Journey through Kyushu
Ceramics, natural heritage, hidden Christians, and much more on the islands of Kyushu and Goto
- Duration: 3 days, 2 nights (departure from Tokyo/Kyoto/Osaka, arrival in Kumamoto)
- Price: On request
- Departure: Departure from Tokyo (Haneda) / Kyoto, Osaka (Itami), arrival in Kumamoto
Overview
On the western edge of Kyushu, two strikingly contrasting landscapes await you: the tranquil islands of the Goto Archipelago, floating in the waters of the East China Sea, and Aso—one of the world’s largest calderas, rising in the island’s interior. Over three days, this journey harmoniously unites these two opposites.
On the first day, you will visit the pottery villages of northern Kyushu: the Nakazato Tarouemon workshop, where Karatsu ceramics are crafted, and Okawachiyama, once the official porcelain production center of the Nabeshima domain. Here, strength and refined aesthetics merge in porcelain clay. On the second day, you will set out for the volcanic island of Saganoshima off the coast of Fukue Island. Stroll along basalt cliffs through coastal villages untouched by mass tourism. On the third day, the scenery changes dramatically: you will find yourself in Aso, where a caldera stretching 25 kilometers from north to south and the smoking crater of Mount Nakadake unfold before you. Sea and fire—the two elements that shaped Kyushu—will reveal themselves to you at an unhurried pace.
Itinerary: Tokyo/Kyoto → Fukuoka → Karatsu → Okawachiyama → Fukue Island (Goto) → Saganoshima → Fukue Island → Fukuoka → Aso → Kumamoto
Key Features
- Nakazato Tarouemon kiln — One of the leading Karatsu ceramics workshops, currently run by the fourteenth generation. The adjacent kiln ruins are recognized as a national historic monument.
- Okawachi-yama — From 1675 to 1871, ceramics were produced here for the shogunate and the imperial court. In the valley, surrounded on three sides by rocky mountains, the kilns still smoke today.
- Fukue Island (Goto Islands) — The largest island of the Goto archipelago and part of Saikai National Park. Natural landscapes with Japan’s most beautiful beach and a history of hidden Christians.
- Saga no Shima — Otoko‑dake in the north and Onna‑dake in the south—and has a circumference of approximately 12 km. The entire island consists of lava and tuff.Part of Saikai National Park.
- Aso Caldera — The caldera, stretching 25 km from north to south, 18 km from east to west, and with a circumference of about 120 km, is one of the largest in the world. It is the largest among the active volcanoes in the country.
- Nakatake / Kusasenrigahama — Nakadake, one of the peaks of Mount Aso, is an active volcano known for its green crater lake and white volcanic smoke. Access to the crater depends on volcanic activity.
Continue with VIP ACCESS
The day-by-day itinerary, the timetable and the names of the shops and workshops we visit are available to VIP ACCESS members.