Six days. Two homes. One journey across northern Kyushu — from Fukuoka to the mountains of Oita and the mythic gorge of Takachiho. Together we’ll visit the region’s four cornerstones — Dazaifu, Beppu, Aso, and Takachiho — while weaving in the quieter moments that turn a trip into a story: hidden villages, hands-on cultural encounters, and a full day in our own home region of Kusu. Rather than a new hotel every night, we settle into just two thoughtfully chosen bases — so your days end with the ease of coming home. Travel throughout in a comfortable private vehicle with your expert local guide.
Please note: This is a sample itinerary based on the standard six-day flow. As this is your private tour, the pace, stops, and daily order are fully flexible and will be adjusted around your interests.
Your journey begins at Fukuoka Airport or Hakata Station, or any designated spots you would need our pick-up. After meeting your guide, we drive out to Dazaifu Tenmangu, one of Japan’s most revered shrines, dedicated to the scholar Sugawara no Michizane, now enshrined as the deity of learning and culture.
From there we head deeper into the mountains of Oita to Onta Pottery Village — a hidden valley where a 300-year-old ceramic tradition is still practiced today by just a handful of families. Along the streams, the rhythmic thud of wooden kara-usu (water-powered clay crushers) has continued unchanged for centuries.
We arrive at your chosen base in Kusu or Yufuin as evening settles in — check in, unwind, and soak away the road.
Overnight: Kusu or Yufuin
We begin with a tranquil morning stroll around Kinrin Lake in Yufuin — its mirror-still waters reflecting Mt. Yufu — followed by a sweeping basin view from Sagiridai Lookout.
Then we cross into Beppu, Japan’s undisputed hot spring capital. Your guide leads you through the steamy backstreets of Kannawa, where plumes of geothermal steam rise between old wooden houses, and on to the dramatic “Hells of Beppu,” where the earth’s heat erupts in vivid color.
We finish with panoramic city views from Yukemuri Observatory before returning to your base for a relaxed evening.
Overnight: Kusu or Yufuin
An early start for one of Kyushu’s most beautiful drives: the Milky Road, winding along the outer rim of the Aso caldera.
We continue to a small family-run tea farm on the volcanic soils of Aso for a leisurely visit — a walk through the fields and a tasting of Aso teas, sharing the story behind this unique volcanic terroir.
In the afternoon, we cross into Miyazaki to Takachiho, arriving in time for a tranquil walk along the sheer basalt cliffs of Takachiho Gorge and the graceful Manai Waterfall.
In the evening, we attend a performance of Takachiho kagura at Takachiho Shrine — the sacred Shinto dance still performed nightly by local villagers, telling the ancient myth of Amaterasu, the sun goddess.
Overnight: Takachiho
Our morning begins at Amano Iwato Shrine and the sacred grounds of Amano Yasu Kawara — the mythical cave into which, legend holds, the sun goddess Amaterasu once withdrew, plunging the world into darkness.
From this hushed place of legend we cross back into Oita and stop at Komatsu Jigoku, a lesser-known geothermal spot where you can boil your own eggs directly in natural steam vents rising from the earth — a small, hands-on encounter with Kyushu’s volcanic life.
In the afternoon, we walk across the Kokonoe “Yume” Otsurihashi, Japan’s highest pedestrian suspension bridge, suspended 173 meters above a deep mountain gorge.
Overnight: Kusu or Yufuin
This is a day unlike any other on the tour: a full day in Kusu, the home region of Kyushu Immersion itself.
We begin at the Bungo Mori Roundhouse, a beautifully preserved railway heritage site from Japan’s steam era.
From there, the day unfolds according to your interests — a customizable local immersion, drawing on the network of people and places we know as neighbors. Together with your guide, you’ll choose one or two of the following:
Weather permitting, we finish the day with late-afternoon coffee on the flat summit of Mt. Kirikabu — a quiet mountaintop moment as the sun softens over Kyushu’s inland hills.
Overnight: Kusu or Yufuin
Our final morning. After a relaxed breakfast, we drive you comfortably back to your chosen departure point in Fukuoka or Oita.
Six days after we met, we say goodbye — not as guide and traveler, but as friends who have walked the heart of Kyushu together.
Prices are listed as starting rates per person, based on 2 guests sharing a room (Tax & Service included).
| Group Size | Economy Tier | Premium Tier |
|---|---|---|
| 2 Guests | From JPY420,000 / person | From JPY520,000 / person |
| 4 Guests | From JPY320,000 / person | From JPY420,000 / person |
| 6 Guests | From JPY280,000 / person | From JPY380,000 / person |
Economy Tier — Efficiency, Comfort & Smart Travel Designed for travelers who prioritize seamless exploration and high-value experiences without compromising on quality.
Hotel Standard: Carefully selected 3-star equivalent hotels.
Accommodation Quality: Clean, comfortable, and well-maintained rooms offering a reliable and refreshing stay.
Key Advantage: Focused on logistical efficiency. Properties are strategically chosen to minimize transit time and optimize tour departures, letting you spend more time experiencing the destination.
Premium Tier — Exceptional Luxury & World-Class Hospitality Tailored for discerning travelers who view top-tier accommodation as a central highlight of their journey.
Hotel Standard: Premier 4 to 5-star equivalent hotels, luxury resorts, and high-end ryokans.
Accommodation Quality: Superior comfort, refined aesthetics, and world-class personalized service.
Key Advantage: Situated in prime resort and destination locations. Designed for travelers seeking indulgent relaxation, exquisite settings, and an elevated standard of living throughout their trip.
