Volcanos, onsen bathing and ceramics in Kyushu

One of several stunning ceramics studios in Arita
Volcanos, onsen bathing and ceramics in Kyushu

A beautiful wooden temple in Yame Fukushima
Volcanos, onsen bathing and ceramics in Kyushu

Japanese people love kids. They were always being given little gifts.
Volcanos, onsen bathing and ceramics in Kyushu

So good we came here twice

"So many memories: a smiley fisherman's wife spotted us wandering around her town and offered us freshly barbecued oysters from her fire pit that were so huge, the shells longer than my shoe; lunch in a tiny restaurant, cooked with so much love for seasonal and wild, local produce; hunting down a zingy citrus fruit that only grows in Kyushu, used for its tasty pith!"
9 days

Volcanos, onsen bathing and ceramics in Kyushu

Volcanos, onsen bathing and ceramics in Kyushu

By Lucy, founder of Souvenir

Beyond the well-trodden tourist route, Japan has so much to offer. Our road trip allowed us to immerse ourselves in the north western prefectures of Kyushu (Japan's southernmost main island). We encountered arid volcanoes, ancient forests, lush beaches and acres of verdant farmland. We enjoyed its regional cuisine, uncovered a cool playground peninsula, visited tea fields, walked coastal cliff paths, braved an active volcano, shopped for stylish ceramics, bathed in an onsen, hiked to a mossy mountain top shrine and met the smiliest local people who adored our kids and delighted in the opportunity to showcase a few words of English to us. 

WHAT THE KIDS WILL LOVE

  • Counting the numerous steps up to a mountaintop shrine
  • Spotting mossy stone faces on riverside paths
  • Being doted upon by lovely local people
  • Experiencing an onsen (and belly-busting ryokan breakfast)
  • A jaw-dropping playground park

WHAT YOU'LL LOVE

  • Lush scenery, mountaintop shrines, ancient forests, tea fields and an active volcano
  • Visiting three very different ceramicists’ studios in Arita
  • Experiencing a traditional onsen ryokan
  • Learning about lantern-making from an 8th generation maker that was commisioned by Vivienne Westwood

The Essentials

Japan is composed of four main islands, of which Kyushu is the southernmost. Our trip focuses on the northern west region. Kyushu is to Japan what Kerala is to India: lush, scenic, slow-paced.

Trip length: 9 days plus travel days

Getting there: You'll likely arrive by Shinkansen to Hakata or by internal transfer to Fukuoka airport.

Getting around: Rented a car from Fukuoka/Hakata. Kyushu also has an excellent train network.

Stay: We stayed in traditional ryokan with onsen, an old wooden merchant house, a couple of apartments and a beach-front hotel.

When to visit: April to October for the best weather as you'll be outside a lot.

Best for: kids 0-12 years

WHAT YOU'LL GET

You’ll receive:

  • Our recommended plan for each day, built with the realities of travelling with young kids in mind
  • Where we stayed, how we got around and what you shouldn't miss
  • A pre-pinned Google map with a layer for each day
  • Feeding little eaters in Japan
  • Japan etiquette notes to help this trip go smoothly
  • Rainy day ideas

Every family has different preferences and requirements. The Trip Kit allows you to recreate our exact trip or you can easily adapt it for your family's needs. See here for FAQs.

Saves hours of research, no AI, designed by parents.

£30
£30
Sale Sold out
Taxes included. Shipping calculated at checkout.
View full details