Japan from North to South: Hokkaido to Kyushu
A 16-day journey from the pristine nature of Hokkaido to the volcanoes of Kyushu, passing millennia-old temples, samurai villages and forests of sacred cedars.
Description
This itinerary runs Japan from end to end, from the northern island of Hokkaido to southern Kyushu, skipping the conventional Tokyo-Kyoto tourist routes. The route starts in Sapporo, exploring the volcanic landscapes of Daisetsuzan and the hot springs of Noboribetsu. You cross to Honshu to visit the remote Dewa Sanzan temple in the Yamagata mountains and the historic village of Shirakawa-go with its thatched roofs. After a stop in Kyoto to see Fushimi Inari and Kiyomizudera, the journey continues south through the island of Shikoku, visiting Kotohira Shrine and the Naruto whirlpools. On Kyushu, you climb the active volcano Aso and tour the hot springs of Beppu and the forests of Yakushima, a World Heritage island that inspired Princess Mononoke. Lodging in ryokans and minshuku, transport with the Japan Rail Pass, meals at local izakayas.
Health & safety
- Very hot spring waters are not suitable for people with heart problems
- Mount Aso may close access if there is an eruption alert
Day-by-day itinerary
Arrival in Sapporo
Sapporo
Arrival in Sapporo
Arrival in the capital of Hokkaido. Stroll through Odori Park and dinner of miso ramen.
Walk through Odori Park
Nature1hDinner in the ramen alley
gastronomy1hDaisetsuzan National Park
Asahikawa
Daisetsuzan National Park
Excursion to Daisetsuzan National Park, the roof of Hokkaido. Hiking on Mount Asahidake.
Ascent of Mount Asahidake
Sports5hOutdoor onsen in Sounkyo
Rest1hNoboribetsu and Lake Toya
Noboribetsu
Noboribetsu and Lake Toya
Visit to Noboribetsu's Hell Valley, a volcanic field of fumaroles. Afternoon at Lake Toya.
Tour of Jigokudani
Nature2hOnsen in Noboribetsu
Rest2hWalk along the Lake Toya shoreline
Nature2hHakodate
Hakodate
Hakodate
Train to Hakodate. Goryokaku Fort in the shape of a star. Night views from Mount Hakodate.
Visit to Goryokaku Fort
Culture2hNight climb of Mount Hakodate
Nature2hAomori and the Dewa Sanzan Shrine
Tsuruoka
Aomori and the Dewa Sanzan Shrine
Cross to Honshu through the Seikan tunnel. Visit to Mount Haguro, part of the sacred Dewa Sanzan complex.
Climb of Mount Haguro
Sports3hOvernight in a shukubo
Culture1hShirakawa-go village
Shirakawa-go
Shirakawa-go village
Long ride by train and bus to the UNESCO heritage village of Shirakawa-go.
Tour of the gassho-zukuri houses
Culture3hOgimachi viewpoint
Nature1hKyoto: Fushimi Inari
Kyoto
Kyoto: Fushimi Inari
Train to Kyoto. The red torii of Fushimi Inari at dusk. Matcha tea in Uji.
Hike through the torii of Fushimi Inari
Culture3hTea ceremony in Uji
Culture1hKyoto: eastern temples
Kyoto
Kyoto: eastern temples
Temple route: Kiyomizudera, Nanzenji and the Philosopher's Path.
Visit to Kiyomizudera
Culture2hWalk the Philosopher's Path
Culture2hVegetarian kaiseki dinner
gastronomy2hTakamatsu and Ritsurin Garden
Takamatsu
Takamatsu and Ritsurin Garden
Train to Shikoku. Visit to Ritsurin Garden, a masterpiece of 17th-century Japanese landscaping.
Tour of Ritsurin Koen
Nature3hHomemade Sanuki udon
gastronomy1hKotohira Shrine
Kotohira
Kotohira Shrine
Ascent to Kotohira Shrine, 1,368 steps up the slopes of Mount Zozu.
Pilgrimage to Kotohira-gu
Culture4hNaruto and Beppu
Beppu
Naruto and Beppu
Naruto whirlpools and crossing to Kyushu. Arrival in Beppu, Japan's hot-spring capital.
Watching the Naruto whirlpools
Nature1hSand bath in Beppu
Rest1hBeppu Hells
Beppu
Beppu Hells
Tour of the Jigoku of Beppu, hot pools of impossible colors.
Visit to the 7 Hells
Nature4hMud onsen
Rest1hMount Aso
Mount Aso
Mount Aso
Ascent of Mount Aso, the active volcano with Japan's largest caldera.
Trekking to the rim of Nakadake crater
Sports4hVisit to the Aso volcano museum
Culture1hKagoshima and Sakurajima
Kagoshima
Kagoshima and Sakurajima
Train to Kagoshima. Ferry to the volcano Sakurajima, which smokes constantly over the bay.
Ferry to Sakurajima
Nature1hWalk among the Sakurajima viewpoints
Nature3hOnsen facing the volcano
Rest1hYakushima Island
Yakushima
Yakushima Island
Ferry to Yakushima. Hike among the thousand-year cedars of the UNESCO heritage forest.
Trekking to Jomon Sugi
Sports7hBath at the Oko-no-taki waterfall
Nature1hLast morning in Yakushima
Yakushima
Last morning in Yakushima
Visit to Nagata Beach, a loggerhead turtle nesting site. Return.
Walk on Nagata Beach
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