West Japan 2025 | 9 Days |

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West Japan

9 days 8 nights
from
RESERVE ONLINE RESERVE
2025
Fukuoka, Hagi, Yamaguchi, Miyajima, Hiroshima, Kotohira, Kurashiki, Naoshima, Hyogo, Arima

A Journey to Culture, Art, and Peace

The intimate ocean breeze of West Japan
Guides our journey along Seto Inland Sea 
Visit a White Heron castle perched upon a hilltop
A bright vermillion beacon on the ocean draws us in 
Ferry to an art island with works by Ando and Kusama
The deep touching spirit of the Hiroshima Peace Memorial
Reflected by the majestic and tranquil sea 

tour-map

Highlights

The duration of this trip is calculated starting from the day of arrival, excluding flight time.
  • Yamaguchi | The root of modern Japan
    • Akiyoshi Cave: Explore ever changing beauty in the largest limestone cave in Japan
    • Ruriko-ji Temple: Visit one of the oldest five-storied pagodas
    • Iwakuni Kintai Wooden Bridge: Walk across an intimate marvel
    • Saikotei: Wear kimonos and stroll in Zen gardens
  • Hiroshima | Travel to two UNESCO World Heritage Sites
    • Itsukushima Shrine: Take in the best views of the famous "Floating Torii Gate" of Miyajima
    • Visit Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, a profound and moving experience
  • Kagawa/Ehime | Remarkable oceanside views of Seto Inland Sea
    • One of the best ways to enjoy Seto Inland Sea is by biking Shimanami Kaido Expressway. Join our optional bike tour or relax in a local coffee shop
    • Ascend the steps of Kotohira-gu Shrine for a breathtaking view of the Sanuki Plains
  • Naoshima Island | Tour works & sculptures on Japan's "Island of Art," designed by famous architect Ando Tadao
  • Hyogo | Home to Himeji Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and national treasure
    • Learn about the samurai era lifestyle in Himeji, one of the best-preserved castles remaining
    • Relax in Arima overnight, one of the three ancient hot springs

Itinerary

Open All Days
USA/Canada aircraft-icon
Arrive in Fukuoka Airport (FUK) 2
4 mi
, 15 mins

Fukuoka
Welcome to ! For guests within our pickup timeframe, a Supera representative will greet you at the arrival airport. Have a wonderful journey with us!
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Grand Hyatt Fukuoka or Similar Hotel
Fukuoka 2
88 mi
, 2 hrs

Yamaguchi 2
25 mi
, 1 hr
15 mins

Yuda Onsen
Akiyoshi Cave Entrance
Akiyoshi Cave Entrance
Streets of Hagi
Streets of Hagi
Yamaguchi:
  • Mekari Park:

    Enjoy a breathtaking panoramic view of the Straits of Shimonoseki, dividing Kyushu from the rest of Japan.

  • Akiyoshi Cave:

    Witness the ever-changing beauty of the largest limestone cave in Japan.

  • Hagi:

    A time capsule where whispers of samurai legends blend with the elegance of traditional pottery amidst the quaint charm of this coastal gem.

Yuda Onsen:
  • Yuda Onsen:

    Rest your tired feet in the famous hot spring foot baths of Yuda Onsen.

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Yuda Onsen Yuberu Hotel Matsumasa (Yuda Hot Spring) or Similar Hotel
Yuda Onsen 2
58 mi
, 1 hr
30 mins

Yamaguchi 2
28 mi
, 45 mins

Hiroshima
Ruriko Temple Pagoda
Ruriko Temple Pagoda
Iwakuni Kintaikyo Bridge
Iwakuni Kintaikyo Bridge
Yamaguchi:
  • Saikotei Museum and Zen Gardens:

    Enjoy the unique experience of wearing kimono while strolling through the Japanese-style Zen Garden. The Saikotei Museum houses a wealth of Japanese history and culture not to be missed by any visitor.

  • Ruriko Temple Pagoda:

    Discover one of the oldest and most beautiful five-storied pagodas in Japan.

  • Iwakuni Kintai Wooden Bridge:

    A timeless masterpiece of Japanese craftsmanship. Traverse the elegant arches of Iwakuni's Kintai Bridge, a wooden wonder built without a single nail which has gracefully spanned the Nishiki River for centuries, beckoning travelers with its storied past and picturesque charm

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Sheraton Grand Hiroshima Hotel or Similar Hotel
Hiroshima 2
17 mi
, 1 hr
15 mins

Miyajima 2
17 mi
, 1 hr
15 mins

Hiroshima
Floating Torii Gates
Floating Torii Gates
Hiroshima Peace Park Memorial
Hiroshima Peace Park Memorial
Miyajima:
  • Itsukushima Shrine:

    Ferry across the Seto Inland Sea to Miyajima for an up-close experience of the famous floating Torii Gate and the sacred Itsukushima Shrine, one of Japan's most iconic views.

  • Miyajima Ropeway:

    Ascend through the scenic splendor of Miyajima's lush forests on the Miyajima Ropeway, where breathtaking views of the Seto Inland Sea unfold like a delicate tapestry beneath the sacred peak of Mount Misen.

Hiroshima:
  • Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park:

    "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it." —George Santayana. Encounter history at a profound memorial including the Hypocenter, A-Bomb Dome, and the Museum, dedicated to the preservation of peace. 

  • Hiroshima Free Time:

    Hiroshima's small-town feel makes it an ideal place to experience local cuisine independently (with the help of our suggestions of course!).

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Not Included - Explore with our helpful maps & Suggestions
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Sheraton Grand Hiroshima Hotel or Similar Hotel
Hiroshima 2
68 mi
, 1 hr
45 mins

Ikuchijima 2
95 mi
, 2 hrs

Kagawa
Shimanami Kaido Expressway Tatara Observatory
Shimanami Kaido Expressway Tatara Observatory
Kotohira-gu Shrine
Kotohira-gu Shrine
Ikuchijima:
  • Shimanami Kaido:

    Embark on a breathtaking cycling adventure across the Shimanami Kaido Expressway, where the azure Seto Inland Sea meets the sky, and the charming island of Ikuchijima beckons with rich cultural tapestry and citrus-scented breezes.

    ( Difficulty ◆◆◇◇◇ )
Kagawa:
  • Kotohira gu Shrine:

    Ascend 1,368 stone steps for an excellent bird's eye view of the Sanuki Plain at your feet. A visit here is considered a must-do for many Japanese people.

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Kotohira Grand Hotel Sakuranoshou (Konpira Hot Spring) or Similar Hotel
Kagawa 2
24 mi
, 1 hr

Kurashiki
View Great Seto Bridge from Mt. Washu Observatory
View Great Seto Bridge from Mt. Washu Observatory
Kurashiki Bikan
Kurashiki Bikan
Kagawa:
  • Great Seto Bridge:

    Get a close-up view of the world's longest two-tiered bridge. Spanning over eight miles, this monumental engineering feat is comprised of six consecutive bridges connecting five islands in the Seto Inland Sea.

Kurashiki:
  • Mt Washu:

    Cross the Great Seto Bridge to Mt. Washuzan Lookout Point for spectacular views of the Seto Inland Sea and the Great Seto Bridge.

  • Kurashiki Free Time:

    Step into the enchanting time capsule of Kurashiki, where the graceful willow-lined canals and beautifully preserved Edo-period storefronts invite you to revel in the serene charm of old-world Japan. Take some time and browse through local boutiques and cafes in the historical quarter or travel down the canal on a boat.

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Kurashiki Kokusai International Hotel or Similar Hotel
Kurashiki 2
15 mi
, 45 mins

Uno 3
15 mins

Naoshima 3
15 mins

Uno 2
15 mi
, 45 mins

Kurashiki
Yayoi Kusama Pumpkin
Yayoi Kusama Pumpkin
Naoshima
Naoshima
Uno:

Board a short ferry to Naoshima Art Island

Naoshima:
  • Naoshima Art House Project:

    Visit a fascinating art installation in Naoshima's Honmura district - a collection of seven reclaimed homes repurposed into surprising works of art.

  • Chichu Art Museum:

    Designed by acclaimed Japanese architect, Mr. Tadao Ando, this unique art museum is constructed mostly underground to avoid disrupting beautiful natural scenery of the surrounding Seto Inland Sea.

  • Lee Ufan Gallery:

    One of the more recent additions to Naoshima, this small, contemplative gallery features works by the Korean contemporary artist Lee Ufan.

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Kurashiki Kokusai International Hotel or Similar Hotel
Kurashiki 2
65 mi
, 1 hr
30 mins

Himeji 2
40 mi
, 1 hr
15 mins

Arima Onsen
Himeji Castle
Himeji Castle
Walking Down Hot Spring Street in Arima
Walking Down Hot Spring Street in Arima
Himeji:
  • Himeji Castle:

    Explore the grounds of one of the best-preserved castles and one of Japan's national treasures. (In the case of closure, we will visit Okayama Korakuen Garden, one of the three great gardens of Japan.)

Arima Onsen:
  • Arima Onsen:

    Arima is one of Japan's top three hot spring towns and also one of its oldest. Enjoy a quintessential Japanese experience here with its luxurious tatami-floored rooms, breathtaking scenery, and indulgent, relaxing hot springs.

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Arima Grand Hotel or Similar Hotel
Arima Onsen
2
50 mi
, 1 hr
15 mins

Kansai International Airport (KIX)

In the morning, we'll depart as a group from Arima Hot Springs and make our way to Kansai Airport (KIX), where we will bid farewell.

A great journey always feels short, let’s look forward to seeing each other again!
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Related Tours

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  • Deposit:A deposit of per person is due within 5 days of reservation confirmation to secure your space on tour.
  • Balance:Due days before tour departure.
  • Flights:We are happy to arrange air tickets with the best balance between price and flight quality. If you are purchasing your own flights, please book flights scheduled to arrive/depart within the times listed below. If you are arriving/departing on the same day as our tour but outside timeframes, we may still be able to arrange service - please contact us for transfer options. Please be aware missed portions of the itinerary will not be refunded. Prior to issuing tickets, please reconfirm with us to avoid unexpected expenses.
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Stays of a Lifetime

Don't be too tired to remember your trip!
A hotel is not merely a place to rest your head. We hand-pick each one to give you comfort, great views, unique experiences, and above all, memorability. We carefully consider locations to let your mind, body, and spirit wander freely while feeling at home.


Grand Hyatt Fukuoka

Directly connected to Canal City Hakata, one of the biggest commercial complexes in the city, the Grand Hyatt Fukuoka is right in the heart of the city and is within walking distance to many attractions, including Hakata Train Station. The large luxurious rooms ensure you will have a comfortable stay in Fukouka.

Grand Room    
34 m² (366 ft²)
110 x 200 cm * 2 Bed    
180 x 200 cm * 1 Bed
Arranged with Grand Room + Rollaway Bed (95 x 200 cm)

Yuda Onsen Yuberu Hotel Matsumasa

Situated in the center of Yuda Onsen Resort, Matsumasa offers exceptional convenience, hospitality, and comfort. During your stay, try the “hand onsen” and take a dip in the famous open-air bath that is 100% sourced directly from the earth. 

Japanese Room in East Building    
10 tatami mats
100 x 200 cm * 2 Bed    
N/A
Arranged with Japanese Room + extra Futon (100 x 200 cm)
Arranged with Futon in Japanese Room

Sheraton Grand Hiroshima Hotel

Centrally located in Hiroshima, this 4-star hotel is located within walking distance from the Japan Rail Hiroshima Station, which offers direct access to the bullet train and bus stations. Spacious rooms, modern amenities, and the Sheraton Sweet Sleeper Bed are just a few of the special touches you can expect from a Sheraton.

Deluxe Room    
35 m² (377 ft²)
120 x 200 cm * 2 Bed    
200 x 230 cm * 1 Bed
Arranged with Deluxe Room + Rollaway Bed (100 x 180 cm)
Twin rooms subject to availability

Kotohira Grand Hotel Sakuranoshou

Located at the foot of Konpira Shrine, this is one of the best Ryokan hotels in Japan. This hotel is not only within walking distance to the Konpira Shrine and the Kabuki Theater, but its open-air bath is also strategically positioned to overlook Mt. Zozu. The female guests are in for a treat! Ladies can indulge in “Hana-buro,” an open-air bath filled with fragrant rose petals.

Japanese Western Room with Open-Air Bath    
10 tatami mats
100 x 200 cm * 2 Bed    
N/A
Arranged with Japanese Western Room with Open-Air Bath + Rollaway Bed (120 x 200 cm)

Kurashiki Kokusai International Hotel

Located in the city center, this hotel is just a short stroll to the Kurashiki bikan old quarter. It is also adjacent to the Ohara Museum of Art, and the hotel itself is a part of the museum attracting many international art enthusiasts.

Deluxe Twin    
34.3 m² (369 ft²)
125 x 195 cm * 2 Bed    
N/A
Arranged with Deluxe Twin + Rollaway Bed (98 x 195 cm)

Arima Grand Hotel

One of the three most famous hot springs in Japan, Arima Grand Onsen is situated on a hillside overlooking the town of Arima. Continuing the centuries old tradition of natural hot baths, this ryokan’s spring water is said to be rich in iron and provides many health benefits to past Emperors and current guests alike.

Japanese Room    
10 tatami mats
100 x 200 cm * 2 Bed    
N/A
Arranged with Japanese Room + Extra Futon(100×200cm)
Japanese Western Room    
35 m² (377 ft²)
120 x 210 cm * 2 Bed    
N/A
Arranged with Japanese Western Room + Sofa Bed (95 x 195 cm)
Alan W.
(09/19/2024) Alan W.

We recently traveled with Supera for the 9/5 West Japan: Hiroshima + Art Island tour. Thanks to Eriko, our wonderful tour director, for her hard work and attention to detail in making our trip so memorable. Her energetic smiles, kind and gentle nature, and efficient service made everything run smoothly. We especially appreciated the great variety of sightseeing options and the top-rated hotels included in our tour. The variety of food was fantastic! Eriko also took care of our post-tour hotel-to-hotel luggage transfers and resolved delivery problems, going above and beyond her duties. We had a wonderful time and will definitely recommend Supera Tours to our friends and family. The experience exceeded our expectations, and Eriko's dedication made all the difference. If you're considering a tour in Japan, Supera is the way to go!

 

The trip included visits to 3 UNESCO World heritage sites. At the conclusion of the trip everyone in our family said they would like to return to Japan on another Super Value Tour. I would highly recommend this travel organization.

 

Maria J.
(07/06/2019) Maria J.

We just returned from our West Japan trip yesterday. I wanted to let you know that we had an amazing time! Thanks again for your kind assistance with our past 3 trips to Asia. We are hoping to go to Hokkaido later this year and will be in touch!

Linda M.
(07/29/2019) Linda M.

My traveling companion and I compared about 9 different tour companies before picking Super Value tours for Japan. We put two tours back-to-back, Classic Japan and Western Japan and had a terrific time!

I highly recommend Super Value Tours if you are planning on traveling any place they go! I am looking forward to them expanding their horizons to other countries! Many thanks for exceeding expectations!

James T.
(11/21/2017) James T.

....The tour group was led by Mr Colin Wu, who was amiable and knowledgeable of the history and customs of the areas visited. The tour exceeded all of our expectations. Hotels ranged from 5 star hotels to Onsen Hotels. The meals featured the specialties of the different regions and included puffer fish, eel, oysters and noodles. We were also treated to a French fusion cuisine dinner.....The trip included visits to 3 UNESCO World heritage sites. At the conclusion of the trip everyone in our family said they would like to return to Japan on another Super Value Tour [now Supera tours]....

Alan W.
(09/19/2024) Alan W.

Thanks to our wonderful tour director Eriko for her hard work and attention to details in making our West Japan trip so memorable. Her energetic smiles, kind and gentle nature, and efficient service made everything run smoothly. We especially appreciated the great variety of sightseeing options and the top-rated hotels in our tours. The variety of food was fantastic! We had a wonderful time and will definitely recommend Supera Tours to our friends and family.

Thomas I.
(04/25/2018) Thomas I.

Our family recently returned from a Super Value Tours 9 day vacation to West Japan. The tour group was led by Mr Colin Wu, who was amiable and knowledgeable of the history and customs of the areas visited.

The tour exceeded all of our expectations. Hotels ranged from 5 star hotels to Onsen Hotels. The meals featured the specialties of the different regions and included puffer fish, eel, oysters and noodles. We were also treated to a French fusion cuisine dinner.
One day we were scheduled to ride a ropeway to the top of the mountain. However because of the winds and the weather, the ropeway was closed. We were surprised and delighted to receive a rebate for the cancelled ride.