10D7N Charms of Chugoku & San'in Japan

HIGHLIGHTS

Assemble dates:
16 MAR 2024 (JL)
22 MAR 2024 (SQ)

Price:
16 MAR 2024 - S$5,788
22 MAR 2024 - S$5,988

Seasonal Scenery:
Umino Nakamichi Seaside Park “Sakura”, Yushien Japanese Garden“Peony”, Tottori Hanakairo Flower Park “Various Flowers”, Awaji Hanasajiki “Various Flowers”

Unique experiences:
Tottori Sand Dunes & Sand Museum, Strawberry Picking, Soba Making

Sightseeing & Shopping Experiences:
Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine, Mojiko Port, Kanmon Strait Bridge, Karato Market, Tsunoshima Ohashi Bridge, Motonosumi Inari Shrine, Akiyoshido Cave, Tsuwano Old Town, Izumo Taisha Shrine, Adachi Museum of Art, Izushi Old Town, Sanda Premium Outlets, Akashi Kaikyo Bridge

Special Gourmet Delights:
Sumptuous Japanese multi-course dinner Japanese Kaiseki or buffet in Ryokans/Hotels, local delights at restaurant

Hotel / Ryokan Stays:
04 nights of authentic Japanese Onsen experience in Nagato Yumoto, ,Matsue, Tottori & Kobe. 03 nights of centrally located hotels in Fukuoka, Yonago & Osaka

ITINERARY

Day 1 Assemble at Changi Airport for Check in

JL038 SIN-HND 0210-0950

JL319 HND-FUK 1300-1500 (GRP 1)

SQ656 SIN-FUK 0120-0810 (GRP 2)

Day 2 Fukuoka – Kokura 福岡 - 小倉

Hotel: Rihga Royal Hotel Kokura or similar / Western room

Meal: Meal on Board / L / D

Upon arrival at Fukuoka Airport, coach transfer to Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine (太宰府天満宮) ✿. One of the most important shrines dedicated to Sugawara Michizane, a scholar and politician whom is associated with Tenjin – Shinto deity of education. It is popular amongst students who visit during the entrance exam season for good luck. Moreover, there are over 6000 plum trees blooming from February to March. Lunch will be served at a local restaurant [Donburi Set]. Next, visit Umino Nakamichi Seaside Park (海の中道海浜公園)✿ is an extensive leisure park where you can enjoy seasonal flowers. Millions of flowers are planted around various areas such as narcissus, tulips, nemophila, roses and more. After that, head to Mojiko Port (門司港). A prominent international trading port since the late 19th century, has now been preserved as a tourist destination with Western-style buildings from the Meiji and Taisho Period. Some key landmarks include: Moji Railway Station, Old Moji Mitsui Club and the Old Osaka Shosen Building. Thereafter, proceed to a local restaurant for dinner [Yakiniku]. Finally, transfer to Kokura for hotel check in.

Day 3 Kokura – Shimonoseki – Nagato 小倉 -下関 - 長門

Hotel: Yumoto Kanko Hotel Saikyo or similar / Japanese room

Meal: B / L / D

After breakfast, transfer to Shimonoseki and you will pass by Kanmon Strait Bridge (関門橋) , a suspension bridge crossing the Kanmon Straits, a stretch of water separating two of Japan’s four main islands. Visit Karato Market (唐戸市場), one of the most famous fish markets in Japan. The Karato Market deals with the largest haul of puffer fish in Japan; here you can enjoy freshly prepared puffer fish sold at bargain prices. After that, proceed to a local restaurant for lunch [Sushi Set]. After lunch, continue your journey to Tsunoshima Ohashi Bridge (角島大橋). It connects the westernmost tip of Yamaguchi to the white shores of the picturesque island of Tsunoshima. Next, transfer to Nagoto city and visit Motonosumi Inari Shrine (元乃隅神社), a unique shrine situated in the city of Nagato. The shrine is famous for its 123 red torii gates that lead up a cliff overlooking the Sea of Japan. Thereafter, transfer to hotel for check in and enjoy your dinner [Japanese Kaiseki]

Day 4 Nagato – Akiyoshidai – Matsue 長門 - 秋吉台 - 松江

Hotel: Onyado Nono or similar / Japanese room

Meal: B / L / D

After breakfast, visit Akiyoshidai and visit the biggest karst plateau in Japan - Akiyoshido Cave (秋芳洞), the largest and longest limestone cave in Japan, with a width of 100 meters and a length of nearly nine kilometres. Next, have a lunch [Sukiyaki] at a local restaurant. After lunch, visit Tsuwano Old Town (津和野町). It is one of several towns nicknamed Small Kyoto, with its preserved historic buildings that retains the atmosphere from past centuries. One highlight is Tonomachi District, which was part of the samurai district with earthen walls, historic buildings and water canal filled with carps. Thereafter, the strawberry orchard awaits you. Time for some Strawberry picking which is in season! Head to a local restaurant for dinner [Shimane Wagyu] before finally transferring to the hotel for check in.

Day 5 Matsue – Izumo – Yonago 松江 - 出雲 - 米子

Hotel: ANA Crowne Plaza Yonago or similar / Japanese Western room

Meal: B / L / D

After breakfast, start your day at Yushien Japanese Garden (由志園) ✿, a large garden celebrated for its peony flowers. The landscaped garden covers over 40,000 square meters and has elements such as a central pond, waterfalls, streams, stone lanterns, rock garden and seasonal flowers. Today, you will visit Izumo Taisha Shrine (出雲大社) – one of Japan’s most important shrines. Every October, the shrine is said to be the place where all the gods meet every year. Visitors pray to the deity for good relationships and marriage. After that, lunch [Tai-Chazuke] at a local restaurant. After lunch, continue your journey at Adachi Museum of Art (足立美術館). Founded by Adachi Zenko, he combined his passion for art and garden design. Today, it is best known for its award winning garden since 2003 and can be enjoyed anytime of the year. Dinner will be served at an Izakaya [Yakitori]. Finally, transfer to the hotel for check in.

Day 6 Yonago – Tottori 米子 - 鳥取

Hotel: Izutsuya or similar / R.O.H.

Meal: B / L / D

After breakfast, visit Tottori Hanakairo Flower Park (とっとり花回廊) ✿. The fifty-hectare flower park located at the foothills of Mt. Daisen has stunning displays of various flowers throughout the year. In March, you will be able to see cherry blossoms, tulips, orchids, hibiscus and lilies. Next, enjoy lunch at a local restaurant [Seafood Set]. After lunch, visit the Tottori Sand Dunes (鳥取砂丘). The only desert in Japan. The sand dunes were created over 100.000 years ago as deposits of sand from the Chugoku Mountains carried by the Sendaigawa River. After that, visit The Sand Museum (砂の美術館). Located just next to Tottori Sand Dunes, is an incredible themed sculpture, all made of sand. Finally, transfer to the hotel for check in. Tonight, enjoy your dinner [Japanese Kaiseki] at the hotel.

Day 7 Tottori – Izushi – Kobe 鳥取 - 出石 - 神戸

Hotel: Kobe Hotel Fruit Flower or similar / Japanese room

Meal: B / L / -

After breakfast, visit Izushi Old Town (出石). The castle town has kept its nostalgic atmosphere, reminiscent of the Edo era with original architecture, community and its lifestyle. Some places you can explore are the Izushi Castle Ruins, Shinkoro Clock Tower, Samurai House and Eirakukan Theater. The theater is the oldest kabuki theater in Kansai, built in 1901. With full access to the theater, explore behind the scenes such as under the stage and dressing rooms. Next, learn how to make your own soba at a local restaurant, which will be part of your lunch [Tempura Soba]! After lunch, transfer to Sanda and spend some time shopping at Sanda Premium Outlet (三田プレミアムアウトレット). The rest of the day is free at your own leisure, explore the shopping area or Kobe Fruit Flower Park!

Day 8 Kobe – Awajishima – Osaka 神戸 - 淡路島 - 大阪

Hotel: Prince Hotel Osaka Bay or similar / Western room

Meal: B / L / -

After breakfast, visit the world’s longest suspension bridge – Akashi Kaikyo Bridge (明石海峡大橋). Spanning over 4 kilometers, it is part of one of 3 expressways that connect the Honshu and Shikoku regions. You can get close to the bridge from the Maiko Marine Promenade which is a circuit of observatory walkways under the bridge. Next, transfer to Awaji and have lunch at a local restaurant [Nabe Set]. Following that, visit the Awaji Hanasajiki (あわじ花さじき) ✿. A flower park located on Awaji Island that covers over 15 hectares. Various flowers bloom all year round, in March, you can expect to see rapeflowers! Situated on a hill 300 metres above sea level, you will get a panoramic view of Osaka, Kansai region and the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge. After that, transfer to Osaka for hotel check in. The rest of the day is free at your own leisure and dinner will be under your own expense.

Day 9 Osaka – Singapore 大阪 - 新加坡

Meal: B / - / -

JL228 KIX-HND 2105-2215

JL035 HND-SIN 0010-0645 (GRP 1)

SQ623 KIX-SIN 2320-0510 (GRP 2)

After breakfast, free at your own leisure until departure.

Bid farewell to Japan this morning as we depart for Singapore. We hope that you have enjoyed this vacation with JTB and we look forward to helping you create your next perfect moments, always!

Day 10 Singapore 新加坡

Arrive Singapore