“Our Land of Fire tour starts in Kyoto, the former imperial capital and repository of much of Japan’s cultural heritage. We visit Asuka, where Japan’s early emperors are buried, and then take a journey by boat through the Inland Sea, which brings us to the southern island of Kyushu. Known as the cradle of Japanese civilization, several locations are connected with the Japanese creation myths which inspired the yokagura dances in Takachiho.
Kyushu is also known for its numerous active volcanoes, as well as the spectacular island of Yakushima to the south, a national park and UNESCO World Heritage site. Unique flora and fauna can be admired here, including deer, macaques, and giant trees.
A natural by-product of the volcanoes are onsen hot springs and we will enjoy relaxing dips in their soothing waters, as well as the unforgettable hot sand baths at Yamakawa, purported to have health and beauty benefits. We take in views of Mount Aso, with the world’s largest volcanic caldera, and later visit the vibrant city of Nagasaki.
Throughout our journey, we stay at traditional inns and comfortable hotels, enjoying dishes prepared with the freshest ingredients. Our tour ends amidst the crowds and neon of Osaka, Japan’s culinary capital.
Your tour highlights
- Ride an overnight ferry through the Inland Sea to Kyushu
- See the beautiful Takachiho Gorge and the traditional yokagura dances
- See Kyushu’s famous volcanoes and experience volcanic sand bathing
- Stay in historical and cultural Nagasaki
- Walk the Philosopher’s Path and explore Nishiki Market – ‘Kyoto’s kitchen’
- Spend three nights on the UNESCO World Heritage island of Yakushima
Tour itinerary
Meet your guide and other group members at the tour hotel in central Kyoto in the evening. There will be a welcome dinner at a local restaurant.
Accommodation: Western-style hotel
Meals: Welcome dinner
We have a full day to discover the ancient capital of Kyoto. We first visit Ginkaku-ji Temple, the Silver Pavilion, and then walk along the Philosopher’s Path to Nanzen-ji Temple. After lunch we see Nijo Castle, the Kyoto residence of the Tokugawa shōguns in the 17th century. Built in the Momoyama style, the building has ‘nightingale’ wooden floors which creak when walked on – a security measure against intruders. We then head to Nishiki Market, known as ‘Kyoto’s kitchen’ and gaze at the fabulous array of seafood, pickles, tea, sweets, and other foodstuffs on display.
Accommodation: Western-style hotel
Meals: Breakfast
We take a short train ride from Kyoto south to Asuka, Japan’s first permanent capital. On the southern edge of the Yamato Plain, Asuka is home to some of the first Buddhist temples in Japan. The town is also dotted with burial mounds, said to be those of the first emperors. From Asuka we make our way to Osaka Port and catch the overnight ferry through the Seto Inland Sea to Beppu. On board we have private cabins and can even enjoy a Japanese bath!
Walking distance: 5.3 km / 3.3 mi
Time required: About 1.5 hours
Accommodation: Ferry cabin
Meals: Breakfast
Arriving in Beppu by sea can be a dramatic and memorable experience. The city is surrounded by mountains, and steam from the abundant hot springs rises skyward to give it an otherworldly feel. We board a bus for the journey to Kurokawa Onsen. We check in to our traditional ryokan, and enjoy a soak in one of the many hot spring baths in the village.
Dinner is a multicourse feast at our inn.
Accommodation: Onsen ryokan (hot spring inn)
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
From Kurokawa Onsen we travel by private chartered coach to Takachiho. We can hope for views of Mount Aso, which is not actually a single mountain but a cluster of five volcanoes in one of the largest calderas in the world. The peaks of two of these, Mount Takadake and Mount Nakadake dominate the Aso skyline. These peaks have been an object of awe worship since ancient times.
We will stay in the town of Takachiho for the next two nights.
Accommodation: Japanese-style hotel
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
After breakfast we visit the shrine of Ama-no-Iwato, literally ‘Heaven’s Rock Cave’, referring to the cave where sun goddess Amaterasu was said to have hidden. We continue to Takachiho Gorge, with its strange rock formations created by volcanic activity, which have become part of local folklore and the Japanese national creation myth. We enjoy a short walk along the gorge and lunch at a small teahouse. After dinner at our ryokan, we visit Takachiho Shrine to see the yokagura – sacred dances which tell the mythical story of Japan’s creation.
Walking distance: 6 km / 3.75 mi
Time required: 2 hours
Accommodation: Ryokan (traditional Japanese inn)
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Leaving Takachiho, we will travel to Kumamoto and visit Kumamoto Castle, known as one of Japan’s great castles. After lunch we continue south to the city of Kagoshima, dramatically situated on Kagoshima Bay opposite Sakurajima, an active volcano. We visit Sengan-en, the lovely villa and gardens of the Shimazu Clan. Kagoshima has a culture and cuisine distinct from other parts of Japan. Shochu, a spirit usually made from sweet potato is favoured over sake, and slow-baked kurobuta (a breed of Berkshire pig) as well as grilled bonito skipjack tuna are two typical local dishes.
Accommodation: Western-style hotel
Meals: Breakfast
We head further south this morning by train along Kagoshima Bay to the seaside town of Ibusuki. Here, thermally heated mineral water bubbles up through the black volcanic sand on the beach. Locals mix the sand to ensure a steady temperature and we will don cotton yukata robes to be buried in the warm sand. Very relaxing! Return to Kagoshima for dinner.
Walking distance: 2.8 km / 1.7 mi
Time required: About 1 hour
Accommodation: Western-style hotel
Meals: Breakfast
From Kagoshima we travel by ferry to Yakushima Island, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The small population lives around the coast of this mountainous island, while the interior is almost totally undeveloped. Giant cedar called yakusugi stand tall in the moss-laden forest – some of them thousands of years old. Around the coast are stunning beaches and hot springs.
Accommodation: Western-style hotel
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
We have a full day on Yakushima. We hike into the interior, walking amongst the giant yakusugi trees, and if we are lucky spot some of the macaques. The centre of the island is a temperate rainforest, and the highest peak on Yakushima is the tallest mountain in the south of Japan. It’s a unique ecosystem and has escaped any significant development. We return by local bus to our hotel.
Walking distance: 3 km / 1.9 mi
Time required: 3 hours
Accommodation: Western-style hotel
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Our third day on Yakushima is spent on a private coach tour of the island. We will visit a lovely beach, as well as the pristine Seibu Rindo Forest Path, home to yakuzaru macaques and yakushika deer. We’ll also see one of the most spectacular hot springs in Japan, built into the rocks lapped by the waves. After lunch, we enjoy a short walk on the trail to a charming hidden waterfall.
Accommodation: Western-style hotel
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Leaving Yakushima by high-speed ferry, we board the bullet train in Kagoshima and travel to Nagasaki, a city famous for its history as one of the few places that allowed foreign trade during Japan’s 250-year period of government-controlled isolation and as the location of the second 1945 atomic bombing. Today, the port is a vibrant, modern city with deep connections to its past.
Accommodation: Western-style hotel
Meals: Breakfast
Explore Nagasaki This morning we visit Dejima, the site of the former Dutch trading colony in Nagasaki. Dejima used to be an island and Dutch traders were not allowed to live on the mainland. Dejima has been restored and you can see replicas of some of the original buildings. We then visit Sōfuku-ji Temple, built by Chinese settlers in the 17th century. We have free time to relax and perhaps shop for souvenirs in the afternoon, or to visit the Nagasaki National Peace Memorial Hall.
Accommodation: Western-style hotel
Meals: Breakfast
We visit the Glover Garden this morning. The mansion and gardens, with wonderful views over Nagasaki, were built for Thomas Glover, a Scottish entrepreneur who helped modernise Japan’s shipbuilding and mining industries. The location is associated with Puccini’s opera ‘Madame Butterfly’. After lunch we board the bullet train for our journey to Osaka. There will be free time to relax and perhaps shop for souvenirs, and in the evening there will be a farewell dinner.
Accommodation: Western-style hotel
Meals: Breakfast, farewell dinner
Our tour ends today after breakfast at the hotel in Osaka. Your guide will be on hand to offer assistance and advice for travelling to the airport if you have homeward flights, or on onward travel if you are extending your stay in Japan.
Meals: Breakfast
What you’ll see on the tour
Tour pricing:
from $12,279
To secure your place now:
Phone: 03 364 3400 or 0800 747 737
Email: [email protected]
Tour Inclusions:
Full-time services of an English-speaking tour guide
14 nights in hotels and Japanese-style inns
Daily breakfast and 8 dinners
All transportation between tour locations
Entrance to museums, temples and other sights on the group’s itinerary
Forwarding of one item of luggage on 3 occasions
Traditional Yokagura dance performance
Black volcanic sand bath on the beach