Flight: BA3445 Tokyo - Fukuoka 13.00 - 14.55 

Private transfer to your hotel: On arrival in Fukuoka you will be met by a private car and driver who will transfer you to your city centre hotel. Journey time should be around 20 minutes, depending on local traffic.

Mobile Wi-Fi Device: We have included for you the rental of a mobile wi-fi device which we will arrange to be delivered to your first hotel. This will mean that you can have wi-fi on the move and at all of your accommodation making staying in touch with friends or browsing the internet on your smartphone or laptop a breeze! The Wi-Fi can be shared between up to 10 devices. We have included full insurance for you in case of loss or damage. At the end of your stay simply return the device in the pre-paid envelope provided. The internet provider for your WiFi device is AU. This has wide coverage across Japan including most small islands and rural areas. There is unlimited data usage.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Mitsui Garden Hotel Fukuoka Gion (Moderate Twin Room)

Meals: Breakfast

Suggested sightseeing in Fukuoka: Today you have a full day to explore Fukuoka city. The local Gion area has a high concentration of temples and shrines and wandering along traditional backstreets hopping from temple to temple is very enjoyable. Number one on your list of temples should be Tocho-ji Temple which houses a huge wooden Buddha statue and if you are lucky, you could spot the priests shuttling between temples. Tenjin is the livelier district and home to the Fukuoka castle ruins, which provide an excellent viewpoint over the city. The Fukuoka Art Museum is another notable site in the area, and often has internationally acclaimed exhibits. Fukuoka has a well-earned reputation as a foodie’s city and sampling the local Hakata-style ramen and wondering between the mobile Yatai stands is highly recommended.

Fukuoka izakaya experience: Tonight you will be met at your hotel lobby at 7pm by a knowledgeable local guide and head out to sample the best of Fukuoka’s food and drink, and vibrant nightlife. Your journey through Fukuoka’s culinary ‘hidden gems’ will start at an izakaya - the Japanese answer to the pub, izakaya have extensive menus of small, shareable plates, encompassing everything from sashimi and gyoza dumplings to pizza and deep-fried tofu, washed down with plenty of beer, sake or cocktails. After a sake or two, you will be taken to wander Fukuoka’s famous outdoor yatai stalls that serve ramen and grilled chicken skewers.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Mitsui Garden Hotel Fukuoka Gion (Moderate Twin Room)

Meals: Breakfast

Train to Nagasaki: Make your own way to Hakata station this morning, from where you will take a Limited Express train a scenic journey to Nagasaki city. You'll pass through rural and seaside towns on this comfortable, scenic journey. Travel time is just under 2 hours. On arrival make your own way to your hotel a short distance from the station.

Half-day cruise to Gunkanjima: A small island off the coast of Nagasaki, Gunkanjima (or 'Battle Ship Island') has a fascinating history. After coal was discovered on the island, managers, workers and their families flocked to Gunkanjima in search of riches. With one half of the island occupied by the mine, a self-sufficient society was established on the other half including shops, schools, a public bath, and a hospital, until Gunkanjima became the most densely populated island in the world. However in 1974 the mine was suddenly closed and the island was abandoned in some haste for reasons still unknown…

For years nobody set foot on the island and since the evacuation it was left at the mercy of typhoons, causing the buildings to deteriorate crumble. Now all that remains are eerie shells of the huge buildings that once housed the island’s dense population, creating a haunting, mysterious atmosphere. So mysterious in fact, that Gunkanjima is said to be the inspiration behind the villain Raoul Silva’s lair in the 2012 Bond film Skyfall.

Recently sightseeing tours to Gunkanjima have become available, enabling people to see this compelling piece of Japanese history up close. The cruise will take around 4 hours, and you will be able to set foot on the island in pre-designated sightseeing spots. (Further access to the island is not permitted due to fears of further building collapse.) The cruise will also complete a circuit of the island so you can see it from all angles. You will be in a large boat of up to 130 people, and free English audio guides are available. Please note that in the event of bad weather the cruise will be unable to run.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the ANA Crowne Plaza Nagasaki Gloverhill (Standard Room)

Meals: Breakfast

Private guided tour of Nagasaki: Today we will arrange a private guide to be at your disposal for 8 hours. The guide will meet you at your hotel at 9am this morning and then the day's plan is up to you - of course the guide will have lots of suggestions. Highlights in Nagasaki include the Glover Gardens, Dejima trading post, China town, the spectacles bridge and the Peace Park and Museum. Please note that entrance fees and local transport are not included and need to be paid for on the day.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the ANA Crowne Plaza Nagasaki Gloverhill (Standard Room)

Meals: Breakfast

Highway bus to Unzen: From Nagasaki you will take a direct highway bus to Unzen. The journey takes 1 hour and 40 minutes. We will include detailed self-guiding directs from your hotel to the bus station in Nagasaki, and then from the bus station in Unzen to your ryokan.

At leisure in Unzen: The remainder of the day is at leisure for you to relax and enjoy the natural surrounds of Unzen. We recommend taking a walk in the surrounding national park, which combines very well with a relaxing dip in one of the many fine hot springs.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Unzen Shinyu (Japanese Zen Room)

Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

Bus and ferry to Kumamoto: Check out from the ryokan after breakfast and make your own way back to the bus stand. From Unzen a direct bus will take you down to Shimabara Port, journey of around 40 minutes. From Shimabara a ferry will take you across the Ariake Sea to Kumamoto port, a further journey of 30 minutes. On arrival in Kumamoto make your own way to your hotel using the detailed instructions in your pack.

Suggested sightseeing in Kumamoto: Upon arrival, you will have a great opportunity to explore the city of Kumamoto. The city is most famous for its castle - built more than 400 years ago by the warlord Kato Kiyomasa, today’s castle is a faithful reconstruction and is one of the largest castles in Japan. Also of interest in Kumamoto is the beautiful mountain style garden at Suizen-ji Temple, a great place to view the cherry blossom should you be visiting in spring. The city has a thriving food scene and brave foodies may wish to try the local specialty: basahi - raw horse meat!

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Mitsui Garden Hotel Kumamoto (Standard Room)

Meals: Breakfast

Car rental from Kumamoto: Today you will pick up your hire car for your time exploring central Kyushu and the Aso caldera. You will be provided with useful information about places you might like to visit and your portable Wi-Fi device will allow you to access maps.

Drive to Kurokawa Onsen: The drive from Kumamoto to your ryokan accommodation in Kurokawa Onsen will take just over an hour. The road follows the Trans Kyushu Highway and there are some lovely views of Mount Aso en-route.

At leisure in Kurokawa: Once arrived, you have the rest of the day to relax in picturesque Kurokawa. Onsen-hopping is the main attraction here - there are many excellent hotsprings dotted in and around the village, as well as plenty on offer within your accommodation. The more active might enjoy a hike in the surrounding forest, or you can use you car to explore further afield.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Okunoyu Ryokan (Japanese Style Room – shared bathroom)

Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

Day to explore Kurokawa and Mount Aso: Today you will have a full day to explore the local area with your hire car at your disposal. The steaming crater of Mount Aso is only a 50 minute drive (30km) from your base in Kurokawa Onsen. The crater itself is not always accessible due to volcanic activity but driving around the caldera you will see some stunning scenery with the beautiful cone shaped Komezuka one of the highlights. Perhaps take the ropeway up to the crater, go for a hike or spend the afternoon relaxing in the hot springs around your accommodation. Takachiho, a narrow gorge made by the Gokase River where you can take a pleasant boat trip, is also only 90 minutes drive away.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Okunoyu Ryokan (Japanese Style Room – shared bathroom)

Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

Drive from Kurokawa Onsen to Kumamoto: Check out of your ryokan after breakfast and drive back to Kumamoto, a journey of around one hour. You will drive your car back to the car rental centre to be dropped off, then make your own way to Kumamoto Station in time to board your onward train.

Train to Kagoshima: From Kumamoto you will head take a southbound Shinkansen, travelling around 180km to Kagoshima. Journey time is just under an hour. At the other end make your own way to your hotel using the instructions in your info-pack.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Richmond Hotel Kinseicho (Comfort Twin Room)

Meals: Breakfast

Suggested sightseeing in Kagoshima: Today you will a full day to explore Kagoshima, known as the Naples of Japan. Senganen Garden to the north of the city offers spectacular views of the Sakurajima volcano while Shiroyama Park offers alternative vistas. Spend a few hours at one of the city's museums, the aquarium or the ruins of the castle, or take a ferry across the bay to the volcano itself where there are some beautiful viewpoints and a relaxing (free) outdoor foot onsen bath. Close to the station is a fantastic yatai area which is perfect for sampling some traditional street food for dinner.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Richmond Hotel Kinseicho (Comfort Twin Room)

Meals: Breakfast

Jetfoil Ferry from Kagoshima to Yakushima: Make your own way to the port this morning, from where you will take the "Rocket" Jetfoil to Yakushima's Miyanoura Port. The journey takes just under 2 hours. On arrival a representative of the hotel will be waiting to transfer you privately to your resort. Check and spend the remainder of the day at leisure.

Car rental in Yakushima: We will arrange car hire for you on Yakushima Island. Public transport is limited on the island, so having use of a hire car is the best way to get around and explore. The roads are generally quiet, and driving is a pleasure. The car hire company will pick you up on arrival at the airport or the ferry port and show you to the car, usually a small Toyota Ractis.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Shiki No Yado Onoaida (Room with Open-Air Bath)

Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

Full day with driver-guide on Yakushima: Today you will have the services of an experienced local guide. Your guide will pick you up from your accommodation in his car and will show you around Yakushima island allowing you to discover the hidden gems of the ancient forests, towering mountains and its wildlife. As part of the day you will be taken on one of Yakushima's best hikes. Rather than pick a hiking route in advance, the guide will talk to you on the day to come up with a plan to suit your fitness level and interests, so please let him know if there's anything in particular you'd like to see. Transport is all included today as well as a bento lunch box, but please note that any entrance fees and other food will need to be paid for on the day.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Shiki No Yado Onoaida (Room with Open-Air Bath)

Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

Day at leisure in Yakushima: The subtropical island of Yakushima is home to some of Japan's most breathtaking scenery. Thousand year old cedar trees combine with jungle like forests to create a magical atmosphere. There are lots of walking trails around the island with some of the best being in the Shiratani Unsuikyo Ravine. This is the part of Yakushima's forest that served as the inspiration for the Studio Ghibli film Mononoke Hime (Princess Mononoke) with the lead artist for the film, Oga Kazuo, spending a number of weeks here working on forest sketches. As well as hiking you can also enjoy scuba diving and snorkelling, nature watching and hot spring baths and Yakushima also has some nice beaches too! You have your own car at disposal, and the accommodation will be happy to help out with route suggestions on this easily-navigable island.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Shiki No Yado Onoaida (Room with Open-Air Bath)

Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

Own transfer to Yakushima Airport: After breakfast you will drive your hire car to Yakushima's small airport. Drop off the car and then immediately check in for your onward flight.

Flight: JL3672 Yakushima - Fukuoka 12.40 - 13.45 

Private transfer to your hotel: On arrival in Fukuoka, you will be met by a private car and driver who will transfer you to your city centre hotel. Journey time should be around 20 minutes, depending on local traffic.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Mitsui Garden Hotel Fukuoka Gion (Moderate Twin Room)

Meals: Breakfast