8-Day Private Bus Tour from Kyushu to Kobe via Shikoku

Welcome to our 8-Day Private Bus Tour from Kyushu to Kobe via Shikoku! Our professional and friendly staff will take you on a remarkable journey that you won’t forget. 

Kyushu is the most southwesterly of Japan's main islands, and offers travelers a chance to experience a more traditional side of Japanese culture. This 8-day bus tour from Kyushu to Kobe via Shikoku takes you to some of the less-visited areas of the country, where you can learn about the customs and traditions of the Japanese people. You'll have one free day in each city to explore at your own pace, and we think this tour is a great way to relax and escape the stress of pandemic travel restrictions.

Your journey begins with a pickup at Fukuoka Airport, 778-1 Shimo Usui, Hakata-ku, Fukuoka Fukuoka Prefecture and continues through some of the most breathtaking places in Japan. Your bus has been carefully designed with your comfort in mind. We have ensured each journey is as pleasurable and enjoyable as possible by providing travelers with air conditioning and comfortable seating, along with luxurious leg room so all travelers can relax during the tour. All buses have a company name on the side and our team each uses a name board for identification when boarding – all of which are clearly marked for ease of reference and recognition. 

Throughout your 8-day itinerary, you will experience some of the best east coast attractions this region has to offer while also enjoying picturesque scenery along the coastline of both islands. You will also be taken on various interesting excursions including an eye opening pilgrimage to significant temples located in the middle of Shikoku island. After enjoying the sites around Kyushu and Shikoku it's time to return back to Kobe where we shall drop off each traveler at their desired destination points (view our hotel list on checkout page). 

So grab your travel bag and hop onboard our 8-Day Private Bus Tour from Kyushu to Kobe via Shikoku - we guarantee you’ll have memories of that last lifetime!

Itinerary

Day 1
Your guide will pick you up at your designated place.
‍Stop At: Mamedamachi Shopping Street
Hita, Oita, Mamedamachi Shopping Street Explore the historic town streets of Mamedamachi Shopping Street, a traditional shopping center with original ancestral buildings and crafts. Admire the characteristic wooden buildings and banners that float in the breeze, then shop for Hina dolls, wooden Geta sandals, Onta pottery, and a variety of other artisan products. 

Stop At: Kokonoe Yume Otsurihashi Bridge
Walking across the Great Suspension Bridge in western Oita Prefecture is like walking into the sky. The longest and highest pedestrian bridge in Japan, it offers panoramic views of Oita's lush scenery, including two waterfalls, the Naruko River, and the valley 173 meters below.

Stop At: Jakoshi Observatory. 15:20 PM
A Short break in Jakoshi observatory, Yufu, Oita. Yufu is home to the Jakoshi Observatory. With our Yufu online tour itinerary planner, you can organize a trip to Jakoshi Observatory and other attractions in Yufu.

‍Stop At: Yunotsubo Kaido. 16:00 PM
Take a stroll through the shopping district. Bought products are your responsibility. Yunotsubo Kaido Street, which connects Yufuin Station to Lake Kinrinko, goes through the heart of the popular hot spring town of Yufuin. Mt. Yufu rises over the road, adding to the scenic environment. It's a pleasant spot to meander about and enjoy some local specialties, followed by a walk around the lake and a relaxing dip in one of the area's many hot springs.

Stop At: Beppu Onsen
Drop off at your hotel in Beppu at the end of Day 1.

Day 2

Day 2 begins with a pick-up from your Beppu hotel.

Stop At: Hells of Beppu
It's time for your free walk. Beppu's "hells" (地獄, jigoku) are seven beautiful hot springs for viewing rather than swimming, with colorful steaming ponds, boiling mud pools, and other hydrothermal activity. The hells are presented to guests in a touristy manner that may not appeal to everyone. Five of the seven hells are in the Kannawa area, with the remaining two in the more rural Shibaseki district.

‍Stop At: Beppu
‍The view from the top of Mt. Tsurumi is even more spectacular in the winter! Hoarfrost, which is extremely unusual in Kyushu, covers the entire mountain slope from early December to mid-March when the meteorological parameters of temperature and wind are met. The annual "Tsurumidake Wintery Endurance Competition" is held during the coldest month of the year, attracting a large number of tourists.

‍Stop At: Jigokumushikobo Kannawa

Jigoku Mushi (地獄蒸し, meaning "hell-steaming") is an uncommon Beppu cooking style. It's a basic but effective strategy dating back to the Edo Period. Jigoku Mushi Kobo is a fun hands-on workshop where you may cook your own food in the searing onsen (hot spring) steam.

Nevertheless, brace yourself! The steam that emerges from the cooking pot when you place the food is surprisingly forceful. And you'll never forget the distinct flavor of the fish and veggies cooked nearly instantaneously in hot steam. Free access to "the spring water drinking fountain," "the foot bath," and "the foot steam bath" is also available.

Stop At: Beppu Beach Sand Bath
It is situated on the beach of Shoningahama, close to Beppu International Tourist Port. "That was the first spot in Kyushu that Ippen Shonin had landed on, and that is whence the name Shoningahama (Beach of Shonin) came from," according to traditional literature. It has been in operation since 1986 and can accommodate more than ten people at once. A adjustable roof, as well as a lounge, were installed in 2002. 

‍Stop At: Saganoseki Michi-no-Eki
You board the ferry to "Shikoku". The ferry departs at 16:00. Enjoy a 70-minute voyage till you reach Shikoku's Ehime Prefecture! * The bus ferry tickets are included, but you must arrange and pay for this ferry.

** If you do not understand Japanese at the time of booking, please let us know and we will make the reservation for you. It costs about ¥ 1358.45 per adult and there seems to be a group discount.

‍Stop At: Oku Observatory
Oku Observatory, Nishiuwa District, Ehime. Short break.

‍Stop At: Iyonada Service Area Inbound
Iyonada service area ( on Highway ), Iyo, Ehime, Short break

Stop At: Dogo Onsengai
Drop off to your hotel in Matsuyama at the end of day 2. * Make your own reservation

‍Day 3
‍
Stop at: Dogo Onsen
Dogo Onsen is one of Japan's most famous and oldest hot springs, located east of central Matsuyama. The location is renowned among tourists due to its gorgeous bath house and several ryokan. Dogo Onsen has also been a favorite of Japan's most illustrious visitors, the Imperial Family.

Day 4

‍Stop At: Uchikocho Visitor Center
During the late Edo through the Meiji eras, Uchiko town thrived on the production of Japanese wax (latter half of 19th century). The townscape of Yokaichi and Gokoku has been meticulously conserved and remains precisely as it was in the past. Historic townhouses and wealthy merchants' homes stand side by side for around 600m, as they did in the past.

Stop At: Tosashimizu. 12:00 PM
Lunch break.

Stop At: John Manjiro Museum
Yoro, Tosashimizu City, is home to this history museum. It includes displays about Nakahama Manjiro, also known as John Mung, a Tosa native who was one of the first Japanese to visit America. Visitors can learn about Nakahama's life through exhibits that use wall graphics and projections, but they can also enjoy a variety of additional attractions, such as snapping photos with trick art depicting the sea. The restaurant Kaifu Shokudo is also part of the museum.

‍Stop At: Cape Ashizuri

See the Earth's curvature from Shikoku's southernmost cape. Cape Ashizuri is Shikoku's southernmost point, with 270-degree vistas that allow tourists to glimpse the curvature of the Earth. The Cape Ashizuri Lighthouse, one of Japan's largest and the cape's icon, stands on the brink of the cliffs.

Stop At: Sadachinkabashi Parking Lot
Submersible bridges created without side rails to lessen the possibility of the bridge being swept away during floods are an uncommon bridge across the clear Shimanto River Chinkabashi. These low, stocky-looking bridges have become a symbol of the Shimanto area, and they even appear to blend in better than a standard bridge.

One of the finest ways to explore the region is to rent a bike at the nearest train station (Nakamura Station) and cycle around to the bridge.

Stop At: Aguri Kubokawa Michi-No-Eki. 18:20 PM 
Short break.

Day 5‍

Stop At: Kochi Station
Kochi City is a picturesque and tiny city surrounded by majestic mountains and the Pacific Ocean. It has a pleasant climate and extended daylight hours, and the clean Kagamigawa River runs through it. Kochi Castle, located in the town center, was erected over 400 years ago and is one of the remaining 12 castles in Japan to retain its original main keep. Sunday Market is nearby, stretching 1.3km with over 430 vendors and fuelling the daily lives of people for over 300 years.

Seasonal seafood and produce are available all year in Kochi. Kochi is believed to be Japan's most delectable region, with signature seafood such as katsuo no tataki (seared bonito) and fresh sashimi. It is also well-known throughout the country for its welcoming inhabitants who enjoy drinking sake. People are usually enjoying wonderful food and drink downtown until late at night.

‍Day 6  

Stop At: Oboke Gorge Sightseeing Boat
Oboke Gorge Sightseeing Boat, Miyoshi, Tokushima - 2 hour stay, including lunch. A tour on a "Oboke Gorge Sightseeing Pleasure Boat" allows you to observe the stunning gorge up close. With the assistance of an expert boatman, take in the breathtaking scenery that unfolds in front of you.

‍Stop At: Iya Kazura Bridge

****Due to the width of the road, you can only go by minibus**** 

Suspension bridges fashioned of mountain vines (kazurabashi) were once the sole way to effortlessly transport people and goods across the Iya Valley's river. Legend has it that they were first raised by Kobo Daishi, founder of the Shingon Sect of Japanese Buddhism, or by Heike refugees hiding in the area following their defeat in the Gempei War (1180-1185) as a means of immediately blocking off access to the valley.

‍Stop At: Kotohira-gu Shrine
One of Japan's most popular shrines This is a well-known shrine known as Konpira-san. It is the head shrine of Japan's "Kotohira" or "Konpira" shrines and has been revered as "the God of the Sea" from ancient times. There is an extraordinarily long staircase with 1,368 steps. 

Stop At: Kanei Tsuho Zenigata
On the sandy beach, the antique Japanese currency is attractively drawn. It is also shown on Japanese television.

‍Stop At: Marugame Castle
Marugame Castle ((丸亀城, Marugamejo) is a hilltop castle in Marugame City. It is also known as Kameyama Castle. The castle, perched high on steep stone walls, commands a magnificent view of the city below and overlooks one of the narrowest areas of the Seto Inland Sea, giving it control over the region's important commerce lanes. Marugame Castle is one of only twelve castles in Japan that have survived the post-feudal era with their keep buildings intact (since 1868).

‍Stop At: Takamatsu Ekimae Kaisui Park

Day 7

Stop at: Takamatsu (高松)
The capital of Kagawa, the smallest prefecture in Japan. Until the completion of the Seto Ohashi Bridge in 1988, the city's port was the principal entry point to Shikoku Island. During the majority of the Edo Period, the Matsudaira Clan, relatives of the Tokugawa Shogun, ruled Takamatsu's former castle town and surrounding area, known as the Sanuki Province. The reigning clan was also in charge of the creation of Ritsurin Koen, one of Japan's most magnificent garden.

Day 8‍

‍Stop At: Otsuka Museum of Art
Otsuka Museum of Art, Fukuike-65-1 Narutocho Tosadomariura, Naruto, Tokushima 772-0053 < Stay 1.5 hours. 

There are over 1,000 copies of valuable masterpieces, ranging from ancient murals to current paintings, as well as collections from over 190 art museums in 25 countries throughout the world. Special processes are used to replicate these masterpieces in their original size on porcelain boards.

‍Stop At: Naruto Whirling Waves
The enclosed walkway "Uzu no Michi" is created within the bridge girder (below the roadway) of the Onaruto Bridge over the Naruto Strait. The circuit-style observatory, which uses the space between the girders of the Onaruto Bridge, is located at the end of the 450-meter-long walkway. The whirlpools and roaring tidal currents can be felt when peering through the glass floor 45 meters above the ocean.

‍Stop At: Michi-no-Eki Uzushio.  12:40 PM 
For example, Roadside station Uzushio, Minamiawaji, Hyogo < Stay 1 hour > * Awaji Island's specialties are fruity onions and octopus in the Akashi Strait.

Stop At: Awaji Highway Oasis
Honshu is located on the opposite side of Awaji Island. The Akashi Kaikyo Bridge is just in front of you.

After that, you can spend the night in Kobe and take a shared express bus to Kansai International Airport. Kobe (, Kbe) is the capital of Hyogo Prefecture and one of the ten largest cities in Japan. Kobe, located between the sea and the Rokko mountain range, is often regarded as one of Japan's most beautiful cities.

For generations, Kobe has been a major port city. Its port, along with those of Yokohama, Nagasaki, Hakodate, and Niigata, was among the first to open to foreign trade in the nineteenth century. The Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake struck Kobe in 1995, killing over 5000 people and destroying tens of thousands of buildings. Today, the city has been totally rebuilt, and there are little reminders of the horrific incident.

Key Takeaways

The 8-day bus tour takes you from Kyushu to Kobe via Shikoku and showcases the traditional side of Japanese culture.

Travelers will have one free day in each city to explore at their own pace.

The tour is designed for comfort and luxury with air conditioning, comfortable seating, and luxurious legroom.

The itinerary includes visits to significant temples in the middle of Shikoku island and other interesting excursions.

The tour is a great way to relax and escape the stress of pandemic travel restrictions.

The tour ends in Kobe where travelers will be dropped off at their desired destinations.

The tour promises to create lasting memories.

Related Read: Shikoku: A Hidden Gem in Japan