
Private small group tour to Saga, Kyushu, Japan - 5 days 4 nights
5 Days 4 Nights • Saga, Kyushu Private Tour
Fukuoka Airport, Karatsu Castle, Arita Pottery Park, Takeo Onsen, Mifuneyama Rakuen, Yoshino Sato Historical Park, Saga Castle Honmaru Historical Museum, Tosu Outlet.
5 days and 4 nightsDepartures and arrivals at Fukuoka Airport
Self-organized group toursA group can be formed by 4 or more people.
Professional driver guideLocal driver and fluent Mandarin-speaking tour guide throughout the trip
Star-rated accommodationIncludes 4 nights at a carefully selected Japanese ryokan and hot spring hotel.
SAGA & KYUSHU PRIVATE TOUR
Visit Maizuru Karatsu Castle and the birthplace of Arita ware ceramics, soak in the thousand-year-old Takeo hot springs, and stroll around Mifuneyama.
This 5-day, 4-night private tour of Saga and Kyushu, Japan, offers an in-depth exploration of historic cities, traditional ceramic craftsmanship, and ancient hot springs! Starting with a private transfer from Fukuoka Airport, ascend Karatsu Castle (Maizuru Castle) to overlook the stunning castle town views, nestled between the azure sea and sky; visit Arita Ceramic Park, the birthplace of Japanese ceramics, and experience the unique Arita ware pottery making; soak in the 1300-year-old Takeo Onsen and admire the vermilion gate designed by Tatsuno Kingo; stroll through Mifuneyama Rakuen Garden, where flowers bloom in all seasons; visit the ancient Takousei Shrine, explore the Xu Fu Longevity Hall and the Yoshino Village Historical Park of Ancient Yamatai Province; finally, visit the Saga Castle Honmaru Historical Museum, the largest wooden replica of its kind, and indulge in shopping at the Tosu Outlet. Private transportation and a dedicated guide ensure a luxurious and worry-free Saga vacation!
Fukuoka Airport→
Karatsu Castle & Observation Center→
Arita Ceramic Park Pottery Making→
Takeo Onsen & Mifuneyama→
Yoshinozato & Saga Castle Honmaru→
Bird Quarry OUTLET
Karatsu Castle and the Palace Festival
Visit Karatsu Castle, also known as Maizuru Castle, and enjoy stunning views of the blue sea, sky, and streets from the observation deck, experiencing the traditional castle town atmosphere that has been preserved to this day.
Arita Ceramic Park Pottery Making Experience
Visit Arita, the birthplace of Japanese porcelain for 400 years, and experience pottery making by hand in the workshop, either by painting or using a potter's wheel, to create your own unique Arita ware.
Takeo Onsen and Saga Castle Honmaru
Soak in the 1,300-year-old Takeo Onsen, admire the vermilion gate, a nationally designated important cultural relic, and explore the Saga Castle Honmaru Historical Museum, the largest wooden reconstruction building in Japan.
Included
- 4 persons or above self-organized group
- Local driver and fluent Chinese-speaking guide and their tips
- Toyota Alphard or Hiace 8-hour car rental service with driver and guide (vehicle models are for reference only)
- Daily Breakfast
- Lunch and dinner (meals listed in the itinerary; please refer to the itinerary for details).
- All entrance fees included in the itinerary (including Takeo Onsen Public Bath, Mifuneyama Rakuen, Xu Fu Longevity Hall, and Yoshino Sato Historical Park).
- One bottle of bottled drinking water per day, and there is complimentary Wi-Fi available in the vehicle.
- All hotels throughout the trip will be double rooms and all accommodations will be arranged accordingly.
Exclusions
- ✗ The airfare is not included
- ✗ Driver and guide gratuities
- ✗ Personal expenses
- ✗ Customs duties for inbound and outbound luggage
- ✗ Other unmentioned costs (such as postage for pottery making, difference in the cost of booking a private bath at Takeo Onsen, etc.)
5-DAY ITINERARY
5-day sample itinerary
Actual transportation arrangements and tour times may be adjusted according to the departure date, local operating conditions, and traffic conditions.
Day 1
Fukuoka — Karatsu (approximately 1 hour drive)
Upon arrival at Fukuoka Airport, you will be met by your private driver and transferred to Karatsu City. Enjoy authentic Japanese cuisine for dinner, followed by check-in and rest at your hotel.
🏨 Accommodation: Karatsu Daiichi Hotel Riviere or Karatsu Ryokan Wataya or similar
🍽 Meal: Dinner (Japanese cuisine)
Day 2
Karatsu Castle > Karatsu Palace Festival Castle Town Style
【Karatsu Castle】The castle's location, blending seamlessly with the surrounding scenery, resembles a crane spreading its wings in graceful flight, hence its nickname, "Dancing Crane Castle." From the observation deck, one can enjoy breathtaking views of Karatsu's streets and the azure sea and sky. (Opening hours: 09:00-16:45)
[[Karazu Palace Holiday](https://www.japan.travel/de/spot/326/)]Every autumn (November 2-4), Karatsu Shrine holds a grand festival. Fourteen dazzling and magnificent floats slowly pass through the streets of Karatsu, which still retains the charm of a castle town, accompanied by flutes and taiko drums. It is quite a spectacular sight.
🏨 Accommodation: Karatsu Daiichi Hotel Riviere or Karatsu Ryokan Wataya or similar
🍽 Meals: Hotel breakfast, lunch, and dinner (Japanese cuisine)
Day 3
Karatsu — Arita City (approx. 50 minutes by car) — Takeo Onsen (approx. 20 minutes by car)
Arita Ceramic ParkSaga Prefecture is famous for its ceramics, most notably Arita ware. Arita Town is the birthplace of Japanese porcelain, with a history of over 400 years. The park features a traditional German village design and replicates a massive Zwinger Palace in Dresden. (Opening hours: 09:00-17:00)
【Pottery Making Experience】Inside the park, there is a pottery workshop where you can personally paint or use a potter's wheel to experience pottery making. Staff will provide detailed assistance, and the finished product will be mailed to you (shipping fee applies).
【Takeo Hot Spring】It was recorded in the "Hizen Province Customs and Traditions" dating back 1300 years. The vermilion gate was designed by Kingo Tatsuno, the designer of Tokyo Station, and is a nationally designated Important Cultural Property. (Public bath included: 450 yen; private bathhouse: 3,800 yen)
Mifuneyama Rakuen GardenSpanning over 500,000 square meters, the park boasts abundant flowers and 500 Arhat statues. In spring, visitors can enjoy cherry blossoms, azaleas, and wisteria; in autumn, there's a large-scale Japanese-style nighttime illumination event for viewing autumn leaves. (Adult admission included: ¥1,200)
🏨 Accommodation: Takeo Century Hotel or similar in Wuxiong
🍽 Meals: Hotel breakfast, lunch, and dinner (Japanese cuisine)
Day 4
Takeo — How long (20 minutes) — Xu Fu Pavilion (45 minutes) — Yoshino Village (25 minutes) — Saga Castle (40 minutes)
How long does the temple last?One of the oldest existing Confucius temples in Japan, designed in the style of a Zen Buddhist temple, and designated as an Important National Property.
Xu Fu Longevity HallThe museum displays information about Xu Fu's mission to find the elixir of immortality, commissioned by Qin Shi Huang, and features a medicinal plant garden. (Adult admission is included at 300 yen.)
Yoshino Historical ParkThe largest village ruins in Japan dating back to the Yayoi period (c. 1000 BC - 200 AD), showcasing the ancient Yamatai Kingdom. (Adult group ticket included, 280 yen)
Saga Castle Honmaru History MuseumThe museum is the first in Japan to restore the original Mausoleum Palace, and it is the largest restored wooden building. The museum displays historical artifacts from the late Edo period to the Meiji Restoration.
🏨 Accommodation: Saga Station Front Toyoko Inn or similar
🍽 Meals: Hotel breakfast, lunch, and dinner (Japanese cuisine)
Day 5
Saga — Tosu (approx. 1 hour drive) — Fukuoka (approx. 20 minutes drive) ✈ Return to Hong Kong
The following itinerary will be arranged according to flight schedules:
Tosu Premium OutletsThe largest outlet shopping mall in the Kyushu region, where you can shop for international luxury goods and trendy Japanese clothing.
【Daxingshan Temple】With a history of 1,300 years, it is located at the foot of Qishan Mountain and is famous for its azaleas in spring and 500 bright red maple trees in autumn.
After the tour, a private car will take you to Fukuoka Airport to catch your flight back home, concluding your enjoyable Saga-Kyushu trip!
🍽 Meals: Hotel breakfast
STAY IN SAGA & KYUSHU
Selected accommodations
We have carefully selected high-quality ryokans and onsen hotels in Karatsu, Takeo Onsen, and Saga City to ensure you have a comfortable and relaxing stay during your trip. Actual occupancy is subject to availability.
KARATSU
Karatsu (Night 1-2)
- Karatsu Daiichi Hotel Riviere or Ryokan Wataya or similar
TAKEO ONSEN
Takeo Onsen (3rd night)
- Takeo Century Hotel or similar hot spring hotel
SAGA
Saga City (4th Night)
- Saga Station Front Toyoko Inn or similar
Precautions and Frequently Asked Questions
- Vehicle usage standards: The cost of an 8-hour tour bus with driver or guide (overseas green-plated tourist bus or TOYOTA ALPHARD 7-seater, HIACE 10/14-seater; vehicle model is for reference only).
- Contact information: Please provide your own and at least one companion's valid overseas contact information (if you will be using a local mobile phone number overseas, please also provide that information).
- Comfortable travel: Please wear comfortable clothes and shoes.
- Itinerary Adjustment: The tour guide may adjust the order of sightseeing spots temporarily based on actual conditions such as weather, itinerary, and traffic, and with the consent of the guests.
- force majeure: Our company is not responsible for delays, changes to tour routes, or cancellations of itineraries or attractions caused by force majeure events such as traffic or weather conditions, and no refunds will be issued. Thank you for your understanding.
- Traffic delays: On Saturdays, Sundays, public holidays, Golden Week, or summer vacation, if the actual end time of the trip is later than the regular time due to traffic congestion, the company will not be responsible for any losses incurred by the guests.
- Viewing status: If certain attractions are not at their best viewing condition due to bad weather, our company will not accept cancellations or refunds on this basis. We apologize for the inconvenience.
- Insurance requirements: Before departure, you must purchase travel insurance that includes coverage for COVID-19 and overseas emergency assistance, in accordance with local Japanese entry policies.
- Timeout rules: The bus service ends at 8 PM daily. If the entire group needs to extend the bus service due to the guests' own reasons, according to Japanese regulations, an extension fee of JPY 10,000 per hour must be paid to the driver, which shall be borne by the guests.
- Age limit: This tour does not accept pregnant women or seniors over 80 years of age without accompanying relatives; seniors over 65 years of age or those with special medical history need to sign a waiver and be accompanied by a family member to join the tour.
- Package Code: kyushu-saga-karatsu-06
TRAVEL MAMA Itinerary Inquiry
Inquire about departure dates and details for a 5-day small group tour to Saga and Kyushu.
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