Travel to Southern Japan with Panic Frame & Travel - Tokyo, Kyoto, Kyushu, and Mount Aso Volcano

Itinerary

Day 1

Welcome to Tokyo

Arrival in Tokyo. Greeted by the local representative and transfer to the hotel.

Day 2

From the Imperial Palace to the Sumo Arena

We'll start the day with a brief stop outside the Imperial Palace. Next, we'll visit one of the world's largest fish markets – the Tsukiji (Tsukiji Fish Market), which provides 90% of the fish consumed in Tokyo! Until 2018, it was the largest wholesale market for fish and seafood in the world. Then, we’ll dive into Japan’s national sport and pride – Sumo. We'll observe a training session, ask questions, and the bravest among us may even face off against professional sumo wrestlers. We'll finish with a meal prepared by the athletes themselves according to their weight-gain diet.

We’ll visit one of Tokyo’s oldest districts, Asakusa, along with the temple – Senso-ji, dedicated to the goddess of mercy, Kannon.

Today's program will conclude with an ascent to the main observatory of the Tokyo Sky Tree. Completed in 2012, the tower stands at 634 meters, making it the third tallest building and the tallest tower in the world.

Day 3

Modern Japan in Full Rhythm

Today we’ll explore Meiji Shrine, dedicated to the beloved emperor of the Japanese; Harajuku, the epicentre of teen culture and fashion; the street Omotesando, one of the most luxurious shopping SPOTS in Tokyo.

Visit the district Shibuya, home to the busiest intersection in the world, where the faithful dog Hachiko awaits us.

Shinjuku – a district renowned for its nightlife.

Day 4

Lost Among the Mountain Villages

Lake Ashi boat trip.

We will ascend via cable car to Owakudani, where on the way we can enjoy views of the active, sulphurous hot springs in the valley, as well as Lake Ashinoko and Mount Fuji. Owakudani is the area around the crater formed during the last eruption of the Hakone volcano 3000 years ago. Today, the area is an active volcanic zone where sulphur fumes, hot springs, and hot rivers can be seen.

Here, we can try eggs cooked in the hot springs of Owakudani, with shells blackened by the sulphur. It's said that eating one of them extends one's life by seven years.

Travel by Shinkansen to Kyoto.

Day 5

Bullet train to Kyoto

Experience the zen atmosphere and tranquility of the Arashiyama bamboo forest. It is one of the most popular SPOTS in Japan, famous for its monkey park and stunning natural beauty.

We can't miss the manga craze. Here, even 80-year-old grandpas and grandmas eagerly follow every new issue of their favourite magazine. We will explore the international Manga Museum, home to over 300,000 magazines, an exhibition that traces the timeline of manga, and many more attractions.

We will stroll through the Kiyomizu-dera complex, one of the oldest and best-preserved SPOTS in the country. Here flows the spring of pure water, and you can take a sip and offer prayers for health, love, or success. The path leading to this destination is lined with souvenir shops and is a great shopping SPOT.

Tea ceremony with Maiko/Geiko/, at the end of which you can ask her any questions and take memorable photos.

We will visit the Fushimi Inari Shrine. With its 10,000 gates, it is one of the most memorable temples and a highly popular Instagram SPOT in Japan.

Day 6

Deer, Castles, and a Flight South

Transfer to Nara. The first permanent capital of Japan. We'll visit Todaiji, one of Japan's most famous and historically significant temples, and a landmark of Nara. The temple was constructed in 752 AD as the main temple for all provincial Buddhist temples in Japan and became so powerful that the capital was moved from Nara in 784 AD to reduce its influence on government affairs.

Todaiji's main hall holds the record for the largest wooden building in the world, despite the fact that the current reconstruction from 1692 is only two-thirds the size of the original temple hall. The massive structure houses one of the largest bronze statues of Buddha in Japan (Daibutsu). The deer in Nara are considered messengers of the gods, having lived among people for more than a millennium, with a population of over 1000 deer, they have become the city's largest attraction. Recent research by scientists shows that even their genome has changed due to this cohabitation with humans.

The shrine Kasuga Taisha was founded simultaneously with the capital and is dedicated to the deity responsible for protecting the city. Kasuga Taisha was a patron shrine of the Fujiwara, the most powerful family clan in Japan for much of the Nara and Heian periods. The shrines were periodically rebuilt every 20 years. However, in the case of Kasuga Taisha, this custom was discontinued at the end of the Edo period or over 150 years ago. This makes the SPOT extremely interesting with its numerous stone lanterns, vegetation that slowly reclaims its territories, and of course, the many deer that reside here.

We proceed to Osaka and visit the Osaka Castle. It was built in 1583 by General Toyotomi Hideyoshi, and is not only a historical symbol of the city but also one of the most important cultural landmarks of the country.

Transfer to the airport and flight from Osaka to Fukuoka.

Day 7

Kyushu – Where the Earth Breathes

In the next few days, we will enjoy the island of Kyushu and its inspiring nature.

Dazaifu Tenmangu. The Tenmangu shrines are dedicated to the spirit of Sugawara Michizane, a scholar and politician from the Heian period. Due to his great scholarship, Michizane is associated with Tenjin, the Shinto deity of education, and is popular among students.

Michizane displayed his remarkable talents from an early age and had already started composing poetry at the age of eleven. His political career developed rapidly, and he managed to gain great influence in the imperial court, which was then dominated by the Fujiwara clan. However, his rise to power led to rivalry between Michizane and Fujiwara, ultimately resulting in his exile from the capital Kyoto to the distant government office at Dazaifu.

Michizane passed away in Dazaifu in 903, only a few years after being sent into exile. Shortly after his death, the country was ravaged by natural disasters, and people began to believe that the calamities were caused by the angry spirit of Michizane, still enraged by his unjust treatment. Offerings were made to Michizane's spirit, thus beginning the tradition of the Tenmangu shrines. The Tenmangu shrine in Dazaifu was built on the SPOT of his grave.

Lake Kinrin. A stroll through Yufuin Floral Village, with settings as if taken straight out of a Ghibli film and many souvenir shops.

Day 8

The Hells of Beppu and the Dragon Gorge

We'll explore the seven hells of Beppu. The "hells" are actually seven spectacular hot springs. These boiling pools, created by volcanic activity, each have unique characteristics: one is blood-red due to its red clay deposits, another boasts the largest geyser in Japan, and a third is used for breeding crocodiles.

We'll rent boats and enjoy the Takachiho Gorge. The nearly vertical cliffs surrounding the gorge are made of volcanic basalt columns, resembling dragon scales where the stone twisted and flowed during formation. Along the gorge, there's also the 17-metre Minaiotaki Waterfall, which cascades down into the river. It's truly impressive to see the waterfall against the backdrop of dense green vegetation and the surrounding grey rocks.

Day 9

In the Heart of the Active Volcano

Visit to Mount Aso, where we will get up close to see an active volcano that last erupted in 2016. The ancient caldera of Aso is among the largest in the world, with a diameter of up to 25 kilometres and a circumference of over 100 kilometres. At the centre of the caldera lie the active volcanic peaks of the mountain, including Mount Nakadake.

Kusasenrigahama National Park is situated at 1,130 metres above sea level and is composed of two volcanic craters located between Mount Eboshi and Mount Kishima. The grasslands here cover 785,000 square metres with two lakes indicating where the volcanic craters once were.

Time for shopping in Fukuoka Tenjin. We will also visit a large underground shopping centre.

Day 10

The Gateway to Hiroshima

Today we head to Hiroshima – a city that bears both the weight of history and the strength of rebirth.

On the way, we feel the rhythm change once again. After the volcanic energy of Kyushu, we enter a calmer, more contemplative Japan.

If the restoration allows, we will visit the Itsukushima Shrine – one of the most recognizable SPOTS in the country, famous for its "floating" torii gate in the water. A SPOT that seems to exist between sea and sky.

We settle in Hiroshima and the evening is free – time to feel the city, to taste the local specialties, and to prepare for tomorrow, which will be one of the most meaningful days of the entire journey.

Day 11

Memory, Gardens and Canals from the Edo Period

Today, we pay tribute to the victims of the atomic bombings in Hiroshima in 1945. Hiroshima Peace Park is one of the city's most significant landmarks. The expansive park covers an area of over 120,000 square meters. Its trees, grassy areas, and pedestrian paths stand in stark contrast to the surrounding city center.

Before the bombardment, the area of today's Peace Park was the political and commercial heart of the city. For this reason, it was chosen for the atomic bomb drop. Four years after the bomb was dropped, it was decided that the area would not be rebuilt but instead dedicated to peace memorial facilities.

Atomic Bomb Dome, also known as the Hiroshima Peace Memorial, is what remains of the former Prefectural Industrial Promotion Hall. When the bomb exploded, it was one of the few buildings left standing, and it remains so today. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Atomic Bomb Dome is a tangible link to Hiroshima's unique past.

We continue to Kurashiki. Exploring the historical Kurashiki Bikan district.

During the Edo period (1603-1868), Kurashiki was a vital regional trading center for Japan's most important commodity - rice. Large quantities of rice from the surrounding area were brought to Kurashiki and stored there in warehouses before being shipped to Osaka and Edo. Because of the city's significance in the rice trade, Kurashiki was placed under direct control of the shogunate, and the city was even named after its numerous warehouses (kura).

Channels were built to allow boats and barges to move between the city's warehouses and the nearby port.

In Okayama, we will visit the quintessential Japanese Kōrakuen Garden. It, along with Kenrokuen in Kanazawa and Kairakuen in Mito, is ranked among the top three landscape gardens in Japan. It is located right next to Okayama Castle.

The local feudal lord ordered the construction of Kōrakuen in 1687 as a SPOT for entertaining the ruling family and hosting important guests. Kōrakuen is a spacious garden that combines typical features of Japanese landscape gardens, including a large pond, streams, walking paths, and a hill that serves as an observation point. Quite unique to Japanese gardens, however, are the expansive lawns of Kōrakuen. In the garden, you will also find groves of plum, cherry, and maple trees, tea, and rice fields, among others.

Day 12

Samurai Finale in Osaka

Himeji Castle, also known as the White Heron Castle due to its graceful white appearance, is widely considered the most spectacular castle in Japan because of its impressive size and beauty. The castle is both a national treasure and a World Heritage Site. Unlike many other Japanese castles, it has never been destroyed by war, earthquake, or fire and has survived to this day as one of the country’s twelve original castles.

Ascend by cable car to Engyoji, an atmospheric temple complex with over a thousand years of history. Due to its beautiful nature and the lack of modern infrastructure, Mount Shosha is often used as a spot for filming historical movies and TV dramas. Besides mainly local productions, the Hollywood film "The Last Samurai" was partly filmed on the mountain, including scenes shot around and inside the halls of Mitsunodo.

We conclude our adventure in Japan on the streets of Shinsaibashi and Dotonbori. Here, it’s time for one last Sapporo beer or a final shot of Nikka whiskey.

Day 13

Until we meet again, Japan!

Breakfast, transfer to the airport and flight to Sofia.

* Panic Frame & Travel reserves the right to adapt and change the program according to changes in accommodation conditions, climate, and other factors that require it.

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WHO WILL BE YOUR GUIDE?

Ivan Nikolov

Ivan's love for faraway travels began in 2009 with Nepal and the Everest Base Camp. From the cultural jolt in Kathmandu, a propeller plane on a runway where cows need to be cleared first, to an 18-day trek in the Himalayas, meeting Sherpas and Buddhist monks at over 3000 meters. Altitude sickness brought him down earlier than planned, but it gave him something more valuable – time to observe life beyond the route and realise that the real journey begins outside the comfort zone.

His life has always been tied to tourism – from education and years in hospitality, including six years as a hotel manager, to leading groups since 2018. He mainly travels in Asia, with dozens of visits to China, Japan, South Korea, and India, and a total of over 55 countries under his belt. For him, leading a group isn't a 9-to-6 job, but an opportunity to experience the world again and again – this time with the people who choose to join him.

ivan.nikolov.1441

Dive into adventure!

14 days

24 travellers

Price per person

€5500

Includes airfare from Sofia, all breakfasts, transfers, overnight stays, guide

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