kyoto, kyushu & the kumano kodo tour
kyoto, kyushu & the kumano kodo tour
from tokyo we fly south to kyushu for 6 days in the volcanic mountains that run through the center of the island. we stay in villages small enough to have no convenience stores (a true rarity in japan!) to a small, arty town with horse-drawn and rickshaw carriages as a primary mode of transport. the lodging and baths on this tour are super refined and elegant modern takes on traditional japanese design, making this tour a great finale after our other, more rustic tours. the food, culture, crafts and hospitality are different in each of the regions we travel to, with kyushu being no exception. then, we have three days in magical kyoto, followed by 6 days along wakayama prefecture’s rugged coastline. home of the famous kumano kodo pilgrimage route, this part of the tour features rare seaside bathing and small fishing villages as well as sacred forests and pilgrimage paths. in the “our baths” section you will find a photo-blog of some of the villages and towns we visit, the kind of lodging we have chosen, and a tempting view of some of the baths.
kyoto, kyushu & kumano kodo 2024
20 days: november 2–21th $11,300 USD
pricing based per person/double occupancy
day one 11/2: leave US
day two 11/3: arrive NRT (generally 3-5 pm for US flights) we will greet you after customs and get you to the hotel for the night. nothing planned so you have time to unwind.
day three 11/4: visit our favorite onsen in narita in the AM, wander the streets & temple of the town. welcome dinner in the inn. (B, D)
day four 11/5: back to the airport after lunch to fly to Kyushu island’s hidden hot spring village of kurokawa onsen. (B, D)
day five 11/6: a free day to explore kurokawa’s many rustic baths using your hot springs bathing pass. great day for a hike & a famously decadent cream puff! dinner in the inn. (B, D)
day six 11/7: another beautiful day to explore kurokawa village. (B, D)
day seven 11/8: after time in the AM to bathe & lunch, charter transfer to the magnificent yufuin onsen. time for orientation to the town & your casitas before a knock-out dinner in the inn. (B, D)
day eight: 11/9: a completely free day to explore all that yufuin has to offer: its many baths, galleries, cafes, temples, & hiking. dinner at a grill-it-ourselves local meat joint. (B, D)
day nine 11/10: more time to wander the village. amazing dinner once again in the inn (B, D)
day ten 11/11: first a romantic deco-era train then a bullet train back north to kyoto, most magical city on the planet. brief orientation & then off to our fave chef’s place for a welcome dinner. (B, D)
day eleven 11/12: a full day to fill as you wish in magical kyoto (B)
day twelve 11/13: more kyoto or venture further afield to a local onsen (TBA) (B)
day thirteen 11/14: another romantic train south along the seacoast to the rural fishing/onsen village of katsuura, wakayama. local very fresh seafood feast in the remarkable inn. (B, D)
day fourteen 11/15: free day to explore the village: early AM seafood auction or sushi breakfast at the docks, gorgeous seaside baths, a swimming beach. afternoon optional bay cruise tour (weather permitting). dinner at a local slow food member restaurant. (B, D)
day fifteen 11/16: private charter in the afternoon will take us along the unesco world heritage kumano kodo pilgrimage route through the mountains to the sacred shrines & waterfalls. dinner on your own in the village. (B)
day sixteen 11/17: once more training along the coastline, ending at the seaside beach town shirahama, with a gorgeous happy hour “on the rocks”. local izakaya pub dinner (B, D)
day seventeen 11/18: free day to explore shirahama bay & town by foot or bike, the many seaside baths, small shops, bay cruises, aquariums, zoos, etc… dinner at an amazing french spot. (B, D)
day eighteen 11/19: another free day at the beach! dinner on your own, but we organize a trip to the local fish market then rent some BBQ grills for a true beach-y send off. (B)
day nineteen 11/20: short train up the coast to KIX kansai international airport in osaka, a quick flight back to NRT for our farewell dinner in narita city (B, D)
day twenty 11/21: enjoy a last morning visit to the temple or onsen before your safe journey home