This once-in-a-lifetime tour combines the best of Kyushu giving you a chance to explore fully the island and its culture from Fukuoka down south to Amami Oshima. You will first rent a car and head to Kurokawa Onsen to relax in a ryokan (traditional inn) with a hot spring bath and a gourmet dinner. The next day you will face nature on its wildest side around Mt Aso volcano.
Then it will be time to discover the legends of Takachiho Gorge before stopping in Kumamoto and witness the reconstruction of its famous castle. Later you will head to Kagoshima where stands Sakurajima (one of Japan’s most active volcanoes). After breakfast in Kagoshima, you will visit Chiran Samurai District. This town preserved houses and gardens that are about 250 years old. Next, you will head to Ibusuki for a black-sand spa.
After dropping off your rental car you will onboard for a 3 hours ferry ride and disembark on Yakushima Island. The subtropical island of Yakushima famous for its wildlife and cedar forests. The oldest trees are said to be over 7000 years old. Finally, the cherry on the cake: you will fly to Amami Oshima who will show you all its splendor!
This tour can be fully customized.
The itinerary below is an example of a Classical custom tour.
Price per person based on double occupancy for two travelers:
Classical: from US$6,730
Superior: from US$9,450
Luxury: price upon request
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Hokkaidō is the second-largest of Japan’s islands, long regarded as a remote wilderness by other residents of the Japanese archipelago. Known in feudal times as Ezo, Hokkaidō was originally inhabited by the indigenous Ainu people. Today, it attracts nature lovers and is a pristine paradise of mountain ranges, lush forests, and indescribably beautiful crater lakes produced by volcanic activity.
Join this small-group guided tour on a wonderful journey from Kushiro on Hokkaidō’s eastern Pacific coast, through to the Shiretoko Peninsula stretching out into the Sea of Okhotsk. See untouched nature, visit UNESCO wetland nature reserves, experience spectacular landscapes formed by volcanoes, and enjoy flora and fauna unique to Hokkaidō. You have the chance to spot abundant wildlife as we walk the trails – watch out for foxes, deer, and numerous species of birds.
After each day’s walk, we relax in onsen hot springs, a delightful by-product of the region’s geothermal activity. Another highlight of the tour is Hokkaidō’s wonderful regional cuisine, some of the freshest in Japan, with local specialties found at every stage of our journey. Hokkaidō covers too large an area to explore on just one visit, but Oku Japan’s itinerary brings you to the very best locations on the island.
Our adventure begins in the fishing port of Kushiro, famous for some of the best seafood in Japan and home to a unique fishing culture that invented the robatayaki style of cooking on an open grill. From Kushiro, we visit Hokkaidō’s largest marshland area and continue to Lake Akan, the only place where the famous spherical Marimo algae can be spotted. At Lake Akan Ainu Kotan, home to the largest remaining Ainu community in Hokkaidō, we view a traditional dance performance.
After each day’s walk, we relax in onsen hot springs, a delightful by-product of the region’s geothermal activity. Another highlight of the tour is Hokkaidō’s wonderful regional cuisine, some of the freshest in Japan, with local specialties found at every stage of our journey. Hokkaidō covers too large an area to explore on just one visit, but Oku Japan’s itinerary brings you to the very best locations on the island.
Our journey also brings us to Lake Mashū, one of the clearest lakes in the world, and finally onwards to the onsen town of Utoro on the Sea of Okhotsk. If the weather is kind, we take a boat ride from the Shiretoko Peninsula with the chance to glimpse waterfalls visible only from the sea and Hokkaidō brown bears searching for fish with their cubs. Shiretoko is the very end of Japan – a remote area of truly untouched nature.
Due to the schedule of the airport limousine bus, Oku Japan is only able to arrange airport transportation for guests with flights departing Memanbetsu Airport in the afternoon or later. Guests with early flights will need to arrange their own transportation.
2025
August 16 to August 24, 2025
September 5 to September 13, 2025 – full
September 15 to September 23, 2025
2026
June 16 to June 24, 2026
July 20 to July 28, 2026
August 14 to August 22, 2026
September 7 to September 15, 2026
September 24 to October 2, 2026
Starting from US$4,960.00 per person based on double occupancy (subject to change without notice)
Begin your journey in Tokyo, Japan’s vibrant capital, before venturing north to Yudanaka, a renowned hot spring town. Here, during the winter months, you can witness the charming sight of snow monkeys bathing in natural hot springs—a spectacle that has captured global attention. After this unique experience, return to Tokyo, which will serve as your base for exploring the region with day trips to the historic towns of Nikko and Kamakura.
This tour can be fully customized.
The itinerary below is an example of a Classical custom tour.
Price per person based on double occupancy for two travelers:
Classical: from US$4,990
Superior: from US$6,950
Luxury: price upon request
Request a Quote
Our Land of Fire small-group tour starts in Kyoto, the former imperial capital and repository of much of Japan’s cultural heritage. We visit Asuka, where Japan’s early Emperors are buried, then a boat journey through the Inland Sea brings us to the southern island of Kyushu. Known as the cradle of Japanese civilization, several locations are connected with the Japanese creation myths which inspired the Yokagura dances in Takachiho.
Kyushu is also known for its numerous active volcanoes, as well as the spectacular island of Yakushima to the south, a national park and UNESCO World Heritage site. Unique flora and fauna can be admired here, including giant Yakusugi cedars, Yakushima yakushika deer, and yakuzaru macaques. A natural by-product of the volcanoes is onsen hot springs and we will enjoy relaxing dips in their soothing waters, as well as the unforgettable hot sand baths at Yamakawa where we are buried in hot sand. View Mount Aso with the world’s largest volcanic caldera and visit the vibrant city of Nagasaki. Stay at traditional inns and guest houses, enjoying dishes prepared with the freshest ingredients. Our tour ends amidst the crowds and neon of Osaka, Japan’s second city and culinary capital.
2025
September 22 to October 6, 2025
October 28 to November 11, 2025
2026
March 9 to March 23, 2026
April 2 to April 16, 2026
September 22 to October 6, 2026
October 18 to November 1, 2026
Starting from US$7,245.00 based on double occupancy (subject to change without notice)
This tour is a benediction for white sand, snorkeling, tropical mood lovers. Your journey starts in Naha, the historical capital of Okinawa.
You will take a day trip to Kerama Islands. Its crystal clear water will allow you to see dozens of meters below the surface.
Diving and snorkeling are both available for all levels. The next day, your private local guide will show you around the island of Okinawa (Shurijo Castle, Okinawa Prefectural Museum and Art Museum, Yachimun Street, Shurikinjocho Stone-Path Road,…).
Miyakojima will be the next island you visit for 2 days. Every year it leads the rankings of Japan’s best beaches. Then you will head to Ishigaki and Taketomi islands. You will land on a phantom island, enjoy snorkeling, and a unique paddle-board night tour in the mangrove. Last but not least, Iriomote the most preserve island in Okinawa will offer you activities such as hiking in the jungle, exploring mangroves, snorkeling,…
This tour can be fully customized.
The itinerary below is an example of a Classical custom tour.
Price per person based on double occupancy for two travelers:
Classical: from US$6,400
Superior: from US$8,110
Luxury: price upon request
Request a Quote
Hokkaido is the most northern and second-largest of Japan’s four main islands. Your tour will start in Sapporo and will take you around this mostly unspoiled land. Your first stop after Sapporo will be at Furano, where in summer rolling lavender fields form a picturesque scenery. Next, you will head to Abashiri on the northern coast of the island and stay at a hot spring ryokan inn where you will appreciate a delicious dinner.
In the winter, this area is known for the ice flows, which you can cruise through. You will then head inland to Lake Akan Onsen and Lake Kussharo, located in Akan National Park, to enjoy nature. You then head south to a quaint town called Kurshiro on the eastern coast. This town is famous for wildlife, especially in Kushiro Shitsugen National Park. You will finally head back to Sapporo.
This tour can be fully customized.
The itinerary below is an example of a Classical custom tour.
Price per person based on double occupancy for two travelers:
Classical: from US$6,100
Superior: from US$7,890
Luxury: price upon request
Request a Quote