Japan & the Scenic South
Japan & the Scenic South
Japan & the Scenic South
13 Days Starting and ending in UK
Visiting: Fukuoka, ሀመር።, Kumamoto, Mount Aso, Beppu, Hiroshima, Yamaguchi, Itsukushima, Himeji Castle, Kyoto, Mount Fuji, Hakone, Tokyo
Tour operator:
Tour code:
1676
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
8 - 28
Age range:
16-70
Special diets catered:
Vegetarians, Meat
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Uncover the beauty of the lesser-known island of Kyushu, renowned for its active volcanoes, hot springs and stunning beaches, before exploring the must-see sights of Hiroshima, Kyoto and Tokyo on the largest island of Honshu.
Explore the charming city of Fukuoka
Discover Kunamoto
See the impressive Mount Aso
Reflect in Hiroshima and sail to Miyajima
Admire beautiful Mount Fuji
Feel the rush of Tokyo
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 - 2 : Fly Overnight To Fukuoka
Location: Fukuoka
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Dinner
Fly overnight to the charming city of Fukuoka, the gateway to the island of Kyushu. Depending on your time of arrival, the rest of the day is yours to start soaking up the local culture.
Day 3 : Explore Fukuoka
Location: Fukuoka
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
The lovely Fukuoka is at the heart of an area considered a cradle of culture – the city's position facing Korea and China across the sea means it's long been a channel of outside influence. This morning take a stroll through the traditional Rakusuien Garden and visit the famous Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine, dedicated to the god of academic achievement. Later, enjoy a relaxing cruise on the Yanagawa River, passing through a National Site of Scenic Beauty on a small 'donkobune'.
Day 4 : Discover Kumamoto
Location: Kumamoto
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Transfer to Kumamoto, a city famous for its majestic castle, one of Japan's largest and most complete. Stop by the castle which is currently under renovation and take a photo, before heading to Suizenji Garden. A traditional-style garden built in the 17th century, the garden recreates in miniature the important road that linked Edo (Tokyo) and Kyoto, including a mini Mount Fuji.
Day 5 : Visit Mount Aso & Beppu
Location: Mount Aso, Beppu
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Travel from Kumamoto to Mount Aso, an active volcano at the centre of Kyushu island. Aso's crater is one of the world's largest; with a circumference of over 100km it encompasses a number of other active peaks, which you'll be able to see (weather dependent). Continue to Beppu, one of Japan's most famous hot spring resorts – your hotel for the night has onsen facilities for you to make the most of the steamy waters.
Day 6 : Explore Beppu
Location: Beppu, Fukuoka
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Venture out into Beppu, starting the day with a jigoku meguri, all tour! Here you'll find all sorts of volcanic features, including thermal mud and hot springs that have bubbled from the ground for a millennium. Pop over to Yufuin, another hot spring resort that is home to a wealth of art museums, cafés and boutiques and is a delight to explore. This afternoon transfer back to Fukuoka.
Day 7 : Travel To Hiroshima
Location: Hiroshima, Yamaguchi, Hiroshima
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Depart Fukuoka for Hiroshima. Stop en route to explore the city of Yamaguchi, spending some time at Rurikoji, a Buddhist temple that boasts a spectacular national treasure – a five-storey pagoda built in 1442. Continue to Iwakuni for a lunch stop and then to the Kintaikyo Bridge, an elegant wooden bridge that crosses the Nishiki River. Arrive in Hiroshima.
Day 8 : Discover Hiroshima
Location: Itsukushima, Hiroshima
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Hiroshima is a vibrant, forward-thinking city that is a pleasure to explore. Take a ferry across the Seto Inland Sea to the holy island of Miyajima and visit the Itsukushima Shrine before enjoying some time at leisure. Back in the city, reflect on Hiroshima's tragic past at the Peace Memorial Park and Museum paying homage to the victims of the 1945 atomic bomb.
Day 9 : Admire Himeji Castle
Location: Himeji Castle, Kyoto
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Depart Hiroshima for Kyoto, stopping in Himeji en route to visit the magnificent Himeji Castle, one of Japan's most impressive feudal era forts, and stroll through Kokoen, an Edo-style garden just across the castle moat. Drop in at a sake brewery to learn about the process of this traditional Japanese spirit before arriving in Kyoto.
Day 10 : Explore Kyoto
Location: Kyoto
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Capital for 1,000 years, Kyoto is the legacy of ancient Japan, full of tranquil temples, silk-clad geisha and sublime gardens. Start the day with a visit to the Fushimi Inari Shrine, remarkable for its 10,000 vermilion torii gate-lined pathways and impressive Nijo Castle. This afternoon gaze on the famous Kinkakuji, also known as the 'Golden Pavilion' before a stroll around the Gion district, Kyoto's famous geisha district and centre of the city's traditional arts.
Day 11 : Visit Hakone
Location: Mount Fuji, Hakone, Tokyo
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Transfer to Kyoto station and board a bullet train to Atami to transfer to the onsen resort of Hakone by road. Discover the mountainous beauty and rich culture of the Hakone area, before travelling to Lake Ashi for a cruise that will allow you to take in the spectacular panoramas of the area, including the iconic silhouette of Mount Fuji (weather permitting). Next, fly high over the thick forest on the Hakone Ropeway, passing the volcanic Owakudani Valley with its hot springs and steam vents. Later, continue to Tokyo, Japan's capital city.
Day 12 : Tour Tokyo
Location: Tokyo
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Tokyo, as modern as it may appear, behind the neon façade is a traditional soul that is easy to find amongst the old alleyways, temples and shrines of the Edo era. Today you will ascend the soaring Tokyo Skytree, the world's tallest tower, for panoramic views, and wander through the old district of Asakusa. Stop at Sensoji, Tokyo's most famous and beloved temple. You will also drive by the Imperial Palace Plaza, soak up the atmosphere at the peaceful Meiji Jingu Shrine and see the world's most famous road crossing at Shibuya.
Day 13 : Fly Tokyo To Uk
Location: Tokyo
Meals Included: Breakfast
Fly to the UK, arriving home the same or following day.
What's Included
-
Airport Transfers at Destination
-
Accommodation
11 nights in 3+/4 star
-
All Domestic Transportation (including internal flights)
-
Country Entry Visas
-
Entrance Fees
-
Fully Guided
-
International Travel
-
Local Taxes
-
Meals – Full Board
Breakfasts: 11, Lunches: 10, Dinners: 11
-
Fully Inclusive
Touring with Guides and entrance fees
What's Not Included
-
Tipping and Gratuities
Although tipping in Japan is not customary, if you feel you have received an excellent service, please feel free to tip your guide
at your discretion -
Drinks with Meals
Check out our Q&As
-
Are all entrance fees included in the price?
Yes
-
Are all the relevant entry visa’s included in the price of the tour?
Yes
-
Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?
Yes
-
Are flights included in this tour?
Yes
-
Are airport transfers included in this tour?
Yes
-
Are children permitted to take part in the tour?
Yes
-
What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
If, after our confirmation invoice has been issued, you wish to change your travel arrangements in any way, we will endeavour to make these changes, but it may not always be possible. Any changes to confirmed bookings need to be sent to us in writing via your travel agent. Please refer to our booking conditions for further information and fees.
-
Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Customers booking to travel solo can choose our ‘Happy to Share’ option, which may enable them to share a twin room with other solo customers of the same gender who also request Happy to Share, thus avoiding the need to pay single room supplements. Note that ‘Happy to Share’ requests can be received when you make your booking with us but will not be confirmed until your final payment due date.
-
What documents will I receive before I travel?
Your Final Travel Documents are usually sent to you 2-3 weeks prior to your departure. Your travel pack will include your tour itinerary, hotel details, flight e-tickets and a travel guide. If you have booked with a travel agent, your tickets will be dispatched to your travel agent unless we have been otherwise informed.
-
Will I be travelling with passengers from other countries?
Our passengers generally enjoy the mixture of British, Australian and American clients on tour. Occasionally we are joined by English-speaking passengers from other countries.
-
What is 'Happy to Share'?
Customers booking to travel solo can choose our ‘Happy to Share’ option, which may enable them to share a twin room with other solo customers of the same gender who also request Happy to Share, thus avoiding the need to pay single room supplements. Note that ‘Happy to Share’ requests can be received when you make your booking with us but will not be confirmed until your final payment due date. If a share partner is found, the Single Supplement will be removed from your booking. If a share partner is not found, the Single Supplement will remain and is payable with your final balance in line with our normal booking conditions. Either way, our Operations Team will contact you around 75 days before departure to let you know whether a share partner has been found or not. We regret that Happy to Share requests cannot be accepted within 75 days of departure. Wendy Wu Tours reserves the right to change or withdraw this arrangement at any time.
-
Do you allow children on your tours?
We allow children 12 years and over on our group tours. We recommend that families with children of any age take advantage of our private or tailormade tours. This will give you more flexibility while on tour.
Reviews of this operator
1 Select your preferred date
Tuesday - Sunday
Oct 01, 2024 - Oct 13, 2024Friday - Wednesday
Oct 04, 2024 - Oct 16, 2024Friday - Wednesday
Nov 08, 2024 - Nov 20, 2024Friday - Wednesday
Apr 04, 2025 - Apr 16, 2025Friday - Wednesday
May 02, 2025 - May 14, 2025Friday - Wednesday
Oct 10, 2025 - Oct 22, 2025Friday - Wednesday
Nov 07, 2025 - Nov 19, 2025Friday - Wednesday
Mar 20, 2026 - Apr 01, 2026Friday - Wednesday
Mar 27, 2026 - Apr 08, 2026Friday - Wednesday
Apr 03, 2026 - Apr 15, 2026Friday - Wednesday
Apr 10, 2026 - Apr 22, 2026Friday - Wednesday
May 01, 2026 - May 13, 2026Friday - Wednesday
Oct 16, 2026 - Oct 28, 2026Friday - Wednesday
Oct 23, 2026 - Nov 04, 2026Friday - Wednesday
Nov 06, 2026 - Nov 18, 2026Friday - Wednesday
Nov 13, 2026 - Nov 25, 2026Book with Confidence
-
Free Date Changes
Wendy Wu allows you to make 1 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 0 days before the start of the tour.
-
Low Deposit
Wendy Wu requires a minimum deposit of 350 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 75 days before departure.
-
Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of wendy wu charges.
Up to 75 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 74 days before tour starts: Forfeit 30% of booking price.
At 41 days before tour starts: Forfeit 60% of booking price.
At 27 days before tour starts: Forfeit 90% of booking price.
At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
-
How we Keep you safe on our Tours
Your safety and well-being will always be our Number 1 priority which is why we’ve instituted the most stringent COVID health and safety protocols on all of our tours. Here is a brief summary of the steps we are taking to ensure you will be safe, secure and satisfied when you travel with us.
Guides and National Escorts
Our National Escorts and guides will conduct a Health and Safety briefing with you before the tour begins and will help everyone ensure they adhere to social distancing, hygiene practises and local regulations. They will carry a supply of face masks and hand sanitiser for you to use free of charge and will, of course, observe the highest level of personal hygiene at all times.
Should anyone on the group fall ill your National Escort will ensure the individual receives swift medical attention and can only return to the group once cleared to do so.
Transport & Sightseeing
Vehicles will be thoroughly cleaned with disinfectant after each excursion service, overnight and between different groups.
You will always have at least one seat between you and your fellow tourers, hand sanitiser will be given to the group on each embarkation and vehicles will be thoroughly ventilated prior to passengers boarding.
Drivers will always embark vehicles after clients, disembark the group vehicle prior to clients disembarking, and maintain social distancing and a high level of personal hygiene at all times.
Your guides will assess the situation on the ground avoiding large crowds – where possible, alter timings and splitting the group into smaller sizes.
Accommodation
Wendy Wu Tours will only offer hotels that have undergone a detailed hygiene assessment, have specific COVID-19 protocols in place and comply with government standards.
We will ensure these protocols include staff practising social distancing and wearing appropriate PPI, regular cleaning and disinfection of high frequency touch points in all areas and food safety.
Dining
All the restaurants we visit will be researched and inspected regularly to ensure that they follow the strictest health, cleanliness and safety guidelines.
All waiting staff will wear face masks and gloves and we will arrange à la carte dining, waiter-served meals or waiter-assisted buffets throughout the tour. We will not share open-buffet meals with other hotel or restaurant guests.
Hand sanitiser will be provided to the group before and after every food and beverage service.
Enquire for huge savings
Rated 5* on Trust Pilot & ABTA Protected.