Autumn Kyushu Tour

Nov 1 – 9, 2010 (9 Days)

Per Person Price: $2,688+ Tax + Fuel Surcharge                  Single Supplement: $400

Nov 1 (Mon)                         Honolulu – Fukuoka
We start our vacation by boarding an international flight bound for Fukuoka, the capital city of Fukuoka Prefecture and the most populous city in Kyushu. Meals and snacks will be served on the plane.

Nov 2 (Tue)                          Fukuoka – Hakata
Arrive at Fukuoka International airport. Air & Sea Travel representative will greet and escort us to our hotel.

Accommodations: Hakata Excel Tokyu Hotel or smiliar

Nov 3 (Wed)                         Fukuoka – Karatsu – Ureshinoi                                                                                                    B, SD
After breakfast, enjoy a full day sightseeing of Karatsu, Imari and Ureshino. Visit the Nijino Matsubara, Okawauchi Town-village of secret kilns. After lunch, explore the Kyushu Ceramic Museum. A special Kaiseki Dinner is arranged for tonight. Enjoy the hot spring right at your hotel.

Accommodations: Wataya Besso Tower Kan or similar

Nov 4 (Thu)                          Ureshino – Nagasaki                                                                                                                          B

This morning, proceed to the Sasebo Town and visit the Umegae Sake Brewery. Try the Sasebo Hamburger and Jumbo parfait for lunch! Follow by sightseeing at Nagasaki Peace Park, dedicated to world peace of the Nagasaki atomic bomb blast of August 9, 1945 and Atomic Bomb Museum.

Nov 5 (Fri)                 Nagasaki – Shimabara – Kumamoto                          B
After breakfast, visit the Glover Garden, the oldest existing Western style architecture and home of the British merchant Thomas Glover. After proceed to the Shimabara Town, follow by a visit to the Shimbara samurai residence, an ancient town where high ranking warriors once lived. Later that day, transfer to Kumamoto by ferry.

Accommodations: ANA Hotel Kumamoto New Sky or simila

Nov 6 (Sat)                           Kumamoto                                                                                                                                         B, D
Today’s highlight is to visit the Suizenji Park, a fine specimen of Japanese landscape laid out some 350 years ago by Hosokawa clan which held dominion over this region. After, visit the Kumamoto Castle, an enormous black castle known as one of the three great castles of Japan built in the 1600s. The castle walls are designed with a backward curve, called “Mushageshi,” which makes them impossible to scale.

Accommodations: ANA Hotel Kumamoto New Sky or similar

Nov 7 (Sun)                          Kumamoto – Aso – Beppu                                                                                                              B, SD
After breakfast, proceed to Mt. Aso. In 1959, Mt Aso Ropeway became the first passenger lift of its kind to an active volcano. Then visit the Yamanami Highway and Yufuin Town. Enjoy a special buffet dinner tonight.

Accommodations: Suginoi Hotel Honkan or similar

Nov 8 (Mon)                           Beppu – Hakata                                                  B
This morning, pay a visit to the Beppu Town where you can walk around the Jigoku Meguri (Stroll in Hell) One of the highlight attractions in Beppu. With steam rising and high-temperature water springs from all around Beppu forming boiling ponds called 'jigoku'. Continue with a visit to the famous Sapporo Beer Factory and Yabakei Gorge. After proceed to the Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine, one of the most beautiful grave ever built in the early 10th century, this Shinto shrine is dedicated to the 9th century scholar Michizane Sugawara.

Accommodations: Hakata Excel Tokyu or similar

Nov 9 (Tue)                          Fukuoka – Honolulu                                                                                                                              B
Transfer to the airport for your flight home, taking with you lasting memories of a wonderful Kyushu trip.