference. This tree is located in a green tea plantation so you’ll get a wonderful shot of the pale pink cherry flowers set

against the deep green tea bushes. Have you ever tried Japanese beef curry? It’s not well-known to foreigners but is one of the most popular dishes in Japan. This is what we’ll have for lunch as we continue our mission to eat as the locals eat.

Next we’ll explore the ‘Village of the Secret Kilns’, a hidden gem tucked away in the mountains. For centuries access was strictly controlled to stop the techniques of pottery production leaking out. Enjoy some free time to stroll around and pick up a quality souvenir; a cup and pot for your green tea perhaps?

You’ll be dropped back to your hotel conveniently located in the heart of Fukuoka city. The evening is your free and easy time for shopping, eating and exploring. Still not had enough cherry blossom viewing!? Stroll to Fukuoka's cherry blossom festival (although the dates haven’t been finalised yet). It’s set in the grounds of Fukuoka Castle and is packed with street-food stalls.

Breakfast at the hotel and then checkout. 

Transfer to Fukuoka Airport for your flight to next destionation.