PICK UP at OSAKA city - HIMEJI city, Hyogo - Asago city, Hyogo - Miyazu city, Kyoto Pref - *Stay at Toyooka city, Hyogo

Osaka - [ Day-1 ] 08:00 Your hotel in OSAKA city

Upon arrival at the airport, a driver holding a name board will greet you at the arrival gate and escort you to the bus parking area.

If applicable, please provide your [arrival flight number] in advance.

This itinerary assumes you have already explored OSAKA and KYOTO.

• Pick-up begins 10 minutes prior to departure.

Himeji Castle - [ Day-1 ] 09:45-10:45 Himeji Castle, 68 Honmachi, Himeji, Hyogo

Closing time: 17:00 Admission: ￥1000 (approximately 10 USD) per adult

Himeji Castle (姫路城, Himeji-jō) is a hilltop Japanese castle complex located in Himeji, Hyōgo Prefecture, Japan. It is considered the finest surviving example of prototypical Japanese castle architecture, featuring a network of 83 rooms with advanced defensive systems from the feudal era. Often referred to as Hakuro-jō or Shirasagi-jō (“White Egret Castle” or “White Heron Castle”), it is renowned for its brilliant white exterior and resemblance to a bird in flight.

Takeda Castle Ruins - [ Day-1 ] 12:00-13:00 *2-hour walk to Takeda Castle Ruins, Wadayamacho, Takeda, Asago, Hyogo

Weather permitting, and if you are willing to rise early, you can visit Takeda Castle, famous for its sea of clouds and reminiscent of Hayao Miyazaki’s anime “Laputa Castle in the Sky.”

The sea of clouds is more likely to appear early in the summer. Additionally, a 2-hour climb from the bus parking lot is required.

“Takeda-jo-seki (Takeda Castle Ruins)” is a nationally renowned castle ruin located atop a mountain. Known as “Japan’s Machu Picchu” and the “Castle in the Sky,” it appears to float on a sea of clouds under the right weather conditions, typically in the early mornings of autumn and winter.

Amanohashidate - [ Day-1 ] 14:30-15:15 Miyazu Shiei “Ama-no-hashidate” Parking Lot, 647 Monju, Miyazu, Kyoto

Miyazu City, Kyoto Prefecture, is home to “Amanohashidate,” one of Japan’s three most famous landscapes, and is a traditional tourist destination.

There are numerous old-fashioned Japanese-style shops to explore as you stroll through the town.

Amanohashidate is a scenic spot in Miyazu, Kyoto, attracting many visitors from across the country annually.

Amanohashidate consists of Daitenkyo, Shotenkyo, Daini Shotenkyo, and Kasamatsu. The sandbank stretches 3.2 km (Daitenkyo and Shotenkyo areas), with beaches ranging from 20 to 170 meters wide, and features beautiful scenery, including rows of approximately 5,000 large and small black pine trees.

In addition to the stunning white sand and green pines, the numerous viewing points for enjoying the scenic vista are another attraction, offering various angles to view Amanohashidate.

Genbudo Park - [ Day-1 ] 17:00-17:15 Genbudo Park, 1347 Akaishi, Toyooka, Hyogo

Closing time: 17:00 Admission: ￥500 (approximately 5 USD)

Genbudo Park is home to five beautiful basalt Genbudo Caves with over 1.6 million years of geological history. Designated a National Natural Monument by the Japanese Government in 1931 due to their significant role in the discovery of reverse magnetization, these impressive caves are also part of the San’in Kaigan UNESCO Global Geopark, making it an ideal educational outdoor trip for visitors.

https://visitkinosaki.com/things-to-do/genbudo-park/

Kinosaki Onsen - [ Day-1 DROP OFF ] 17:30 Kinosaki Onsen, Toyooka, Hyogo

• Please arrange and pay for your accommodations near Kinosaki Onsen Station, Toyooka city, Hyogo Prefecture.

https://travel.rakuten.com/

It is recommended to enjoy the many hot springs at Kinosaki Onsen.

https://visitkinosaki.com/about-kinosaki/the-7-mystic-onsen/

from Toyooka, Hyogo - Kami - Shinonsen - Fukubecho, Tottori - Yurihama - SAKAIMINATO - *Stay at YONAGO, Tottori Prefecture

Kinosaki Onsen - [ Day-2 PICK UP ] 09:00 Kinosaki Onsen, Toyooka, Hyogo

The driver will collect you from your hotel.

Tottori Sand Dunes - [ Day-2 ] 14:15-15:15 Tottori Sand Dunes, 2164-971 Fukubecho Yuyama, Tottori

You can also experience riding a camel and feel like a gypsy (optional).

https://www.sakyu-vc.com/en/activity/

The Tottori Sand Dune is a must-visit for anyone traveling to Tottori. Situated in the heart of the San’in Kaigan Geopark and extending 2.4 km north to south and 16 km east to west, it is one of the finest coastal sand dunes in the country. The wind-swept ripples in the sand from the Sea of Japan are a constant delight to visitors. The small hill known as Umanose (‘the horse’s back’) offers a picturesque panorama of the ocean.

Sakaiminato - [ Day-2 ] 18:00-19:30 *Recommended: Ajidokoro “Misa”, 6 Kyomachi, Sakaiminato, Tottori

Opening hours: 17:30-23:00 Closed: Sunday

https://tabelog.com/en/tottori/A3103/A310301/31000321/

*If you book a ryokan with dinner included, you won’t need to worry about dinner pick-up outside.

Kaike Onsen - e.g.) Bayside Square Kaike Hotel, 4-21-1 Kaikeonsen, Yonago, Tottori

https://kaikehotel.com/

Admire Mt Daisen, the highest peak in the Chuugoku Region, from the lovely seaside dotted with pine trees. The warm, salty waters rich in sodium and calcium chloride well up under the ocean here at San’in’s largest hot spring area. Kaike Onsen is conveniently located for trips to Tottori and Shimane—right in the heart of San’in. Feel free to make it your base for exploring the entire area.

Situated in the center of San’in, Kaike Onsen is the perfect spot to tour the region.

http://www.kaike-onsen.com/road.html

Type: Sodium and calcium chloride springs, average temperature 66.5 degrees. Effective against nerve pain, skin conditions, and anemia.

from YONAGO, Tottori - SAKAI-MINATO, Tottori - YASUGI, Shimane - IZUMO, Shimane - *Stay at HIROSHIMA city

Kaike Onsen - [ Day-3 PICK UP ] 08:30 “KAIKE ONSEN”

Kaike Onsen is located on the coast, and in winter, the rough waves of the Sea of Japan are strong and impressive.

A morning walk on the beach might be enjoyable.

Kaike Onsen’s beach is shared by all the hotels.

The Mizuki Shigeru Road - [ Day-3 ] 09:00-09:45 Mizuki Shigeru Road Bus Parking Lot, 28-3 Matsugaecho, Sakaiminato, Tottori

Entrance fee for MIZUKI SHIGERU Museum: ￥700 (approximately 5 USD) per adult Opening hours: 09:30-17:00
https://www.tottori-tour.jp/en/sightseeing/837/

Sakaiminato’s Mizuki Shigeru Road, named after the manga artist, is a popular destination for both children and adults. The road, extending from Sakaiminato Station into the city, is an 800-meter-long arcade featuring 153 bronze statues of Mizuki’s fantasy creatures, each with detailed descriptions. Taking a close look at each statue could take all day! A nighttime stroll, when all the statues are illuminated, offers a different delight. From the healing Kappa Spring to the Yokai Jinja, a fantasy shrine where fortune slips can be drawn, to the Yokai Post, where mail with the ‘fairy postmark’ is delivered, Mizuki Shigeru Road surrounds you with bizarre creatures.

Adachi Museum of Art - [ Day-3 ] 10:45-11:45 Adachi Museum of Art, 320 Furukawacho, Yasugi, Shimane

Opening hours: 9:00- Entrance fee: ￥2300 (approximately 15-20 USD) per adult
https://www.adachi-museum.or.jp/en/

The Adachi Museum of Art (足立美術館, Adachi Bijutsukan) was established by Adachi Zenko, a local businessman, in 1970 to combine his passions for Japanese art and garden design. He hoped that viewing the gardens and artwork together would enhance people’s appreciation and interest in Japanese art.

The Adachi Museum of Art is renowned for its award-winning garden, named the best garden in Japan annually since 2003 by the “Journal of Japanese Gardening.” The garden can be enjoyed year-round, showcasing different characters depending on the season. It cannot be entered but can only be viewed from the museum building.

Hiroshima Station - [ Day-3 ] 18:45 Hiroshima Station [ Shinkansen ] (North) gate, 1 Matsubaracho, Minami Ward, Hiroshima

In the Hiroshima Station building, there is a restaurant called “Okonomiyaki Mura” where you can enjoy the famous okonomiyaki.

Have dinner here and stay at a hotel near the station.

The driver will pick you up again tomorrow morning.

from HIROSHIMA city - HATSUKAICHI, Hiroshima - IWAKUNI, Yamaguchi - YAMAGUCHI city - *Stay at HAGI city, Yamaguchi Prefecture

Hiroshima Station - [ Day-4 PICK UP ] 08:30 Hiroshima Station [ Shinkansen ] (North) gate, 1 Matsubaracho, Minami Ward, Hiroshima

Itsukushima Shrine - [ Day-4 ] 09:15-13:00 “ITSUKUSHIMA Shrine”

~ via MIYAJIMA Ferry ￥200 (approximately 2 USD) per adult

https://jr-miyajimaferry.co.jp/en/timetable/

*An interpreter guide will accompany you if necessary.

Miyajimaguchi, Hatsukaichi, Hiroshima

The centuries-old Itsukushima Shrine (厳島神社, Itsukushima Jinja) on Miyajima is the source of both the island’s fame and its name. Formally named Itsukushima, the island is more popularly known as “Miyajima,” literally “shrine island” in Japanese, thanks to its star attraction. The shrine is renowned worldwide for its iconic “floating” torii gate.

The shrine and its torii gate are unique for being built over water, seemingly floating in the sea during high tide. The shrine consists of multiple buildings, including a prayer hall, main hall, and noh theater stage, which are connected by boardwalks and supported by pillars above the sea.

Kintaikyo Bridge - [ Day-4 ] 13:45-14:30 KINTAI Bridge and IWAKUNI Castle Town, Yamaguchi

Iwakuni Castle (岩国城, Iwakunijō) was constructed in 1608, at the beginning of the Edo Period. The castle’s location was chosen for its natural defensive advantages atop Mount Shiroyama and partially surrounded by a natural moat, the Nishiki River. The castle keep is four stories high and overlooks the city 200 meters below.

Despite the efforts of its builders, the original castle lasted only slightly longer than the time it took to construct it. Built over five years, the castle was dismantled by decree of the shogun just seven years after its completion.

Hagi - [ Day-4 DROP OFF ] 18:00 e.g.) “Hagi Komachi,” HAGI city, Yamaguchi

• Please arrange and pay for your accommodations.

https://travel.rakuten.com/

The next day, departure is at 8 am. The driver will pick you up at your hotel.

from HAGI city, Yamaguchi Prefecture - Nagato - Mine - Shimonoseki - Moji ward, Kitakyushu city - *DROP OFF at FUKUOKA city

Hagi - [ Day-5 PICK UP ] 8:00 am e.g.) RYOKAN Hagi Komachi, Hagi, Yamaguchi

The driver will collect you from your hotel.

Hagi Meiringakusha - [ Day-5 ] 08:15-9:45 “World Heritage Route,” Hagi, Yamaguchi

~ Hagimeirin Center Parking Lot, 560-4 Emukai, Hagi, Yamaguchi

This serial nomination includes 23 sites across 8 prefectures and 11 cities, primarily in Yamaguchi Prefecture and Kyūshū. In the Hagi area, there are five proto-industrial heritage sites based on imported technical expertise. Serial nomination allows for sites dispersed across a wide geographical area to be considered together as a historical or cultural group, enabling disparate sites with universal value to be nominated from all across Japan.

https://www.hagishi.com/en/world-heritage/

Motonosumi Shrine - [ Day-5 ] 10:45-11:30 Motonosumi Inari Shrine, 498 Yuyatsuo, Nagato, Yamaguchi

*Closing time: 16:00

Motonosumi Shrine was selected by CNN Travel as one of the “31 Most Beautiful Places in Japan.” The shrine’s remarkable location creates a striking contrast between the red of its gates and the cobalt blue of the waves below. This shrine was built to honor a white fox spirit, to whom visitors prayed for financial success, success in fishing, and safety on the seas. Nowadays, a wide variety of wishes are made to the fox god, including good fortune & wealth, childbearing, marriage, traffic safety, and academic success.

Akiyoshido - [ Day-5 ] 12:30-14:15 Restaurant “YASUTOMIYA” ~ [ Main ] Entrance, Mine, Yamaguchi

*Entrance fee: ￥1300 (approximately 10 USD) per adult

*The cave runs from north to south. You can enter through the entrance and exit on the other side “one way.” The bus will drop you off at the entrance and wait for you at the exit.

Akiyoshido is one of the largest limestone caves in Japan, located at the southern foot of the Akiyoshidai Quasi-National Park, 100 meters underground. After passing through the cool cedar grove, you will find the entrance to Akiyoshido.

https://akiyoshidai-park.com/en/spot/akiyoshi-do.html

Akiyoshidai Karst Observatory - [ Day-5 ] 14:30-15:00 Akiyoshidai, 11237-862 Shuhocho Akiyoshi, Mine, Yamaguchi

Akiyoshidai is the largest karst plateau in Japan, located in the middle and eastern part of Mine City. It was designated as a National Monument (Akiyoshidai Quasi-National Park) in 1955 and a special natural monument in 1964. The limestone that forms the magnificent landscape of Akiyoshidai originated about 350 million years ago in the southern sea as a coral reef, and over the years, it has developed into the karst plateau seen today.

The Site of Dannoura Battlefield - [ Day-5 ] 16:00-16:30 Dannoura Battlefield, 21 Mimosusogawa-cho, Shimonoseki, Yamaguchi

This is the site of the Battle of Dan-no-ura, the final conflict between the Heike and Genji clans in 1185. The Heike (Taira clan) were defeated by the Genji, leading to the destruction of the family with the death of Emperor Antoku, who drowned himself as an 8-year-old child along with his grandmother Nii-no-ama. The Genji family established the buke society, which lasted until the Edo period, after this battle. Statues of Minamoto no Yoshitsune (Genji) and Taira no Tomomori (Heike) stand with the handprints of famous actor Takizawa Hideaki and actress Nakagoshi Noriko, who portrayed this battle in a drama, in Mimosusogawa park located in front of the battlefield ruins.

Mojiko Retro - [ Day-5 ] 16:45-17:15 Mojiko Retro Area, 9 Minatomachi, Moji Ward, Kitakyushu, Fukuoka

The Port of Moji (Mojiko) is an international trade port opened in 1889, located at the northern edge of Kyushu. Its prosperity as a transport hub attracted many Western-style buildings housing shipping companies and trading firms around it. The Mojiko Retro district is a restored reproduction of the district around the port in olden times. In this district, various buildings have been preserved and are open to visitors, including the iconic Mojiko Station, former Moji Mitsui Club, where Einstein stayed, and former Kyushu Railway Headquarters (currently Kyushu Railway History Museum). You can immerse yourself in the atmosphere of Japan in the late 19th to early 20th centuries here.

Nakasu District - [ Day-5 DROP OFF ] 18:45 NAKASU Stall, Hakata ward, Fukuoka

*Nakasu’s food stalls will not “appear” unless you go out after sunset. They don’t “exist” during the day.

With this product, we don’t wait for your dinner to finish.

From Nakasu Kawabata Station, which is within walking distance, it takes a few minutes to get to Hakata Station, or maybe 1 meter by taxi.

• one 7m length Minibus ( 21 + 6 seats ) with one driver, an English speaking guide
• *Accommodation fees for our crews
• an English speaking guide
• Toll and parking fees

• *Please Book and pay for your hotels yourself.
• *ENTRANCE FEES: There are also optional prices that include the fees, so choose the one you prefer.
• Adachi Museum $20
• All Meals and drinks.
• Fee/adult Kyushu Railway Museum $2
• fee/adult Genbudo Park $5
• fee/adult MIYAJIMA ferry $2
• fee/adult MIZUKI SHIGERU Museum $5
• Fee/adult Himeji Castle about $10
• Fee/adult AKIYOSHI-DO Cave about $10
• Fee/adult YUMURA ONSEN SPA $2-4

For those who have previously visited Japan, the typical itinerary might include Tokyo, Mt. Fuji, Nagoya, Osaka, Kyoto, Hokkaido, or Okinawa. This tour offers a fresh perspective!

This five-day tour focuses on the western side of Japan, showcasing areas you may not have explored yet. It is a charter bus tour starting from Osaka, Japan’s second-largest city, and visits hidden gems that are not easily accessible by train. Over the course of five days, the tour covers approximately 750 miles, with stops at tourist attractions every 1-2 hours.

Departure from Osaka city by charter bus:

• Day 1: Departure from Osaka city - *Overnight in Toyooka city, Hyogo
• Day 2: From Toyooka city - *Overnight in Yonago city, Tottori Prefecture
• Day 3: From Yonago city - *Overnight in Hiroshima city
• Day 4: From Hiroshima city - *Overnight in Hagi city, Yamaguchi
• Day 5: From Hagi city - *Arrival in Fukuoka city

• This tour aligns with the “Western Golden Route” initiative supported by Fukuoka City.

If you cancel at least 6 full day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a full refund.
If you cancel between 2 and 6 day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a 50% refund.
If you cancel within 2 day(s) of the scheduled departure, you will receive a 0% refund.