Hot Springs & Samurai Legacy: Beppu, Kinrin Lake (Yufuin) & Nakatsu Castle
Extend your journey with my tours and enjoy a multi-day discount. Please send me a message before booking.
Begin at Nakatsu Castle, a rare samurai-era “water castle” privately owned by descendants of its last feudal lord. Savor a unique Beppu experience with Jigoku-mushi (Japanese Steam Barbeque), relax at the aromatic Herb Steam Spa, and explore the vivid hot spring landscapes of Umi Jigoku and Chinoike Jigoku. Stroll briefly along Yufuin’s scenic Kinrin Lake.
Itinerary
This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!
Meeting Point
Your Hotel in Fukuoka City
- I am located within a 20-minute drive from Fukuoka Airport, Hakata Station, and Hakata Port, so if you book a hotel near these facilities we can ensure a smooth meeting.
Estimated travel time is 2 hours included 1 bathroom break
Nakatsu Castle
Nakatsu Castle, built in 1588 by daimyo Kuroda Yoshitaka, is one of Japan’s rare “water castles,” with moats connected to the sea. Rebuilt in the early 20th century, it houses a museum showcasing samurai armor, weapons, and local history. From the top floor, enjoy sweeping views of the town and coastline. Uniquely, it is not municipally owned but privately held by descendants of the last feudal lord, the Okudaira family.
Admission: 1,000JPY (Per Person)
Lunch Time; Jigoku-mushi: Japanese Steamed Barbecue
Jigoku-mushi, or “Japanese Steamed Barbecue,” is a traditional Beppu cooking style using natural hot spring steam to cook seafood, meat, and vegetables in bamboo baskets. The gentle, mineral-rich steam preserves flavors and nutrients, offering a healthy, interactive dining experience unique to Beppu. It can accommodate most dietary restrictions.
The Herb Steam Spa
The Herb Steam Spa is a soothing wellness experience where guests sit in a warm, mist-filled room infused with aromatic herbs. The gentle steam opens pores, promotes circulation, and relaxes muscles, while the herbal scents provide calming effects for the mind. It’s a rejuvenating treatment that blends traditional therapy with natural fragrance.
Admission is 700 JPY, plus 220 JPY for yukata rental.
Recommended set: Admission + yukata rental + towel for 1,100 JPY.
Umi Jigoku Hot Spring Garden
Umi Jigoku (“Sea Hell”) is one of Beppu’s most famous hot spring attractions, featuring a striking cobalt-blue pond created by volcanic activity over 1,200 years ago. Stroll through the landscaped gardens, enjoy onsen footbaths, and see tropical plants thriving in the steam.
Admission: 500 JPY. (Per Person)
Chinoike Jigoku Hot Spring Garden
Chinoike Jigoku (“Blood Pond Hell”) is Japan’s oldest natural hot spring, famous for its striking crimson color caused by iron oxide-rich clay. Steaming at around 78°C, it has been used for centuries in traditional medicine and skincare. The site includes a foot bath and shop selling clay-based products.
Admission: 500 JPY. (Per Person)
Departure time to Your Hotel
Estimated travel time is 2 hours plus 1 bathroom break
Kinrin Lake (short stop)
Kinrin Lake, a serene pond in Yufuin, is famed for its misty morning views created by hot and cold springs mixing. Surrounded by cafés and small shops, it’s an easy stroll with photo spots at every turn. This stop is kept short to avoid the area’s heavy crowds, giving you just enough time to enjoy the scenery.
No admission fee
Farewell time: Your Hotel in Fukuoka City
I would appreciate your understanding that the arrival time may be delayed due to traffic congestion. Traffic congestion is expected around Fukuoka at this time due to the cars and public transport of local business people.
See you again:)
Ending Point
Your Hotel in Fukuoka City
Want to personalize this tour?
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This tour can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Click below to send me a message with your requests.
Inclusions & Exclusions
-I will be both the guide and the driver.
-Free Apple Music and Netflix
-My own private car (5-seater van "SUBARU JUSTY")
-Gasoline fee
-Parking fee
-Expressway tolls (Fukuoka Urban Expressway and Kyushu Expressway)
-Guide gratuity
-Cost of meals (guide and customers)
-Facility Admission fees (guide and customers)
**Nakatsu Castle**
1,000JPY (Per Person)
**The Herb Steam Spa**
700 JPY, plus 220 JPY for yukata rental.
Recommended set: Admission + yukata rental + towel for 1,100 JPY.
**Umi Jigoku Hot Spring Garden**
500 JPY. (Per Person)
**Chinoike Jigoku Hot Spring Garden**
500 JPY. (Per Person)
Tour Important Information
1.If you want to do cashless payments on your entire itinerary, please let me know in advance. I will need to have a payment machine ready.
2. Please let me know in advance if you have any food allergies or other dietary restrictions.
3. Extra time is assumed, but it is an itinerary that will be difficult to proceed if the meeting time is delayed. I hope we can meet on time:)
4. My car can accommodate up to 4 guests. If you are a group of 5 or more, please contact me so that I can arrange a rental-car tour;
5-7 guests +33,000yen (8 person van)
Cancellation Policy
- Free cancellation - 8 days prior to meeting time
- 50% Refund - 3 to 7 days prior to meeting time
- No Refund - Within 2 day(s) prior to meeting time
About Tour Guide Katsu N.
Hi, I’m glad you found my page!
I’m a local guide based in Kyushu who loves sharing the region’s history, food, and landscapes in a relaxed and friendly way. Think of me as someone who can make your trip comfortable and memorable, while keeping things easygoing and fun.
I began guiding to share the history, scenery, and food of my home with visitors from around the world. Before this, I worked in luxury retail, where I learned how important details and genuine hospitality are. Now I bring that same spirit to my tours, making sure every guest feels comfortable, cared for, and free to enjoy their journey.
I specialize in private car tours around Kyushu, so you don’t have to worry about train schedules or carrying luggage. We can stop where you like, take things at your own pace, and enjoy the scenery along the way. Onboard you’ll have free Wi-Fi, music, and a comfortable ride—perfect for families, couples, or friends who want both convenience and a touch of luxury.
Some of my favorite places to share are:
Nagasaki: Peace Park, Atomic Bomb Museum, and the city’s cultural blend
Fukuoka: Dazaifu Shrine, city highlights, and Yanagawa’s river cruise with eel dishes
Kumamoto: Mt. Aso’s volcanic views, Kumamoto Castle, and Kurokawa Onsen
Oita: Hita’s riverside town, plus Beppu and Yufuin hot springs
Saga: Arita’s ceramics and the Yoshinogari ancient site
Takachiho Gorge: A mystical canyon tied to Japanese legends
What I enjoy most is helping guests discover both famous sights and hidden corners of Kyushu, while keeping the experience comfortable and stress-free. Whether you’re drawn to culture, food, history, or beautiful scenery, I can adjust the plan to match your style.
I’d love to share my part of Japan with you and create memories that last long after your trip. If you have any questions or requests, please feel free to send me a message. I look forward to welcoming you to Kyushu and showing you what makes this region so special!
Reviews
Maddy A.
“An Outstanding Guide Who Made Hubbys 60th Birthday Truly Special!”
If you’re visiting Nagasaki, I cannot recommend Katsu highly enough! He was absolutely outstanding, and our day with him was one of the highlights of our trip to Japan. Katsu was warm, friendly, incredibly knowledgeable and wonderfully prepared. He even had a binder filled with fascinating historical facts and photographs that brought Nagasaki’s history to life. We visited Dejima Trading Post, the Atomic Bomb Museum, Peace Park and other historic sites. We enjoyed spectacular city views, explored Glover Garden and saw the beautiful Oura Cathedral. Katsu also took us to a fantastic Wagyu beef restaurant, Yakiniku Pure, for a delicious lunch, followed by a lovely stop at June Coffee. What made Katsu exceptional was his thoughtfulness. I have a minor mobility issue, and he made sure the pace was comfortable without us missing out. He also had an incredible talent for finding parking spots right beside every attraction! It became a running joke, and we had such fun teasing him about his parking skills. He even found a Pokémon-themed manhole cover for me because he knew I loved Pokémon. It’s these little touches that make someone truly special. The most touching moment was when Katsu surprised my husband with a beautiful ceramic gift for his 60th birthday. It was an incredibly kind and unexpected gesture that we’ll always treasure. Katsu’s knowledge, kindness, humour and genuine care made our day unforgettable. He wasn’t simply showing us Nagasaki; he was making sure we had a wonderful experience and created lasting memories. If you’re considering a private tour in Nagasaki, book Katsu! You absolutely won’t regret it. We couldn’t have asked for a better guide and would happily tour with him again. Thank you, Katsu, for making Drew’s milestone birthday so special!
Judy W.
“Amazing time in Takachiho Gorge with Katsu!”
We had a wonderful time with Katsu on our road trip to Takachiho Gorge. It was the perfect relaxed schedule that allowed for last minute changes and just amazing views and experiences. Special thanks to Katsu for securing a boat for us at Takachiho Gorge in advance of the trip (amazing he was able to do it!!) and being unflappable when my daughter had a (very unwarranted) panic attack over going near the volcano (thank you, Katsu!!). It was an absolutely lovely day - we couldn’t have asked for more. I highly recommend this tour and highly, highly recommend going with Katsu on it. You will have a wonderful time!
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Katsu N.
Judy and everyone, thank you so much for your wonderful and thoughtful review! /// I’m very happy to hear that you all enjoyed your day in Takachiho. Reservations for the boats at Takachiho Gorge have been getting more and more difficult, but I was very happy that I was able to secure one for you this time and that you could enjoy the beautiful scenery from the water. /// For my private tours, I believe it is important not only to follow the planned itinerary, but also to remain flexible depending on the situation and the pace of my guests. So I was especially happy to hear that you enjoyed the relaxed schedule and flexibility of the day. /// And please don’t worry at all about what happened during the tour. Unexpected situations can happen while traveling. What matters most to me is that everyone feels comfortable and can continue enjoying the day. /// I also had a wonderful time spending the day with all of you. If you have another opportunity to visit Japan, and especially Kyushu, I hope we will have the chance to meet again. /// Thank you again for choosing my tour and for taking the time to leave such a warm review! /// Katsu
Sharon B.
“Wonderful guide”
Katsu was a wonderful guide for Nagasaki. He kept in close communication before our tour. He was so kind and engaging. He thoughtfully gave us a gift of Japanese cake and he prepared a notebook with information about all of the sights we were going to visit. He helped us choose sights that were both interesting and moving and patiently waited while we explored each one. We couldn’t have asked for a better guide.
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Katsu N.
Dear Sharon and everyone in your group, /// Thank you very much for taking the time to leave such a wonderful review. Once again, I sincerely appreciate all of you joining my tour, and I am truly happy to know that you enjoyed the experience so much. /// One of my guiding principles is to place great importance not only on the quality of the tour itself, but even more on the quality of the preparation beforehand. I believe that good preparation is what makes a good experience on the day possible. In Japan, we have a saying, “Dandori hachibu,” which roughly means that 80% of success comes from good preparation. I am very happy that this aspect of my service came through to you. /// I can also guide you through many other fascinating cities and areas beyond Nagasaki, so if you ever return to Japan, I would be very happy to hear from you again. /// I hope you enjoy the rest of your journey in Japan. /// I look forward to the possibility of seeing you all again someday. /// Katsuhisa
$696/ per group
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[Extend your journey with my tours and enjoy multi-day discounts. Message me before booking.] [OMOTENASHI - Japan's Refined Hospitality] Experience Japan’s serene countryside with a visit to Hita, famed for its traditional streets & fine craftsmanship. Then, unwind in Kurokawa Onsen, a charming hot spring village embraced by nature. Savor local cuisine, stroll scenic landscapes & immerse in timeless charm. Perfect for those seeking tranquility, this journey blends nature, culture & relaxation.
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Ukiha, the land of fruits, and Ukiha Inari Shrine
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Ukiha, the land of fruits, and Ukiha Inari Shrine
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