Northern Kyushu - 8 nights / 9 days
Discover the rich history and craft traditions of northern Kyushu. Indulge in Fukuoka’s culinary delights and vibrant street food scene, learn about Nagasaki’s tragic past and bright future, explore the kilns and galleries of ancient pottery towns, and visit a tranquil town crisscrossed by waterways.
Day 1: Nagasaki
Upon arrival at Nagasaki Airport, a transfer will take you to your accommodation in the city.
Nagasaki’s picturesque setting of rolling hills rising from the deep harbor makes it one of the most country’s most liveable cities. It is also one of Japan’s most cosmopolitan cities with a unique blend of outside cultures interwoven into its history, architecture, food, and festivals.
The rest of the day is at leisure. A visit to the observation deck at Mt. Inasayama is highly recommended for its splendid panoramic views of the city and sea.
Meals included: None
Guiding: None
Day 2: Nagasaki
In the morning, visit Nagasaki Peace Park, which commemorates the atomic bombing of Nagasaki on August 9, 1945, which destroyed large parts of the city and killed tens of thousands of inhabitants. In the park is the massive Peace Statue as well as various other monuments. A structure around a black pillar marks the atomic explosion’s epicentre in the nearby Hypocentre Park and stores the name list of the bomb’s victims. Above the park stands the sobering Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum.
Next stop is Nagasaki’s prosperous Chinatown, which is the most famous and thriving Chinatown in Japan along with the one in Yokohama. If you’re feeling hungry, we recommend trying the steamed buns and dumplings sold as street food here.
Another of Nagasaki’s famous landmarks is Koshi-byo, one of only a few shrines dedicated to the Chinese philosopher Confucius in Japan. This Confucius Shrine was built by Chinese residents of Nagasaki in 1893 and displays very peculiar architecture.
Nagasaki was the only city in Japan that was allowed to keep contact with Chinese and Western merchants during Japan’s isolation, which gave the town a unique feel. You can still visit the mansions of former Western residents of Nagasaki in Glover Hill open-air museum. It is located on the hill where Western merchants settled down after the end of Japan’s era of seclusion in the second half of the 19th century. The exhibited buildings include the mansions of British merchants, and a stunning panorama of the city and bay can be enjoyed from the garden.
Meals included: None
Guiding: 8 hours
Day 3: Nagasaki
One of Nagasaki’s most famous landmarks is Hashima, also known as Gunkanjima or ‘Battleship Island’ for its uncanny appearance. Visit this UNESCO World Heritage Site on a shared tour by cruise ship departing from Nagasaki Port. Your English-speaking guide will meet you at your hotel and accompany you to Nagasaki Port for your Gunkanjima cruise.
A former deep-sea coal mine, the island was home to generations of miners during the Meiji era until the mine’s closure in 1974. With the mine’s closure, the island’s residents left for the mainland, abandoning the coal mine and island. The island remained closed to the public access for 35 years until 2009, when the government created a pier for boats to dock.
Notes:
Children aged 6 years and below are not allowed to disembark on the island and will need to wait on deck with a guardian for the duration of the island tour. If the cruise is cancelled due to inclement weather conditions, your guide will take you on a tour of the city instead. If this is the case, you will be able to discuss the specifics of the locations to be visited on the day
Meals included: None
Guiding: 4 hours
Day 4: Nagasaki to Takeo Onsen
Discover the charm and spirituality of Saga Prefecture on this unique tour combining cultural tradition and local flavor. In the morning, meet your guide and drive to Yutoku Inari Shrine, one of Japan’s most impressive and picturesque shrines. Perched dramatically on a hillside, the shrine is built using the same technique as Kyoto’s famous Kiyomizudera, and the striking red buildings offer stunning views of the surrounding landscape. Participate in a sacred blessing ritual conducted by a priest, followed by an enchanting dance performed by a shrine maiden, a rare and memorable experience. Stroll along the shrine’s bustling main approach, lined with traditional shops offering local treats and souvenirs, immersing yourself in the lively atmosphere.
Next, head to Hizen-Hama, a quaint port town steeped in history. Wander through the charming Sakaba Street, a nostalgic lane filled with sake shops, cafes, and old-fashioned shopfronts. Sample locally brewed sake and enjoy the laid-back ambiance of this picturesque coastal village.
At the end of the tour, the car will take you to your accommodation in Takeo Onsen, a town famous for its many soothing hot springs.
Meals included: Lunch, Dinner
Guiding: 7.5 hours
Day 5: Arita & Okawachiyama
Discover the timeless artistry of Japanese ceramics with a visit to the historic pottery towns of Arita and Okawachiyama. In the morning, your guide and car will pick you up from your accommodation.
Begin the day in Arita, the birthplace of Japanese porcelain, where master artisans have been crafting delicate works of art for over 400 years. Stroll through the town, visiting pottery galleries and workshops that showcase the skill and beauty of Arita’s porcelain, which is especially famous for its blue and white Chinese-style design. A visit to Sueyama Shrine, dedicated to the guardian deity of ceramics, offers a unique glimpse into the spiritual connection between craft and culture. The shrine itself is adorned with a porcelain torii gate and tiles, both truly unique elements on shrine grounds.
Continue to Okawachiyama, a secluded village nestled in the mountains that served as a secret kiln site for feudal lords during the Edo period. Known as the “Village of Secret Kilns,” its charming streets are lined with traditional workshops, old kilns, and pottery stores offering exquisite wares. Surrounded by lush greenery and the sound of flowing streams, Okawachiyama provides an enchanting setting to appreciate the history and artistry of Japanese ceramics. Wander through this picturesque village, exploring its galleries and discovering one-of-a-kind pieces to take home as souvenirs.
Meals included: Dinner
Guiding: 8 hours
Day 6: Fukuoka
After a leisurely morning, take the train to Fukuoka. In the evening, stroll through the central Nakasu-Kawabata and Tenjin districts together with a local guide. Fukuoka’s open-air food stalls (yatai) are a symbol of this southern city. Yatai can generally seat about seven or eight people and provide an atmospheric outdoor environment to savour a variety of simple, filling street foods. There are more than 150 yatai scattered across Fukuoka, but the best place to find them is either along the river in Nakasu-Kawabata or lining the streets of Tenjin.
Fukuoka is well-known as one of Japan’s foodie cities, and most yatai will specialise in Fukuokan comfort foods such as mouth-watering pan-fried gyoza dumplings, steaming ramen or warming motsunabe (offal hotpot). Usually, some common Japanese dishes like yakitori, okonomiyaki (savory pancakes) or hearty oden stew are also on the menu. If you are lucky, you might even spot rare yatai selling Western foods such as pasta or paella! Your guide will take you to their favourite yatai, where food and drinks will be included until the end of the tour.
Meals included: Dinner
Guiding: 2 hours
Day 6: Fukuoka
Today, immerse yourself in the rich artistic traditions of Fukuoka on this carefully curated tour that highlights craftsmanship, creativity, and cultural heritage.
Begin by discovering the art of Hakata magemono, traditional wooden crafts made from thinly shaved cedar or cypress, as an artisan shares the history and meticulous techniques behind this centuries-old craft. Take part in a hands-on workshop where you’ll add the finishing touches to a handcrafted bento box and fill it with fresh ingredients to create your own personalized bento meal.
Next, visit Hakozaki Shrine, a site of deep historical and spiritual significance. Led by a Shinto priest, you’ll learn about the shrine’s connection to magemono crafts and gain access to the exclusive Treasure Hall, where rare artifacts are preserved.
Enjoy your handmade bento in a serene setting before continuing your journey into Fukuoka’s artistic world.
Explore the gallery and private workshop of a Hakata doll maker, where you’ll witness the delicate artistry involved in creating these iconic figurines and sculptures. End your day with an introduction to Japanese calligraphy, watching a master artist bring words to life through elegant brushstrokes. Try your hand at this meditative practice, creating a unique keepsake of your time in Fukuoka.
Meals included: Lunch
Guiding: 7 hours
Day 7: Fukuoka
Take a day trip to Yanagawa, a canal city with more than 60 kilometres of waterways crisscrossing an area of only 2 square kilometres. Embark on a scenic cruise through Yanagawa’s picturesque waterways, accompanied by the rich flavors of the local delicacy, steamed eel.
Discover the allure of Yanagawa Tachibana-tei Ohana, a distinguished Japanese inn and restaurant nestled in the heart of the city. As the sole remaining feudal lord's villa open for overnight stays in Japan, Ohana offers a rare glimpse into the opulent lifestyle of the Tachibana family, rulers of the Yanagawa Domain. Explore the meticulously landscaped grounds of Shotoen, an exquisite Japanese-style garden, and marvel at the elegant architecture of Seiyokan, a splendid Western-style building. You will also experience Japanese omotenashi (hospitality) as you enjoy some tea in the large hall.
After your visit to Ohana, you will head back to Fukuoka.
Meals included: Lunch
Guiding: 6 hours
Day 8: Departure or onward travel
Your day is free until your scheduled transfer to Fukuoka Airport in time for your return flight.
Meals included: None
Guiding: None
~ END OF SERVICES ~ This trip can be modified to suit your travel needs. (destasia)