Day 00 (Mon, 31 Aug’20) / (Thu, 10 Sep'20)
Assemble at Singapore Changi Airport for flight to Fukuoka.
 

Day 01 (Tue, 01 Sep’20) / (Fri, 11 Sep'20)
Singapore – Fukuoka – Yakushima
(-/Lunch/Dinner)
Option A: Sankara Hotel & Spa or similar
Option B: JR Hotel Yakushima or similar
 
Arriving in Fukuoka today, you will take a domestic flight into Yakushima for a relaxing afternoon to get ready to spend the next day exploring the emerald green isle that is Japan’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site. Escape from the hustle and bustle of city life to the peaceful island covered in rainforests full of ancient trees and enchanting scenes.

Day 02 (Wed, 02 Sep’20) / (Sat, 12 Sep'20)
Yakushima
(Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner)
Option A: Sankara Hotel & Spa or similar
Option B: JR Hotel Yakushima or similar
 
Your island exploration this morning begins with a trip to the Senpiro Falls. One of the highest waterfalls on Yakushima, the magnificent Senpiro falls roughly 60 metres down a V-shaped valley. The name ‘Senpiro’, or ‘thousand fathoms’, came about as the granite wall is said to be as wide as a thousand people holding hands in a line and the sight of the voluminous waterfall plummeting down over the massive bedrock is a fantastic sight.
 
Heading through the Seibu Rindo Forest Path, you will enter a green tunnel of evergreen forest which is home to magnificent plant life and animals unique to the island. Endangered Yakushima white pine trees, giant Gajomaru trees with hanging roots, and many other kinds of fauna can be seen here. As the habitat for native Yakushima deer and macaques, it is also very likely that you will encounter these animals as you make your way through the path.
 
Get more of the grand forests at Shiratani Unsuikyo, a verdant nature park that contains some of the island’s oldest cedar trees. The network of hiking trails bring you around the ravine, past moss covered rocks and towering trees with twisted roots. If any of the settings look familiar, it is because this forest served as the inspiration for Studio Ghibli’s animated film, Princess Mononoke.

Day 03 (Thu, 03 Sep’20) / (Sun, 13 Sep'20)
Yakushima – Ibusuki
(Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner)
Hotel: Ibusuki Hakusuikan (Hot Spring) or similar
 
For your final foray into the forests of Yakushima this morning, head into Yakusugi Land, a nature park home to a number of Yakusugi, or Yakushima cedars over 1,000 years old. Bask in the fresh forest air, shade of the towering trees and spectacular views of the river crossings as you appreciate the wonders of nature. Lastly, make a final stop at Kigensugi, a roughly 3,000-year-old Yakusugi, before bidding the island goodbye and heading to Ibusuki.  
 
This is where you will spend the night and whenever in Ibusuki, you must give the Hot Sand Bath a try. You can literally feel all your stress and worries drain away as you lay in the warm sand pits heated by the subterranean geysers.

Day 04 (Fri, 04 Sep’20) / (Mon, 14 Sep'20)
Ibusuki
(Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner)
Hotel: Ibusuki Hakusuikan (Hot Spring) or similar
 
Enjoy our FMJ local activity of the trip this morning with the friendly people from Makurazaki. The port town of Makurazaki has been Japan’s top producer of Katsuobushi (dried Bonito) for the past twenty years. Katsuobushi is a crucial ingredient of Dashi (broth) – the essence of traditional Japanese cuisine. Under the wonderful tutelage of Mr Dashi, you will get to know the process behind the making of dashi and how to learn how to prepare good dashi by yourself!
 
A scenic park along the coast, Bandokorobana Park is the perfect place to view the “Satsuma Fuji”, Mt Kaimon, rising out of the sea. On clear days, the view from the park extends all the way to Yakushima Island and visitors can take rocky paths out to the tidal pools where small fish and seahorses reside.

Day 05 (Sat, 05 Sep’20) / (Tue, 15 Sep'20)
Ibusuki – Kirishima
(Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner)
Hotel: Myoken Ishiharaso (Hot Spring) or similar
 
A traditional Japanese garden that is beautiful in all seasons, Senganen Garden is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that is over 350 years old. The garden consists of a preserved residence that was the home of the former ruling Shimazu clan, ponds, streams and shrines, including a cat shine for cat-lovers! The attractive garden is accentuated by the “borrowed scenery” of Kagoshima Bay and Sakurajima in the background, creating picture perfect settings.
 
 The symbol of Kagoshima, Sakurajima is one of Japan’s most active volcanoes. Located in the middle of Kagoshima Bay, it stands at 1,117m and has a circumference of about 50km. Take the Sakurajima Ferry across to the island and stop by at the Yunohira Observatory, the closest one to the peak at 373 metres, for a view of the mountain peak, port, Kagoshima City and mountains of Kyushu. As you make your way around Sakurajima, drop by Ogaku Pottery to find out about Sakurajimayaki pottery from its proprietor and creator. Made using ash from the volcano, the dark coloured ceramics are a stark contrast to the traditional cream colour of Satsumayaki pottery of South Kyushu. Another fantastic observation point, the Arimura Lava Observatory is where you can peek into the volcano’s craters. Walk along the lava flow on the mountainside, distinguished according to eruption date by the state of the surrounding vegetation.

Day 06 (Sun, 06 Sep’20) / (Wed, 16 Sep'20)
Kirishima – Kagoshima – Haneda – Singapore
(Breakfast/Lunch/-)
 
Head into the mountains this morning as you go in search of fresh genboku shiitake mushrooms with the owner of Matsushita Mushroom. Genboku shiitake mushrooms are cultivated on logs of Japanese chestnut oak and it is where they get their distinctive taste from. After spending the morning picking fresh mushrooms and tasting some for yourself, you will get a better appreciation for knowledge and experience behind the successful cultivation of these “forest abalone”. 
 
Kyushu is well-known in Japan for its passionate locals. For your Aozora lunch activity today, you will be feasting on homecooked food prepared by the friendly locals of Kirishima and made with delicious seasonal ingredients sourced from the surroundings.
 
Kagoshima is the second largest tea-producing area in Japan after Shizuoka and Henta Tea Farm is one of the best in Kagoshima. Since 1982, the farm has been producing high-quality tea using organic compost. This afternoon, you will follow the journey of green tea from leaf to cup and learn why Henta’s tea has been selected to be served as afternoon tea on board Luxury Cruise Train Seven Stars in Kyushu.

COACH TOUR
Assemble date:   31 Aug, Mon (SO14303) / 10 Sep, Thu (SO14343)

Flight schedule: (for suggestion only, not included in tour price)
01Sep/11 Sep    SQ 656               Singapore - Fukuoka   
0120 / 0820

01Sep/11 Sep    JAC 3671            Fukuoka - Yakushima   
1300 / 1400

06Sep/16 Sep    NH 630               Yakushima - Haneda   
1920 / 2105

06Sep/16 Sep     SQ 635               Haneda - Singapore     
2255 / 0455*1

Plan A (Deluxe)

Tour price per person (in SGD)
Group size:   6-7 pax (8 seater Luxe Bus)
Adult twin share $7,950; Adult triple share $7,650; Adult single $10,350
Group size:   8-9 pax (Medium-sized coach)
Adult twin share $7,450; Adult triple share $7,150; Adult single $9,850

Plan B (Standard)

Tour price per person (in SGD)
Group size:   6-7 pax (8 seater Luxe Bus)
Adult twin share $6,950; Adult triple share $6,750; Adult single $8,650
Child twin share $6,950; Child with Bed $6,350; Child no Bed $1,950
Group size:   8-9 pax (Medium-sized coach)
Adult twin share $6,450; Adult triple share $6,250; Adult single $8,150
Child twin share $6,450; Child with Bed $5,850; Child no Bed $1,950

Tour price includes:
Hotel accommodation as stipulated in itinerary
Tours and Meals as stipulated in itinerary
Comprehensive travel insurance

Tour price excludes:
Air ticket
Airport taxes & fuel charges (subject to change)
Visa application fee (if any)

Remarks:
The prices are subject to change upon fluctuations of currency exchange rates.  Flight schedule and the sequence of the itinerary are subject to change with or without prior notice to ensure the smooth running of the tour.
Minimum group size to confirm tour is 6 adults/children with bed. 
Please refer to booking form for further terms and conditions.