Original
Explorer
Rail
Southern Japan Experience
12 days • 4.8
5
Excellent
48 reviews
12 days
Start
Osaka, Japan
Finish
Osaka, Japan
Trip Code
CJSO
Min Age
15
Trip Size
1 - 12
Physical Rating
Meals
2 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 2 dinners
Transport
Train, Ferry, Public Bus, Private bus, Metro, Bullet Train
Accommodation
Hotel (9 nights), Homestay (1 night), Japanese Inn (1 night)
From £3,727(12 days)
Trip Informations
Why you’ll love this trip
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.
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.
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!
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.
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?
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.
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.
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.
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!
Inclusions
Meals
2 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 2 dinners
Transport
Train, Ferry, Public Bus, Private bus, Metro, Bullet Train
Accommodation
Hotel (9 nights), Homestay (1 night), Japanese Inn (1 night)
Included activities
Takamatsu - Ritsurin Garden & Sanuki Folkcraft Museum
Takamatsu - Naoshima day trip (ferry, public bus & bicycle)
Matsuyama - Matsuyama Castle
Usuki - Local Sake brewery visit and tasting
Usuki - Japanese home-cooking experience
Beppu - 'Hells' of Beppu (Jigoku)
Beppu - local onsen
Beppu - Steamed lunch (Beppu style)
Mount Aso - Nakadake Crater
Mount Aso - Sunasenri trail hike (or Kusasenri trail, weather and access dependent)
Mount Aso - Ogi Rice terraces
Mount Aso - Daikanbo Observatory
Nagasaki - Glover Garden
Nagasaki - Peace Park & Atomic Bomb Museum
Nagasaki - tram day pass
Optional activities
Naoshima - Benesse House Museum - JPY1500
Naoshima - Chichu Art Museum - JPY2800
Naoshima - Art House Project (combined ticket) - JPY1400
Matsuyama - Ishiteji Temple - Free
Matsuyama - Dogo Onsen (basic entry) - JPY700
Nagasaki - Nagasaki Museum of History & Culture - JPY630
Nagasaki - Dejima Historical District - JPY520
Nagasaki - 26 Martyrs Memorial - JPY500
Nagasaki - Oura Catholic Church - JPY1000
Dates and availability
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Important notes
1. We are currently unable to offer a single supplement, airport transfers or additional accommodation in Japan due to limited availability.
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
1
2 stars
1
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!
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.
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
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
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
Therese
Apr 18, 2025
Toll!
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.
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)
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
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.
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