Gardens of Japan with Ciscoe Morris

November 2-November 13, 2025  Eleven Night Japan Tour
November 13-16, 2025    Three night Taipei Extension

Itinerary | Pricing | Reserve

Eleven nights in Japan featuring gardens and historic sites in Fukuoka, Beppu, Osaka, Kyoto, Nara, and Hiroshima.
Includes accommodations, transportation, admission to listed sites, all breakfasts, most dinners. Optional Post-Japan tour to Taipei, Taiwan

Itinerary

Day 1 (November 2nd, 2025) Fukuoka

Arrive at Fukuoka Airport (FUK) by own arrangements

Welcome to Fukuoka! You will be picked up at the airport and taken to our hotel in downtown Fukuoka. Once we have checked in to our hotel you will have free time to relax or enjoy some local sightseeing, shopping, dinner, etc.

Accommodation: Carefully selected 3 or 4 star hotel in central location

Meals: N/A

Day 2 (November 3rd, 2025) Fukuoka

Approximate Departure Time: 09:00

Day trip to Kumamoto

Kumamoto Castle Inari Shrine / Kumamoto Castle Museum Wakuwakuza / Sakuranokouji Shopping Arcade / Kumamoto Castle / Suizenji Jojuen Japanese Garden

We kick off the tour by travelling to nearby Kumamoto by shinkansen to visit the historic Kumamoto Castle. Originally built is 1607 this magnificent castle is widely considered to be one of the three greatest castles in Japan. Before we explore the castle’s main keep we will learn all about the castle’s long history in the Kumamoto Castle Museum Wakuwakuza and then visit the Kumamoto Castle Inari Shrine and bustling Sakuranokouji Shopping Arcade. We finish the day by enjoying a leisurely stroll through Suizenji Jojuen Japanese Garden. This beautiful Japanese garden was created by Lord Hosokawa Tadatoshi in the early 17th century and has a Buddhist temple, a 400 year old teahouse and a strikingly symmetrical tsukiyama, or artificial mountain, evoking the shape of Mt. Fuji.

At night we will enjoy a welcome dinner together as a group.

Accommodation: Carefully selected 3 or 4 star hotel in central location

Meals: Breakfast / Dinner

Day 3 (November 4th, 2025) Fukuoka

Approximate Departure Time: 10:00

Full day tour of Fukuoka

Ohori Park / Fukuoka Castle Ruins / Ohori Park Japanese Garden / Tochoji Temple / Kushida Shrine

Today we will enjoy a full day tour of Fukuoka, starting with a leisurely stroll through beautiful Ohori Park. Ohori is Japanese for moat, and this park’s large pond once served as part of the moat system for nearby Fukuoka Castle. Although the once mighty castle was destroyed during the Meiji Restoration in the late 1800s, exploring the castle ruins is a must whenever in the area. After exploring the castle ruins we will visit Gokoku Shrine and beautiful Ohori Park Japanese Garden. Here we will see typical features of Japanese gardens such as dry landscapes and tea houses.

After lunch we will visit Tochoji Temple and Kushida Shrine. Tochoji Temple was founded in 806, making it the oldest Shingon temple on the island of Kyushu. It is also home to the largest seated wooden image of Buddha in Japan. Nearby Kushida Shrine is said to have been founded in 757, and is home to the famous Hakata Gion Yamakasa festival which is held annually in mid July.

Accommodation: Carefully selected 3 or 4 star hotel in central location

Meals: Breakfast

Day 4 (November 5th, 2025) Fukuoka

Approximate Departure Time: 08:30

Day trip to Nagasaki

Dejima (Historical Trading Port) / Nagasaki China Town / Gunkanjima (Battleship Island) Cruise

Today we will travel to nearby Nagasaki by shinkansen to explore some of this historic city’s most famous sites, including the Dejima Trading Port and Nagasaki China Town. After lunch we will enjoy a cruise out to the eerie sightseeing spot of Gunkanjima (otherwise known as Battleship Island). This small abandoned island is located about 15 kilometers off the coast of Nagasaki. Until 1974 the island served as a coal mine and was home to more than 5000 residents, but nowadays it is deserted with only deteriorating former residences and mining facilities remaining. Depending on weather conditions we may even be able to land on the island and enjoy 45 minutes or so to see this amazing place up close.

At night we will enjoy dinner together as a group.

Accommodation: Carefully selected 3 or 4 star hotel in central location

Meals: Breakfast / Dinner

Day 5 (November 6th, 2025) Beppu

Approximate Departure Time: 10:00

Travel from Fukuoka to Beppu

Half day tour of Beppu

The Hells of Beppu

Today we will travel from Fukuoka to the famous seaside hot spring town of Beppu by limited express train.

Once we arrive in Beppu we will visit the hot spring “Hells of Beppu”. These seven spectacular hot springs are a nationally designated “Place of Scenic Beauty”.

At night we will stay at a traditional hot spring inn where we will enjoy soothing natural hot springs, dress in traditional Japanese attire (yukata and geta) and enjoy a delicious Japanese dinner at our ryokan. You can even try wearing a traditional yukata (summer kimono) to dinner like the locals do!

Accommodation: Carefully selected ryokan in central location

Meals: Breakfast / Dinner (ryokan)

Day 6 (November 7th, 2025) Hiroshima

Approximate Departure Time: 09:00

Travel from Beppu to Hiroshima

Half day tour of Hiroshima

Hiroshima Peace Museum / Hiroshima Peace Park / A-bomb Dome / Hypocenter

Today we will travel from Beppu to Hiroshima by limited express train and shinkansen.

Once we arrive in Hiroshima we will visit the emotional Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum, Peace Memorial Park, A-bomb Dome, and hypocenter. Here you will see the aftermath of the atomic bomb that was dropped on Hiroshima in 1945 with your own eyes.

At night we will enjoy dinner together as a group.

Accommodation: Carefully selected 3 or 4 star hotel in central location

Meals: Breakfast / Dinner

Day 7 (November 8th, 2025) Hiroshima

Approximate Departure Time: 09:00

Day trip to Miyajima Island

Mt Misen (via ropeway or hiking) / Daisho-in Temple / Itsukushima Shrine

Enjoy a day trip to Miyajima Island to visit the world heritage listed Itsukushima Shrine, Daisho-in Temple, and journey to the very top of Mt. Misen. After arriving on Miyajima Island we will first visit the world famous Itsukushima Shrine. This magnificent shrine is best known for its famous floating torii gate which seems to float on the water at high tide. Itsukushima Shrine and its majestic torii gate is ranked as one of Japan’s three best views. Next we will visit Daisho-in Temple. This beautiful Buddhist temple is one of the most important temples of Shingon Buddhism. Located at the base of Mt. Misen, it features a variety of historic buildings, statues, and other religious objects to admire. We will finish our day on Miyajima Island by going to the very top of its highest mountain, Mt. Misen (500 meters). On clear days it provides spectacular views of the Seto Inland Sea and Hiroshima City.

At night we will enjoy dinner together as a group.

Accommodation: Carefully selected 3 or 4 star hotel in central location

Meals: Breakfast / Dinner

Day 8 (November 9th, 2025) Osaka

Approximate Departure Time: 10:00

Travel from Hiroshima to Osaka

Half day tour of Osaka

Namba / Shinsaibashi

Today we will travel from Hiroshima to Osaka by shinkansen.

Once we arrive in the second largest city in Japan we will walk along Midosuji Avenue, Osaka’s main shopping street. We will start in Namba and walk all the way down this bustling shopping arcade to Shinsaibashi, crossing over the famous Ebisubashi Bridge on the way.

At night we will enjoy karaoke and dinner together as a group.

Accommodation: Carefully selected 3 or 4 star hotel in central location

Meals: Breakfast / Dinner (karaoke)

Day 9 (November 10th, 2025) Osaka

Approximate Departure Time: 09:00

Day trip to Kyoto

Nishiki Market / Ponto-cho / Gion (Geisha District) / Yasaka Shrine / Fushimi-Inari Shrine

Today we will travel to the ancient capital city of Kyoto by limited express train to explore some of this amazing city’s most iconic places. We will begin our day by exploring Nishiki Market, a narrow five block long shopping street lined by more than 100 hundred shops and restaurants.

After lunch we will walk through the classical streets of Ponto-cho and Gion (Geisha District) and visit beautiful Yasaka Shrine and iconic Fushimi-Inari Shrine. Ponto-cho and Gion are both part of Kyoto’s world famous Geisha District. If we are lucky we might even get to see a real geisha as we explore the streets of this historic district. Not far from Gion is Yasaka Shrine, one of Kyoto’s most famous Shinto shrines. This shrine is well known for hosting one of Japan’s most famous festivals, the Gion Matsuri. This festival is held every year in July, and dates back over a thousand years. We finish our full day tour of Kyoto by visiting Fushimi-Inari Shrine, one of the most iconic places in Kyoto. It is famous for its thousands of orange colored torii gates that straddle a network of trails behind the main shrine itself. The trails lead to the top of Mount Inari, which stands at 233 meters and belongs to the shrine grounds. Although most tourists are attracted to the shrine by the beautiful scenery, Fushimi-Inari Shrine is actually the most important of several thousands of shrines dedicated to Inari, the Shinto god of rice. Foxes are thought to be Inari’s messengers, resulting in many fox statues throughout the shrine grounds. Fushimi-Inari Shrine also has ancient origins, predating the capital’s move to Kyoto in 794 A.D.

At night we will enjoy dinner together as a group.

Accommodation: Carefully selected 3 or 4 star hotel in central location

Meals: Breakfast / Dinner

Day 10 (November 11th, 2025) Osaka

Approximate Departure Time: 09:30
Day trip to Himeji by shinkansen
Himeji Castle
Kokoen Japanese Garden

Accommodation: Carefully selected 3 or 4 star hotel in central location
Meals: Breakfast

Day 11 (November 12th, 2025) Osaka

Approximate Departure Time: 09:00

Day trip to Nara by limited express train

Higashimuki Shopping Arcade / Nara Park (wild deer) / Todaiji Temple /  Isuien Japanese Garden / Yoshikien Japanese Garden

Today we will travel to the ancient capital city of Nara by limited express train to explore some of this historic city’s most iconic places. After walking down the Higashimuki Shopping Arcade we will enjoy a leisurely stroll through beautiful Nara park where we will see wild deer roaming freely. Deer are considered to be messengers of god and are treated accordingly by the locals. Next stops are the UNESCO World Heritage listed sites of Todaiji Temple and Kasuga Grand Shrine. Todaiji Temple (The Great Eastern Temple) was constructed in 752 A.D. by order of Emperor Shomu, and is widely considered to be one of Japan’s most historically important Buddhist temples. Todaiji Temple’s Great Buddha Hall was once the largest wooden structure in the world, and houses a huge 16 meter high bronze statue of Buddha which contains more than 400 tonnes of bronze and 130 kilograms of gold. Not far from Todaiji Temple is another of Nara’s World Heritage listed sites, Kasuga Grand Shrine. This historic shrine is the most important shrine in the ancient capital city of Nara. It is famous for its beautiful lanterns, which have been donated by worshipers. Hundreds of bronze lanterns can be found hanging from the buildings, and many stone lanterns covered in moss lining its approaches. We finish the day by visiting 2 of Nara’s most beautiful Japanese gardens, Isuien Japanese Garden & Yoshikien Japanese Garden.

At night we will enjoy a farewell dinner together as a group.

Accommodation: Carefully selected 3 or 4 star hotel in central location

Meals: Breakfast / Dinner

Day 12 (November 13th, 2025)

Approximate Checkout Time: 9:00
Departure from hotel this morning with an expectation of a two hour check in time for noontime flights departing for Taipei and the USA.

Accommodation:N/A

Meals: Breakfast

Tour Inclusions

Airport-hotel transfers in Japan
All domestic transport and entry to all places described in the itinerary
11 nights accommodation in carefully selected 3 or 4 star hotels / ryokan
11 breakfasts / 8 dinners
The services of Craig Campbell (tour guide/driver/interpreter) for the entire tour

Pricing

Price is $7100 per person, based on double occupancy. We have room for only 2 singles with a supplemental cost of $2400. A deposit of $2500 confirms your reservation. Guests paying for this tour by check will save $230 per person. This amount is deducted from the final payment due August 1st, 2025

Flights to Japan are not included. Round trip fare estimates from Seattle are between $1,000 and $1,400, depending on the airline and number of stops.

Flights should be booked to depart Seattle on November 1st, arriving Fukuoka November 2nd.  Return flights from Kansai Airport (KIX) may be booked at any time on the 13th, but noontime departure is preferred.  Guests continuing to Taipei on the extension should book the 12:55 PM Eva Air flight or similar. Guests participating in the Taipei extension will book their return flight from TPE late on November 16th. Eva Air offers the best schedules for this.

Flight schedules will be able to book at the end of December. Flight schedules are typically published 330 days from travel date.