Kyushu Autumn Tour 2026

A Journey of Foliage, Food, and Culture

November 15 – November 21, 2026

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Kyushu Autumn Tour 2026

Tour Overview

Embark on an enchanting journey through Kyushu with our Kyushu Autumn Tour 2026, running from November 15th to 21st, 2026. This small-group experience is strictly limited to 12 participants and led by an English-speaking certified Japanese guide, ensuring an intimate and personalized adventure.

We have carefully chosen the dates and route to immerse you in the region’s stunning autumnal landscapes, rich cultural heritage, and exceptional cuisine. From the historical grandeur of ancient castle ruins to the natural wonders of Aso Volcano and Takachiho Gorge, each destination is a testament to Japan’s splendor.

  • 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.

Itinerary Highlights

Arrival Day: Free and Easy (November 15)

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 Tenjin 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: Orchards, Old Towns, and Cultural Heritage (November 16)

Your first destination is a local orchard in Fukuoka for persimmon picking, enjoying the sweet and crisp autumn fruit. Next, the journey takes you to Mameda Machi in Hita, a charming historic district known for its well-preserved Edo-period buildings.

Stroll through shops where the traditional craft of soy sauce and miso making is intertwined with extensive displays of Hina dolls. Later, visit an esteemed local Sake Brewery to see time-honored tools and enjoy tasting opportunities from brewing masters.

Overnight in Hita: Kizantei Hotel or similar

Handmade Hina doll on display in Hita

Tour Day 2: Autumn Colors and Hells of Beppu (November 17)

Journey through Kyushu’s best area for viewing autumn leaves, where foliage transforms into vibrant shades of red, orange, and gold. The route includes a visit to a hand-carved tunnel seeped in legend, created by a Buddhist monk in the 18th century.

Arrive in Beppu city to discover the “Hells of Beppu,” extraordinary hot springs with unique appearances. Explore “Umi Jigoku” (Sea Hell), famous for its vibrant coloring and steam plumes. While these are too hot for bathing, you can indulge in a soothing foot bath.

Overnight in Beppu: Nono Beppu or similar

Beppu Hells hotspring steaming and surrounded by lush greenery

Tour Day 3: Spiritual History and Traditional Dance (November 18)

Start with a visit to a tranquil temple home to a remarkable 8-meter high Buddha statue carved over 800 years ago. Afterward, wander the ruins of a 12th-century castle, a site where history and nature converge.

Explore Takachiho Gorge, a natural wonder characterized by sheer cliffs and crystal-clear waters, which becomes particularly enchanting in mid-November. In the evening, witness the Kagura dance at a historic shrine, a performance deeply rooted in Japanese mythology that balances reverence with humor.

Overnight in Takachiho: Solest Takachiho or similar

Waterfall rushing into a stream in Takachiho Gorge

Tour Day 4: Natural Beauty and Volcanic Sights (November 19)

Early birds may witness the famed “sea of clouds” phenomenon before breakfast. Visit a serene location believed to be where the sun goddess Amaterasu hid in a cave, a site rich in mythology.

Travel to the awe-inspiring Aso Volcano. Volcanic conditions permitting, you will be granted a close-up view of the crater, often alive with smoke and gases, set against a rugged, lunar-like landscape.

Overnight in Aso: Chikurakutei or similar

Cows and horses grazing in a green field beneath Mt. Aso

Tour Day 5: Samurai Legacy and Tranquil Gardens (November 20)

Visit Kumamoto Castle, a formidable symbol of Japan’s architectural prowess and samurai legacy. Wander through its expansive grounds and view the meticulously restored keep.

Find respite in a tranquil Japanese garden featuring a miniature representation of Mount Fuji. Enjoy authentic matcha in this carefully crafted landscape. The tour concludes with a return to Fukuoka, where the evening is yours to enjoy freely—perhaps exploring the famous Yatai food stalls.

Overnight in Fukuoka city: Nishitetsu Grand Hotel or similar

Kumamoto Castle flanked by yellow autumn leaves

Departure Day: Free and Easy (November 21)

Check out of your hotel after breakfast and continue on your own path. Though the tour is over, the memories of your autumnal adventure will remain.

Paper lamp glowing beside yatai stall in Fukuoka city

Pricing & Details

See what’s included when you join the Kyushu Autumn Tour.

This price is based on double / twin sharing. For a single traveler staying in a room alone the additional charge is ¥155,000. 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 what are included in the set meals provided
  • In-room charges: telephone, laundry, room service etc.
  • Porter fees
  • Gratuities that you choose to give
  • Upgrade charges for private onsen bathing (if available)
  • Airport transfers
  • Airport meet and greet
  • Portable Wi-Fi router (‘pocket Wi-Fi’)

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

The tour was perfect for us. Our guide was charming, knowledgeable, helpful and efficient. Somehow she managed to organise a diverse group through a very busy programme, without us feeling pressured or rushed. The quality and range of food was superb. Exploring Kyushu in the autumn we were lucky with the weather and enjoyed the colors of the trees and gardens. Thank you to the whole team.

Richard and Angela Anderson 2025

I would wish to start by congratulating your team for making our journey to Kyushu both memorable and enjoyable. The 5 days tour was very well planned, and the patience and understanding of our guide was truly outstanding. Ivy and I have no complaints and would not hesitate to recommend Kyushu Journey to our relatives and friends.

Joseph and Ivy Bon 2025

Itinerary, well planned, great places to visit. Food was of a high quality throughout. Transportation, first class. Guide, excellent, professional, good English, helpful and informative. Overall I would say we both enjoyed ourselves and with the small group we were able to interact with everyone.

Seng Fatt Chong 2025

As a participant of this Autumn tour 2024, I’d like to say thank you Kyushu Journeys for organising this tour. I & all members of my family really had a great time. Although the trip was only 5 days it was such a wonderful & enriched journey with a very nice & knowledgeable tour guide.

Nhu Lan Nguyen and family 2024

The second day we called Momiji Day was one of my favorite. Takachiho Gorge was amazing. The Unkai at Kunimigaoka Southern Lookout was stunning and memorable. Our guide was funny, had a nice presentation for us daily, and is very hard working. Overall, it was a good tour that I would recommend to others.

Cecily Ching 2024

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