Spring Break Guided Tour
An 11-day guided small-group tour built around early cherry blossoms, river country, and small communities you won't find on a typical itinerary — two full days of Tokyo-area nature and hiking, a slow train south into Kyushu's river towns, and three unstructured days in Kansai to close the trip.
Five stops, outdoor and community-first
Tokyo & Shizuoka Nature
3 nightsLand in Tokyo, then spend two full days chasing early bloom — Shizuoka's Kawazu-zakura (Japan's earliest-blooming cherry trees, usually already out by early March) and nearby nature trails, paced for hiking rather than sightseeing checklists.
Kawazu-zakura Cherry Blossoms
A trailside canopy of deep-pink cherry trees along the Kawazu River in Shizuoka — blooming weeks ahead of Tokyo's own season, and best explored on foot.
Izu Coastal & Mountain Trails
Day-hike terrain around the Izu Peninsula — coastal lookouts, onsen towns, and quiet trailheads well outside the Tokyo crowds.
Kagoshima → Hitoyoshi
3 nightsA short flight to Kagoshima, then an unhurried local-rail ride into the Kuma River valley. Hitoyoshi is the heart of the trip: a river tour, a private symphony-train ride, a shrine visit, and two days built around the town's small, community-run kitchens and breweries.
Hisatsu Orange Railway
The slow route south — a local line hugging the Yatsushiro Sea coastline before turning inland toward the Kuma valley.
Kuma River Tour & Hassenba
A traditional boat tour down the Kuma River's rapids, launching from Hassenba in Hitoyoshi-Kumagawa — one of Japan's three fastest rivers.
Aoi Aso-jinja Shrine
A National Treasure shrine with a thatched-roof gate unlike any other in Japan, especially striking after dark.
Kumagawa Private Symphony Train
A private ride aboard the Kumagawa Symphony sightseeing train, tracing the river valley at a slow, scenic pace.
Ranpu Ramen
A local ramen counter for the first Hitoyoshi dinner — small, unassuming, and exactly the kind of spot this trip is built to find.
Orai Chi Ya Seafood
Fresh regional seafood at a family-run spot on the second Hitoyoshi day.
Sengetsu & Hakutake Brewery
Two of Hitoyoshi's shochu breweries, both drawing on the town's famous soft river water — with a side trip out to Fukuno to round out the day.
Kumamoto City
1 nightMove north to Kumamoto City for the castle and a proper meal — a compact, high-impact single night between the river valley and the coast.
Kumamoto Castle
One of Japan's most storied castles, still mid-restoration in places — a striking stop even from the outer grounds.
Suizenji Park
A fun afternoon detour — a strolling garden built around a miniature Mt. Fuji and a pond fed by Kumamoto's famous spring water, a quiet counterpoint to the castle.
Kumamoto Eats
A proper Kumamoto dinner — basashi (horse sashimi), taipien noodles, or a yatai stall crawl, guide's call on the night.
Fukuoka & Kokura
1 nightA stop in Kitakyushu's Kokura district for the Murasaki River promenade before continuing to Hakata Eki for the Sleeping Buddha and an evening at Sea Hawk Beach — the trip's coastal palate-cleanser before the final leg to Kansai.
Murasaki River Promenade & Riverwalk Deck
A riverside walk along the Murasaki River in Kokura, past the Riverwalk Kitakyushu complex's tiered deck and shops.
Asano Shiokaze Park (Ocean Breeze Park)
A wide, open waterfront park in Kokura's Asano district — an easy breather between the river walk and the ride into Fukuoka.
Nanzoin's Sleeping Buddha
One of the largest bronze reclining Buddha statues in the world, at Nanzoin Temple just outside Fukuoka.
Hakata Eki
Fukuoka's central station district — easy transit, shopping, and a natural base for the night.
Sea Hawk Beach
Momochi Seaside Park's beach and waterfront, in view of Fukuoka Tower — a relaxed close to the Kyushu leg.
Kansai — Open Adventures
2 nightsThree unstructured days in Kansai to close the trip — Kyoto's shrines and old streets, Osaka's neighborhoods, and room to follow whatever the group finds along the way, before departure on the 15th.
See what's on in Kyoto
Fushimi Inari Taisha
Thousands of vermilion torii gates climbing the mountain — an easy anchor for a Kyoto day, with as much or as little hiking as the group wants.
Arashiyama Bamboo Grove
A quiet walk through towering bamboo on Kyoto's western edge.
Osaka Neighborhood Day
An open day in Osaka's neighborhoods and shopping streets — the trip's last flexible slot before departure.
The investment
Includes: Rail and local transportation, guide support throughout, the Kuma River tour, the private Kumagawa Symphony train, listed admissions, and taxes.
Excludes: International airfare, hotels (quoted separately by date), most meals, travel insurance, and personal expenses. Prices are estimates subject to availability and final quotes.
Want the small-group, outdoor-first version of Japan?
Every MT&C itinerary starts with a 30-minute discovery call. Tell us what pace and pastimes matter to your group — we'll build the rest around you.