If you’re joining us on our Kyushu Hiking and Cultural Tour, but 11 days just isn’t enough then why don’t you tag along with Kerri? Kerri is our Adventure Whiz in the ICON office, but Japan is new territory for her, so she’s heading over for a few days to discover what Osaka and Nara have to offer.
If you’d like to tag along, then this is the plan . . .
Osaka, Japan
On arrival, transfer to the heart of Osaka where your 4-star hotel is located. The choice is yours – unwind in your comfortable room, savour a swanky meal at one of the hotels restaurants or go full explorer and hit the streets to discover this bustling city with its eclectic shopping and street food scene.
Kick-start the day with a guided 3-hour bike tour through the green north side of Osaka. Take to the winding riverside paths at Sakuranomiya, passing the sights of Osaka Castle, Tenmangu Shrine, and the Japan Mint. This tour is 90% flat and suitable for anyone who can ride a bike!
The afternoon is free for you to explore the city at your own pace, but be back by 5.00pm as this evening we embark on a Backstreets Tour for a gritty insight into the authentic underbelly of Osaka. You will get a real and deep understanding of the inner workings of this city. It sounds a tad scary but these guys have been running award-winning tours for years and every adventurer has lived to tell the tale. We did give Kerri the title of Adventure Whiz for a reason!
This morning we take the 45-minute train ride from Osaka to the historic city of Nara, known for its ancient temples and artwork dating to the 18th century when it was Japan’s capital. A 3-hour walking tour awaits, guiding you through Nara Park, home to free-roaming deer, and visiting Todai-ji Temple, Kasuga Taisha Shrine, and Kofukuji Temple, all located within the park. After the tour, you have the afternoon to explore Nara at your leisure, with options to visit the historic centre of Nara, Nara National Museum or tranquil Isuien Japanese garden. Return to the hotel with Kerri late afternoon.
Time to hit the trail to Kyushu. After checking out of the hotel we transfer to Itami Airport for theflight to Kagoshima to join the rest of the group, ready for our Kyushu adventure.