Original
Explorer
Rail
Southern Japan Experience
12 days • 4.8
5
Excellent
circle48 reviews
location_on 12 days
location_on
Start
Osaka, Japan
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Finish
Osaka, Japan
tour
Trip Code
CJSO
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Min Age
15
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Trip Size
1 - 12
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Physical Rating
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Meals
2 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 2 dinners
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Transport
Train, Ferry, Public Bus, Private bus, Metro, Bullet Train
bed
Accommodation
Hotel (9 nights), Homestay (1 night), Japanese Inn (1 night)
From £3,727(12 days)
Trip Informations
Why you’ll love this trip
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Explore the unique island of Naoshima – transformed from a sleepy fishing community into a world-class art destination, with sleek and stylish museums and artworks that harmonise with the landscape.
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Stay in a countryside homestay, taking you off the beaten track to experience excellent Japanese hospitality. Feast on home-cooked meals over fascinating conversations with your welcoming hosts and learn about rural life in Japan.
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Watch the steam coming out of the ‘hells’ (hot spring pools in Jigoku) of Beppu. Enjoy a local lunch, cooked in the unique local way – you’ll steam your food in the hot spring water, creating authentic flavours rich with healthy minerals! And followed by a relaxing soak in the local onsen if you wish!
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Take in the stunning view of the five peaks of Mount Aso from the Daikanbo Observatory, then a light hike on the moon-like terrain to the largest crater of Nakadake.
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Expect the unexpected in Nagasaki, tragically famous for being one of the only two cities that were bombed during the war. Discover the unique charm of this port-side Dutch influenced city and all the history it has collected over the years.
Is this trip right for you?
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Japan is best explored on foot and by public transport. You’ll need to be fit enough to spend most of each day on your feet and able to handle your luggage as you navigate busy train stations. We recommend comfortable shoes and packing light.
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On this trip, you’ll stay in a homestay and a traditional Japanese inn. It’s a great taste of tradition and local life and you’ll sleep on the traditional tatami floor (futons and blankets on the floor mat), just like the locals do! The facilities here will be shared.
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This trip is part of a longer itinerary. You might be joining travellers who have already spent some time together. If you have more time to explore, you might like to check out Ultimate Japan.
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Double rooms in Japanese hotels can be smaller than you may be used to (e.g. 20 sqm). Every effort will be made to accommodate double room requests. However, during busy periods, there may be occasions when we are unable to offer a double room, so a twin room will be provided.
Itinerary
Go off the path in southern Japan through steaming onsens and volcano panoramas
One of Japan’s greatest attractions is its blend of the modern and the traditional. On this 12-day trip, you’ll veer off the main island of Honshu and travel to the less-touristed southwest. Discover revived art on the island of Naoshima, wander the castle in Matsuyama and spend a night in a tranquil homestay in the village of Usuki. Steam away your worries in the onsens in Beppu and be treated to a night in the volcanic Mt Aso, staying right in the middle of a caldera in a traditional Japanese inn surrounded by rice terraces. Remind yourself of the sobering history of Nagasaki and end it all back where it began – in thriving Osaka. This adventure is the ultimate combination of modern art, bullet trains, countryside villages, traditional inns, delicious feasts and onsens, surrounded by impressive views of rice terraces, volcano craters and grasslands. If you’re looking for a new side of Japan – head to the south!
- DAY 1Day 1 • Osaka
- DAY 2Day 2 • Takamatsu
- DAY 3Day 3 • Naoshima Island/Takamatsu
- DAY 4Day 4 • Matsuyama
- DAY 5Day 5 • Usuki
- DAY 6Day 6 • Beppu
- DAY 7Day 7 • Beppu
- DAY 8Day 8 • Mount Aso
- DAY 9Day 9 • Nagasaki
- DAY 10Day 10 • Nagasaki
- DAY 11Day 11 • Osaka
- DAY 12Day 12 • Osaka
Inclusions
restaurant_menu Meals
2 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 2 dinners
airport_shuttle Transport
Train, Ferry, Public Bus, Private bus, Metro, Bullet Train
bed Accommodation
Hotel (9 nights), Homestay (1 night), Japanese Inn (1 night)
festival Included activities
circleTakamatsu - Ritsurin Garden & Sanuki Folkcraft Museum
circleTakamatsu - Naoshima day trip (ferry, public bus & bicycle)
circleMatsuyama - Matsuyama Castle
circleUsuki - Local Sake brewery visit and tasting
circleUsuki - Japanese home-cooking experience
circleBeppu - 'Hells' of Beppu (Jigoku)
circleBeppu - local onsen
circleBeppu - Steamed lunch (Beppu style)
circleMount Aso - Nakadake Crater
circleMount Aso - Sunasenri trail hike (or Kusasenri trail, weather and access dependent)
circleMount Aso - Ogi Rice terraces
circleMount Aso - Daikanbo Observatory
circleNagasaki - Glover Garden
circleNagasaki - Peace Park & Atomic Bomb Museum
circleNagasaki - tram day pass
museum Optional activities
circleNaoshima - Benesse House Museum - JPY1500
circleNaoshima - Chichu Art Museum - JPY2800
circleNaoshima - Art House Project (combined ticket) - JPY1400
circleMatsuyama - Ishiteji Temple - Free
circleMatsuyama - Dogo Onsen (basic entry) - JPY700
circleNagasaki - Nagasaki Museum of History & Culture - JPY630
circleNagasaki - Dejima Historical District - JPY520
circleNagasaki - 26 Martyrs Memorial - JPY500
circleNagasaki - Oura Catholic Church - JPY1000
Dates and availability
Starting
Ending
Remaining
Prices From
Friday May 30, 2025
Tuesday Jun 10, 2025
Trip size max: 12 - Sold Out
Friday Jun 13, 2025
Tuesday Jun 24, 2025
Trip size max: 12 - 7 spaces left
£4,758£4,044
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Friday Jun 27, 2025
Tuesday Jul 08, 2025
Trip size max: 12 - 7 spaces left
£4,659£3,960
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Sunday Jul 13, 2025
Thursday Jul 24, 2025
Trip size max: 12 - 8 spaces left
£4,846£3,876
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Tuesday Jul 29, 2025
Saturday Aug 09, 2025
Trip size max: 12 - 7 spaces left
£4,659£3,727
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Friday Aug 08, 2025
Tuesday Aug 19, 2025
Trip size max: 12 - 6 spaces left
£4,703£3,762
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Friday Aug 22, 2025
Tuesday Sep 02, 2025
Trip size max: 12 - 12 spaces left
£4,659
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Friday Sep 05, 2025
Tuesday Sep 16, 2025
Trip size max: 12 - 11 spaces left
£4,989£4,490
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Friday Sep 12, 2025
Tuesday Sep 23, 2025
Trip size max: 12 - 4 spaces left
£5,159£4,643
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Friday Sep 19, 2025
Tuesday Sep 30, 2025
Trip size max: 12 - 12 spaces left
£5,033
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Friday Sep 26, 2025
Tuesday Oct 07, 2025
Trip size max: 12 - 1 space left
£5,550£4,995
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Friday Oct 03, 2025
Tuesday Oct 14, 2025
Trip size max: 12 - 10 spaces left
£5,033£4,781
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Tuesday Oct 07, 2025
Saturday Oct 18, 2025
Trip size max: 12 - 9 spaces left
£5,033£4,781
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Friday Oct 10, 2025
Tuesday Oct 21, 2025
Trip size max: 12 - 4 spaces left
£5,484£5,209
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Tuesday Oct 14, 2025
Saturday Oct 25, 2025
Trip size max: 12 - Sold Out
Important notes
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1. We are currently unable to offer a single supplement, airport transfers or additional accommodation in Japan due to limited availability.
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2. It is essential that you pack light and compact for rail travel in Japan. Luggage size restrictions apply. Please review the ‘Packing’ section of the Essential Trip Information for more details.
Reviews (47)
5 stars
42
4 stars
3
3 stars
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2 stars
1
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Shazza
Apr 30, 2025
Very enjoyable Japan trip. Nice mix of well-known areas and less-travelled gems. Take advantage of the food variety! Also, highly suggest packing as light as possible since there is a good amount of travel on trains as well as taxi and private transport. Group guide, Naomi, was excellent! ありがとう!
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Jesse
Apr 26, 2025
If your goal for travelling to Japan is to immerse yourself in the culture, then book this. The southern island was a beautiful escape from the hustle and bustle of Japanese cities.
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Darryl
Apr 20, 2025
This was my first Intrepid trip and all I can say is that it was outstanding and much better than than I had expected great itinerary well paced Our guide was knowledgeable and calm and I felt he really cared entering out of his way to make sure we all got the most out of every day
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Josephine
Apr 20, 2025
This trip was great - the group worked well - great size at 12 - tour leader very knowledgeable and attentive to the groups needs - visited some interesting and exciting sites in Japan
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Nigel
Apr 19, 2025
I wrote one but when I went back to check a previous field the review disappeared. You need a more stable online form
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Therese
Apr 18, 2025
Toll!
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Mark
Apr 12, 2025
If you enjoy interesting trains and hot spring bathing this is the trip for you. But there is so much more to this tour. Cycling around the tranquil island of Naoshima and the homestay with a family in the countryside were highlights for me. I've been on 7 similar trips around Japan - this has been the best.
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SOPHIA
Apr 09, 2025
Great trip. Visited end of March to start of April. First time to Japan and we wanted to get off the beaten track and given the crowd when we continued on our own after the trip ended this was definitely off the beaten track.
No way I would have been able to visit Kyushu that much and is so little time had I planned it myself. Our trip leader Zac was awesome and really showed us why Japan is so good.
For a couple 35-45 this is not a very strenuous trip at all and there is plenty time to relax and learn about Japan.
Main suggestion is pack light with about a suitcase that is half of not less what the shinkansen allows for any trip to Japan (just pack a small foldable bag for any souvenirs)
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David
Apr 04, 2025
This was a fantastic trip made more so by our awesome guide Zac who made us relax and enjoy the trip under his gentle guiding hand. There was lots of variety and on of the highlights was a homestay. The trip left me wanting to keep exploring more of Japan with Intrepid
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Ian
Apr 04, 2025
What a great trip to the less visited areas of Southern Japan. A great itinerary including beautiful rural and mountain areas, islands, gardens, castles, an amazing homestay with a Japanese family and interesting smaller cities like Nagasaki with its recent history which was interesting and sobering at the same time. Lots of interesting modes of transport on big and small quirky trains, boats and electric bikes. This is an ideal complement to the usual Japan itinerary and really shows you a different side. Very highly recommended.