02 Apr 2027
Twin share
Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£7,141pp
Flights from UK airports
Escorted tour
Japan’s Scenic South & the Golden Route with Flights – 16 Days
Kyushu, Shikoku, Hiroshima, Kyoto, Mount Fuji and Tokyo, with UK flights, a ryokan night and a tour director.
16 days
From £5,759 incl. flights
Tour overview
This 16-day escorted tour begins on quiet Kyushu, Japan's southernmost main island, and crosses Shikoku before joining the classic Golden Route to Kyoto, Mount Fuji and Tokyo. The price includes return flights from London Heathrow or Manchester, transfers, coach travel and two bullet train journeys. A tour director looks after you throughout, with local experts along the way. You stay twelve nights in hotels and one in a traditional ryokan in Matsuyama, with thirteen breakfasts and two dinners included, among them a traditional kaiseki dinner at the ryokan.
From Fukuoka you visit Dazaifu, once the heart of Japan's international trade, with its famous shrine, then the renowned pottery town of Imari. In Nagasaki a local expert takes you to Gunkanjima, the abandoned 'Battleship Island', the Atomic Bomb Museum and the Glover Garden. You glide along the canals of Yanagawa by boat, try on a kimono, and explore the steaming geothermal 'Hells' of Beppu.
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Crossing to Shikoku, you visit the historic Uchiko-Za kabuki theatre and enjoy a sake tasting before a night in a ryokan in Matsuyama. After a visit to Imabari's Towel Museum, you cross the Inland Sea to Hiroshima, taking the ferry to Miyajima Island and its floating torii gate before a coach tour of the city and a bullet train to Kyoto.
In Kyoto you visit Kinkaku-ji, the Golden Pavilion, and other great temples, with a free day to explore further. A second bullet train ride takes you to Mishima and an afternoon at Lake Kawaguchi below Mount Fuji, before a tour of Tokyo from the heights of the Tokyo Tower, with an optional yakatabune dinner cruise and a morning at leisure before your flight home.
The physical rating is medium. This tour suits travellers who want to see the lesser-known south of Japan as well as its famous highlights, with flights and transport arranged. Japan is famously safe, clean and efficient, and its trains run to the minute, so travelling between regions is part of the pleasure. Spring cherry blossom and autumn colours are especially beautiful times to go.
Trip highlights
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Dazaifu and Imari pottery (Days 3–4)
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Gunkanjima and Nagasaki (Day 5)
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A Yanagawa river cruise and kimono experience (Day 6)
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The Hells of Beppu (Day 7)
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A ryokan with kaiseki dinner in Matsuyama (Day 8)
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Miyajima, Kyoto and Mount Fuji (Days 10–13)
Your route
19 stops from Fukuoka to Tokyo
- Fukuoka Days 1–3
- Dazaifu Day 3
- Imari Day 4
- Nagasaki Days 4–5
- Gunkanjima Day 5
- Yanagawa Day 6
- Ōita Days 6–7
- Yufuin Day 7
- Beppu Day 7
- Uchiko Day 8
- Matsuyama Day 8
- Imabari Day 9
- Onomichi Day 9
- Hiroshima Day 9
- Miyajima Island Day 10
- Kyoto Days 10–12
- Mishima Day 13
- Lake Kawaguchi Day 13
- Tokyo Days 13–15
Why choose this tour
The quieter south of Japan plus the Golden Route, with flights included. Cultural experiences from kimono to kaiseki.
Best suited to
- Travellers who want more than the classic route
- Culture lovers
- Couples and friends
- Travellers who want flights arranged
Day-by-day itinerary
16 days from UK to UK
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Day 1 · UK Fly to Japan
An overnight flight to Japan.
- Hotel
- Overnight flight
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Day 2 · Fukuoka Fukuoka
Arrive on Kyushu and meet your tour director.
- Hotel
- Hotel
-
Day 3 · Dazaifu, Fukuoka Dazaifu and Fukuoka
Visit Dazaifu and tour Fukuoka.
- Hotel
- Hotel
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
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Day 4 · Imari, Nagasaki Imari to Nagasaki
Visit a pottery town on the way to Nagasaki.
- Hotel
- Hotel
- Meals
- Breakfast
-
Day 5 · Gunkanjima, Glover Garden Nagasaki
Gunkanjima, the Atomic Bomb Museum and Glover Garden.
- Hotel
- Hotel
- Meals
- Breakfast
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Day 6 · Yanagawa, Ōita Yanagawa to Ōita
A river cruise and a kimono experience.
- Hotel
- Hotel
- Meals
- Breakfast
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Day 7 · Hells of Beppu Beppu
Explore the geothermal Hells of Beppu.
- Hotel
- Hotel
- Meals
- Breakfast
-
Day 8 · Uchiko-Za, Matsuyama Uchiko to Matsuyama
A theatre visit, sake tasting and a kaiseki dinner.
- Hotel
- Ryokan
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
-
Day 9 · Imabari, Hiroshima To Hiroshima
Visit Imabari, then cross to Hiroshima.
- Hotel
- Hotel
- Meals
- Breakfast
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Day 10 · Miyajima, Hiroshima, Kyoto Miyajima to Kyoto
Miyajima, a Hiroshima tour and the bullet train to Kyoto.
- Hotel
- Hotel
- Meals
- Breakfast
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Day 11 · Kinkaku-ji, Kyoto Kyoto
A city tour of Kyoto.
- Hotel
- Hotel
- Meals
- Breakfast
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Day 12 · Kyoto Free day in Kyoto
Explore Kyoto at your own pace.
- Hotel
- Hotel
- Meals
- Breakfast
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Day 13 · Mishima, Lake Kawaguchi Lake Kawaguchi
Bullet train to Mishima and Lake Kawaguchi.
- Hotel
- Hotel
- Meals
- Breakfast
-
Day 14 · Tokyo Tower, Tokyo Tokyo
A tour of Tokyo, with an optional dinner cruise.
- Hotel
- Hotel
- Meals
- Breakfast
-
Day 15 · Tokyo Fly home
A morning at leisure, then an overnight flight.
- Hotel
- Overnight flight
- Meals
- Breakfast
-
Day 16 · UK Arrive in the UK
Land back in the UK.
Where you stay
- Fukuoka (2 nights) Hotel
- Nagasaki (2 nights) Hotel
- Ōita (2 nights) Hotel
- Matsuyama (1 night) Ryokan
- Hiroshima (1 night) Hotel
- Kyoto (3 nights) Hotel
- Mount Fuji area (1 night) Hotel
- Tokyo (1 night) Hotel
Hotel names are indicative and may be replaced with a property of similar standard and location.
What's included
Included
- Return flights from London Heathrow or Manchester
- Accommodation 12 nights in hotels and 1 in a ryokan
- Meals 13 breakfasts and 2 dinners, including a kaiseki dinner
- Coach travel and two bullet train rides
- Dazaifu, Imari, Gunkanjima and Nagasaki
- Yanagawa cruise, kimono experience and the Hells of Beppu
- Uchiko-Za theatre, sake tasting, Miyajima, Hiroshima, Kyoto and Lake Kawaguchi
- Tour director throughout
Not included
- Meals not included 13 lunches and 11 dinners
- Optional Yakatabune dinner cruise
- Tips, travel insurance and personal spending
This trip might not be for you if…
Honest disclaimer — please read
- You want all meals included — mostly breakfasts
- You want a small group — coach groups can be large
- You want to see Hokkaido — this tour covers the south and centre
- You want to arrange your own flights — flights are part of the price
Good to know
Meals by day
Breakfast: Days 3–15 · Lunch: none included · Dinner: Days 3 and 8
FCDO advice
UK FCDO travel advice for Japan
In pictures
Departures & prices
From £5,759 per person, including flights. 19 upcoming departures.
Flights from UK airports.
16 Apr 2027
Twin share
Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£6,113pp
Flights from UK airports
30 Apr 2027
Twin share
Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£6,277pp
Flights from UK airports
07 May 2027
Twin share
Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£5,759pp
Flights from UK airports
01 Oct 2027
Twin share
Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£6,461pp
Flights from UK airports
22 Oct 2027
Twin share
Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£6,461pp
Flights from UK airports
05 Nov 2027
Twin share
Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£6,389pp
Flights from UK airports
31 Mar 2028
Twin share
Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£7,154pp
Flights from UK airports
14 Apr 2028
Twin share
Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£7,154pp
Flights from UK airports
12 May 2028
Twin share
Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£6,322pp
Flights from UK airports
29 Sept 2028
Twin share
Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£6,880pp
Flights from UK airports
13 Oct 2028
Twin share
Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£6,880pp
Flights from UK airports
03 Nov 2028
Twin share
Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£6,880pp
Flights from UK airports
30 Mar 2029
Twin share
Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£7,186pp
Flights from UK airports
13 Apr 2029
Twin share
Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£7,186pp
Flights from UK airports
11 May 2029
Twin share
Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£6,340pp
Flights from UK airports
28 Sept 2029
Twin share
Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£6,907pp
Flights from UK airports
12 Oct 2029
Twin share
Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£6,907pp
Flights from UK airports
02 Nov 2029
Twin share
Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£6,907pp
Flights from UK airports
Frequently asked questions
How do I book this tour?
Tap any "Enquire" button on the page and one of our travel specialists will be in touch within 24 hours (often same day). We'll confirm availability on your preferred date, run through anything you need to know, and only ask for the deposit once you've decided.
What financial protection do I get?
Every Travelisto booking is 100% financially protected. Your money is held in a ring-fenced Trust account until you return from your trip, and we are members of the Protected Trust Services scheme (PTS 6035). Most tours also include ATOL protection where flights are part of the package.
Are flights included?
Yes, return flights from London Heathrow or Manchester.
What is a ryokan?
A traditional Japanese inn, with tatami rooms and a multi-course kaiseki dinner.
Which meals are included?
Thirteen breakfasts and two dinners.
Do I need a visa?
UK visitors do not need a visa for Japan for a short holiday stay.
Are hotel rooms small?
Japanese hotel rooms are often smaller than European ones.
How much walking is there?
Moderate walking at temples, gardens and towns.
Can you tailor the trip?
Yes — every escorted tour can be modified into a private tailor-made version with your own dates, adjusted pace, upgraded hotels and add-on extensions. Tell us what you'd like changed when you enquire and we'll quote it both ways so you can compare.
What if my flight is delayed or cancelled?
If your international flight is part of your booking through us, we re-book at no cost. If you've booked flights separately, the tour's local team holds your transfer slot until you arrive. We strongly recommend a comprehensive travel insurance policy that includes delay and cancellation cover.
ATOL protected
100% financially protected in a Trust bank account
PTS 6035
4.7 on Trustpilot
Tailor-made option
Not quite the right fit? Make it tailor-made.
If this group tour doesn't match your ideal trip, our specialists will turn it into a private tailor-made journey — your own dates, your own pace, upgraded hotels where you want them, and the parts you don't love swapped out. Same destinations, just rebuilt around you.
Contact us for a tailor-made version of this itinerary