The Kyushu Expedition offers some excellent trekking through the volcanic heartlands of Kyushu and through the ancient rainforests of one of the wettest places on earth, Yakushima. It also provides us with great Japanese food, quality accommodation and theraputic onsen thermal hotspring baths many nights. This tour takes us on a scenic Yamanami Highway through the Kuju Mountains to the giant caldera and volcano-sculpted landscapes of Aso, to the giant cedars forest and towering peaks of Yakushima, before our final destination of Kagoshima. The living geology of Kyushu we see en route offers us unique insights into the formation of the Japanese islands and Yakushima provides us a rare experience of a primeval environment.
As always, this tour has been researched by Walk Japan to bring you the very best in walking, accommodation, and local Japanese food. Your tour leader is a highly experienced walker, with the Japanese language fluency and local knowledge necessary to ensure you have the best possible holiday experience.
We start the tour in the delightful, rural onsen thermal hotspring resort of Yufuin before our foray along the scenic Yamanami Highway into the nearby Kuju mountain range on Day 2. In Kuju we find the first of the many active volcanos, spuming steam, found on this tour. Early morning on Day 3 finds us deep in the Aso caldera, which at its centre is the most active volcano in Japan, Mt. Aso. Vast quantities of steam venting from its four craters provide an almost constant back-drop to our trek over this mountain today.
On Day 4 a Shinkansen Bullet train ride is part of our journey to the seaside onsen resort of Ibuski. Our day here includes a half-day trek in the nearby hills and a visit to Chiran for its samurai quarter and thought provoking and fascinating Kamikaze museum.
We spend Days 5, 6 and 7 exploring the UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site of Yakushima, an island off the southern tip of Kyushu. On arrival by high-speed Jetfoil ferry, we head for Shiratani Unsuiko, an impressive area of ancient cedar trees and fast flowing streams. What happens on the following days depends on the weather conditions and may include an ascent Miya-no-Ura, Kyushu's highest peak at 1935m, a climb of Mt. Mocchomu and trekking in the Yakusugi nature reserve.
We end the tour on Day 8 in Kagoshima for easy access to Japan's extensive rail network and local airports.
In summary, the Kyushu expedition covers a good deal of ground in a week, and would be suited to someone of a good level of fitness, interested in the spectacular, volcanic scenery that southern Japan has to offer. The walking is described in more detail in the Itinerary, but bear in mind that lighter / non-walking alternatives can almost always be arranged in cases of inclement weather or fatigue!
The small, intimate nature of some of the accommodation makes the maximum group size 12 people.
Price: JPY292,000 (JPY = Japanese Yen) per person. Single room supplement JPY10,000 (Please see below). Please use the currency converter on the right-hand side of this page to find the current rate in your local currency.
What is included and not included? A fully guided tour including local travel from tour meeting point to finishing point, accommodation, six breakfasts, two lunches and all evening meals, baggage transfers, and entrance fees are included. Not included are flights, five lunches, one breakfast and drinks with meals.
Single room supplement: The single room supplement is JPY10,000 per person and guarantees a single room in a hotel on one night. Please note that while we cannot guarantee to do so we will endeavour to provide single accommodation on the nights we stay in traditional Japanese accommodation. No additional charge is made for any single accommodation provided in Japanese accommodation.
A note on traditional Japanese accommodation: Japanese cultural norms generally dictate that rooms in Japanese-style accommodation, including inns, are provided on a twin basis and individuals travelling together are traditionally expected to share. It is the case, however, that we are frequently able to secure single rooms in Japanese-style accommodation for our customers for many, if not all, days of a tour. Provision, though, is solely at the discretion of the establishment and it may not be known until the day whether it is available. Accordingly, as we cannot guarantee single rooms in Japanese-style accommodation we do not include these in the single room supplement. As mentioned above, in the case that we can provide single room accommodation we make no additional charge. Importantly, in the case that single travellers do share this will only ever be with another person of the same gender from the same tour group.
Group size: The small, intimate nature of the inns makes the maximum group size 12 people. We have no minimum size. If we accept a booking we guarantee to run the tour.
Please see the Itinerary for this tour and Tour Dates for dates and availability. These tours start on a Friday and finish on a Friday.
*SPECIAL OFFER* The Kyushu Expedition tour complements Walk Japan's Kunisaki Trek tour. The scheduled dates for both these tours run in succession for an easy combination of the two tours. If you wish to book both tours the combined price is JPY495,000, including transport between the end point and start point of two consecutive tours.
Please contact Walk Japan for more information and to book this tour.
This itinerary is "ground only", beginning in Kagoshima and ending in Kurokawa Onsen. Instructions will be provided in English and Japanese for getting to the meeting point in Kagoshima.
Day 1
The tour starts late afternoon in Yufuin, a charming town settled in the lee of Mt. Yufu-dake, a dormant volcano. Yufuin is one of Japan’s top onsen thermal hot spring resorts with some of the best ryokan, Japanese inns in Japan. Our ryokan for the night provides us , needless to say, with onsen baths and a sumptuous meal, both classic elements of a tour in Japan and a great way to start our tour.
Dinner provided.
Day 2
After breakfast we board the Yamanami Highway express bus part-way to our destination today of Aso. We alight en route to climb Mt. Kuju (1,791m or 5,876ft), which is the highest on mainland Kyushu. A good path to the summit starting from the highest point on the Highway allows us a quick ascent. In good weather the views from the summit over the whole of the Kuju mountain range to Mt. Aso, which we visit tomorrow, are superb.
The express bus takes us to the centre of Kyushu along a spectacular route. Our bus brings us to the edge of and then down into the spectacular Aso caldera, one of the world’s largest at 120 km (75 mls) in circumference. Our accommodation for the night offers us relaxing onsen baths before we enjoy dinner, another meal of delicious, locally sourced produce. Total walking time 4.5 hours. Total ascent approximately 600m (1,968ft).
Breakfast & dinner provided.
Day 3
The Aso caldera is a fertile plain dominated by Mt. Aso, composed of a series of peaks the highest of which is Taka-dake at 1,592m (5,223ft). A bus takes us to the start of our walk, and upon arrival we are greeted with the ever present smell of sulphur. On some days access to Mt. Aso’s active crater area, the source of the sulfurous gases, is restricted and may affect the route we take. Regardless of the route, however, our climb to Taka-dake will take us up through a spectacular moonscape and past giant craters venting steam before we descend to the bottom of the lush, green caldera.
We travel by local train to Kumamoto arriving early-evening. Dinner is at a restaurant in the centre of the city’s entertainment quarter. Total walking time, 5 hours. Total ascent approx. 550m (1,800ft).
Breakfast & dinner provided.
Day 4
An early morning start, as we travel by the Kyushu Shinkansen Bullet train to Kagoshima, where we change to a local train to Ibusuki. Here we will stay the night. First, however, our walk takes us on a circular trail, which includes an ascent of Mt. Yahazu, that provides us with excellent views of Mt. Kaimon-dake. Mt. Kaimon is also known as the ‘Fuji of Satsuma’ due to its perfect conical shape and similarity to Mt. Fuji. Satsuma was the feudal name of the Kagoshima area.
In the afternoon we visit the nearby, small town of Chiran and its Kamikaze and Peace Memorial Museum. The museum, built on the site of a former airbase, provides a moving insight into the lives of the young pilots before they set off on their fateful missions. This is followed by an exploration of the nearby samurai quarter, which includes traditional houses and intricately designed gardens. The surrounding tea fields provide a delightful backdrop to this interesting town.
We return to Ibusuki and our accommodation, which includes again onsen baths. Total walking time 4.5 hours. Total vertical ascent approx. 400m (1,312ft).
Breakfast and dinner provided.
Day 5
A short distance from our accommodation is the port from where we catch an early morning, high-speed Jetfoil to Yakushima, an island to the south. Yakushima has a unique rainforest environment, which is recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We will be staying on the island for the next three nights to give us plenty of time to explore the rich, diverse environment here.
Shiratani Unsuikyo, a spectacular gorge, provides the backdrop for our walk today. This will be our first taste of Yakushima, a truly spectacular natural environment with climatic zones ranging from sub-tropical around the coast to frigid temperatures atop the island's highest peaks. Not surprisingly a huge variety of flora and fauna are found throughout Yakushima.
While our tour has been timed to coincide with one of the drier periods of the year, it would be unwise to forget your waterproofs. Yakushima is officially one of the wettest places on earth with upwards of 4,000mm (158in) of rainfall recorded annually. Rain, though, should not impair our enjoyment of our time here. On the contrary, it adds to the atmosphere of our trek through the primeval forest, which includes giant, moss-covered cedars that are some of the oldest trees in the world, wild deer and monkeys. Hayao Miyazaki, the Oscar-winning animator, found inspiration here for the scenery in Princess Mononoke, one of his most celebrated films. Weather and energy permitting, we'll take the trail as far as Taiko-iwa, a giant viewing rock offering excellent views of the island's interior and high peaks. We descend to our lodgings, where we enjoy a sumptuous dinner of some fine local fish. Total walking time, 5 hours. Total ascent approx. 500m (1,968ft).
Breakfast & dinner provided.
Day 6
Today's plans will be largely weather dependent, but a fine day will see us attempting an ascent of Mt. Kuromi-dake, a granite peak of 1,831m (6,007ft). This will necessitate an early start, but keep your eyes open as we take the winding mountain road up from the port of Anbo - it's worth it for the views back towards the coast. The well maintained trail to the top passes though a variety of cedar forest, high moorland and grassland.
Depending on the weather and cloud level, a number of alternative options are possible. These include an ascent of Mt. Mocchomu-dake (970m, 3,182ft)) via a viewpoint overlooking the spectacular Senpironotaki Falls; and a hike in Yakusugi Land, another area of impressive giant cedars and fast flowing rivers. Total walking time, 6~8 hours. Total ascent approx. 700m (2,296ft).
Breakfast, lunch and dinner provided.
Day 7
Today’s walking will be tailored according to ability and desire of the group and also the weather. Possible routes include climbs of Mt. Mocchomu, following the trail to Senpiro-no-taki waterfalls or trekking within Yakusugi Land, a nature reserve with some of the oldest sugi cedar found on Yakushima.
We return late afternoon to Kagoshima by the Jetfoil to stay the night in a hotel in the centre of the city. Some excellent restaurants nearby provide the setting and delicious evening meal on the final night of our tour together.
Breakfast & dinner provided.
Day 8
The tour ends after breakfast at our hotel. Return travel to Fukuoka by Shinkansen ‘Bullet’ train to Fukuoka airport for international flights is easily accomplished. Your tour leader will be on hand to help you purchase tickets and provide advice on how to use any extra time you may have in Japan.
Breakfast provided.
Walk Japan Ltd. is happy to provide information and advice about places to visit for those wanting to extend their stay in Japan beyond Day 8.
This itinerary is subject to change.
Please see Tour Dates for scheduled tours and their availability. Contact Walk Japan This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for more information and to receive the booking form.
The following travel tips are intended to be helpful advice for our Kyushu Expedition tour. In addition, please refer to your own past experiences and make adjustments or amendments as necessary. If you require any further advice please contact us.
Weather and Clothing
Early spring temperatures fluctuate from warm during the day to cool/cold at night. In late spring and late autumn, days will be warm to hot are hot and evenings warm. It is advisable to bring a variety of layers ranging from t-shirts to a top with long sleeves and a sweater/fleece.
Mountain environments are particularly susceptible to sudden fluctuations in weather and temperature, and we occasionally hike in remote areas, so proper clothing is essential. This includes quality hiking boots / shoes (please make sure these are worn-in before the tour), spare laces and socks, packable waterproof and wind-resistant jacket with hood, packable waterproof over-trousers, gloves, hat, comfortable hiking backpack with waterproof cover, water bottle, and walking poles. Other items you should consider are some high-energy food, pocketknife, insect repellent and a small torch.
Shorts are acceptable in Japan for both men and women. However, we recommend long trousers for most, if not all, of the trekking itself. You may also like to bring some comfortable casual shoes - sneakers, sandals, etc. - for use in town. The sun's rays can be strong and we recommend a sun hat, sun screen, etc. Some individuals find Japanese pillows uncomfortable and you may like to bring your own inflatable pillow. Yukata, evening gowns for sleeping in, are provided at each lodging. However, we recommend leggings, a top, etc. to wear underneath. This will provide a degree of modesty and help ward off any cold air. Laundry facilities are limited.
Food and drink
On longer hikes during the day we will each carry our own food for lunch and snacks and drinks. These will provided at the beginning of the day. (Food of a variety of kinds - fruit, breads, meats, salads, etc. or a bento lunch box will be made available by the guide or our lodging.)
Please also make sure that you carry water with you. 1-2 litres should ensure that you remain comfortable. Dinner in the Japanese inns is Japanese style, though breakfast may be more Western in style. Tap water is nearly always drinkable your guide will advise.
Medicines and cosmetics
Some medicines and cosmetics with which you are familiar may not be available in Japan, although there are usually similar products. Prescription medicines in Japan may differ from foreign medicines in minor, but possibly unacceptable, ways. If you require a specific medicine or cosmetic, either for health or comfort, please bring sufficient quantities with you.
Access to cash
Exchanging cash or travellers' cheques in major currencies can be a time-consuming exercise in Japan. Instead, we recommend alternatives including arriving in Japan with some Japanese currency, using credit cards, and withdrawing cash from ATMs. Japan is still a society based on cash payments. Given that the crime rate is quite low, there is not a great deal of risk in carrying around relatively large amounts of cash.
Credit card payments are sometimes possible, but do not rely on it as credit cards are not universally acceptable in Japan, particularly in rural areas. ATMs at Japanese post offices, which are ubiquitous in Japan, and Seven-Eleven stores provide cash against the following credit cards: Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Diners Club International, PLUS, Maestro, Cirrus and JCB. Most Japanese bank ATMs, though, do not accept debit cards or provide access to foreign bank accounts.
International telephoning, cell phones and the internet
Making international telephone calls and using the internet outside of major urban areas can be difficult or impossible. Please bring a telephone charge card issued by your local telephone company, such as AT&T, BT and Telstar. These can be used almost anywhere.
The Japanese cell, or mobile, phone system uses a specialized CDMA technology which is incompatible with most overseas systems. Some G3, Blackberry smartphones and iPhones operate in Japan. However, please confirm with your provider whether your phone set will work. If your phone does not work in Japan you may like to rent a cell phone from providers such as NTT Docomo, Cellhire, Mobalrental, Worldroam, Vodafone, etc.
For further information please contact Walk JapanThis e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
The following is an indication of what level of activity to expect on our tours. The itineraries for all our tours provide specific details of each day's walking.
Please note that one person's expectations of what is easy or hard can be very different. Whilst age, physical ability and fitness are factors in deciding what a person is capable of, often a seemingly less fit person completes our tours with no problem. Another factor to consider is the weather, which can affect people differently.
Since 1992 we have taken many thousands of people of many nationalities, all ages and abilities on tour in Japan. We have good experience and knowledge about what most, if not all, people can achieve so please do not hesitate to contact us if you would like further information and advice related to your abilities.
Participants must be able to handle their own luggage, climb a few flights of stairs and walk less than 1 km a day. Travel will be almost entirely by public transport, taxi and private hire bus.
Participants must be able to handle their own luggage, climb a few flights of stairs and walk up to 5 km a day on mainly even ground underfoot.
Participants must be in reasonable health, mobile and able to participate in 4~6 hours of walking at a moderate 2kph to 4kph pace. The terrain is hilly with occasional short, steep climbs and the ground mainly even underfoot.
Participants must be in reasonable health, mobile and able to participate in 4~6 hours of walking at a 2 kph to 4 kph pace. The terrain includes more uneven ground than Level 3 with some short, occasionally longer, steep climbs.
Participants must be in good health, mobile and used to a reasonably active lifestyle. Walking may require up to six hours of moderate-paced activity per day, at a 2 kph to 4 kph pace over varied terrain. Ascents and descents can sometimes be steep, necessitating the use of arms for support.
Participants must be in good health, have a good level of physical fitness and used to an active lifestyle. Walking may require up to eight hours of moderate-paced activity per day, at a 2 kph to 4kph pace over varied, mountainous terrain including some long ascents and descents.
The Kyushu Expedition is a fully guided, Level 5 tour, suitable for reasonably fit people who can walk comfortably for 5-6 hours a day. The routes are on well-defined mountain and forest trails, but will include a few lengthy ascents and descents. Walking poles are recommended. Read more on Tour levels below.
