Explore Southern Japan Adventure Tour

See a side of Japan that few experience with this 11-day tour that takes you off the main trails into landscapes and artistic hubs that inspire this country's unique culture. Spend time among the contemporary art galleries and public installations on Naoshima Island (including a Yayoi Kusama pumpkin), wander through an ancient moss forest reminiscent of a fairytale, and learn more about the important history of Nagasaki. The tour begins in Osaka and ends in Kyoto, allowing you time to explore these energetic cities and round off your experience in Japan.

Highlights

Soak in contemporary art at Naoshima Island's museums, Hike through an ancient moss forest, Learn about the historic events of Nagasaki, Explore the cultural hub of Kyoto.

What's Included

Your Welcome Moment: Meet Your CEO and Group Your Discover Moment: Kyoto. Full day trip to Naoshima Art Island. CEO
led orientation walk of Naoshima port. Benesse House Museum visit (Naoshima). CEO
led Peace Park visit with museum entrance (Nagasaki). Shiratani Unsuikyo hiking excursion (Yakushima). Japan Rail (JR) Pass (7 days). All transport between destinations and to/from included activities.

Accommodation

Hotel/guesthouses (9 nts), overnight ferry (1nt, multi
share).

Meals Included

2 breakfasts

Transport

Train, ferry, speedboat, public bus, hiking, walking.

About our Transportation

Japan's reliable public transportation is the best option for both the environment and for experiencing Japan like a local! We will ride several forms of transportation throughout the country, from Shinkansen bullet trains, to subways, funiculars, local trains, and buses. Note that often times we will have to carry our luggage from one mode of transport to another, so please consider this whilst packing.

Group Leader Description

All G Adventures group trips are accompanied by one of our Chief Experience Officers (CEO). The aim of the CEO is to take the hassle out of your travels and to help you have the best trip possible. They will provide information on the places you are travelling through, offer suggestions for things to do and see, recommend great local eating venues and introduce you to our local friends. While not being guides in the traditional sense you can expect them to have a broad general knowledge of the countries visited on the trip, including historical, cultural, religious and social aspects. We also use local guides where we think more specific knowledge will add to the enjoyment of the places we are visiting
we think it's the best of both worlds.

Emergency Fund

Please also make sure you have access to at least an additional USD $200 (or equivalent) as an 'emergency' fund, to be used when circumstances outside our control (ex. a natural disaster) require a change to our planned route. This is a rare occurrence!

Solo Travellers

We believe solo travellers should not have to pay more to travel so our group trips are designed for shared accommodation and do not involve a single supplement. Single travellers joining group trips are paired in twin or multi
share accommodation with someone of the same sex for the duration of the trip. Some of our Independent trips are designed differently and solo travellers on these itineraries must pay the single trip price.

Spending Money

Every traveller is different and therefore spending money requirements will vary. Some travellers may drink more than others while other travellers like to purchase more souvenirs than most. Please consider your own spending habits when it comes to allowing for drinks, shopping and tipping. Please also remember the following specific recommendations when planning your trip.

What to Take

We suggest that you pack as lightly as possible as you are expected to carry your own luggage. Our trips in Japan use public transport and most transport has limited luggage storage space. You will also be walking with your luggage in busy public train stations to catch connecting trains, so it is highly recommended that you travel light and have easy to handle luggage and are capable of walking up and down the stairs with your luggage without any assistance. We recommend keeping the weight of your bags between 10
15kg/22
30lb. Suitcases are not recommended for G Adventures trips. Most travellers carry a backpack or rolling bag of small to medium size. A large bag will be an inconvenience to you and will slow you down! Takuhaibin
Japan's takuhaibin service is a convenient and reliable way to transfer luggage from one location to another throughout the country. Pick
up/drop
off/delivery dates and times can be easily scheduled (usually overnight) and costs are moderate. Service can be arranged at most hotels and airports. Using Takuhaibin to send your luggage between hotels, or from hotel to airport, is a great way to travel light and avoid hauling large bags on crowded trains or up and down stairs ' just be sure to pack an overnight bag with everything you'll need until you're reunited with your luggage the following day.