Southern Japan with Hiroshima and Nagasaki (2026)

Day 1: Osaka

Welcome to Japan! Upon arrival, we´ll provide a transfer to the hotel, where you’ll have free time to relax. In the afternoon, you’ll receive information about the start of the tour.

Day 2: Osaka - Himeji - Korakuen Garden - Okayama

We’ll depart for Himeji, where admission to its immense complex, showcasing the architecture of Japanese castles, will be included. After lunch at a local restaurant (included), we’ll continue to Okayama, where we’ll visit Korakuen, one of the most beautiful gardens in Japan, with its lakes, waterfalls, and traditional teahouses. By crossing a pedestrian bridge over the river, you’ll have the opportunity to visit Okayama Castle, a sixteenth-century Japanese fortification rebuilt in 1966 after being destroyed in a World War II bombing (visit inside the castle not included). Afterward, you’ll have free time to explore the city, an active provincial capital with just over 700,000 inhabitants.Note: On some dates, we may stay in Fukuyama or Kurashiki. The visit to Kurashiki may take place on the same day in the afternoon.

Day 3: Okayama - Kurashiki - Itsukushima - Hiroshima

We’ll set out for Kurashiki, a city renowned for its beautifully preserved historic center. You’ll have time to enjoy a leisurely stroll through its charming streets, where the atmosphere of the past is still alive.Our journey will then take us to Hiroshima, a city forever marked by the atomic bomb that devastated it in 1945. We’ll visit the Peace Memorial Park, the Atomic Bomb Dome, and the moving Peace Memorial Museum, where the history and resilience of this city are powerfully remembered.Seeking serenity after these reflections, we’ll take a ferry to the island known as the place “where men and gods live together.” Here, we’ll visit the famous Itsukushima Shrine, dedicated to the guardian of the seas, and partially built over the water. You’ll have time to explore the shrine, wander through the picturesque town center, and enjoy lunch.Afterward, we’ll return to our hotel in Hiroshima, where dinner will be included.Note: The order of visits in Hiroshima may be adjusted without altering the overall tiinerary.

Day 4: Hiroshima - Fukuoka

After breakfast, we’ll depart for the island of KYUSHU. Connected to Japan’s main island by bridges, Kyushu is the third-largest island in JAPAN. Known for its milder climate, volcanic landscapes, and hot springs, it offers a fascinating blend of tradition and innovation.We’ll arrive around midday in FUKUOKA, the largest city on Kyushu. Upon arrival, we’ll visit Canal City Hakata, a vast shopping and entertainment complex built around an artificial canal that creates an urban oasis, featuring fountain shows every 30 minutes. You’ll have time to stroll around and enjoy lunch.Next, we’ll visit Tocho-ji Temple, founded in 806, famous for its five-story pagoda, a large statue of Buddha, and the Senju Kannon, a depiction of the thousand-armed female deity of mercy. Afterwards, you’ll have free time to explore at your own pace.

Day 5: Fukuoka - DAZAIFU TENMANGU - NAGASAKI

We’ll depart for DAZAIFU TENMANGU, located near FUKUOKA. This is one of Japan’s most important Shinto shrines, dedicated to Sugawara no Michizane, the deity of learning and scholarship. Surrounded by beautiful gardens and ponds, it is especially famous for its more than 6,000 plum trees, which bloom spectacularly in late winter.We’ll then continue to NAGASAKI, a city that, like Hiroshima, was devastated by an atomic bomb during World War II. Upon arrival, we’ll stop at Chukagai, Japan’s most famous Chinatown, known for its lively pedestrian street lined with food stalls and restaurants. You’ll have free time for lunch.After lunch, we’ll visit the Atomic Bomb Museum (admission included), followed by the Peace Park, where we’ll admire the powerful sculptures donated by various countries as symbols of hope and peace.In the afternoon, we’ll visit Ōura Church, Japan’s oldest Christian church, dedicated to the 26 Martyrs of Nagasaki. This church beautifully combines Gothic architecture with local elements and was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2018 as part of the “Hidden Christian Sites in the Nagasaki Region.”Finally, we’ll explore the Dejima area, a reconstructed historical district that was once an artificial island where Dutch merchants lived — for centuries, it served as Japan’s only point of contact with the outside world. (Admission included.)

Day 6: NAGASAKI - UNZEN JIGOKU - KUMAMOTO

We are traveling through volcanic lands. We will depart from NAGASAKI toward the Shimabara Peninsula, known for its volcanic origins and dominated by Mount Unzen. We will stop at UNZEN JIGOKU, a geothermal area with steam vents, bubbling pools of boiling mud, and a strong sulfur smell. We will walk “through the hells,” as this area is popularly known, which in the 17th century was the setting of Christian persecution.We will then continue to SHIMABARA, where we will board a ferry for a crossing of approximately 45 minutes.Upon arrival in KUMAMOTO, we will have free time in the shopping area around the castle to stroll and have lunch. Afterwards, we will visit Kumamoto Castle (admission included), considered one of the three great castles of Japan, famous for its black towers and massive stone walls, some of which are still under reconstruction following damage caused by the 2016 earthquake.We will also visit Suizenji Jojuen (admission included), a landscaped garden featuring miniature recreations of mountains and lakes. Free time afterward in this modern city.

Day 7: KUMAMOTO - ASO VULCANO - YUFUIN - BEPPU

We will set out to visit one of Japan’s most active and spectacular volcanoes: MOUNT ASO, famous for its vast caldera, one of the largest in the world, measuring approximately 25 km in diameter. Inside the caldera are several volcanic peaks, the most active being Mount Nakadake. We will reach the crater by shuttle from the base of the volcano, where you can enjoy breathtaking scenery and see the steaming sulfur lake.Note: at times, due to volcanic activity and safety reasons, access to Mount Nakadake may be restricted.Afterward, there will be free time in the area where the Aso Volcano Museum is located (optional visit, admission not included), as well as walking trails, restaurants, and shopping areas.We will then continue to YUFUIN, a charming onsen town set in a peaceful valley surrounded by rice fields. Time to enjoy a coffee and take a stroll.Next, we will proceed to BEPPU, a city renowned for its remarkable geothermal activity, with more than 3,000 hot springs. We will visit the “Hells of Beppu,” including admission to Umi Jigoku, known for its striking blue water and beautiful gardens, and Kamado Jigoku, very popular with families for its ponds of varying colors and temperatures, decorated with demon figures.After the visits, transfer to the hotel and free time.

Day 8: BEPPU - USA JINGU - Fukuoka

We’ll depart for USA JINGU, one of Japan’s most important Shinto shrines and the main sanctuary dedicated to Hachiman, the protective deity of Japan. It serves as the head shrine of more than 40,000 Hachiman shrines across the country. Founded in the 8th century, it beautifully combines traditional architecture with expansive gardens surrounded by nature. We’ll take a walk across its red bridge and through its main pavilions, a setting that is both photogenic and deeply spiritual.We’ll then continue to FUKUOKA, arriving around lunchtime.

Day 9: Fukuoka

After breakfast, our journey will come to an end, leaving you with wonderful lasting memories.