Kamo Shrine

Mount Aso

View from Oka castle in Bungo-Taketa

Mount Unzen

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Kyushu Discovery Walk Self-Guided

Japan’s most diverse island rich in culture, history and volcanic beauty

8 Days from

$2601 USD

$2890 USD

Trip Code: KHH

View dates to Book Essential Information

Extra trip options & supplements

*Prices listed are per person

Duration

8 Days

Activities

8 days self guided walking and adventure touring

Accommodation

3 nights hotel
4 nights Japanese inn

Meals

4 Dinners
7 Breakfasts

Difficulty Grading

3 / 10

Introductory

Carbon Footprint

56kg of CO₂-e PP per day

(392kg of CO₂-e PP entire trip)

Kyushu Discovery Walk Self Guided Trip highlights

Walk at your own pace through three distinct mountain landscapes, including the epic Mount Aso caldera and serene Onyujima Island
Explore the volcanic hot springs and unique heritage of Beppu, Usuki, and Nagasaki
Learn about Kyushu’s unique history, which blends traditional Japanese customs with foreign influences
Stay in traditional ryokan and farmstays, enjoying warm hospitality, onsen bathing, and authentic cuisine

Overview

Kyushu is Japan’s most diverse island a place where volcanic landscapes, ancient trade routes and hidden faiths intersect. As the cradle of Japanese civilisation and the country’s historic gateway to the world, Kyushu offers a rich blend of nature and culture you won’t find elsewhere.

This self-guided walk takes you coast to coast, from Beppu’s hot springs to the historic port of Nagasaki. Along the way, explore samurai towns, discover stories of Hidden Christians, and hike three scenic trails – including the vast Mount Aso caldera and the peaks of Mount Unzen.

With curated walking routes and insider insights, you’ll uncover Kyushu’s layered past at your own pace – through dramatic landscapes and quiet, culturally rich towns.

Itinerary

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Begin your journey in Beppu, a town defined by geothermal energy and centuries of hot spring culture. Wander streets lined with steaming vents and long-established businesses shaped by volcanic activity. You may choose to cook food using natural steam or experience a traditional hot sand bath. The evening is free to relax and soak in an onsen at your accommodation. Accommodation: Onsen ryokan or minshuku

Meals: D

Travel to Saiki and board a ferry to the peaceful island of Onyujima. After arriving, follow quiet paths through secluded bays, citrus orchards, and small farming communities. The route climbs gently toward a viewpoint overlooking the surrounding sea and islands. Tonight you stay with local hosts, experiencing the rhythms of island life firsthand. Accommodation: Farm stay

Meals: B,D

Spend the day exploring Usuki, a historic castle town shaped by centuries of cultural exchange. Walk through preserved streets, visit the ruins of Usuki Castle, and stroll along the atmospheric Nioza Historical Road. Continue to the enigmatic Usuki Stone Buddhas, carved directly into the rock and steeped in mystery. This evening you settle into your hotel in Oita. Accommodation: Western-style hote

Meals: B

Travel to Taketa, a rural town known for its samurai heritage and rare history of religious tolerance. Walk the preserved Samurai Residential Street and explore the dramatic ruins of Oka Castle. From the castle grounds, enjoy wide views across the surrounding countryside and volcanic landscapes. Later, unwind in a renowned onsen town. Accommodation: Onsen ryokan

Meals: B,D

Travel to the grassy plains of Kusasenri beneath the vast Mount Aso caldera. From here, begin your walk up Mount Eboshidake, climbing steadily through open volcanic terrain. The summit rewards you with sweeping views across Kyushu, with distant peaks visible on clear days. A shorter walking option is available before continuing to your hotel for the night. Accommodation: Western-style ho

Meals: B

Travel by bus and ferry to the Shimabara Peninsula before transferring to the trailhead. Walk to the summit of Mount Myokendake, one of the peaks within the Unzen volcanic range. From the top, enjoy expansive views across the peninsula and surrounding sea. Descend on foot or by cable car before continuing to Unzen Onsen. Accommodation: Onsen ryokan or onsen hotel Optional detour of about 30 minutes 0.6km (0.4 mi) with +-26m (85ft). Accommodation: Onsen ryokan (hot spring hotel) or Onsen hotel (hot spring hotel)

Meals: B,D

Spend the morning exploring Unzen Jigoku, a dramatic geothermal landscape of steaming vents and sulphuric pools. Walk the wooden boardwalks through this otherworldly setting and learn about its layered history. After your visit, travel by bus to the historic port city of Nagasaki. The remainder of the day is at leisure. Accommodation: Western-style hotel

Meals: B

Explore Nagasaki, a city shaped by centuries of international exchange and modern history. Visit key sites such as Dejima, Nagasaki Chinatown, and the Atomic Bomb Museum and Peace Park. Walk through districts reflecting the city’s layered cultural influences and resilience. After your exploration, continue onward to your post-trip destination.

Meals: B

Map

Elevation

The map and elevation chart are for illustrative purposes only and meant to provide general guidelines.
On self guided trips, actual route information provided before departure will be more detailed.

Ready to start your adventure?

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What’s included?

Included

7 breakfasts and 4 dinners
7 nights in hotels and Japanese style inns on a twinshare basis
Information pack including route notes and topographical maps
Train tickets for the intermediate journeys and 3 pre-paid taxis as per itinerary details
Ferry from Kumamoto Port to Shimabara Port on Day 6
Local support by telephone

Not included

International or domestic airfares, airport transfers, visa and travel insurance (compulsory)
Transportation to Beppu on Day 1 and from Nagasaki on Day 8
Ferry between Saiki and Onujima Island
Cable car from Mount Myokendake to Nita-toge Pass on Day 6
Local bus fares payable directly at your own cost
Meals and beverages not indicated in the program
Items of a personal nature such as laundry, phone calls, alcohol etc
Takkyubin Luggage transfers payable directly at your own cost
Single room supplement for solo travellers at hotels
Any local entrance fees to museums, temples etc.
Optional taxi distance extensions payable directly at your own cost