8-Day Bus Tour to Shikoku & Awaji Island from Kyushu: -20pax

Hotels, stations and airports in Hakata and Kokura (in Fukuoka Prefecture) * Your designated place

* Free pick-up 10 minutes before departure

Mamedamachi Shopping Street, Hita, Oita <About 2.25 hours including lunch time>

Step back in time as you wander the old town streets of Mamedamachi Shopping Street, a traditional shopping center of authentic ancestral buildings and crafts.

Observe distinct wooden architecture and banners floating in the breeze, then browse through Hina dolls, wooden Geta sandals, Onta pottery, and an array of other artisan products.

Explore the area to find various museums, as well as the oldest merchant residence in the prefecture.

Be sure to pick up something as a souvenir or gift to take home with you.

Our Hita trip itinerary builder makes visiting Mamedamachi Shopping Street and other Hita attractions simple, and helps you make a travel plan personal to you.

Kokonoe Yume Otsuribashi, Kusu District, Oita < Stay time 45 minutes >

Suspended high in mid-air over a remote forested valley

Traversing the Kokonoe Yume Grand Suspension Bridge in western Oita Prefecture is like walking across the sky.

Japan's longest and loftiest pedestrian bridge, it presents panoramic scenes of Oita's verdant countryside, including two waterfalls, the Naruko River and the valley 173 meters below.

The nearby Kuju mountain range and Handa highlands are great places to trek, and this area also boasts the Tadewara Wetlands and several onsen, chief among them Kurokawa Onsen.

Jakoshi observatory, Yufu, Oita < Short break >

Jakoshi Observatory is located in Yufu. Arrange to visit Jakoshi Observatory and other attractions in Yufu using our Yufu online tour itinerary planner.

yunotubo St, Yufuinchō, Oita < Stay 1.25 hours >

Yunotsubo Kaido Street runs through the center of the popular hot spring town of Yufuin, leading from Yufuin Station to Lake Kinrinko.

It takes about 20 minutes to cover the distance without lingering, but there are enough interesting shops, cafes and galleries to merit an hour or two of strolling.

The buildings lining the street are low-rise, and mostly traditional in appearance.

Mt. Yufu rises above the street, adding to the picturesque setting.

It is a nice place to wander and sample some local delicacies, coupled with a walk around the lake and a relaxing soak in one of the area's many hot springs.

<< End of day 1 >> drop off at your Hotel in Beppu * Your own reservation

* This is the end of the first day. The bus will pick you up at the place you dropped off the next morning.

<< Start of the day 2 >> pick up at your Hotel in Beppu

* This is the start of the day 2. The bus will pick you up at the place you dropped off the yesterday.

Beppujigokumeguri Parking Lot, Kannawa, Beppu, Oita < Stay 1.4 hours >

*It's your free walk time.

The "hells" (地獄, jigoku) of Beppu are seven spectacular hot springs for viewing rather than bathing, displaying steaming ponds of various colors, bubbling mud pools and other hydrothermal activity.

The hells are presented to visitors in a rather touristy fashion which may not appeal to everybody.

Five of the seven hells are located in the Kannawa district, and two in the more remote Shibaseki district.

beppu-ropeway < Stay 1.5 hopurs >

In winter, the view from the top of Mt. Tsurumi becomes even more impressive!

From early December to mid-March when meteorological conditions of temperature and wind are met, hoarfrost, very rare in Kyushu, covers the entire mountain slope.

The annual "Tsurumidake Wintery Endurance Tournament" is held during the coldest time in January, attracting many visitors.

( lunch place ) *for example, Jigoku Mushi, Beppu < Stay 1 hour >

Jigoku Mushi (地獄蒸し, literally “hell-steaming”) is an unusual cooking method found in Beppu.

It’s a simple but impactful method that dates back to the Edo Period.

Jigoku Mushi Kobo features an interesting hands-on workshop where you can cook food yourself in the searing onsen(hot spring) steam.

But prepare yourself! The force of the steam that comes out of the steaming pot as you place the food is surprisingly powerful.

And you won’t forget the unique delicious taste of the fish and vegetables cooked almost instantly in the hot steam.

You can also enjoy “the spring water drinking fountain”, “the foot bath” and “the foot steam bath” for free.

Beppu Beach Sandbath, Beppu < Stay 1.25 hours >

It is located next to Beppu Int'l Tourist Port, on the beach of Shoningahama. According to an old literature, "It was the first place in Kyushu that Ippen Shonin had landed on and that was where the name Shoningahama (Beach of Shonin) came from."

Operated since 1986, it is capable for more than 10 people to enjoy at the same time. In 2002 a movable roof was placed for rain, as well as a lounge.

Saganoseki Port FT ( KOKUDO KYUSHI FERRY ), Oita **The departure time is just 16:00**

You take the ferry ( "KOKUDO KYUSHI FERRY" ) to "Shikoku".

The departure time is just 16:00. (One hour after it's gone.)

Enjoy a 70-minute cruise until you arrive in Ehime Prefecture in Shikoku!

* Bus ferry fares are included, but you are responsible for booking and paying for this ferry.

** If you don't understand Japanese at the time of booking, we will do the booking for you, so please let us know.

It costs about $ 10 per adult and there seems to be a group discount.

"KOKUDO KYUSHI FERRY" :

Oku Observatory, Nishiuwa District, Ehime < Short break >

* Because some people may get seasick on the ferry.

Iyonada service area ( on High Way ), Iyo, Ehime < Short break >

* toilet break

<< End of day 2 >> drop off at your Hotel in Matsuyama * Your own reservation

* This is the end of the first day.

It was a long day. Please take a rest at night in Matsuyama.

And the next day is your own free walk in Matsuyama all day long.

**The bus will pick you up at the place you dropped off the the day after tomorrow.

Dogo Onsen (道後温泉, Dōgo Onsen) is one of Japan's oldest and most famous hot springs, located to the east of central Matsuyama.

The area is popular with tourists for its beautiful bath house and many ryokan.

Dogo Onsen has also been a frequent destination for Japan's most prestigious guests, the Imperial Family.

<< Start of the day 4 >> pick up at your Hotel in Matsuyama

* This is the start of the day 4. The bus will pick you up at the place you dropped off the day before yesterday.

** Yesterday is your free walk without getting on our bus for a whole day.

Roadside Station Uchiko Fresh Park KaRaRi, Kita District, Ehime < Stay 1 hour >

Uchiko town prospered by the production of Japan wax from the late Edo to Meiji era (latter half of 19th century).

The townscape of Yōkaichi & Gokoku is well preserved and still exactly as it was in former times.

Traditional townhouses and mansions of wealthy merchants stand side by side over a length of about 600m as they were in old times.

When walking slowly through the streets, you will notice the pale yellow wattle-and-daub mud walls.

Those walls are plastered with the local mud.

The yellow mud walls, interwoven with white plaster create a unique impression.

In particular, the houses will show us a different look in the morning sun and at sunset.

( lunch place ) for example, Eating Facility Ashizuri, 3-15 Motomachi, Tosashimizu, Kochi 787-0304 < Stay 1 hour >

John-mung Museum, 303 Yoro, Tosashimizu, Kochi 787-0337 < Stay 0.75 hour >

This history museum is located in Yoro, Tosashimizu City.

It features exhibits about Nakahama Manjiro, also known as John Mung, a Tosa native known for being one of the first Japanese people to visit the United States.

In addition to learning about the life of Nakahama from exhibits that utilize wall graphics and projections, visitors can also enjoy a number of other attractions including taking photos with trick art depicting the sea.

The museum also features the restaurant Kaifu Shokudo.

Cape Ashizuri Tourism Information Center, 1349 Ashizurimisaki, Tosashimizu, Kochi 787-0315 < Stay 0.6 hour >

See the curve of the Earth from Shikoku’s southernmost cape

Cape Ashizuri is the southernmost point of Shikoku, where the 270 degree views allow visitors to actually see the curvature of the Earth. Standing on the edge of the cliffs is Cape Ashizuri Lighthouse, one of the largest lighthouses in Japan and the symbol of the cape.

An abundance of subtropical plants grow along the cape, along with many variants of camellia. There are around 150,000 bushes of these colorful flowers around the peninsula, with 60,000 of those on the tip of the cape alone. The best time to see them in full bloom is February.

A 2 km-long path along the coast takes in the highlights of this rugged coastal area. Be sure to stop by Kongofuku-ji Temple, the 38th stop on the long Shikoku 88 Temple Pilgrimage.

Nearby you will find the Tatsukushi and Minokoshi coasts, where you can see coral reefs and tropical fish on glass-bottom boat tours.

Sadachinkabashi Parking Lot, Sada, Shimanto, Kochi 787-1106 < Passing. From the car window. >

An unusual bridge crossing the clear Shimanto River

Chinkabashi are submersible bridges designed without side rails to reduce the risk of the bridge being washed away during floods. These low, stocky-looking bridges have become a symbol of the Shimanto area, and even seem to blend into the scenery better than a traditional bridge. Though there are many chinkabashi along the river, the Sada Chinkabashi is the longest and closest to the mouth of the Shimanto. You will recognize it by its cute blue “feet.”

Crossing a bridge without balustrades is a thrilling experience and allows visitors to sit on the edge, take in the scenery and dangle their feet over one of Japan's most important rivers. One of the best ways of experiencing the area is renting a bike from the closest train station (Nakamura Station) and then cycling around toward the bridge.

<< End of day 4 >> drop off at your Hotel in Kochi * Your own reservation

* This is the end of the first day.

It was a long day. Please take a rest at night in Kochi.

And the next day is your own free walk in Kochi all day long.

**The bus will pick you up at the place you dropped off the the day after tomorrow.

Kochi City is a scenic and compact city surrounded by beautiful mountains and the magnificent Pacific Ocean. It has a warm climate and long sunlight hours, and the pure Kagamigawa River runs through the city.

In the center of town, you can find Kochi Castle, which was built over 400 years ago and is one of the last 12 castles in Japan to still have its original main keep. Nearby is Sunday Market, which stretches 1.3km with over 430 vendors and has been fueling the daily lives of locals for over 300 years.

In Kochi, varied seasonal fish and produce can be found year round. With representative seafood like katsuo no tataki (seared bonito) and fresh sashimi, Kochi is said to be the most delicious region of Japan. It is also famous throughout the country for its friendly people who love to drink sake. There are always people enjoying delicious food and drink downtown until late hours of the night, so why not try out Kochi’s nightlife?

<< Start of the day 6 >> pick up at your Hotel in Kochi.

* This is the start of the day 6. The bus will pick you up at the place you dropped off the day before yesterday.

** Yesterday is your free walk without getting on our bus for a whole day.

Oboke Gorge Sightseeing Boat, Miyoshi, Tokushima < Stay 2.5 hours include lunch >

An “Oboke Gorge Sightseeing Pleasure Boat” takes you for a cruise to see the beautiful gorge closely.

Enjoy a magnificent view spreading out in front of you with the guide of an experienced boatman.

Opening Period: All year round

Iyanokazura Bridge, Miyoshi, Tokushima 778-0102 < short stay > *Due to the width of the road, you can only go by minibus

In the past, suspension bridges made of mountain vines (kazurabashi) were one of the only ways to easily move people and goods across the river of the Iya Valley.

History is unclear about their origins, but legends say that they were either first raised by Kobo Daishi, founder of the Shingon Sect of Japanese Buddhism, or created by Heike refugees hiding in the area after their defeat in the Gempei War (1180-1185) as a means of quickly cutting off access to the valley.

Kotohira-gu Shrine, 892-1, Kotohira, Nakatado District, Kagawa 766-8501 < Stay 1 hour >

One of the most popular shrines in Japan

This is a popular shrine, commonly known as Konpira-san. It is the head shrine of "Kotohira" or "Konpira" shrines in Japan and has been worshiped since ancient times as "the God of the Sea".

There is an extremely long staircase, consisting of 1,368 steps. The area around the shrine is crowded with many shops such as cafes, teahouses, souvenir shops and udon restaurants. You can rent a walking stick and go for a stroll or take a ride in a "kago" palanquin and enjoy the sights as you are carried around.

At the mid-way point, you will find the Main Shrine. The shrine is dedicated to many gods including the gods of agriculture, livestock, medicine and marine safety. There are wonderful paintings on the ceiling of the main shrine. On certain festival days you can see the priests and shrine maidens dancing in traditional clothes. You can also purchase a beautiful Kofuku no Kiiroi Omamori (Yellow Charm of Happiness).

銭形砂絵（寛永通宝）、〒768-0062 Kagawa, Kanonji, Ariakecho, 14 < short break or through >

The old Japanese currency is beautifully drawn on the sandy beach.

It is also introduced on Japanese TV.

*Japanese page only:

Marugame Castle, Ichibancho, Marugame, Kagawa 763-0025 < Stay 1 hour >

Marugame Castle (丸亀城, Marugamejō), also known as Kameyama Castle, is a hilltop castle in Marugame City.

Situated high up on steep stone walls, the castle has a commanding view of the city below and overlooks one of the narrowest parts of the Seto Inland Sea, a feature which afforded it control over the main shipping lanes of the region.

Marugame Castle is one of only twelve castles remaining in Japan that have survived the post feudal ages (since 1868) with their keep buildings intact.

<< End of day 6 >> drop off at your Hotel in Takamatsu * Your own reservation

* This is the end of the first day.

It was a long day. Please take a rest at night in Takamatsu.

And the next day is your own free walk in Takamatsu all day long.

**The bus will pick you up at the place you dropped off the the day after tomorrow.

Takamatsu (高松) is the capital of Kagawa, Japan's smallest prefecture. The city's port used to be the main entry point to Shikoku Island until the opening of the Seto Ohashi Bridge in 1988.

The Matsudaira Clan, relatives of the Tokugawa Shogun, controlled Takamatsu's former castle town and surrounding area, then known as the Sanuki Province, during most of the Edo Period. The ruling clan is also responsible for the construction of Ritsurin Koen, one of Japan's most beautiful gardens.

<< Start of the day 8 >> pick up at your Hotel in Takamatsu.

* This is the start of the day 8. The bus will pick you up at the place you dropped off the day before yesterday.

** Yesterday is your free walk without getting on our bus for a whole day.

Otsuka Museum of Art, Fukuike-65-1 Narutocho Tosadomariura, Naruto, Tokushima 772-0053 < Stay 1.5 hours>

There are more than 1,000 replicas of priceless masterpieces, from ancient murals to modern paintings, and collections from more than 190 art museums in 25 countries worldwide. These masterpieces are reproduced to their original size on porcelain boards using special techniques.

Onaruto Bridge Esplanade - Road of Whirls, Naruto, Tokushima < Stay 1 hour >

“Uzu no Michi” is an enclosed walkway built within the bridge girder (below the roadway) of the Onaruto Bridge over the Naruto Strait.

At the end of the 450-meter-long walkway is the circuit-style observatory that makes use of the space of the girders of the Onaruto Bridge.

When you peer through the glass floor 45 meters above the waters, you can really sense the whirlpools and the roaring tidal currents.

( lunch place ) for example, Roadside station Uzushio, Minamiawaji, Hyogo < Stay 1 hour >

* Awaji Island's specialties are fruity onions and octopus in the Akashi Strait.

Awaji Highway Oasis, Awaji, Hyogo < Stay 1 hour >

* The other side of Awaji Island is Honshu. Akashi Kaikyo Bridge is in front of you.

<< End of tour >> drop off at Kobe Station, Hyogo

* This tour is over at Kobe station.

After this, you can enjoy the night in Kobe, and there is also a shared express bus to Kansai International Airport.

Kobe (神戸, Kōbe) is the capital of Hyogo Prefecture and one of Japan's ten largest cities. Located between the sea and the Rokko mountain range, Kobe is also considered one of Japan's most attractive cities.

Kobe has been an important port city for many centuries. Its port was among the first to be opened to foreign trade in the 19th century alongside the ports of Yokohama, Nagasaki, Hakodate and Niigata.

In 1995, Kobe was hit by the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake, which killed over 5000 people and destroyed tens of thousands of buildings. Today the city is completely rebuilt, and few signs of the terrible event remain.