The lost Islands of Japan

Our journey begins in the modern city of Kagoshima, a seaside city on Japan’s southern Kyushu Island (one of the four main islands of Japan). It is the ideal starting point for our exciting adventure, with easy boat routes to the islands we will be exploring in the coming days. As you fly in to Kagoshima you will see the stunning views of Sakurajima, an active volcano that faces KinkoBay. To keep flexibility for your arrival plans, we can support you in independently travelling to your hotel (bus or taxi) which is a simple journey, or can get you a quote for a private transfer. Our hotel in Kagoshima has been chosen for its location (easily reached by you independently) and modern facilities. Following the damage to the city in WW2, the city buildings, including our hotel, are largely modern structures. In the evening, timing of arrivals permitting, the group will meet together to enjoy a welcome briefing and dinner.For those arriving early, please note that you will be able to leave your luggage at the start hotel, but room check in is only available after 15:00.Overnight: Sunflex Kagoshima or similar

After breakfast, at 10.20 we will catch our speedboat to the UNESCO Heritage island of Yakushima, arriving at Anbou Port at 13:05. It is one of the greenest, most lush places in the country (it receives a high rainfall), with a strong reputation for being a spiritual and mystical retreat and inspiration for Studio Ghibli's film "Princess Mononoke". Yakushima is home to a range of microclimates from subarctic to subtropical, thanks to its sandy beaches, ancient cedar forests with trees thought to be as old as 7,000 years, and its mountainous areas (it's highest peak, Mt Miyanoura, reaches 1935m). Our private guided tour by Yakushima Geographic Tour is arranged and includes the island includes Yakusugi Museum, the stunning Senpiro waterfalls as well as the Oko waterfalls with a walk along the western woodlands path. Yakushima produces much of its own food and has several specialities including flying fish - worth a try?In your free time, why not enjoy the onsen hot spring baths at your hotel. We will enjoy a Japanese dinner at our hotel tonight.Overnight: The Hotel Yakushima Ocean & Forest

Today we will explore on of Yakushimas most accessible nature parks, home to several of the islands ancient cedar trees including Nidaio Sugi, Kuguri Sugi & Yayoi Sugi. We enjoy a Shiratani Unsuikyo Ravine Tour including some medium level hiking on well maintained trails to find the beautiful ancient cedar trees in what seems to be pre-historic forest, with amazing views. We will provide a packed lunch box for you.Overnight: The Hotel Yakushima Ocean & Forest

After some time to relax this morning, we will take the speedboat back to Kagoshima in order to board the 18:00 ferry to Tokunoshima in a 2nd Class Bunk. We will eat dinner on board the ferry and sleep on comfortable bunk beds with shared facilities.

Our boat docks at 9:10am this morning. We wake up in (or near) Tokunoshima, the second largest of the Amami Islands. It is home to stunning coral coasts, boasts goat as one of it's culinary specialities and showcases a rare form of bullfighting; more like sumo wrestling for bulls, and NOT ending in death to the animals; in fact the Tokunoshima people are very attached to their bovine friends and sometimes take them for 'walks'!We disembark to a full day of sightseeing including the Akirigami petroglyphi, Unbuki well, Inutabu cape and a village walk through Agon. We finish the day with the ‘furicha’ [foamy tea] experience before relaxing at our hotel.Overnight: Hotel Sunset Resort

Todays activities include sampling the local fare at the Kokuto shochu brewery, popping into Kametsu town for a spot of shopping as well as visiting Kanami village for a delightful walk on the beach or a dip if you fancy.Overnight: Hotel Sunset Resort

We take the 09:40 ferry arriving at Wadomari Port on the coral island of Okinoerabu, the second most southerly of the Amami islands, and famous for its collection of over 300 limestone caves. Much of the island is covered by the Amami Gunto National Park. We settle into our hotel before heading to Kasaishi Kaihin Park to visit the famous Gajumaru Tree and then onto the Shoryudo limestone caves. We will tour around the coastline of the island to visit the most scenic spots, and Wanjo beach - not to be missed! You have the option to go cave diving with all of the necessary gear provided, or there are numerous hidden beaches to be explored on foot. Overnight: Hotel Seaworld or similar

After a morning at leisure to rest from all our adventuring the previous day we take the 12:00 ferry to Okinawa, a chain of islands with their own history as an independent kingdom, and the birth place of Karate! We arrive into Naha Port at 19:00 after a day of sea views, and marine wildlife spotting. Taxi transfer to our hotel. Overnight: Daiwa Roynet Hotel Naha-Kokusaidori

Enjoy a walking tour of Naha by foot (mainly) & public transport, which includes Makishi Market, Kokusai-doori, Shuri Castle and Castle Park, Fukushuen Garden & Naminoue Shrine. Churaumi Aquarium is part of Ocean Expo park and considered to be one of the best aquariums in the world, home to 740 different species of underwater life and with tanks vast enough to accommodate a whale shark! Continuing the theme, we also visit Buena Underwater Observatory.Overnight: Daiwa Roynet Hotel Naha-Kokusaidori

Today you have a private coach & local guide for a full-day tour of Yanbaru, the northern part of Okinawa that has been recently added to the UNESCO natural heritage sites. It will include the Mangrove Forest in Gesashi Bay, the Yanbaru Wildlife Conservation Centre, a visit to Daiseki Rinzan nature park, and to cape Hedo, the Northern tip of the island. It's already the final night of our trip - we will enjoy a farewell dinner tonight at a nearby restaurant.Overnight: Daiwa Roynet Hotel Naha-Kokusaidori

Today you can opt to finish the tour and fly out from Okinawa’s Naha Airport, in which case, it must be time to plan your next adventure! You can travel independently from the hotel to the airport using the monorail or public transport. We can arrange a quote for a private transfer if you would like one. If you are joining us for the Add-on to mainland Japan, you will independently travel to Naha Airport (monorail or public transport) for the morning flight from Naha to Osaka.