13 day Japan’s Kunisaki Spiritual Trail and Sacred Kyushu Journey

Pack Free Fully Supported Walking Experience

• Walk Pack Free with only a light day pack
• Daily luggage transfers between all destinations
• Private vehicle transfers throughout Kyushu, no public trains
• Flexible walking options available each day

Wow-mazing Cultural Experiences

• Traditional Japanese cooking class on Himeshima Island
• Visit the Ryoai Terraced Rice Fields and meet a local rice farmer
• Participate in a traditional Gomadaki Fire Ceremony with a Buddhist priest
• Traditional Japanese Tea Ceremony in Kitsuki
• TAO no Oka drum and Dance performance with spectacular mountain backdrop
• Explore Beppu’s Jigoku Mushi geothermal cooking culture
• Visit Onta Pottery Village and observe centuries-old ceramic traditions
• Wine tasting experience in the Kuju Highlands
• Soak in Nagayu Onsen, renowned for its mineral-rich therapeutic waters

Carefully Selected Accommodation Across Kyushu

• 1 night at Royal Park Hotel, Fukuoka or similar
• 3 nights at Hotel Yamaga Kazensato or similar
• 1 night at Yachiyo-kan on Himeshima Island or similar

• 1 nights at Kannawaen Hotel or similar
• 2 nights at Fujiya Hotel Beppu or similar
• 2 nights in Yufuin Shuhoukan or similar
1 night at the Blossom Hakata Premier,

Meals Featuring Regional Kyushu Cuisine

• Complimentary sake, beer or soft drink with evening meals
• 12 dinners showcasing seasonal local produce
• 12 breakfasts
• 10 Selected regional lunches including Jigoku Mushi cuisine

Expert Local Guides

• World-Class professional English-speaking local guides

WALK GRADE: Ao no Domon, easy walk Rakanji Temple, approximately 5 km, easy grade Ryogo Terraced Rice Fields, gentle walk

FLEXIBLE WALKING: Shorter walking options are available to suit your fitness level, allowing you to experience each location at a comfortable pace

ITINERARY: After breakfast we leave Fukuoka and travel east into Oita Prefecture, where coastal plains gradually give way to rugged hills and volcanic terrain. This change in landscape signals your transition from modern Kyushu into a region shaped by faith, geology and centuries of rural life. Our first stop is Ao no Domon, the Blue Tunnel, carved directly into rock by a monk seeking to create a safer mountain passage. Walking through this hand hewn corridor offers insight into the determination and devotion that characterise the Kunisaki region. We continue deeper into the mountains to Rakanji Temple, dramatically positioned along a cliff face overlooking forested valleys. Here you may choose to walk the scenic mountain path or take the ropeway for expansive views across the Oita countryside. The temple complex is renowned for its thousands of carved rakan figures, each bearing distinct expressions that reflect individual personality and craftsmanship. Following a traditional mountain style lunch, the afternoon takes us to the Ryogo Terraced Rice Fields, where generations of farmers have sculpted the hillsides into layered agricultural steps. Walking among these terraces, you will learn how community and cultivation remain closely intertwined in rural Kyushu. As the day concludes, we continue into the countryside for dinner featuring regional produce, accompanied by sake, beer or soft drinks, marking the beginning of your journey into sacred and rural Japan.

WALK GRADE: Section T4 of the Kunisaki Hantō Minemichi Long Trail, approximately 9kms, 800 metre elevation gain, hard grade, up to 6 hours. The final 5 km is more demanding.

FLEXIBLE WALKING: A shorter 4kms option is available, approximately 2.5 hours, allowing guests to avoid the steepest section.

ITINERARY: After breakfast, we set out for one of the most physically rewarding days on the Kunisaki Peninsula. Mount Inomure rises prominently from the surrounding forest, offering expansive views across Oita’s mountainous interior. The ascent begins along ancient stone steps that pass through a torii gate and guardian Nio statues, signalling entry into sacred terrain. As the climb continues, the dramatic Tateishi rock formation comes into view, an imposing 11 metre monolith that dominates the slope and reflects the rugged geological character of northern Kyushu. Reaching the summit reveals sweeping vistas of green valleys, layered ridgelines and striking rock outcrops that define this section of the Kunisaki Hantō Minemichi Long Trail. Crossing the ridgeline, we encounter a mysterious stone circle believed to date back nearly two thousand years, long regarded locally as a place of healing and quiet reflection. After descending into the valley below, we pause for a bento style lunch surrounded by forested hills and scattered shrines. The afternoon walk continues past stone carvings, including a distinctive relief of a cow, and through sections of weathered stone staircase embedded in the landscape. Our journey concludes at Reisen ji Temple, traditionally attributed to the monk Ninmon Bosatsu in the 8th century. Just outside the temple grounds stands the region’s largest Buddha statue, marking a powerful finish to this challenging and memorable mountain stage. We return to our onsen hotel in the late afternoon, where a traditional Japanese dinner awaits, followed by the opportunity to relax in the restorative mineral baths.

WALK GRADE: Section k-2 – 10kms, medium grade, 600 metre elevation gain, 5 hours.

FLEXIBLE WALKING: Shorter walking option of 4kms is available today if you prefer.

ITINERARY: After breakfast, you are brought back to Iwato-ji, where you concluded your walk the day before. Today, your journey begins with a flat section, passing by charming farmhouses and lush green rice fields, leading toward steep green hills adorned with stunning rock escarpments. As you traverse the valley, you’ll encounter the serene Iwato waterfall and beautiful Buddhist shrines, serving as historic waypoints before beginning the ascent. More shrines reveal themselves on the slopes, but what distinguishes this part of the walk are the incredible rock formations towering over the lush forest. The landscape here is unparalleled, providing a perfect setting to enjoy lunch amidst nature’s embrace. At the highest point of today’s walk, you’ll find the former Kuzuhara village, filled with fascinating history. From here, the trail mainly descends, unveiling more of the area’s natural splendour. At the foot of the hill, you’ll reach Monjusen-ji Temple, the main temple of Rokugo Manzan’s Suyama. As its name suggests, it worships Monju Bodhisattva. Within the temple precincts lies an eight-metre-tall stupa, said to be the largest in Japan, offering fantastic views of Mt. Monju Yaba. After the walk, we depart the mainland via a short transfer to the port of Kunisaki, where a scenic boat ride awaits to transport us back 50 years in time to the island of Himeshima. Himeshima boasts beautiful green hills, beaches, a charming town, numerous fish farms, and a traditional way of life. Tonight, after dinner, you’ll stay at Yachiyo-kan, a lovely boutique hotel on the island.

WALK GRADE: Kitsuki Castle and Kannawa exploration, approximately 2 km total, easy grade

ITINERARY: After breakfast at your onsen hotel, we travel to the historic coastal town of Kitsuki in Oita Prefecture, one of Japan’s best preserved samurai settlements. Accompanied by your guide, you walk through stone-lined streets and traditional wooden residences before ascending to Kitsuki Castle, where sweeping views extend across the Seto Inland Sea. Following time in the castle grounds, we continue to Tomaya for a traditional Japanese tea ceremony, where the precise preparation of matcha offers insight into the cultural principles of harmony and mindfulness. Lunch is enjoyed at a traditional Kaiseki restaurant showcasing seasonal Kyushu flavours. In the afternoon, we travel south to Beppu, Japan’s most renowned hot spring city. Upon arrival, we can marvel at steam rising from vents lining the streets, revealing the geothermal energy beneath the town. A gentle guided stroll takes you through narrow laneways framed by traditional bathhouses and classic onsen architecture. Bubbling hot spring vents, known locally as Jigoku, release plumes of steam into the air, creating a uniquely atmospheric setting. Afterwards, we head to our accommodation for the next 2 nights at the Fujiya Hotel. Dinner tonight will be at a local restaurant, featuring either regional Japanese cuisine or Italian dishes. Afterwards, settle into your traditional onsen accommodation and unwind in the mineral-rich hot spring baths, embracing the restorative rhythm of Beppu’s celebrated onsen culture.

WALK GRADE: Approximately 2 km of gentle countryside and village walking, easy grade

FLEXIBLE WALKING: Today is designed as a relaxed pace day, with optional short walks and ample time to enjoy the wellness and cultural experiences

ITINERARY: Leaving Beppu behind, we travel inland into the Kuju Highlands, where wide valleys and rolling hills define the landscape of central Oita Prefecture. Our first stop is Nagayu Onsen, renowned throughout Japan for its naturally carbonated mineral waters. Known for their therapeutic qualities, these springs have drawn visitors seeking wellness and rejuvenation for generations. Here, you have the opportunity to soak in the tranquil setting and experience a quieter, more rural style of onsen culture. We then continue to Kuju Winery, where vineyard rows stretch across the hills beneath open skies. A leisurely walk through the grounds introduces you to the region’s evolving agricultural identity, followed by a tasting and countryside lunch featuring local produce. In the afternoon, we visit TAO no Oka in the Kuju Highlands to experience the powerful DRUM TAO performance, where dynamic taiko drumming and choreography unfold against a spectacular mountain backdrop. Our journey continues to Yufuin, one of Japan’s most picturesque mountain villages, framed by the distinctive twin peaks of Mount Yufu. Time is available to stroll through boutique shops, galleries and cafés before checking in to Yufuin Shuhoukan, a serene ryokan known for its traditional tatami rooms and onsen facilities. This evening, enjoy a multi-course Japanese dinner featuring mountain vegetables, grilled fish and seasonal ingredients, before relaxing in the soothing mineral baths that define this region of Kyushu.

WALK GRADE: Approximately 3 km, easy grade, relaxed cultural exploration

ITINERARY: After breakfast in Beppu, we travel inland to the historic town of Hita, located in the heart of northern Kyushu. Our morning is spent exploring Mameda machi, a beautifully preserved Edo period merchant district where traditional wooden storehouses and white-walled buildings line the streets. Once an important commercial hub during the Edo era, Hita retains an atmosphere of quiet prosperity and architectural elegance. Strolling through its narrow lanes, you gain insight into Japan’s merchant history and the role this region played in domestic trade. We then continue to Onta Village, a small rural community internationally recognised for its distinctive handmade pottery. Here, artisans still use traditional techniques passed down through generations, including water-powered wooden mills used to crush clay. Walking through the village offers the opportunity to observe craftsmen at work and appreciate the simplicity and durability that define Onta ware. The setting, surrounded by forested hills and flowing water, reflects the close relationship between craft and landscape in rural Oita Prefecture. In the afternoon, we transfer to Hakata in Fukuoka and check in to The Blossom Hakata Premier, a contemporary city hotel offering comfort and style after your days in the mountains and countryside. This evening is at leisure, providing the opportunity to explore Hakata’s vibrant dining scene and experience modern Kyushu cuisine at your own pace.