DAY 1: ARRIVAL IN JAPAN – FUKUOKA AIRPORT

Welcome to Japan! Our friendly Meet & Greet service representative will be waiting in the Arrivals lobby and holding a sign with your name on. The Meet & Greet will direct you to the subway for the very short journey to your hotel. Check in to your clean and comfortable hotel in central Fukuoka for 1 night.

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DAY 2: FUKUOKA TO NAGASAKI – START USING YOUR JR PASS TODAY

Today you will set off by train to Nagasaki. This intriguing city has a vibrant multicultural history being one of the few cities open to foreign traders when the rest of Japan was was closed to the outside world. Visit the Nishizaka area, home to the serene Shofuku-ji (a Zen temple) and Nagasaki's biggest Shinto shrine Suwa-jinja. Head down the hill from here to Nagasaki's Chinatown and on to the old Portuguese and Dutch enclaves where you can get a sense of what life was like for foreign communities in feudal Japan. Check in to your superbly located hotel for the next 2 nights.

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DAY 3: NAGASAKI

This morning set out for Glover Garden, with its lovely nineteenth-century European villas, and the nearby Oura Church, the oldest in Japan. The 'Dutch Slopes' Orandazaka area is also well worth a visit. If you wish, consider a visit to the Peace Park and the Atomic Bomb Museum, the latter of which has excellent English guidance.

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DAY 4: NAGASAKI TO KAGOSHIMA

Today you will head on to the island's southern capital of Kagoshima. Board the train to Tosu, where you will change to the world-famous Japanese Bullet Train. The journey takes around 3 hours, giving you ample time in the afternoon to start exploring the city and check in to your hotel. You will stay here for 3 nights in your clean, comfortable, and centrally located hotel.

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DAY 5: KAGOSHIMA

Start your stay in Kagoshima with a visit to Sakurajima Island. Sakurajima itself is an active volcano located in Kagoshima Bay which forms a spectacular backdrop. Take a bus tour or rent a bike and explore the island where you can see spectacular views of the crater and lava fields from the observatories and relax in one of the outdoor hot spring baths on the hillside.

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DAY 6: KAGOSHIMA

Today take a day trip to the Satsuma Peninsula, where your first stop should be the samurai villas in the quaint village of Chiran. Move on from here to the sand baths of Ibusuki where the sandy beaches are naturally heated by steam rising from below. Lie in the hot sand and enjoy the gorgeous view across the bay to Sakurajima Island.

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DAY 7: KAGOSHIMA TO YAKUSHIMA

Spend the morning checking out a few of the city's other sights such as Sengan-en garden, before boarding the ferry for the verdant island of Yakushima. Check in to your comfortable and relaxing hotel for 2 nights. Dinner is included for both nights of your stay.

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DAY 8: YAKUSHIMA

Yakushima is renowned for being one of Japan's most beautiful wild places, and when you see it you will believe it. Head to Shiratani Unsuikyo, home of a large number of the island's famous yakusugi ancient indigenous cedar trees. This is the place that inspired master animator Hayao Miyazaki's Princess Mononoke. The park is accessible by bus and is the trailhead for numerous hikes of varying difficulty.

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For serious hikers, there can be only one true objective on Yakushima – hidden in the very depths of the island's mountainous interior, the world's oldest tree, Jomon-sugi. If you are up for the challenge, prepare thoroughly for a 10-hour hike through the island's spectacular and rugged interior. For true hiking enthusiasts, this simply cannot be missed.

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DAY 9: YAKUSHIMA TO KUMAMOTO

Enjoy a relaxing morning in your hotel before checking out and heading back to the mainland and on to the city of Kumamoto, gateway to Kyushu's gorgeous mountainous interior. Take a leisurely stroll around the city's Suizenji-joujuen garden or visit the residence of Lafcadio Hearn, famous for being the first to record many of Japan's folk tales in English. Check in to your clean and comfortable hotel in Kumamoto for one night.

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DAY 10: KUMAMOTO TO KUROKAWA ONSEN

Today you will head into the mountains, bound for the hot spring town of Kurokawa Onsen. This quaint little town has managed to preserve its historic and peaceful atmosphere, as evidenced by its traditionally constructed buildings and abundant nature. Much of the town lies beside the winding river that flows along the valley floor, featuring many traditional shops and onsen hot spring baths that can easily be explored on foot. Check into your lovely Japanese ryokan hotel for a night, enjoy a delicious Japanese dinner (included) and relax in the onsen.

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DAY 11: KUROKAWA ONSEN TO BEPPU

Say goodbye to Kurokawa before heading off once more, this time to Beppu. To the Japanese, Beppu and hot springs are virtually synonymous. Visit the eight 'hells' of Beppu which are a collection of hot springs boasting unusual natural properties – sadly these are only for viewing but there are also plenty of other hot springs around town which you can try out. Check in to your clean and comfortable hotel for 2 nights.

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DAY 12: BEPPU AT LEISURE

For a change of pace try the nearby Yufuin. Just a short train ride away, this quaint town retains a lot of traditional charm and has plenty of cafes, shops, and museums making it a great day trip. Just outside the town is Lake Kinrinko, reached via a short walk through the paddy fields which should be memorable.

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DAY 13: BEPPU TO FUKUOKA

This morning set off back to Fukuoka by train. The journey takes around two hours, leaving you to enjoy your final afternoon in Fukuoka. Maybe get some last-minute shopping done in the stylish Canal City shopping centre, visit Ohori Park, or once the sun sets try one of the famous yatai riverside street food stalls – a great place to try the famous local tonkotsu style ramen. Check in to your hotel in Hakata for 1 night.

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DAY 14: DEPART JAPAN– FUKUOKA AIRPORT

Say goodbye to Japan from Fukuoka International Airport (Fukuoka).