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FMJ 10D9N Legacy of the Hidden Christians in Kyushu - CONFIRM TOUR
Departure date:21 Jan, 2023 (Sat) Coach Tour
Day 00 (Sat, 21 Jan'23)
Assemble at Singapore Changi Airport for flight to Fukuoka.
Day 01 (Sun, 22 Jan'23)
Singapore – Fukuoka
(-/Lunch/Dinner)
Hotel: Harazuru no Mai (Private Hot Spring) or similar
(Car pick up at Kanazawa Station)
Arriving in Fukuoka this morning, begin your journey with some cheery flowers at Umi no Nakamichi Seaside Park. This expansive leisure park is a family-oriented destination encompassing flower gardens and fields, a zoo, playgrounds, a water park and more. At this time, plum blossoms are just coming into bloom, and you may see the pretty pink flowers hanging over Narcissus flower beds.
Do some strawberry picking afterwards and get your fill of the sweet and tart fruit! Head into a strawberry farm where you can pick and eat all the fresh strawberries you want!
Day 02 (Mon, 23 Jan'23)
Fukuoka – Yufuin – Aso
(Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner)
Hotel: Bettei Soan (Private Hot Spring) or similar
Spend the morning strolling about the picturesque streets of Yufuin. With many intimate cafes, boutiques and small museums, the quaint town is the perfect place to spend a day of exploration. At the end of the street, stop by at the peaceful Lake Kirinko, which both hot and cold springs feed into, and admire the view of the twin peaked Mt Yufu that overlooks the town.
Kurokawa Onsen is one of Japan's most beautiful hot spring towns with a well-preserved traditional atmosphere. Earthy tones and wooden structures along with a river flowing through the town make it particularly pleasant to stroll through. Drop in at the many cost cafes and shops and spend a relaxing afternoon here.
Day 03 (Tue, 24 Jan'23)
Aso – Kumamoto
(Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner)
Hotel: Hotel Nikko Kumamoto (Hot Spring) or similar
If conditions permit, take a shuttle bus up to the crater of Mt Nakadake, one of the most active volcanoes in Japan. Located on Mt Aso, the steaming emerald crater lake and smell of sulphur in the air is sure to leave an impression of the volcano on your senses!
Afterwards, stop by at Shirakawa Suigen, a famous water source selected as one of the 100 best waters in Japan. 60 tons of spring water gush out every minute into the river and is free for anyone to take. Be sure to bring a bottle to fill up with this fresh spring water!
Tamatsukuri Grand Hotel Choseikaku
(Hot Spring) or similar
Day 04 (Wed, 25 Jan'23)
Kumamoto – Shimabara – Nagasaki
(Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner)
Hotel: Garden Terrace Nagasaki Hotel & Resorts similar
Taking a ferry over to Shimabara this morning, visit the Hara Castle Ruins, the stage of the Shimabara Rebellion some 400 years ago. Rebelling against excessive taxation and religious oppression from the government, the local people, most of whom were Christians, held out against the forces of the feudal lord at Hara Castle. Unfortunately, they were defeated, and the castle was destroyed. The castle ruins are now an Important Historical Landmark with a few monuments to the rebellion.
Later, move on to Unzen Jigoku, sulphurous hot spring 'hells' scattered around the sides of Unzen Onsen that are marked by constant clouds of steam billowing above bubbling pools and vents. The hot spring hells were once used to execute Christian rebels after the Shimabara Rebellion, but are now a major attraction and the source of hot spring waters for the many resorts in the town.
Day 05 (Thu, 26 Jan'23)
Nagasaki
(Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner)
Hotel: Garden Terrace Nagasaki Hotel & Resorts similar
The Oura Catholic Church, with its European style architecture and stained-glass
windows, was built near the end of the Edo period by French missionaries and is considered the oldest church in Japan. Dedicated to the 26 Christian martyrs, it is also the first western style building to be designated as a National Treasure.
Nearby, visit the Site of the Martyrdom of the 26 Saints of Japan on Nishizaka Hill. This is where 26 foreign missionaries and Japanese Christians were executed for their faith, marking the start of the ban against Christianity in Japan. A monument to the canonised martyrs can be found in front of a museum dedicated to them, explaining the tumultuous history of Christianity in Japan.
In the afternoon, make a stop at Urakami Cathedral, Japan’s first cathedral. Built over many years after the ban on Christianity was lifted, the original building was unfortunately destroyed during the bombing of Nagasaki in World War 2. What stands today is a recreation of the original cathedral, while some artefacts rescued from the bombing are displayed on the church grounds.
Day 06 (Fri, 27 Jan'23)
Nagasaki – Hirado
(Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner)
Hotel: Ryotei Saifestsuan (Private Hot Spring) or similar
Sprawling out over 150,000 square metres at the base of Mt Mifune, Mifuneyama Rakuen is a picturesque garden sculpted over 3 years by former ruler of Takeo, Shigeyoshi Nabeshima. The mountain, trees, flowers, pond and tea houses all come together beautifully, like a scene from a Chinese painting.
Moving on to Hirado, drop by the icon of the area, Hirado Castle. Having gone through multiple demolitions and reconstructions throughout its history, the main draw of this refurbished castle on a hill is the panoramic view over the Hirado Strait and town it offers from its keep. Inside the castle are also interactive exhibits of Hirado's history.
Day 07 (Sat, 28 Jan'23)
Hirado
(Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner)
Hotel: Ryotei Saifestsuan (Private Hot Spring) or similar
Start the day at Tabira Church, a Romanesque red-brick building that was the last work of church-designing architect Tetsukawa Yosuke. Painstakingly built by the parishioners themselves, this beautiful church has since been designated as an Important Cultural Property.
Moving on to the St. Francis Xavier Memorial Church, see Hirado's most famous church and one of its popular attractions. Located on a hill overlooking the town, the church gained fame for its scenic location and for the concurrent view of both the church and nearby temples which can be had from halfway up the hill.
Take the scenic route next and admire some of the gorgeous coastal sceneries of the area. Along the sheer coast you will come across the Shiodawara Cliffs, a section of hexagonal basalt columns thought to resemble Japanese bags of salt. Cruising along the Ikitsuki Sunset Way, bask in the breath-taking sights of the coastal road considered so beautiful that many commercials have been filmed here.
Arriving at Ikitsuki Island Museum Shima no Yakata learn a little about the island's history, including its long-standing whaling industry. There is also an area showcasing how the Hidden Christians on the island lived and hid their faith during the ban on Christianity.
Day 08 (Sun, 29 Jan'23)
Hirado – Fukuoka
(Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner)
Hotel: Hotel Okura Fukuoka or similar
Get up close to the islands dotting the Kujukushima Bay today on the Kujukushima Cruise. Although its name means "99 islands", there are in fact only 208 islands in the bay. Nonetheless, the various formations and rock patterns of the islands provide scenic views as you meander round them on a stylish cruise boat.
Day 09 (Mon, 30 Jan'23)
Fukuoka
(Breakfast/-/-)
Hotel: Hotel Okura Fukuoka or similar
Free and easy day in Fukuoka City.
Day 10 (Tue, 31 Jan'23)
Fukuoka – Singapore
(Breakfast/-/-)
Flight back to Singapore.
COACH TOUR
Assemble date: 21 Jan 2023, Sat (SO14607)
Flight schedule: (for suggestion only, not included in tour price)
21 Jan SQ 636 Singapore - Haneda
2245 / 0620+1
22 Jan NH 245 Haneda - Fukuoka
0900 / 1050
31 Jan SQ 655 Fukuoka - Singapore
0945 / 1520
Tour price per person (in SGD)
Group size: 8 - 9 pax
Adult twin $11,250; Adult triple $10,850
Group size: 10 -14 pax
Adult twin $10,450; Adult triple $10,050
Group size: 15 pax & above
Adult twin $8,950; Adult triple $8,550
Tour price includes:
Hotel accommodation as stipulated in itinerary
Meals as stipulated in itinerary
Tour price excludes:
Air tickets
Airport taxes & fuel charges (subject to change)
Visa application fee (if any)
Tipping for guide/driver
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 10 adults/children with bed.
Please refer to booking form for further terms and conditions.
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