KYUSHU LOCAL GOURMET + SIGHTSEEING TRAIN TOUR
Nov. 10 ~ 23 (12 nights, 14 days)

Date	Place and Hotel ♨=onsen	Activity	B	L	D
Nov. 10 (Sun.)		Depart Honolulu to Fukuoka.
11 (Mon.)	FUKUOKA HOTEL GRANVIEW	Arrive at Fukuoka airport, then we go to hotel.
12 (Tue.)	BEPPU BAY DAIWA ROYAL HOTEL♨	From Hakata station we ride a JR Kyushu sightseeing train “Yufuin no Mori". Once you step in the train, the warm yet modern wooden interior will make you feel like you are at a resort. Please enjoy Ekiben Yufuin Bento for lunch. After arriving at Beppu station, enjoy Beppu Hell (Jigoku) tour. We'll visit Umi Jigoku, Oniishibozu　Jigoku, Oniyama Jigoku, Kamado Jigoku, Chi-no-ike Jigoku, and Tatsumaki Jigoku. Please enjoy the various hells. Then we go to the hotel.	×	×	×
13 (Wed.)	BEPPU BAY DAIWA ROYAL HOTEL♨	From the hotel we go to Yabakei Gorge. There are 66 spots in Yabakei, but we visit the most beautiful spot, Hitome Hakkei. This spot is called Hitome Hakkei meaning eight types of scenic beauties in one site. Especially you can enjoy breathtaking view of sprouting red autumn foliage in autumn. Then we go to Yufuin town. We visit Yunotsubo Kaido, the main shopping street. Next go to see Lake Kinrin, known as a mystical lake and autumn leaves are beautiful. Lunch is Oita prefecture's famous Toriten set meal (Chicken Tempura). After lunch we go to Tsurumidake Ropeway, enjoy the panorama view from the top and see the beautiful scenery and autumn leaves. (One of 31 Japan’s most beautiful places selected by CNN). Then we go back to the same hotel.	×	×	×
14 (Thu.)	ASO KAMENOI HOTEL♨	From the hotel we head to Mt. Aso, which has one of the largest calderas in the world. On the way, we visit to the Kokonoe Yume Otsurihashi, is the highest suspension bridge which is only for walkway in Japan. Enjoy the scenery of the autumn leaves. Then we go to Daikanbo view spot, it offers the best 360-degree panoramic view in Aso. Here you can see the Five Peaks of Aso, as well as the Kuju Mountain Range. The Five Peaks of Aso, as seen from Daikanbo are said to resemble a Buddha lying down. Lunch is Kumamoto's specialty Red Beef Steak. After lunch we go to Mt. Aso Nakadake Crater. Mt. Aso is still active and its crater is 1970ft in diameter, 430ft in depth and 2.5mi in circumference. You can see the huge crater emitting white smoke and the magnificent scenery up close. When the level of volcanic activity is high, you may not be able to approach the crater. Next go to Aso Kusasenri-ga-Hama, a beautiful plain near the summit of Mt. Aso. Then we go to the hotel.	×	×	×
15 (Fri.)	MIYAZAKI RICHMOND HOTEL	From the hotel we visit Takachiho Gorge, a narrow chasm cut through the rock by the Gokase river with nearly sheer cliffs forming columns, it is a nature preserved beautiful scenery. Rental boats are available at the south end of the gorge, if you want you can row a boat (own pay). Then we go to see Ayu-Yana in Nobeoka city. From October to December, Nobeoka conducts the traditional fishing practice known as Ayu-Yana. To catch the Ayu (sweet fish) which are swimming downstream to spawn, the path of the river is funneled to pass over a weir. Built below the weir is a slatted bamboo platform called “otesu.” The Ayu falls over the weir and is trapped on the otesu. Lunch is Ayu cuisine. Fresh Ayu is excellent! After lunch we visit Miyazaki Peace Park (Heiwadai Park). Heiwadai Park was built in 1940 to celebrate the 2600th anniversary of the ascension of Emperor Jimmu (the mythical first emperor of Japan). Inside the park stands the Peace Tower constructed of stones sent from all around Asia and one of Miyazaki's most recognizable landmarks. Then we go to hotel in Miyazaki.	×	×
16 (Sat.)	MIYAZAKI RICHMOND HOTEL	From Miyazaki station ride a sightseeing train “Umisachi-Yamasachi" and go to Obi station. You can enjoy the view of the sea and mountains, enjoy an hour sightseeing train journey. After arriving at Obi station we visit Obi castle ruins. The castle and its surrounding territory is also designated as one of Japan’s Preservation Districts for Groups of Historic Buildings. Lunch is Tuna Donburi at the restaurant of samurai residence. After lunch we play Shihan Mato, it is a Japanese style of archery using a short bow, with the archer shooting from a sitting position. Even beginners can easily enjoy it. Then we go to Udo shrine. The shrine located on the Nichinan Coast is dedicated to Yamasachihiko, the father of Emperor Jimmu. This brightly painted shrine is set in a cave on the side of a cliff overlooking the ocean and so enjoy a spectacular view. Next visit Aoshima Island. The shallow water around the island has a geological phenomenon known as Oni no Sentakuita, or devil's washboard. Visible at low tide, these perfectly straight rows of basalt rock look as if they must be the remnants of something manmade. Then we go back to the same hotel.	×	×
17 (Sun)	KAGOSHIMA URBIC HOTEL	From the hotel we visit Kurozu (black vinegar) farm & shop in Fukuyama town in Kagoshima. We can learn how to make black vinegar and we can taste it. Lunch is a dish using the famous black vinegar.　After lunch we go to Sakurajima Island, one of Japan's most active volcano and the symbol of Kagoshima. We visit the Kurokami Maibotsu Torii (Buried Shrine Gate), it was buried with lava after a major eruption in 1914. Next take the ferry and go to Kagoshima city on the main land. After arriving port visit Chrysanthemum festival in Sengan-en Garden. The garden Japanese style landscape garden to the former Shimazu clan, it was a villa of the Shimazu family (the Kagoshima lord) and see the Goten (palace). (One of 31 Japan’s most beautiful places selected by CNN). Then we go to the hotel.	×	×
18 (Mon.)	KAGOSHIMA URBIC HOTEL	From Kagoshima Chuo station ride a sightseeing train “Tamatebako" and go to Ibusuki station. It is a sightseeing train with the concept of the folk story Urashima Taro, enjoy an hour sightseeing train journey. After arrive at Ibusuki station we go to Ryugu Shrine, located at Nagasaki-bana on the southernmost point of Satsuma peninsula. The shrine is said to be the birthplace of Urashima Taro, a man who was said to have saved a turtle which then brought him to the undersea palace. Lunch is a famous bonito dish. After lunch we go to Chiran town famous for Japanese tea. Let's make Japanese tea using the traditional hand-rubbing method. After the experience, we will learn how to make delicious sencha using a teapot (you get to keep what you have made). After lunch we visit Ishin Furusato-kan (Museum of the Meiji Restoration), a history museum where visitors can learn about the Meiji Restoration. Sound, light and robots are used to present a three-dimensional experience of the Meiji Restoration. Then we go back to the same hotel.	×	×
19 (Tue.)	KUMAMOTO MIELPARQUE	From Kagoshima Chuo station we ride the N700 series shinkansen and go to Kumamoto station. After arriving Kumamoto station, we go to see Kumamoto castle, after receiving heavy damage after the 2016 earthquake, most of the exterior on the main tower is about completed. Also visit Josaien, a tourist facility designed to enhance the appeal of the old castle town & to convey visitors the history, food, and cultural traditions of the region from Kumamoto castle. Lunch is a set meal of Kumamoto's famous mustard greens rice, dagojiru, and dengaku. After lunch we go to hotel. Arrive early at the hotel and enjoy some shopping at the lively shopping street.	×	×
20 (Wed.)	NAGASAKI HOTEL NEW NAGASAKI	From the hotel we go to Kumamoto port to ride ferry to Shimabara port. We can see the seaweed farm from the ferry and enjoy an hour's voyage. After arrive port we go to Memorial Park of Houses Destroyed by Debris Flow. This memorial park is located inside Mizunashi Honjin Fukae Roadside Station, and it exhibits 11 houses (preserved in its original condition) buried by the debris flow from the volcanic eruption of Mt. Unzen in 1992. Lunch is Shimabara's specialty Guzoni. This light soup is made using soft, round mochi and a wide variety of other fresh ingredients from across the peninsula. After lunch we visit Nagasaki Castella Land, see the castella factory and the stores. Then we go to the hotel. In the evening ride a ropeway to go to Inasayama and see the night views of Nagasaki, the new one of three major night views of Japan.	×	×
21 (Thu.)	NAGASAKI HOTEL NEW NAGASAKI	Sightseeing within Nagasaki city. We catch a ferry and go to Gunkanjima, a small island of 0.68 sq.ft. From around 1890 the island flourished with coal. There were 5200 people living back then, but now it is a uninhabited world heritage site island. If the waves are not high you can land. Lunch is Nagasaki's specialty Champon. After lunch we visit Dejima, a man-made island and was a Dutch trading post a couple hundred years ago. The area is now been restored and includes historical buildings, a museum and a miniature model of the former island. Then visit Glover Residence, the oldest western-style house. Next visit Nagasaki Peace Park, commemorating the atomic bombing of the city on Aug.9, 1945 during World War II. Then we return to the same hotel.	×	×
22 (Fri.)	FUKUOKA NISHITETSU GRAND	From the hotel we visit Autumn Leaves Festival in Mifuneyama Rakuen. Autumn leaves in fall create the stunning scenery with a cliff of Mt. Mifuneyama in the background, that reminds you of landscape painting. Then we go to Afterwards, head to Yanagawa, which is known as the Water City and Venice of Kyushu. Enjoy a ride down the Yanagawa River on a donkobune, a traditional boat. Lunch is Yanagawa's specialty eel. After lunch we visit Dazaifu Tenmangu, it is one of among hundreds of Tenmangu shrines throughout Japan. At the Omotesando you can eat the famous Umegae Mochi (a popular local specialty rice cake with azuki bean filling & a plum blossom imprinted as it's signature). Then we go to hotel. If you would like to see Sumo after check-in, we will take you. Sumo ticket is a separate cost (chair seat about $ 50), please request at time of signing up for this tour.	×	×
23 (Sat.)		From the hotel we go to Yanagibashi Rengo Ichiba, a busy market full of fresh seafoods and loved by the local people of Hakata as a “Pantry of Hakata". Then we visit Kushida Shrine, most important Shinto shrine in the area and is famous for it's yearly Hakata Gion Yamakasa Festival. Next visit the Hakata Machiya Folk Museum, learn about old daily life & Hakata culture during the Meiji and Taisho period. Lunch is Hakata’s famous “Ichiran" tonkotsu ramen. After lunch we go to airport for your departure flight to Honolulu.	×	×