Step back in time and immerse yourself in the authentic atmosphere of Kitsuki, Kyushu's only "sandwich" castle town. This tour takes you on a fascinating journey through the beautifully preserved samurai and merchant districts of Kitsuki. You'll explore historic residences, charming streets, and a serene temple district, culminating in a traditional tea experience and a visit to the iconic Kitsuki Castle. Discover the rich history and cultural traditions of feudal Japan at your own pace.
This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!
Meeting Point
JR Beppu Station or Beppu Cruise Port Terminal
- Other pick-up points available. Pick-up outside Beppu may incur additional charges and require tour duration adjustments upon request.
Samurai Residences
Ohara Residence: We'll visit the meticulously preserved Ohara Residence, a former samurai house offering a glimpse into the daily lives of the elite during the Edo period. Admire its traditional architecture, beautiful gardens, and historical artifacts.
Nomi Residence: Continue to the Nomi Residence, another impressive samurai dwelling that showcases the elegance and architectural style of the era.
Observation Deck
Enjoy panoramic views of Kitsuki Castle, the surrounding castle town, and the tranquil bay from the South Hill observation deck.
Traditional Tea Experience
Immerse yourself in Japanese culture with a traditional green tea experience. Learn about the art of preparing and serving sencha from a local expert, and savor the delicate flavors of this refreshing beverage in a tranquil setting. This 30-minute experience offers a moment of calm and cultural insight.
Lunch at local restaurant (upon request)
Savor the local cuisines as your requests or preferences.
Kitsuki Castle
Our final stop will be the iconic Kitsuki Castle. Perched on a hill overlooking the sea, this charming castle is one of Japan's smallest, yet most picturesque, castles. Explore its grounds, learn about its history, and enjoy the scenic views from its ramparts.
Ending Point
JR Beppu Station or Beppu Cruise Port Terminal
This tour can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Click below to send me a message with your requests.
Drive & Guide fee
Transportation by a private car (Nissan "Serena")
Fuel, parking fees, toll fees
Tea Experience at a tea shop
Admission- Samurai Residences x 2 + Castle: aprox. JPY1,000 per person
Meals (guide & members)
* This tour includes a walking up slopes/steps, and not recommended for those with severe back/knee problems.
* Tea experience is closed on regular Thursday and other designated dates . If NOT available, the visit to other shops on commercial street
offered optionally.
Draft itineraries and tour options are the starting point to have more insightful conversation. I'm always welcome to discuss further, catering to your particular travel needs!
Hi, I'm Keita (KEI)! Your friendly local guide ready to show you the real Japan.
I've been working in tourism for years and love sharing my passion for this beautiful country with visitors.From bustling cities to hidden gems, I'll create a personalized itinerary that suits your interests.
Whether you're a foodie, history buff, or nature lover, I can help you experience the best of Japan.Let's create unforgettable memories together!
Kyushu, the southern island of Japan, is well-known for rich nature & hot springs.
Hayley W.
“Usuki Tour! ”
Kei is fantastic. He worked with us to map out our day according to our interests and introduced to the slower side of life in Japan. He is so knowledgeable about the areas we visited, but also allowed us to get to know him a little as a person. We really enjoyed our tour and left only wishing we had more time to explore. We'll be talking about this day for a long time, and we're so thankful Kei provided us the opportunity. Highly recommend!
Kei H.
Hi Hayley, thank you for being part of the wonderful day. Hope you are coming back to Oita someday in the future, exploring the areas in depth. Safe way back to the U.S.
Anthony G.
“If there is one thing that you must do in Beppu is book Kei for your guide.”
The first thing you must do when visiting Beppu is book Kei to be your guide. We had a fantastic day out with Kei, he escorted us to all the sites we want to see and also modified his tour to accommodate our requests. His knowledge of all the places we visited was exceptional. I don’t think we could have seen so much without his expertise. He knew all the spots for photos of all the main attractions, most of them we would not have found without him. Thank you for a wonderful day it was a pleasure to meet you and an unforgettable day in Beppu, all the best for the future, Anthony and Janet.
Kei H.
Hi Anthony-san, I'm very glad to go on our venture with multi-multinational gangs. It's so funny how it was Day 1 for each of us, making the day such a special. Thank you for being talkative, easy-going and cooperative, which helped the tour going very effectively. Hope you have a pleasant trip in Japan & Korea.
Kelly C.
“Didn't know there is so much to see in Usuki”
We were so glad we hired Kei to be our tour. He was very thoughtful from the very beginning. There was a closure on the highway and he was willing to provide the flexibility to suggest an earlier departure. He was very thoughtful to go with an easier path knowing my dad has a bad knee. Usuki is very different from other popular tourist attractions. We did not feel this place was heavily commercialized, so we could submerge ourselves in its history and the locals' daily lives. Kei introduced us to Usuki more like a friend who is passionate about his home prefecture. He could tell you a lot about Oita. Kei did not end his work day by simply dropping us off at the hotel; he even made great suggestions for what we could do in the afternoon on our own and shared some dinner recommendations with us. Thank you, Kei.
Kei H.
I greatly appreciate that you chose Oita again to travel. In person I'm very excited to explore the off-the-beaten place, and having the immersion into the local area together with you and your dad. What a Lovely family! Have a pleasant trip.
$417/ per group