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Sasebo Port Calls Only: The Art of Japanese Ceramics & Scenic Archipelago Cruise – Sasebo to Saga
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Joined 2024
Experience a refined journey from Sasebo to Saga, combining Japan’s artistic heritage with natural beauty. Visit Arita, birthplace of Japanese porcelain, where elegant ceramics and contemporary Tosai-ga art await. Enjoy lunch served on exquisite Arita ware, then board a scenic cruise through the Kujukushima Archipelago, a ria coastline dotted with over 200 pine-clad islands. This private car tour offers comfort, cultural depth, and a uniquely Japanese sense of elegance.
Itinerary
This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!
Meeting Point
Sasebo Port International Terminal
- Meeting point: Tourist Information Center in the main lobby, after the security area.
Kakiemon Kiln: Porcelain Art Gallery and Traditional Japanese Garden
The Kakiemon Kiln in Arita is renowned for its elegant, hand-painted porcelain with delicate red and blue designs. Visitors can explore a gallery showcasing centuries of craftsmanship and stroll through a serene traditional Japanese garden beside the historic kiln.
Estimated travel time: 20-minute drive
Kusaba Kazuhisa Studio: Tosai-ga (Ceramic Glaze Art) Gallery
Kusaba Kazuhisa Studio offers a rare and intimate experience of Tosai-ga, a vibrant ceramic glaze art blending light and color. His works combine the depth of glazing, the texture of impasto, and the brilliance of enamel, creating a unique Japanese expression. Entry is limited to just two groups per hour, allowing guests to quietly appreciate the works in a serene gallery space filled with spiritual beauty.
- Admission Fee
1,000 JPY (Per Person)
Lunch time: Gallery Café or Traditional Japanese Restaurant
Both options offer beautifully presented dishes served on exquisite Arita porcelain, creating an elegant dining experience you won’t find elsewhere.
Estimated travel time: 30-minute drive
Kujukushima Archipelago Cruise: Ticket Reception Hours
Kujukushima Archipelago Cruise
The Kujukushima Archipelago, meaning “ninety-nine islands” though there are more than 200, lies just off Sasebo. Pine-covered islets dot the calm ria coastline, creating one of Japan’s most scenic seascapes. A cruise offers the perfect way to enjoy its beauty and tranquil atmosphere.
- Admission Fee
2,400 JPY (Per Person)
Estimated travel time: 20-minute drive
Sasebo Port International Terminal
Tour ends at Sasebo Port International Terminal. Thank you, and see you again!
Ending Point
Sasebo Port International Terminal
Want to personalize this tour?
This tour can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Click below to send me a message with your requests.
Inclusions & Exclusions
Guiding fee
Private car (SUBARU JUSTY)
Free mobile Wi-Fi
Free Apple Music and Netflix
Driving fee
Gasoline fee
Parking fee
Expressway tolls
Guide gratuity
Cost of meals (guide and customers)
Entrance fees of facilities (guide and customers)
**Kusaba Kazuhisa Studio**
1,000 JPY (Per Person)
**Kujukushima Archipelago Cruise**
2,400 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
Joined 2024
About Tour Guide Katsu N.
Hi there! I may sound formal in this profile, but I’m actually very easygoing—feel free to check my reviews! Next section is my profile:)
**Curriculum Vitae (Summary)**
Main Service Areas: Nagasaki (Meeting: Nagasaki, Fukuoka), Fukuoka, Kumamoto, Oita, Saga (Meeting: Fukuoka)
[Qualifications]
- Hospitality & Customer Satisfaction: Please see guest reviews for feedback.
- Luxury Market Focus: Please see my listed tour for more.
- English Skills:
Intermediate: Conversational English tour-related communication
No overseas residency
[Work Experience]
- High-end Furniture Retailer
Experience and knowledge utilized: Hospitality and Marketing Strategy for high-end clients/ Tour route planning and design
- Freelance Guide & Content Writer (2024–Present)
Focus: Private luxury car tours in Kyushu / SEO content writing for inbound marketing
[Key Destinations & Experiences]
Nagasaki
- Nagasaki City: Peace Park, Atomic Bomb Museum, cultural highlights
- Shimabara: Traditional castle & volcanic geology
Fukuoka
- Fukuoka City: Urban highlights
- Dazaifu: Tenmangu Shrine visit
- Yanagawa: River cruise & local cuisine (eel)
Kumamoto
- Mt. Aso: Panoramic volcanic landscapes
- Kumamoto Castle: History + earthquake heritage
- Kurokawa Onsen: Upscale hot spring resort (with special access options)
Oita
- Hita: Scenic riverside town and former samurai district — a hidden gem offering a peaceful alternative to busy Dazaifu
- Beppu/Yufuin: Lake views, onsen & volcanic activity
Saga
- Arita: Japanese ceramics & garden culture
- Yoshinogari: Ancient civilization experience
Other Destinations
- Takachiho Gorge: Mystical Japanese landscape and cultural legend site
[Education]
B.A. in English Studies (Major in Linguistics; Senior Seminar: Shakespeare Studies)
Dokkyo University, Saitama, Japan (Graduated: 2000)
Considering graduate studies in Geography, in connection with my work as a guide.
Happy to share more if you're interested :)
Reviews
Jachin L.
“The best Guide for a tour in Japan”
With out family of 4 we wanted to have a customized tour around Kyushu. Katsuhisa created a beautiful itinerary and perfectly on time he waited for us at our hotel in Kumamoto. What followed was two days of relaxed driving. The first day to Mount Aso, Kusasenri Grassland and the Takachiho Gorge. Also for lunch he found us a traditional Japanese restaurant we normale no western tourists come. The second day we drive to Beppu to see different Onsen. Again we had a lunch a a special place. This time we could cook our own good a natural steam source. During a quick visit at a beach one of our Sons had an accident. Katsuhisa immediatelly helped us by going to a drugstore and get us the right bandage (thanks!!) Even after this unfortunat moment we could see another Onsen. Finally after two beautiful days our driver brought us to our new hotel in Fukuoka! So, if you need a nice and skilled tour guide, you should contact Katsuhisa.
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Katsu N.
Thank you very much for your kind and thoughtful review. I'm truly glad to hear that you and your family enjoyed the tour. As a small note for future reference, I’ve learned that moist wound care isn’t widely practiced in Europe, but similar products may be available through major online retailers. Also, for your next trip, I’d be happy to guide you through Saga Prefecture—an area we didn’t visit this time. It’s known for its beautiful ceramic art and even has a ninja-themed park that children and adults alike can enjoy. I look forward to seeing you again someday! ///**Aan jullie allebei: Hebben jullie genoten van de tour? Ik schrok echt toen je grote broer zich pijn deed op het strand, maar hopelijk wordt het later een grappige herinnering. Of misschien is het nog beter om dat moment gewoon te vergeten en alleen de leuke herinneringen te bewaren. Ik hoop jullie ooit weer terug te zien. Tot dan!**
Isao S.
“A Perfect Tour”
Katsu-San (Winner!) planned out tour to Shimabara and Unzen with two days notice and did extra research to ensure we had the most meaningful and personalized trip possible. He was incredibly kind, thoughtful, and went out of his way to make sure we were enjoying each part of the tour. He was also very flexible when we asked for something not on the itinerary. There is no better way to explore an unknown area of Japan. Katsu-San took care of everything so we could completely relax and enjoy our time with no stress and no complicated decision making.
Katsu N.
Dear Isao and family, Thank you so much for your heartfelt review. I’m truly honored by your kind words. I hope your memories of quiet gardens, samurai stories, and volcanic steam stay with you for a long time. And whenever you return to Kyushu, I’ll be more than happy to welcome you back. Warmest regards, Katsuhisa Your private guide in Kyushu
Van D.
“Fukuoka day trip”
Katsu is a great guide and terrific driver. Very patient and courteous. He made the experience a wonderful experience
Katsu N.
Dear Van and everyone, thank you for joining our tour last week. And thank you for posting your review. I'm glad that everyone was satisfied. There are still many great towns in Japan. so I hope you'll contact me when you come to Japan again. See you again. Kind Regards Katsuhisa
$746/ per group
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