Day 1 – Depart from Fukuoka to Karatsu

Today, head to Karatsu by local train. After arrival at Karatsu, check-in at your accommodation and begin exploring the city.

Start with Karatsu Castle, then visit the Hall where you can admire the 14 large floats of the Karatsu Kunchi Festival. Take a walk along the Niji No Matsubara Pine Grove, a 5km long stretch of about 1 million pine trees. Dating back to the Edo Period when the trees were planted as a natural seawall, it is one of Japan’s top three pine groves.

Night: Karatsu
Inclusions: Accommodation, Breakfast, Private Guide, Transportation and Fees.

Day 2 – Yokubo market and transfer to Imari

In the morning, head to Yokubo Market. This public market is held daily along a 200m long street, in the small port town of Yobuko. With over a hundred years of history, it is considered one of the top morning markets in Japan, alongside the ones in Takayama and Wajima.

After the market, walk to the port and take a 40-minute sightseeing cruise to Nanatsugama Marine Caves, a series of natural sea caves that were created by wave erosion.

After the cruise, proceed by car to Imari city. During the heyday of porcelain production, Imari was a thriving town filled with artisans of various disciplines. Merchant houses lined the banks of the Imari River which runs through the town’s center. A handful of these merchant houses were preserved or restored and are open to visitors today.

Night: Imari
Inclusions: Accommodation, Breakfast, Private Guide, Transportation and Fees.

Day 3 – Day trip to Okawachiyama

Okawachiyama is a small, isolated village in the mountains just outside central Imari. It was the first place in Japan to produce porcelain after the discovery of kaolin. This mineral, which is essential to making porcelain, had been found in the area and craftsmen with the necessary skills had been brought from Korea into the country to help develop the trade.

Night: Imari
Inclusions: Breakfast, Private, English-speaking guide, private car, admission fees per the itinerary.

Day 4 – Day trip to Arita village

Arita is a small town that is famous throughout Japan for its pottery and porcelain known as Akita-yaki. 

Akita Porcelain is recognized by the Japanese government as one the traditional handicraft of Japan. 

Three styles of Arita pottery were developed here, Ko-imari (old Imari-style); Kakiemon and Iro-Nabeshima.  Visit the town, its kilns and ateliers.  It is also possible to take part of a pottery atelier or simplye take home a souvenir of any one of the pottery styles.

Night: Imari
Inclusions: Accommodation, Breakfast, Private Guide, Transportation and Fees.

Day 5 – Transfer to Takeo Onsen

After breakfast, head to the hot-springs town of Takeo, famous for over 1,300 years as a hot-springs destination. Along the way, make a brief stop by the Takeo Public Library to see its incredible architecture, then head to the Keishu-En Garden. Keishu-En is a relatively newer garden, but the mix between flowers, tea plantation and waterfall with Mt. Mifune in the background is visually quite striking. After visiting the garden, relax at a traditional tea ceremony. 

Next stop: Takeo Ateliers for a ceramic workshop.

At night, visit the famous Mifuneyama Rakuen Garden and its illumination program inspired by the now-famous “Team Lab” group.

Night: Takeo
Inclusions: Accommodation, Breakfast, Private Guide, Transportation and Fees.

Day 6 – Transfer from Takeo to Nagasaki

After breakfast, head to the magical Yutoku Inari Shrine. It is considered one of Japan’s top three shrines dedicated to Inari, alongside Fushimi Inari Shrine in Kyoto and Toyokawa Inari Shrine in Aichi Prefecture. One of Shinto’s most popular deities, Inari is associated with rice, prosperity and foxes. Finally head to the Floating torii ( Shinto Gate) of Tara near the Ariake Sea.

End of the tour at Nagasaki.

Night: Nagasaki
Inclusions: Accommodation, Breakfast, Private Guide, Transportation and Fees.

Day 7 – Nagasaki sightseeing

Enjoy a full day sightseeing around Nagasaki and learn more about its past and history.

Start with the solemn Nagasaki Peace Park and learn about the city’s tragic past. Then head to the oldest church in Japan: Oura Church. Finish the day with Nagasaki Confucius Shrine and the 400-year old Megane bridge and Chinatown.

Night: Nagasaki
Inclusions: Accommodation and Breakfast.

Day 8 – Departure

Check-out from your accommodation. Head to your next destination or back to Fukuoka for your international flight back home.

Inclusions: Accommodation, Breakfast, Private Guide, Transportation and Fees.