Japan: The Dynamism of Nature

Overview

A two-week journey along western Japan by Shinkansen and limited express: a 400-year-old castle, Japan's largest sand dunes, the bridges and markets of the Kanmon Strait, Fukuoka's food stalls and an active volcano across the bay from Kagoshima.

You visit: Osaka → Himeji → Tottori → Fukuoka → Kagoshima

Highlights

• Himeji Castle
• Tottori Sand Dunes
• Sakurajima volcano

Day by day

1. Day 1Arrive in Osaka

   Arrival at Kansai Airport and transfer to your hotel in Osaka.

2. Day 2Kobe and Arima Onsen

   Shinkansen to Shin-Kobe (about 12 minutes). The harbourfront at Meriken Park, then Arima Onsen, a hot-spring town with more than 700 years of history.

3. Day 3Himeji Castle

   Himeji Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and Japan's finest original wooden castle, and the Koko-en gardens beside it.

4. Day 4–5Tottori and Mt Daisen

   Limited express to Tottori (about 1 hour 40 minutes). The Tottori Sand Dunes, with optional sandboarding or paragliding, Mt Daisen and the cliffside Nageiredo hall of Mitokusan temple.

5. Day 6Along the Sea of Japan

   Train along the coast via Yonago and Matsue towards Nagato, and the Tsunoshima Bridge, 1,780 metres over clear blue water.

6. Day 7Shimonoseki

   Karato Market, famous for fugu (pufferfish), and the vermilion Akama Shrine above the Kanmon Strait.

7. Day 8Kitakyushu

   Across the strait to Moji: Kokura Castle, the Mojiko Retro harbour district and Mekari Shrine.

8. Day 9–10Fukuoka

   Shinkansen to Hakata. Shikanoshima Island by the sea, and evenings at Fukuoka's yatai food stalls.

9. Day 11Kumamoto

   Shinkansen to Kumamoto (about 40 minutes). Kumamoto Castle, where a walkway shows the restoration after the 2016 earthquake, and Suizenji Jojuen garden.

10. Day 12–13Kagoshima and Sakurajima

    Shinkansen to Kagoshima-Chuo (about 45 minutes). A 15-minute ferry to the Sakurajima volcano, Sengan-en garden and the Tenmonkan district.

11. Day 14Departure

    Bus to Kagoshima Airport (about 40 minutes) for your flight home.

Illustrative itinerary. Final details are confirmed in your written quotation.

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