Charms of Southern Japan Tour Autumn (Reverse) with Koyasan

8 Reviews

9 days 8 nights

fromUSD $3798.00

currency

Single Supplement: USD $720.00

---

The Nagasaki Peace Park commemorates the atomic bombing of Nagasaki of August 9, 1945, which destroyed wide parts of the city and killed ten thousands of inhabitants.

Located in the city of Nagasaki is Dejima, the former district that was once reserved for Dutch traders. During Japan’s period of isolation, the Dutch were the only ones to trade with Japan and were restricted to this district. This popular location is free for guests to explore and has plenty of shops and restaurants for travelers.

One of the most popular tourist attractions in Nagasaki is the Glover Garden, a popular destination representing Japan’s trade history with foreign countries. Nagasaki was one of the earliest port cities that traded with the western world, the Glover Garden is a nice mix of Western and Japanese culture and is an important cultural location.

As a part of Catholic religion in Japan, the Oura Church is often regarded as a must-visit site. It is not only the first foreign building declared as a national treasure, but is often referenced along with the 26 martyrs who were murdered for their conversion to Catholicism despite established laws.

Takachiho Gorge is a beautiful ravine in which the Gokase River flows through. This place is known for its natural beauty and religious importance. The Takachiho Gorge features the scenic Manai-No-Taki Falls and is a popular tourist destination. Guests can view the gorge from renting a boat and rowing down the gorge itself. Another popular way to see the gorge is by walking along the trail above the cliffs to get a good view of the entire gorge.

Located within Takachio is the Amano Iwato Shrine, and is one of the most popular destinations for guests visiting the town. The town is known for the legend of the sun goddess hiding herself in a cave and thus taking the world’s sunlight with her. The Amano Iwato Shrine is near the cave where the sun goddess hid herself in the legend. This beautiful location is one of the most visited and famous destinations in Japan.

Located within Takachiho is the Takachiho Shrine, and is one of the most popular destinations for guests visiting the town. The town is known for the legend of the sun goddess hiding herself in a cave and thus taking the world’s sunlight with her. One of the other gods performed a ridiculous dance which caused all the other gods to laugh, and the sun goddess came out to see what all the commotion was and thus brought back the light into the world. The Yokagura dance is a reenactment of the legend and is one of the most popular events to see.

There are a few hot springs located in Beppu that are very unsafe for people to go into, but those hot springs are perfect for viewing. There are eight different hot springs that are open for the public due to how beautiful and unique they look. These eight hot springs are all located in different areas within Beppu and offer its own unique view. Some of the hot springs are blue, white, and red or have animals like crocodiles. Some of the hot springs are also a designated national special scenic spot as well.

The Takasakiyama Monkey Park is located at the base of Mount Takasaki between the city of Beppu and Oita. This park is one of the most popular destinations for tourist visiting Kyushu and is known for being the home to over 1500 wild monkeys. Guests can watch the monkeys up close as they are fed and watch the monkeys play or relax in the sun. Guests should avoid eye contact or feeding the monkeys for their own safety.

Located in the city of Usa within the Oita Prefecture on the island of Kyushu is the famous Usa Jingu Shrine. This shrine is the head shrine of over a thousands of Hachiman shrines located throughout Japan. The main hall is listed as one of Japan’s national treasure and represents one of the original Hachiman-zukuri style of shrine architecture.

The shinkansen (or "bullet train") is a type of high speed train that travels between most of the major cities in Japan. By taking the shinkansen, trips between destinations that might take almost a full day by car can be reached in a few hours. The bullet trains can run up to 320 kilometers per hour (close to 200 miles per hour), and are known to be generally on time, comfortable and safe.

The Hiroshima Peace Park is a memorial park located in the center of the Hiroshima City. Many of the memorials related to the dropping of the atomic bomb are located in and around this area. The park is the location to the memorials such as the A-Bomb Dome, Children’s Peace Monument, and the Peace Memorial Museum. This area is also listed as one of Japan’s UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The Peace Memorial Museum is one of the main destinations for guests visiting the Hiroshima Peace Park. The features the history of Hiroshima, effects of the atomic bomb, and its aftermath. Guests visiting the museum can explore the various artifacts and displays related to the atomic blast.

One of Japan’s most popular dishes to eat is called okonomiyaki, which directly translates to “cook it as you like it.” Many of the restaurants that specialize in serving okonomiyaki will have an iron griddle and guests will be given the ingredients to cook themselves. But there are still restaurants where okonomiyaki will be prepared and served directly to the customer. The most popular and famous cities to eat okonomiyaki is both Hiroshima and Osaka. Okonomiyaki is usually filled with a wide variety of ingredients, which include octopus, pork, kimchi, cheese, and many other ingredients.

One of the most famous and well known shrines in Japan is the Itsukushima Shrine. This location is one of Japan’s top three most scenic places along with the famous Matsushima Bay and Amanohashidate, and brings plenty of tourist every year. This shrine and its famous torii gate are built over the water, which makes it seem like it is floating in the sea. Guests can stay in the ryokan hotels nearby or ride one of the many boat cruises while here.

One of the most unique attractions in Onomichi City is the Shimanami Kaido. This long 60 km (close to 37.25 miles) road connects the main island of Honshu to Japan’s Shikoku Island and passes over six small islands in the Seto Inland Sea. This roadway is the only way to travel into Japan’s Shikoku Island by foot or bicycle. Visitors can rent bikes to travel between Onomichi, the small six islands, and Imabari City on Shikoku Island. The scenery is spectacular and lets travelers enjoy the natural beauty of the Seto Inland Sea and the islands.

Located along the Shimanami Kaido is the Kosanji Temple on Ikuchijima Island in the Seto Inland Sea. This temple was originally built in the year 1936 and took more than thirty years to complete. There are some buildings at this temple that are modeled after some of Japan’s most famous temples. Visitors can find replicas of Nikko’s Yomeimon Gate or Byodoin’s own Phoenix Hall. There are other neat and unique attractions here, such as the Kosanji’s long cave and marble hill top.

Located along the Shimanami Kaido is the Kirosan Observatory on Oshima Island in the Seto Inland Sea. The observatory is in a park on the southernmost part of the Oshima Island. The observatory offers a breathtaking view of the Seto Inland Sea and one of the most popular times to come is during sunset. The sunset, together with the illuminated suspension bridge, and the view of Imabari City will provide a beautiful scenery that visitors are sure to never forget.

One of the most popular museums located in the city of Takamatsu is the Shikoku Mura Village. This is an open air museum that features preserved buildings and structures from all over Shikoku. Many of the structures on display have been relocated from all over Shikoku and provide guests with a pleasant experience of Shikoku’s history. The exhibits feature old traditional buildings, farmhouses, storehouses, and other structures.

Ritsurin Koen Park is one of Japan’s most beautiful landscape garden located in the city of Takamastu. Many consider this garden to belong on the list of Japan’s three most beautiful gardens. This spacious and beautiful park features many ponds, hills, trees, bridges, and pavilions. There are a number of walking routes throughout the park and provides views that would leave any guest satisfied.

The dances performed during the Awa Odori Festival are based from a common dance song which say, “fools dance and fools watch, if both are fools, you might as well dance.” Many of the ren group dancers vary from amateurs to experts, and from other parts of Japan to other countries as well. There are many stages in the downtown area that feature free seating or paid seating with professional dancers.

Shukubo is known as temple lodging, one of the best places in Japan to experience Shukubo is at the temples in the Mount Koya region. One of the best way to culturally experience Japan is staying overnight in a sacred Buddhist temple. Guests are treated to dinner and breakfast featuring delicious shojin ryori (vegetarian monk cuisine). Guests are also welcome to join the monk’s morning prayers and enjoy the temple’s gardens, halls, and baths.

Shojin Ryori is the famous vegetarian monk cuisine that has been developed since it was first introduced in Japan in the 6th century. There are a few locations and restaurants where guests can experience this delicious cuisine. The most popular location to experience this cuisine is in the temple lodging, where guests can stay overnight in a Buddhist temple and guests are served shojin ryori dinner and breakfast.

Mount Koya has many temple lodging locations where guests can stay overnight at a Buddhist temple. Staying overnight usually includes eating the famous and delicious shojin ryori cuisine, which is vegetarian monk cuisine for dinner and breakfast. But before breakfast, guests are invited to participate in morning prayers with the monks. Taking part in morning meditations with the monks is a fun and unique cultural experience that any guests will appreciate.

Okunoin Temple is one of the most famous and sacred temples in all of Japan. It is the location of the famous mausoleum of Kobo Daishi, who is one of the most famous and revered person in the religious history of Japan. There are plenty of cultural activities and landmarks for visitors to experience, including a walkthrough of Okunoin’s cemetery, which is the largest cemetery in Japan.

Another one of the most popular temples located in the Mount Koya area is the Kongobuji Temple. Originally built in the year 1593, visitors can experience this historic temple by learning and exploring the many rooms in the temple grounds. The rooms in this temple were once used for important rituals and ceremonies. Visitors can also enjoy tea and snacks in the large tatami hall or enjoy the rock garden outside, which is the largest rock garden in Japan.

The Danjo Garan is another one of the most popular temples located in the Mount Koya area. The legend goes that the founder of Shingon Buddhism (Kobo Daishi) threw his sankosho from China towards Japan. While searching Japan to establish his religion, he found his sankosho in a pine tree and the Danjo Garan Temple was built, and the pine tree still stands there today. Visitors can tour both Kondo Hall and the Konpon Daito Pagoda. Guests can experience the large wooden temple of Kondo Hall where ceremonies are still held. Next to the hall is the Konpon Daito Pagoda where it the popular Dainichi Nyorai statue.