10D7N Inspiring Beauty of Northern Kyushu & Shikoku

HIGHLIGHTS

Assemble dates:

09 MAY 2024

14 MAY 2024

Price:

09 MAY 2024 - S$5,688

14 MAY 2024 - S$5,788

Tax & Fuel Surcharge: S$530

Seasonal Scenery:

Ohori & Maizuru Park, Uminokamichi Seaside Park, Kuju Flower Park "Pansies, Tulips & Poppies", Nanrakuen Garden "Hana Shobu Matsuri", Makino Botanical Garden

Unique experiences:

Lantern Painting Experience, Uwajima Ferry from Beppu to Yawatahama, Strawberry Picking, Soba Making Experience

Sightseeing & Shopping Experiences:

Miyajidake Shrine, Mamedamachi Shopping Street, Beppu Chinoike Jigoku, Yawatahama Minatto, Dogo Onsen Town, Towel Museum, Itoyama Park, Nakatsu Banshoen & Marugame Art Museum, Kotohira-gu Shrine, Ritsurin Garden

Special Gourmet Delights:

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

Hotel / Ryokan Stays:

05 nights of authentic Japanese Onsen experience in Beppu, Matsuyama, Takamatsu & Kochi. 02 nights of centrally located hotels in Fukuoka

ITINERARY

Day 1 Assemble at Changi Airport for Check in

JL038 SIN-HND 0150-0950

JL319 HND-FUK 1300-1455

Day 2 Fukuoka 福岡

Hotel: Hotel JAL City Fukuoka Tenjin or similar / Western room

Meal: Meal on Board / - / D

Upon arrival at Fukuoka Airport, coach transfer to Hakata city and visit Ohori Park (大濠公園) ✿. Take a leisure stroll by the pond that was once part of the moat system of the former Fukuoka Castle. Inspired by the West Lake in China, the garden was designed with a classical style with islands in the middle of the pond connected by elegant stone bridges. In May, many flock to the peony garden in the park. You will also visit Maizuru Park (舞鶴公園) ✿ which is where the castle ruins are located. The name was derived from the castle’s alias, Maizuru Castle. Famous for the beautiful seasonal flowers on display, you will see peony and irises during this time of the year. Tonight your dinner [Kaiseki] will be served at a local restaurant. After dinner, transfer back to hotel for check in.

Day 3 Fukuoka – Fukutsu – Fukuoka 福岡 - 福津 - 福岡

Hotel: Hotel JAL City Fukuoka Tenjin or similar / Western room

Meal: B / L / D

After breakfast at the hotel, visit Uminonakamichi Seaside Park (海の中道海浜公園) ✿. A popular place for flower viewing, there are millions of flowers planted here that bloom all year round. In May, the 1,220 roses of 220 species are not to be missed. There are also 1.5 million blue colored nemophila carpeting the flower hill area of the park. Lunch [Kaisendon] will be served at a local restaurant. Next, transfer to Fukutsu and visit Miyajidake Shrine (宮地嶽神社). The unique shrine houses the biggest sacred objects in Japan, namely the rope talisman, copper bell and taiko drum. Dedicated to Empress Jingu, it has been a long standing place of worship for seekers of good fortune and success in business. After that, Experience Painting Lanterns! The traditional lanterns in Japanese culture express respect and appreciation for ancestors, amongst many other purposes and are quintessential to festivals and temples. Finally, return back to the hotel and dinner [Motsunabe] will be served at the hotel restaurant.

Day 4 Fukuoka – Hita – Kuju – Beppu 福岡 - 日田 - 九重 - 別府

Hotel: Suginoi Hotel Sorakan or similar / Western room

Meal: B / L / D

This morning, start your day at Mamedamachi Shopping Street (豆田町商店街). The old merchant town, also popularly known as Little Kyoto, due to the clean waters and pristine nature. It used to be one of the biggest rice producing areas and now the traditional buildings houses quirky cafes, local craft shops and restaurants. Next, visit Kuju Flower Park (くじゅう花公園) ✿. Located at the base of the Kuju Mountains, the park has over 3 million plants of more than 500 varieties. During the most abundant seasonal flower period, pansies, tulips, poppies and more, are a big hit amongst visitors. Enjoy lunch [Japanese Set with Local Vegetables] that will be served at a local restaurant. After that, transfer to Beppu and visit Beppu Chinoike Jigoku (血の池地獄). Literally translated to Blood Pond Hell, it is one of the eldest natural hot springs in Japan. The red pigment is created by the heated red mud that contains iron oxide, magnesium oxide and other minerals. Finally, transfer to the hotel for check in. Tonight, you will have dinner [Buffet] at the hotel restaurant.

Day 5 Beppu – Yawatahama – Uwajima – Matsuyama 別府 - 八幡浜 - 宇和島 - 松山

Hotel: Oku-Dogo Ichiyu no Mori or similar / Japanese room

Meal: B / - / D

This morning, transfer to Yawatahama via the Uwajima Ferry (宇和島フェリー) from Beppu. Along the 3 hour scenic journey, take a break and relax in the pleasant scenery, you might even see dolphins! Upon arrival, transfer to Yawatahama Minatto (八幡浜みなっと) - a roadside station by the sea in the port city. Here, there is a wide array of locally caught fresh seafood and specialties such as Mikan oranges and souvenirs. Lunch will be under your own at Yawatahama Minatto. Next, visit Nanrakuen Garden (南楽園) ✿. The largest Japanese garden in Shikoku was selected as one of the 100 Best Urban Parks in Japan. During the iris festival, you can see 250,000 irises in full bloom! At the end of the day, transfer to hotel for check and dinner [Kaiseki Course with Abura Tai Meshi].

Day 6 Matsuyama – Dogo Onsen – Imabari – Matsuyama 松山 - 道後温泉 - 今治 - 松山

Hotel: Oku-Dogo Ichiyu no Mori or similar / Western room

Meal: B / L / D

This morning, begin your day at Dogo Onsen (道後温泉). One of Japan’s oldest and most famous hot spring towns, the area is popular amongst tourists for its beautiful bathhouses and ryokans. The Imperial Family were also frequent visitors to the destination. During your free time, you can visit the shopping arcarde with many stores selling local specialties, gifts and snacks, as well as Dogo Onsen Honkan which has been said to have served as inspiration for the film ‘Spirited Away’. After lunch [Yakiniku] at a local restaurant, transfer to Imabari for the Towel Museum (タオル美術館). The town is Japan’s largest towel-producing town and is home to the world’s first towel museum dedicated to the art of towel manufacturing. Inside, you will find displays of intricate traditional towels, works of art made from towels and learn about the production process. Next, visit Itoyama Park (糸山公園). Standing on a hill and offering a 360-degree view of the Shimanami Kaido, Seto Inland Sea and Mt. Takanawa. You can also get a panoramic view of Imabari city which is abundant in nature, refreshing your mind and body here with the magnificent natural beauty. Finally, transfer back to the hotel. Tonight, dinner [Buffet] will be served at the hotel restaurant.

Day 7 Matsuyama – Saijo – Marugame – Takamatsu 松山 - 西条 - 丸亀 - 高松

Hotel: Kiyomisanso Hanajukai or similar / Japanese Western room

Meal: B / L / D

After breakfast, the strawberry orchard awaits you! Enjoy Strawberry Picking which is just in season. After, stop for lunch [Sashimi & Sea Bream Set] at a local restaurant. Next, visit Nakatsu Banshoen & Marugame Art Museum (中津万象園). Here, you can experience art and history in the garden of Marugame’s former feudal lords. Nakatsu Banshoen refers to a traditional Japanese garden, beautifully cultivated and features a half-moon bridge, 600 year old umbrella shaped pine and Japan’s oldest teahouse. The museum displays art of the French Barbizon School and pottery from Persia dating from the BC era. Following that, visit the Kotohira-gu Shrine (金刀比羅宮). This is a mountainside shrine dedicated to the safe navigation for sailors and is visited by many pilgrims from all over Japan despite the arduous journey up. The approach first starts at the shopping arcade with souvenir shops and Sanuki Udon restaurants, followed by 785 steps to the main hall. Finally, transfer to hotel for check in. Tonight, dinner [Kaiseki Course] will be served at the hotel.

Day 8 Takamatsu – Kochi 高松 - 高知

Hotel: Dormy Inn Kochi or similar / Western room

Meal: B / L / -

After breakfast, visit Ritsurin Garden (栗林公園). The daimyo (feudal lord) garden was completed in 1745 over a period of 100 years and is highly awarded. It is the largest Special Place of Scenic Beauty and was awarded 3-star status by the Michelin Green Guide in Japan. There is the saying ippo ikkei, which means every step you take it seems like the landscape is constantly changing. After that, proceed to a local restaurant and Experience Soba Making! Lunch will be served with the soba you made. After lunch, transfer to Kochi and visit the Makino Botanical Garden (牧野植物園) ✿. Another one of Japan’s best botanical gardens, it honors the late Kochi-born botanist Dr Tomitaro Makino who was known as the father of Japanese botany. Covering 8 hectares, there is a variety of zones to explore, such as the Greenhouse with tropical plants or the Kochi Ecology Garden that is home to wild plants from the prefecture. Thereafter, transfer to hotel for check in. Tonight, enjoy your dinner at your own expense during free & easy time in Kochi city.

Day 9 Kochi – Singapore 高知 - 新加坡

Meal: B / - / -

JL498 KCZ-HND 1920-2035

JL035 HND-SIN 0005-0615

After breakfast, free at your own leisure until time for departure

Bid farewell to Kochi as we proceed to the airport to take a flight back to Singapore. We hope that you have enjoyed this vacation with JTB and we look forward to helping you create your next perfect moments, always!