This comprehensive full day tour explores many of the area's most notable sights. Starting off from the pier, you'll head south along a picturesque route to Chiran, an out-lying castle town best known for its well-preserved residences and gardens of the Samurai. Surrounded by moss-covered stonewalls and sporting black tile roofs, the 250-year-old houses recapture the traditional essence of the Edo Period. Today, Samurai descendants still inhabit some of the old estates, but many of the gardens are open to the public. Though small, each garden is an excellent example of "borrowed landscaping," where the surrounding mountains and scenery are an integral part of the garden design.
Your morning ends with lunch at a local restaurant. Continuing on, you'll drive to Cape Nagasakibana, the southernmost point on the Satsuma Peninsula, offering outstanding panoramic views of Mt. Kaimon and Cape Sata across the peninsula. Located near the famous hot springs resort of Ibusuki, Cape Nagasakibana is a region of lush vegetation, flowers, and palm trees. And then, drive to Lake Ikeda, a stunning crater lake formed after the collapse of a volcano. Kyushu's largest lake, Ikeda is over 765 feet deep and is home to eels weighing over 30 pounds. From here, you'll have views of the magnificent Mt. Kaimon, a 3,000-foot high volcano often compared with Mt. Fuji for its nearly perfect conical-shaped top. After short photo stop, back to the pier..
Please note: This tour includes approximately 2 hours of moderate walking with a limited number of steps to negotiate. The tour is available to wheelchair guests with a collapsible wheelchair, who are able to both make their way on and off the coach and sit in a coach seat. Those guests with mobility concerns are cautioned to evaluate their personal level of ability and stamina. Casual clothing and comfortable, flat walking shoes are recommended.