West Japan Explorer - Tour Itinerary Details
Day 1 – Fly From Tokyo to Yakushima - Minshuku Lodging (Japanese Style Room)
Group will meet in Tokyo for internal flight from Haneda to Kagoshima in Kyushu. Flight departs Tokyo's Haneda airport. Connecting flight direct to Yakushima.
Day 2 – Yakushima - Minshuku Lodging (Japanese Style Room)
We will explore the island today, driving around the coast and enjoying a swim in South China Sea (weather permitting!).
Day 3 – Hiking on Yakushima - Mountain Hut (Japanese Style Room)
Early morning start for first day of hiking. We head for the 1,935m peak of Miyanouradake, the highest point in southern Japan, passing some cedar trees reckoned to be many thousands of years old. Yakushima is in the Kirishima National Park, and in 1993 was the first place in Japan to be recognized as a World Heritage Site. Spend night in very basic mountain hut – we will carry sleeping bags and our food for the hike.
Day 4 - Yakushima - Mountain Lodge
We continue along the trail, along high ridges where, weather permitting, we should get some great views. We will pass the largest cedar in Japan, the Jomon sugi, and the massive Wilson stump as we descend from the peaks. Late afternoon visit to open air hot spring baths beside the sea. Relaxing evening.
Day 5 – Kagoshima - Mountain Lodging
The 2008 tour is spending an extra day on Yakushima following feedback from the 2007 group. There will be time to relax after strenuous hike across the island on the previous two days.
Day 6 – Mount Aso - Ryokan Lodging (Japanese Style Room)
This morning we will take a morning flight back to Kagoshima. From Kagoshima we will drive to the southern part of the Mount Aso region in the center of Kyushu . We will have lunch and an afternoon walk in the company of a local ex-pat. Overnight is in an inn with delicious local food and hot spring baths. In the morning you can try your hand at whipping up some macha – powdered green tea (the sort used in the tea ceremony).
Day 7 – Mount Aso and Usuki - Minshuku Lodging (Japanese Style Room)
This morning we will approach Mt. Aso from the north and climb up to the rim, from where we should get good views down into the crater. The walk takes about 5 hours. After descending we will drive to Usuki, stopping to see the 700 year-old Buddhist stone carvings on the way.
Day 8 – Usuki and Beppu - Minshuku Lodging (Japanese Style Room)
In the morning we will travel to Beppu for a hot sand bath in the traditional bathhouse or on the beach. In the afternoon there will free time to wander around the old part of the town of Usuki before dinner.
Day 9 – Hiroshima - Ryokan Lodging (Japanese Style Room)
Local and Shinkansen bullet train to Hiroshima in the morning. Visit to Itsukushima shrine on Miyajima in the afternoon.
Day 10 - Hiroshima and Bus Trip to Matsue - Western Style Hotel
In the morning we will visit Hiroshima's Peace Memorial Park. After lunch we will travel to Matsue by bus.
Day 11 - Izumo Taisha and Matsue - Western Style Hotel
Today we will take a local train to Izumo to see Izumo Taisha or Grand Shrine. Noodle lunch. In the afternoon we will visit the well-preserved Matsue Castle, and other sites including Lafcadio Hearn's old house and the museum of modern art.
Day 12 - Mt. Daisen - Western Style Hotel
Today we will climb Mt Daisen, about an hours drive from Matsue, weather permitting. If weather prevents a walk to the top, we will shorten the walk. In either case we will descend via the Daisen Shinto shrine.
Day 13 - Kinosaki - Ryokan Lodging (Japanese Style Room)
Today we will take a train along the Japan Sea coast to the pretty, natural hot spring town of Kinosaki. In the afternoon we will visit a pottery. You will have a short lesson, followed by the chance to play with some clay and make something that will always remind you of your adventures.
Day 14 - Kyoto - Ryokan Lodging (Japanese Style Room)
This morning we will take a train to Kyoto. After checking in to our hotel, there will be time to see one or two sites before dinner. Activities can be arranged depending on the interests of individual group members.
Day 15 - Kyoto - Ryokan Lodging (Japanese Style Room)
After a leisurely breakfast, there will be time for enjoying Kyoto sites or simply shopping. Activities for all or part of the day can easily be arranged. We will take the Shinkansen bullet train to Tokyo in the late afternoon. Farewell dinner.
Day 16 - Tokyo - Farewell
This tour ends today. You can go to the airport to catch your homeward flight or continue on to other adventures you may have planned.
Tour schedules are subject to change. If any changes should be made it will be done in the best interest of the travelers. Japan Roads will at all times aim to offer you the most interesting tour possible.
Equipment & Clothing
On receiving your booking, we send you a dossier which contains a suggested gear and clothing list. If you have any queries at this initial stage please contact us and we will be pleased to offer advice.
Accommodation
Yakushima: Minshuku, Mountain Hut, Cottage
Aso: Ryokan
Usuki: Minshuku
HIROSHIMA: Modern Ryokan
Matsue: Western Style Hotel
Kinosaki: Ryokan
Kyoto: Western Style Hotel
Tokyo: Western Style Hotel
The mountain hut on Yakushima is very basic with no electricity or running water. We get water from a nearby stream. You will need a rucksack large enough (at least 50 liter) to carry a sleeping bag and a share of the food and other supplies for the 2-day hike.
Please note that single rooms are normally only available in hotels – where a single room supplement may apply.
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Part of the Rediscover Group of Travel Companies
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