Kyushu Cherry Blossom Tour 2026

Temples, Castles, and Sacred Volcanos

March 27 – April 2, 2026

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Kyushu Cherry Blossom Tour 2026

Tour Overview

Experience the fleeting beauty of spring with our Kyushu Cherry Blossom Tour 2026. Limited to just 12 participants, this journey is led by an expert English-speaking guide to ensure an intimate, personalized exploration of Japan’s southern island. The tour begins on March 27 and ends on April 2.

Timed perfectly for the peak of the sakura, this itinerary blends iconic floral views with Kyushu’s dramatic natural wonders and deep historical roots.

  • Guaranteed Departure: Unlike many other tours, ours departs as scheduled regardless of group size, providing you with peace of mind.
  • Culinary Focus: Expect a culinary adventure where food is central to your experience, highlighting Kyushu’s rich culinary heritage.
  • Comfort & Ease: Travel in comfort on a private tour bus as you explore the very best of Kyushu.
  • Special Offer: 20% discount on last minute bookings; first come first serve.

Itinerary Highlights

Arrival Day: Free and Easy (March 27)

Welcome to Fukuoka! On your first day, enjoy a relaxed, self-guided experience. After arriving, check into the hotel we’ve booked for you in the vibrant Hakata area. This bustling district is perfect for exploring at your own pace.

Wander around, visit local shops, savor Fukuoka’s renowned cuisine, and immerse yourself in the city’s charming mix of traditional and contemporary vibes. It’s an ideal beginning to your adventure with Kyushu Journeys.

Overnight in Fukuoka city: Nishitetsu Grand Hotel or similar

A river running through Fukuoka City illuminated by lights at night

Tour Day 1: Castle Ruins & Edo-Era Charm in Hita (March 28)

Meet your tour leader and fellow travellers in your hotel lobby, and hit the road. The first stop will be for a stroll to the remains of a 17th-century castle. It’s one of the most marvelous displays of cherry blossoms in the whole of Fukuoka.

We’ll stop for lunch at a specialty eel restaurant. Westerners may not have much experience with eel, but it’s a classic Japanese dish. The meat is tender, and the sauce is delicious.

After lunch, more photo opportunities as we enjoy cherry blossom viewing at a shrine with classic red torii gates.

For the first night of your tour, you’ll be staying in Hita City, known as the hub of Kyushu during the Edo period. Before checking into your hotel, you’ll explore the well-preserved old town, filled with charming shops that evoke a bygone era.

Dinner will be at a beloved casual restaurant that has been a local favourite for over a century. Here, you’ll feel like one of the regulars as you enjoy a delicious meal and get to know your fellow travellers.

Overnight in Hita: Kizantei Hotel or similar

Crowds gathered at a local park in Kyushu to witness blooming Cherry Blossoms

Tour Day 2: Volcano Views & Sakura in the Highlands (March 29)

After breakfast, we’ll check out and head into the scenic heart of Kyushu. On the way, we’ll stop at a temple that uniquely combines elements of both Shintoism and Buddhism. Established 1,200 years ago, the temple is home to over 2,000 statues dedicated to the guardian deity of children. It’s incredibly photogenic.

At Aso Volcano, you’ll have the unique opportunity to stare right into an active volcano crater! Smell the devilish sulphur and see the smoke billowing out. If the crater is closed on the day for safety reasons, we’ll still get as close as we possibly can.

Today’s cherry blossom spot in Aso offers sweeping views of thousands of cherry trees blooming. It will wow you for its panoramic sakura landscapes and peaceful atmosphere.

We’ll stay tonight in a wonderfully picturesque location. Enjoy indoor or outdoor onsen (natural hot spring baths) with glorious natural views. For dinner, you’ll be able to have a delicious “kaiseki” dinner.

Overnight in Aso: Oyama Ryokan or similar

Steaming caldera of Mount Aso in Kumamoto

Tour Day 3: Coastal Castles & Sea Breeze Blossoms (March 30)

We’ll continue our journey, taking in the sea breeze as we hop on the ferry to Shimabara Peninsula. In Shimabara, we hope to see another wonderful display of cherry blossom blooming, this time set amongst acres of bright yellow rapeseed with a mountain backdrop. We’ll also pay a quick visit to the beautifully preserved Shimabara castle town.

Tonight we’ll be staying close to the ocean. As all Japanese know, there’s nothing better than seafood when you can smell the sea. Enjoy a variety of fresh and tasty dishes based on the fishermen’s catch of the day.

Overnight in Shimabara: Hotel Seaside Shimabara or similar

A seafood spread featuring local foods from Shimabara

Tour Day 4: Cherry Trees, Green Tea & Luxurious Ryokan (March 31)

More sakura hunting! We’ll visit a park famous for its amazing collection of 2,000 blooming cherry trees of 20 different species. In fact, it’s on the list of Japan’s top 100 cherry blossom spots. The park is situated amongst the remains of a 17th century castle.

You can’t visit Japan without having sushi, right? Have you tried pressed-zushi? It’s not so common overseas, but it’s a local specialty, so that’s what we’ll be having for lunch at the park.

Next, enjoy a fun and practical hands-on activity. We’ll learn how to brew green tea like a pro! You will have your own tea, pot, and hot water, and will learn tips and tricks from an expert.

Accommodation this evening is a real treat. We’ll be staying at an authentic Japanese inn (ryokan) with onsen hot-spring baths. Japanese have been enjoying onsen in this area for a staggering 1,300 years.

The final dinner of this tour is the culinary highlight. Enjoy an unforgettable multi-course feast (kaiseki). Each dainty course is served with the chef’s pride and made with the freshest local ingredients.

Overnight in Ureshino: Shiibasanso or similar

Bright pink cherry blossom bloom in Kyushu

Tour Day 5: Secret Kilns, Sakura Trails & Urban Energy (April 1)

Today will start at a great location for cherry blossom viewing. Elegant trees bloom along the stone steps in early spring, their petals drifting gently over unique ceramic features that reflect the area’s craft heritage.

We’ll have lunch at a local pottery gallery. Enjoy tasty Japanese food served on tableware showcasing the contemporary local style.

Next, we’ll explore the ‘Village of the Secret Kilns,’ a hidden gem tucked away in the mountains. For centuries, access was strictly controlled to prevent the techniques of pottery production from leaking out. Enjoy some free time to stroll around and pick up a quality souvenir; a cup and pot for your green tea, perhaps?

You’ll be dropped back at your hotel, conveniently located in the heart of Fukuoka city. The evening is your free and easy time for shopping, eating, and exploring. Still not had enough cherry blossom viewing!? Stroll to Fukuoka’s cherry blossom festival (although the dates haven’t been finalised yet). It’s set in the grounds of Fukuoka Castle and is packed with street-food stalls.

Overnight in Fukuoka city: Nishitetsu Grand Hotel or similar

Village of the secret kilns in Kyushu Japan

Departure Day: Free and Easy (April 2)

As your journey comes to an end, you’ll check out of the hotel after breakfast and continue on your own path. The tour may be over, but the memories you’ve created during your springtime Japanese adventure will surely be yours to cherish endlessly.

Thank you for entrusting Kyushu Journeys with your unforgettable journey through Kyushu. We hope you carry these memories with you as you embark on new adventures in the future. Safe travels, and until we meet again!

Illuminated cherry blossom blooms at night in Fukuoka City

Pricing & Details

We are currently offering a 20% discount on last minute bookings. First come, first serve, so get in touch soon to take advantage of this special offer.

This price is based on double / twin sharing. For a single traveler staying in a room alone the additional charge is ¥145,000. For triple sharing price, contact us for details.

  • Accommodation with breakfast x 6 nights
  • Lunch x 5
  • Dinner x 4
  • English-speaking tour leader
  • All transport in private tour bus
  • All entrance fees
  • Flights
  • Passport and visa costs
  • Personal insurance
  • Any medical expenses before, during and after the tour
  • Meals not mentioned above
  • Food and drinks beyond those included in the set meals provided
  • In-room charges: telephone, laundry, room service etc.
  • Porter fees
  • Gratuities that you choose to give
  • Airport transfers
  • Airport meet and greet
  • Portable Wi-Fi router (‘pocket Wi-Fi’)
  • Additional add-on tour

FAQs

Delve into our FAQ section to get quick answers to common questions about the tour.

Each restaurant has been carefully chosen to highlight a wide variety of the tastiest Kyushu cuisine. The focus is on using locally-sourced seasonal ingredients wherever possible. If you have any dietary restrictions, please ask us about alternatives before booking your tour.

You will stay in a mix of clean and comfortable city hotels and traditional Japanese ryokan inns. In the city hotels, you will be sleeping in western beds. In the ryokan, you will be sleeping in western beds or traditional Japanese-style futon beds on tatami mat flooring. If you have any difficulty sleeping on a futon, please ask us about alternatives before booking your tour.

An onsen is a bathing pool using water from natural hot springs. It’s a wonderful pleasure with many health benefits. As nudity is required, onsen bathing is usually sex-segregated. If you feel uncomfortable, you can skip this activity. Feel free to contact us with any questions you have about onsen bathing.

Comfortable private bus throughout the tour.

We want this to be a small group intimate tour. Maximum participants will be 12 people.

Yes, we can. We have several options for couples or private groups of family or friends. Contact us for details.

Definitely. You will be travelling by private tour bus and accompanied at all times by an English-speaking tour leader. There are no long hikes on this tour but of course, you will need to walk around the attractions. It will be no problem if you prefer to skip any activity and wait for the group on the bus or in a seated area.

This is an adult tour with no activities for children. We welcome all participants aged 12 years or older. However, on a private tour, children of any age can join.

Absolutely! This tour is guaranteed to run, providing you with peace of mind and certainty. Unlike many other tours that require a minimum number of participants to proceed, ours departs as scheduled regardless of group size.

From your own pocket, you need to pay for meals on arrival day and dinner on the final evening. Tipping is not required in Japan. See above for a detailed list of inclusions and exclusions.

Yes you can. The first and last hotels on the tour will be the same so you can safely store any luggage you don’t need during the tour while you are travelling.

While we strive to adhere to the scheduled itinerary, the route and accommodations may change due to circumstances outside of our control. Our guides may adjust the daily program based on weather, traffic, or seasonal conditions.

A deposit of 20% is required to secure your places on the tour. The 80% balance is due 60 days before the tour begins. There are only 12 places available on this tour so please contact as soon as possible if you want to join.

  • After payment of deposit: 20% cancellation charge (forfeit of deposit)
  • 60-46 days before the tour begins: 30% cancellation charge
  • 45-31 days before the tour begins: 40% cancellation charge
  • 30-16 days before the tour begins: 60% cancellation charge
  • 15-8 days before the tour begins: 80% cancellation charge
  • 7 days or later before the tour begins: 100% cancellation charge

We suggest you take out travel insurance to protect yourself in case you need to cancel for any unexpected reason.

What other guests have said

Many good points: the group is just right. We had an international group of 6 countries, and the pace of the daily tour programs is well planned. Give thumbs up for the varied accommodation — very comfortable and relaxing stay. Started and ended in Tenjin is great!

David and Margaret Sinclair 2025

We have enjoyed your tour. The itinerary was well organised and included spectacular Sakura viewing places which we as foreign tourists would not know. All the meals were of a high standard, and the arranged private dining rooms or dining areas are particularly appreciated.

Cathy Lam 2025

We enjoyed the Sakura Tour very much and can’t say enough good things about our tour guide. The timing was perfect for us to fully enjoy the cherry blossoms and the meals were stunning.

Guest 2025

The food was exquisite, and we did manage to see cherry trees in bloom. I liked the small group and not having to deal with too many crowds…I had a wonderful time and everything was well thought out and planned. I am telling my friends about Kyushu Journeys and I would like to do another tour with you sometime, maybe the Autumn one.

Guest 2025

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