6-Day Japanese History and Culture Tour in Kyushu

Discover Japanese History and Culture in Fukuoka, Kumamoto.

This 6-day history and culture tour of Japan offers an exciting exploration of Fukuoka and Kumamoto, two important city in Japan.

During our trip to Fukuoka, we will visit Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine, which has over 1,100 years of history. Along with Kyoto's Kitano Tenmangu, it is considered one of Japan's two main Tenmangu shrines, holding significant importance. In Kumamoto, we will visit one of the important Japanese castles, Kumamoto Castle, and one of the representative Japanese gardens, Suizenji Garden, to experience the charm of Japanese castle architecture and garden art.

Itinerary Sketch

Tour Highlights

1. Visit Dazaifu Tenmangu, a shrine with profound influence on Japan.

2. Take a boat ride in Yanagawa River and explore ancient Kurume city.

3. Tour Kumamoto Castle, one of Japan's most famous castles.

4. Appreciate Japanese garden art at Suizenji Joju-en Garden.

Itinerary Overview

It's a comfortable pace journey that combines city exploration, natural beauty, historical and cultural discovery. There are still some other places worth visiting along the route. We are more than happy to customize it according to your interests and preferences.

Day 1  Fukuoka Arrival

Welcome to Kyushu! Upon arrival in Fukuoka, meet your driver at the airport and then take a private car to your hotel. The rest of the day is free for your own leisure. 

Fukuoka City not only boasts beautiful coastal scenery, but also, offers a plethora of top-notch Japanese cuisine for you to explore. Especially, the most popular Tonkotsu Ramen must not be missed.

Day 2  Fukuoka Highlights

Embark on a remarkable journey in Fukuoka. Start at Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine. It is surrounded by beautiful plum trees, creating a peaceful and spiritual atmosphere.

The Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine enshrines Sugawara no Michizane (845-903), a renowned statesman and scholar of the Heian period in Japan. He is revered as the "God of Learning" and "God of Calligraphy" in Japan and is respected throughout the country. To commemorate him, a shrine was built on his tomb site by later generations.

Day 3  Yanagawa River Boat and ancient Kurume city walk.

Kurume and Yanagawa are the two largest cities in the southern part of Fukuoka Prefecture, with many attractions worth visiting.

Kurume was once a castle town. It has many important temples and shrines, including Mizutensha, Bairinji Temple and the Yanagawa Branch of Naritasan. Several Japanese crafts are preserved here, including Kurume Kasuri and blue lacquerware. Strolling through this historic small town is pleasant and full of surprises.

The waterways of Yanagawa have a long history and were originally built to defend the castle town. They have now become tourist waterways that can be explored by boat. Taking a boat tour along the Yanagawa Canal is an excellent way to explore this historic old town. Here, the way of driving boats is similar to that of gondolas in Venice or punts in Oxford and Cambridge. The Japanese name for these tourist boats is "donkobune".

Day 4  Kumamoto Castle and Suizenji Joju-en Garden.

Kumamoto Castle is one of the most famous castles in Japan, with a total area of 980,000 square meters and a perimeter of 5.3 kilometers. It is known as one of the three most famous castles in Japan along with Osaka Castle and Nagoya Castle. The castle's exterior is all black and its walls are steep, making it extremely spectacular. In spring, cherry blossoms bloom around the castle, creating a unique scene.

Kumamoto Castle suffered severe damage in the 2016 earthquake, and restoration work is still ongoing. Many areas are not accessible for visits, but it remains one of the most visited castles in Japan.

The Suizenji Jōju-en Garden was first built in 1632 and is one of the best Japanese gardens. It has natural hot springs and high-quality water sources. It is said that the water here is very suitable for making matcha, so a special tea room was built in the garden.

Day 5  Kumamoto, a Free Day.

Today, your time is entirely at your disposal. There are still many places worth visiting in Kumamoto City and its surrounding areas. Right next to Suizenji Garden is Lake Ezu, where you can take a leisurely stroll, enjoy the wonderful time by the water's edge, or rent a pedal boat to cruise around the lake.

Day 6   Back to Fukuoka, Departure.

This is the end of your trip to Japan, your private driver will escort you to Fukuoka Airport on time according to your scheduled flight.

Wish you a pleasant journey!