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Japan & the Scenic South

  • Duration
    13 days
  • Tour Type
    Group Tour
  • Tour Style
    Classic
  • Price From
    £6,290pp
  • Read Reviews
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Uncover the beauty of the lesser-known island of Kyushu, renowned for its active volcanoes, hot springs and stunning beaches, before exploring the must-see sights of Hiroshima, Kyoto and Tokyo on Japan's largest island - Honshu.

  • Fully Inclusive
    Touring with Guides and entrance fees
  • Included Meals
    Breakfasts: 11 , Lunches: 10 , Dinners: 11
  • Flights
    International flights and current taxes
  • Accommodation
    11 nights in 3+/4 star accommodation
  • Group Tour
    Max Group Size: 28
  • Physical Rating 1Learn More
    X A reasonable level of fitness is required and you should expect to be on your feet for much of the day. You’ll be getting on and off coaches, trains or boats and walking around the sights, often including steps, plus occasional longer walks. Download the detailed tour dossier for details of your chosen tour. Learn More
    Walking, some steps and time on your feet
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Tour Highlights

Our Japan & the Scenic South tour will see you exploring the most iconic sites, delving into deep-rooted culture and dining on delicious cuisine. We pack all of tours to Japan with incredible things to do - here are just a few of the highlights

Inspired by Race Across the World?

Our Journey Through Japan tour is the closest tour you can take to follow in the racers' footsteps as they travelled from North to South. Explore the tour

Explore al the featured destinations at our Race Across the World page

Authentic Experiences

Our Japan & The Scenic South Tour has been thoughtfully designed and thoroughly researched to bring you a range of once-in-a-lifetime experiences, many of which are entirely exclusive to us.

Tour Itinerary

Uncover the beauty of the lesser-known island of Kyushu, renowned for its active volcanoes, hot springs and stunning beaches, before exploring the must-see sights of Hiroshima, Kyoto and Tokyo on the largest island of Honshu.

  • Days 1-2
    Fly overnight to Fukuoka
    Days 1-2: Fly overnight to Fukuoka

    Fly overnight to the charming city of Fukuoka, the gateway to the island of Kyushu. Depending on your time of arrival, the rest of the day is yours to start soaking up the local culture.

    • Dinner
  • Day 3
    Explore Fukuoka
    Day 3: Explore Fukuoka

    The lovely Fukuoka is at the heart of an area considered a cradle of culture – the city's position facing Korea and China across the sea means it's long been a channel of outside influence. This morning take a stroll through the traditional Rakusuien Garden and visit the famous Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine, dedicated to the god of academic achievement. Later, enjoy a relaxing cruise on the Yanagawa River, passing through a National Site of Scenic Beauty on a small 'donkobune'.

    • Breakfast
    • Lunch
    • Dinner
  • Day 4
    Discover Kumamoto
    Day 4: Discover Kumamoto

    Transfer to Kumamoto, a city famous for its majestic castle, one of Japan's largest and most complete. Stop by the castle which is currently under renovation and take a photo, before heading to Suizenji Garden. A traditional-style garden built in the 17th century, the garden recreates in miniature the important road that linked Edo (Tokyo) and Kyoto, including a mini Mount Fuji.

    • Breakfast
    • Lunch
    • Dinner
  • Day 5
    Visit Mount Aso & Beppu
    Day 5: Visit Mount Aso & Beppu

    Travel from Kumamoto to Mount Aso, an active volcano at the centre of Kyushu island. Aso's crater is one of the world's largest; with a circumference of over 100km it encompasses a number of other active peaks, which you'll be able to see (weather dependent). Continue to Beppu, one of Japan's most famous hot spring resorts – your hotel for the night has onsen facilities for you to make the most of the steamy waters.

    • Breakfast
    • Lunch
    • Dinner
  • Day 6
    Explore Beppu
    Day 6: Explore Beppu

    Venture out into Beppu, starting the day with a jigoku meguri, a hell tour! Here you'll find all sorts of volcanic features, including thermal mud and hot springs that have bubbled from the ground for a millennium. Pop over to Yufuin, another hot spring resort that is home to a wealth of art museums, cafes and boutiques and is a delight to explore. This afternoon transfer back to Fukuoka.

    • Breakfast
    • Lunch
    • Dinner
  • Day 7
    Travel to Hiroshima
    Day 7 - Travel to Hiroshima

    Depart Fukuoka for Hiroshima. Stop en route to explore the city of Yamaguchi, spending some time at Rurikoji, a Buddhist temple that boasts a spectacular national treasure – a five-storey pagoda built in 1442. Continue to Iwakuni for a lunch stop and then to the Kintaikyo Bridge, an elegant wooden bridge that crosses the Nishiki River. Arrive in Hiroshima.

    • Breakfast
    • Lunch
    • Dinner
  • Day 8
    Discover Hiroshima
    Day 8: Discover Hiroshima

    Hiroshima is a vibrant, forward-thinking city that is a pleasure to explore. Take a ferry across the Seto Inland Sea to the holy island of Miyajima and visit the Itsukushima Shrine before enjoying some time at leisure. Back in the city, reflect on Hiroshima's tragic past at the Peace Memorial Park and Museum paying homage to the victims of the 1945 atomic bomb.

    • Breakfast
    • Lunch
    • Dinner
  • Day 9
    Admire Himeji Castle
    Day 9: Admire Himeji Castle

    Depart Hiroshima for Kyoto, stopping in Himeji en route to visit the magnificent Himeji Castle, one of Japan's most impressive feudal era forts, and stroll through Kokoen, an Edo-style garden just across the castle moat. Drop in at a sake brewery to learn about the process of this traditional Japanese spirit before arriving in Kyoto.

    • Breakfast
    • Lunch
    • Dinner
  • Day 10
    Explore Kyoto
    Day 10: Explore Kyoto

    Capital for 1,000 years, Kyoto is the legacy of ancient Japan, full of tranquil temples, silk-clad geisha and sublime gardens. Start the day with a visit to the Fushimi Inari Shrine, remarkable for its 10,000 vermilion torii gate-lined pathways and impressive Nijo Castle. This afternoon gaze on the famous Kinkakuji, also known as the 'Golden Pavilion' before a stroll around the Gion district, Kyoto's famous geisha district and centre of the city's traditional arts.

    • Breakfast
    • Lunch
    • Dinner
  • Day 11
    Visit Hakone
    Day 11: Visit Hakone

    Transfer to Kyoto station and board a bullet train to Atami to transfer to the onsen resort of Hakone by road. Discover the mountainous beauty and rich culture of the Hakone area, before travelling to Lake Ashi for a cruise that will allow you to take in the spectacular panoramas of the area, including the iconic silhouette of Mount Fuji (weather permitting). Next, fly high over the thick forest on the Hakone Ropeway, passing the volcanic Owakudani Valley with its hot springs and steam vents. Later, continue to Tokyo, Japan's capital city.

    • Breakfast
    • Lunch
    • Dinner
  • Day 12
    Tour Tokyo
    Day 12: Tour Tokyo

    Tokyo, as modern as it may appear, behind the neon façade is a traditional soul that is easy to find amongst the old alleyways, temples and shrines of the Edo era. Today you will ascend the soaring Tokyo Skytree, Japan's tallest tower, for panoramic views, and wander through the old district of Asakusa. Stop at Sensoji, Tokyo's most famous and beloved temple. You will also drive by the Imperial Palace Plaza, soak up the atmosphere at the peaceful Meiji Jingu Shrine and see the world's most famous road crossing at Shibuya.

    • Breakfast
    • Lunch
    • Dinner
  • Day 13
    Fly Tokyo to UK
    Day 13: Fly Tokyo to UK

    Fly to the UK, arriving home the same or following day.

    • Breakfast

We draw from a wide range of hotels on our holidays, each one is chosen to suit the tour you are travelling on meaning your accommodation can range from a smart business hotel in one city to a family run guesthouse in a smaller town. Here are some examples of the type of hotel you can expect to find on this tour.

  • Nights 3
    Hakata Excel Hotel Tokyu
    Hakata Excel Hotel Tokyu
    The 4-star Hakata Excel Tokyu is located in the heart of Fukuoka and offers classically decorated rooms, featuring beautiful wood furnishings and air conditioning. The en-suite bathrooms are spacious and offer toiletries and slippers.
  • Night 1
    ANA Crowne Plaza Kumamoto New Sky
    ANA Crowne Plaza Kumamoto New Sky
    The ANA Crowne Plaza Kumamoto New Sky is located in the centre of Kumamoto and offers modern accommodation with a selection of restaurants. Dine at the Suncielo Restaurant for a variety of Italian dishes or dine on local delicacies at Kohrin Restaurant.
  • Night 1
    Hotel & Resorts Beppuwan
    Hotel & Resorts Beppuwan
    Perfectly placed for your explorations of Beppu's famous Hot Springs, Hotels & Resorts Beppuwan offers it's guests a luxurious onsen resort experience. The Western-style rooms are equipped with a private bathroom, flat screen TV and kettle.
  • Nights 2
    Grand Prince Hotel
    23-1 Motoujinamachi, Minami-Ku, Hiroshima 734-8543 Hiroshima Prefecture
    Grand Prince Hotel
    Overlooking the Seto Inland Sea, Grand Prince Hotel offers 5 dining options, a seasonal outdoor pool and hot spring baths. Air-conditioned rooms with a large picture window and a flat-screen TV await guests of the Grand Prince Hotel Hiroshima.
    • Wi-Fi
    • Swiming Pool
    • Restaurant
    • Bar
  • Nights 2
    Rihga Gran Kyoto
    1 Higashikujo Nishisannocho, Minami-ku, Kyoto 601-8003 Kyoto Prefecture
    Rihga Gran Kyoto
    Located near the hub of transportation Kyoto station and many of Kyoto's top attractions, the Rihga Royal Hotel Kyoto is in a great location for exploring this beautiful city. It's contemporary guest rooms are complete with Japanese touches and ensuite bathrooms. The hotel features many facilities, including six restaurants, a luxurious bar, a heated indoor pool, and a fitness gym.
    • Wi-Fi
    • Restaurant
    • Non-smoking
    • Bar
  • Nights 2
    Sunshine City Prince Hotel
    3-1-5 Higashi Ikebukuro, Toshima 170-8440 Tokyo Prefecture
    Sunshine City Prince Hotel
    The Sunshine Prince is located in Sunshine City, a shopping and entertainment hub of Tokyo and close to Ikebukuro Station, providing convenient transport links to the rest of the city. The hotel's en-suite rooms are simple, comfortable and traditionally furnished with a television, electric kettle, a mini fridge and a safety deposit box. Facilities in the hotel include onsite restaurants serving Japanese, Cantonese and Western cuisines, a café and bar and a 24 hour convenience store.
    • Wi-Fi
    • Restaurant
    • Non-smoking

The best time to visit Japan is during spring (March to May) when the cherry blossoms are bursting into life and autumn (September to November) when the scenery is ablaze with colour.

City Average Temperate Monthly Rainfall
  • Himeji
  • 4°c
  • 39mm
  • Hiroshima
  • 6°c
  • 45mm
  • Kumamoto
  • 6°c
  • 60mm
  • Kyoto
  • 5°c
  • 50mm
  • Tokyo
  • 5°c
  • 65mm
City Average Temperate Monthly Rainfall
  • Himeji
  • 4°c
  • 51mm
  • Hiroshima
  • 6°c
  • 67mm
  • Kumamoto
  • 7°c
  • 83mm
  • Kyoto
  • 6°c
  • 68mm
  • Tokyo
  • 6°c
  • 58mm
City Average Temperate Monthly Rainfall
  • Himeji
  • 7°c
  • 87mm
  • Hiroshima
  • 9°c
  • 124mm
  • Kumamoto
  • 11°c
  • 138mm
  • Kyoto
  • 9°c
  • 113mm
  • Tokyo
  • 9°c
  • 77mm
City Average Temperate Monthly Rainfall
  • Himeji
  • 13°c
  • 131mm
  • Hiroshima
  • 15°c
  • 142mm
  • Kumamoto
  • 16°c
  • 146mm
  • Kyoto
  • 14°c
  • 116mm
  • Tokyo
  • 14°c
  • 118mm
City Average Temperate Monthly Rainfall
  • Himeji
  • 17°c
  • 140mm
  • Hiroshima
  • 19°c
  • 178mm
  • Kumamoto
  • 20°c
  • 196mm
  • Kyoto
  • 19°c
  • 161mm
  • Tokyo
  • 18°c
  • 145mm
City Average Temperate Monthly Rainfall
  • Himeji
  • 22°c
  • 209mm
  • Hiroshima
  • 23°c
  • 247mm
  • Kumamoto
  • 24°c
  • 405mm
  • Kyoto
  • 23°c
  • 214mm
  • Tokyo
  • 22°c
  • 135mm
City Average Temperate Monthly Rainfall
  • Himeji
  • 26°c
  • 162mm
  • Hiroshima
  • 27°c
  • 259mm
  • Kumamoto
  • 28°c
  • 401mm
  • Kyoto
  • 27°c
  • 220mm
  • Tokyo
  • 26°c
  • 81mm
City Average Temperate Monthly Rainfall
  • Himeji
  • 27°c
  • 101mm
  • Hiroshima
  • 29°c
  • 111mm
  • Kumamoto
  • 29°c
  • 174mm
  • Kyoto
  • 29°c
  • 132mm
  • Tokyo
  • 27°c
  • 113mm
City Average Temperate Monthly Rainfall
  • Himeji
  • 23°c
  • 200mm
  • Hiroshima
  • 25°c
  • 170mm
  • Kumamoto
  • 25°c
  • 170mm
  • Kyoto
  • 25°c
  • 176mm
  • Tokyo
  • 23°c
  • 131mm
City Average Temperate Monthly Rainfall
  • Himeji
  • 17°c
  • 104mm
  • Hiroshima
  • 19°c
  • 88mm
  • Kumamoto
  • 19°c
  • 79mm
  • Kyoto
  • 18°c
  • 121mm
  • Tokyo
  • 18°c
  • 132mm
City Average Temperate Monthly Rainfall
  • Himeji
  • 11°c
  • 61mm
  • Hiroshima
  • 13°c
  • 68mm
  • Kumamoto
  • 13°c
  • 81mm
  • Kyoto
  • 12°c
  • 71mm
  • Tokyo
  • 12°c
  • 128mm
City Average Temperate Monthly Rainfall
  • Himeji
  • 6°c
  • 32mm
  • Hiroshima
  • 8°c
  • 41mm
  • Kumamoto
  • 8°c
  • 54mm
  • Kyoto
  • 7°c
  • 48mm
  • Tokyo
  • 8°c
  • 109mm
+ -
Japan & the Scenic South map

Places Visited: UK - Fukuoka (3N) - Kumamoto (1N) - Mt Aso - Beppu (1N) - Hiroshima (2N) - Himeji - Kyoto (2N) - Mt Fuji - Tokyo (2N) - UK

Download Detailed Itinerary

Tour Dates & Prices

All of our tour departures include international flights and taxes in the price. If your tour departs in less than 30 days, please call our travel experts to book.

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Departures for Solo travellers only are available for this tour on selected dates.
In addition to being for solos only these departures feature smaller group sizes, free airport lounge access and complimentary cocktails on arrival.

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There are no dedicated Solo departures for this year. You can enjoy any of our tours with no Single Supplement on our Happy to Share option or explore the solo departures in other years.

Depart UK
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Extensions and Stopovers

Extend your holiday or break up your journey with one of our extensions and stopovers. Choose from city breaks or some beach time, or spend more time in your chosen destination.

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