Kyushu November Autumn Tour 2026
Kyushu in Autumn: Foliage, Volcanoes and Onsen
- All-Inclusive
- Small Group
- Local Guide
- Financial Security
Note: Only one place remains on this Autumn Tour for a solo traveller. Our December Autumn Tour has more space available. You're also welcome to join our waiting list or ask about 2027 dates.
Kyushu in Autumn: Foliage, Volcanoes and Onsen
Join our 2026 Kyushu Autumn Tour (15–21 November) with just 12 participants for a guided journey through Japan's southern beauty. Discover vibrant autumn foliage, culture and cuisine while visiting Aso Volcano, Takachiho Gorge and more by private bus. Enjoy local meals and an immersive experience in nature, culture and gastronomy.
Travel well taken care of
Everything on the ground is arranged before you arrive — so your only job is to enjoy the season.
Autumn Tour November Itinerary
Tap any day for a quick look — or open the full day-by-day itinerary.
Welcome to Fukuoka! On your first day, enjoy a relaxed, self-guided experience. After arriving, check into the hotel we've booked for you in the vibrant Tenjin area. This bustling district is perfect for exploring at your own pace. Wander around, visit local shops, savour Fukuoka's renowned cuisine, and immerse yourself in the city's charming mix of traditional and contemporary vibes. It's an ideal beginning to your adventure with Kyushu Journeys.
Your day begins with a taste of Japan's autumn harvest at a local Fukuoka orchard, where you'll pick sweet, crisp persimmons straight from the trees. From there, travel back in time to the historic district of Mameda Machi in Hita. Amidst preserved Edo-period buildings, you'll visit a unique establishment that blends the culinary arts of soy sauce and miso making with a stunning exhibition of traditional hina dolls, offering a rich glimpse into local heritage. Continue your cultural immersion at an esteemed sake brewery, where you can view historic tools, learn about traditional brewing methods, and enjoy a tasting of complex local flavours. The day concludes at a distinguished riverside hotel known for its exceptional hospitality, where you'll unwind in a serene setting and enjoy a dinner crafted with local ingredients.
Day three offers a visual feast of Kyushu's spectacular autumn scenery. You'll journey through vibrant landscapes of red and gold, stopping at a tranquil Japanese garden where nature and artistry meet. The route leads to a legendary hand-carved tunnel from the 18th century, a marvel of determination hewn from solid rock by a Buddhist monk, offering a profound connection to the region's history and dramatic terrain. Upon arriving in Beppu, you'll explore the famous "Hells of Beppu," specifically the striking turquoise waters of "Umi Jigoku" (Sea Hell). While these thermal pools are for viewing only, you can relax with a soothing foot bath amidst the steam. The day concludes with an exquisite sushi dinner celebrating Beppu's renowned seafood, followed by a stay at a comfortable city hotel where you can unwind in a rejuvenating natural onsen.
Your day opens with a reflective visit to a tranquil temple housing a magnificent 8-metre Buddha carved over 800 years ago. From there, history comes alive at the ruins of a 12th-century castle, where ancient stone walls tell tales of Japan's feudal past. The journey then shifts to the breathtaking Takachiho Gorge, a natural wonder of sheer cliffs and crystal-clear waters, where you can admire the majestic Manai Waterfall and stunning autumn foliage from scenic walking trails. After a dinner featuring local countryside fare, the evening promises a magical cultural experience at a historic shrine near your hotel. You'll witness the enchanting Kagura dance, a tradition with over 1,200 years of history that blends Shinto mythology with comedic storytelling, using rhythmic music and colourful costumes to create an entertaining and memorable finale to your day.
Early risers can start the day with the magical "sea of clouds" phenomenon, witnessing a dreamlike vista where clouds blanket the valleys below. After breakfast, immerse yourself in Japanese mythology at the serene site where the Sun Goddess Amaterasu is said to have hidden. A picturesque riverside stroll leads you to this sacred cave and riverbed, often adorned with stone stacks left as prayers by visitors. The journey continues into the Aso-Kuju National Park, stopping first at the lush grasslands of Kusasenri to view grazing cattle against a backdrop of volcanic peaks. Conditions permitting, you'll then ascend to the rim of Mount Aso to peer into its active, smoking crater, a dramatic, lunar-like landscape that highlights the earth's raw power. Your day concludes at a traditional ryokan, where you'll unwind in therapeutic onsen baths and indulge in an exquisite multi-course kaiseki dinner.
On your final full day, you'll explore two of Kyushu's most iconic cultural sites, beginning with the formidable Kumamoto Castle. A symbol of Japan's samurai legacy and architectural prowess, the castle offers a look into the feudal past with its imposing stone walls and meticulously restored keep. Following this, you'll find respite in a renowned Japanese garden (Suizenji Jojuen), famous for its miniature representation of Mount Fuji. Here you can admire the spring-fed pond filled with carp and enjoy authentic matcha tea, relaxing in a setting once favoured by feudal lords. The tour concludes as you return to Fukuoka, checking into a hotel conveniently located near the city's best shopping and dining districts. The evening is yours to enjoy at your leisure, explore the vibrant streets, try the famous yatai food stalls, or enjoy a farewell dinner with new friends.
As your journey comes to an end, you'll check out of the hotel after breakfast and continue on your own path. The tour may be over, but the memories you've created during your autumnal Japanese adventure will surely be yours to cherish. Thank you for entrusting Kyushu Journeys with your journey through Kyushu, safe travels, and until we meet again!
Here's what previous participants said...
“The tour was perfect for us. Our guide was charming, knowledgeable, helpful and efficient. Somehow she managed to organise a diverse group through a very busy programme, without us feeling pressured or rushed. The quality and range of food was superb. We were frequently surprised by the tastes and delicacy of the food we received. When you add the traditional ryokan inn experience and onsen opportunities it was wonderful. Exploring Kyushu in the autumn we were lucky with the weather and enjoyed the colours of the trees and gardens. The smaller items such as persimmon picking were as important as castle and volcano trips because we met a few of the people who make Kyushu the welcoming place that it is. Thank you to the whole team.”
“I would wish to start by congratulating your team and you for making our journey to Kyushu both memorable and enjoyable. The tour was very well planned, and the patience and understanding of our guide was truly outstanding. I was astonished and pleasantly surprised by the repertoire of Japanese food introduced, especially for breakfast, and the hotels were well selected. Ivy and I have no complaints and wish to extend our heartfelt thanks and appreciation to your team, and we would not hesitate to recommend Kyushu Journeys to our relatives and friends.”
“Itinerary, well planned, great places to visit. Adequate time allowed. Food was of a high quality throughout. Transportation, first class, comfortable and great helpful driver. Guide, excellent, professional, good English, helpful and informative. Overall I would say we both enjoyed ourselves and with the small group we were able to interact with everyone. It was a great tour for us.”
“As a participant of this Autumn tour 2024, I'd like to say thank you Kyushu Journeys for organising this tour. I and all members of my family who also participated really had a great time. Although the trip was only 5 days it was such a wonderful and enriched journey, guided by a very nice and knowledgeable tour guide. It met our expectations in learning and discovering a part of Japanese culture, foods, as well as the beautifully picturesque nature and landscapes throughout the places we visited in Kyushu. Such a pleasant memory! Wishing you all the best and we would love to come back again!”
“The second day we called Momiji Day was one of my favourite and my driving purpose of going on this tour to see fall colours. Ikejiri Farm had a nice farm owner and education about persimmons, and Takachiho Gorge was amazing. The Unkai at Kunimigaoka Southern Lookout was stunning and memorable; the timing was perfect, I've never seen anything like it. My favourite meals were the multi-course dishes at the hotels and other restaurants; you have great relationships with the restaurant owners because they took very good care of us. Our guide was funny, had a nice presentation for us daily, and is very hard working. Overall, it was a good tour that I would recommend to others.”
“Everything was fantastic: the nature, onsens, the kaiseki dinners. Our guide was the best and the driver did a fantastic job. Thank you.”
“I had a most wonderful time on the fall colours tour in November. The bus was comfortable and the lodgings were excellent, especially the last night at the ryokan. The food was varied and tasty. I know that I saw a lot more of the area than I could possibly have arranged on my own.”
“I enjoyed the whole tour very much. It was interesting, we visited many beautiful locations, met nice people on the tour, had great food, and just had a great time. The tour guide was excellent, she had things well organised, took very good care of all of us, and provided a lot of information about the places we visited. The locations were very interesting and we had our fill of the autumn colours. As we are elderly, the number of locations visited daily and the length of the daily journeys were not taxing on us, which made the tour very pleasant. We would highly recommend Kyushu Journeys to our friends.”
“The itinerary and food were excellent. Enjoyed all the varied experiences and cuisine, which we wouldn't have been able to arrange on our own. The ryokan was amazing! Our guide was helpful and good at his job.”
“What can I say? The tour exceeded my expectations on all counts — a truly wonderful experience. I have never been on a tour before but think it unlikely that I could find another one with such high standards, from the variety of sightseeing and activities to the accommodation and food. And I must add a special mention about our guide: he was not only extremely knowledgeable (and made efforts to find out things he didn't know) but unfailingly kind with a good sense of humour. I can't thank you enough for enhancing my visit to Japan.”
“A very enjoyable introduction to Kyushu — delicious food, beautiful autumn foliage and scenery, comfortable hotels, lovely onsens, and interesting experiences. Every meal is different and always good; an excellent mix of the different types of food that Kyushu can offer. The sightseeing program was a well-curated combination of experiences. Autumn foliage in the temples, gardens, gorge and along scenic drives met expectations. Bus was comfortable and we had a good and safe driver. Many thanks for a lovely holiday.”
“The beauty of autumn was breathtaking. Autumn in Kyushu was everywhere (so beautiful) and I was impressed with the local culture. The booking communications were great and it felt like we knew each other even before we met. Everything was organised in a professional manner. The 5 days went by so quickly. Thank you, Simon and Moo.”
“Thank you very much for a wonderful and memorable tour. I thoroughly enjoyed the lovely sights, the gourmet meals, and the onsen. Huge thanks to Kyushu Journeys!”
“Thanks for taking good care of us for the past few days. We really enjoyed this trip a lot. Good work!”
FAQs
Find answers to your most pressing questions about our Autumn Group tour.
Your trip planner is a passionate foodie who has carefully selected every eatery to highlight the quality cuisine that Kyushu is so famous for throughout Japan. The focus is on locally-sourced, seasonal ingredients wherever possible. If you have any dietary restrictions, please ask us about alternatives before booking your tour.
You will stay in a mix of clean and comfortable city hotels and traditional Japanese ryokan inns with onsen baths. In the city hotels you will be sleeping in western beds. In the Japanese ryokan inns you will be sleeping in a mix of western beds and traditional Japanese-style futon beds on tatami mat flooring.
A comfortable private bus. You will be travelling by private bus and accompanied at all times by an English-speaking tour leader.
We love small group intimate travel. Maximum participants will be 12 people.
Definitely yes! You will be travelling by private bus and accompanied at all times by an English-speaking tour leader. There are no long hikes on this tour but of course you will need to walk around various attractions. There will be some non-paved paths and steps to climb (especially in shrines or temples). It will be no problem if you prefer to skip any activity and wait for the group on the bus or in a seated area.
This is an adult tour with no activities for children. We welcome all participants aged 12 years or older. However, on a private tour, children of any age can join.
A deposit of 20% is required to secure your places on the tour. The 80% balance is due 60 days before the tour begins. There are only 12 places available on this tour so please contact us as soon as possible if you want to join. We can temporarily block your places on the tour with no payment required to give you time to check your flights.
Absolutely! This tour is guaranteed to run, providing you with peace of mind and certainty. Unlike many other tours that require a minimum number of participants to proceed, ours departs as scheduled regardless of group size. This means you can book with confidence, knowing your travel plans are secure and won't be cancelled due to insufficient numbers.
- After payment of deposit: 20% cancellation charge (forfeit of deposit)
- 60–46 days before the tour begins: 30% cancellation charge
- 45–31 days before the tour begins: 40% cancellation charge
- 30–16 days before the tour begins: 60% cancellation charge
- 15–8 days before the tour begins: 80% cancellation charge
- 7 days or later before the tour begins: 100% cancellation charge
Autumn Wonders: A 7-Day Kyushu Journey
¥455,000 Price per person / Twin sharing. 20% deposit to secure your spot.
This all-inclusive seven-day tour is priced at ¥455,000 per person (double/twin sharing). Single room supplement: ¥155,000. Contact us for triple sharing rates.
Tour Inclusion
- 6 nights' accommodation with breakfast
- 5 x Lunch
- 4 x Dinner
- English-speaking tour guide
- All transport in a private tour bus
- All entrance and activity fees
Our Lifetime Deposit Guarantee: We understand that travel plans can be affected by unforeseen circumstances. If you are unable to travel for any reason, your deposit is protected as a Lifetime Credit. It will be held securely for you to use toward any of our future tours at a time that suits you.
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