Journey
This is a journey around the northern part of Kyushu, where you can experience the blessings of the rich land and culture of Kyushu. Yufuin and Unzen, which have long been loved as health resorts, the Taisho-ji family temple of the Hosokawa clan tucked away in Kumamoto City, vegetables grown carefully from seeds on the rich land of the Shimabara Peninsula, the “Wakaran” - a mixture of Japanese, Chinese and Dutch culture of Nagasaki as it has flourished as a gateway to foreign countries, and the World Agricultural Heritage passed down in the Kunisaki area of Oita Prefecture.
Do not miss the opportunity to experience the charm of Kyushu, which we hope to pass on to the future.
*Please be aware that the itinerary is subject to change.
Highlights
Day 1 A journey to feel the warmth of Kyushu and relax
After leaving Hakata Station, Seven Stars in Kyushu heads to Yufuin while seeing tranquil countryside from the train window.
You will feel calm and have relaxing time on the way to Yufuin and also while visiting Yufuin, known for its picturesque and tranquil natural surroundings.
Yufuin town walk
Yufuin is one of the top hot spring resorts in Kyushu, with a spring water output ranking third in Japan, however you will not find any huge hot spring inns there. Instead, you will find a number of tranquil inns that blend in with the greenery of the plateau, stylish cafes, and small art museums. The town development in Yufuin has been created over more than half a century. It is definitely not gorgeous, but it is a unique hot spring area that offers genuine relaxation and a refined atmosphere. Even today, if you take a step away from the busy main street, you will find a peaceful rural landscape that will soothe the hearts of visitors. Please spend a relaxing time meeting with the warm local people.
Day 2
Enjoying the good old samurai culture and
feeling the pulse of the sea and the land
The second day starts from Aso Station. On an excursion, you can experience the Hosokawa style Bonseki, expressd Japanese culture of “Wabi Sabi / elegant simplicity.” Guests who choose to stay onboard the train will go to Kumamoto on the Seven Stars via the Tateno switchback. For lunch, please enjoy a special lunch at the Taisho-ji Temple, the family temple of the Hosokawa clan, the lords of the Kumamoto Domain. After that, you will cross the Ariake Sea by ferry and go to Unzen・Shimabara.
Hosokawa-ryu Bonseki
The history of bonseki is said to have started more than a thousand and several hundred years ago, when people loved and viewed stones as a symbol of the earth as a spiritual practice. Later on, in the Edo period (1603-1868), it was combined with the tea ceremony as an alcove decoration in a teahouse, and then from the middle to the end of the Edo period, it became established as independent miniature-landscape art.
Among them, the Hosokawa-ryu Bonseki was founded by Yusai Hosokawa and his son Sansai, who were famous as a military commander and a master of the tea ceremony. It was one of the four major styles of bonseki in the Edo period, when bonseki was highly popular. Please enjoy to your heart's content this time-honored traditional culture of Japan, which has been handed down continuously to a very limited number of people as a discipline of samurai families.
(Optional excursion)
Taisho-ji Temple
About 400 years ago, the Hosokawa clan had ruled Kumamoto for 200 years. As the family temple of that Hosokawa clan, Taisho-ji Temple is now home to descendants of the Hosokawa clan. You will experience the history and romance of Kumamoto in the former site of the Taisho-ji Temple site, which is currently normally closed to visitors.
Ryotei Hanzuiryo
Surrounded by greenery, this is a luxurious ryokan(Japanese - style Inn) made by a Kyoto shrine carpenter in gardens of nearly 20,000 square meters. You can experience the extraordinary in a private space with beautiful scenery in each of four seasons.
The soothing Japanese gardens will ease the hearts of guests and invite you to spend a blissful time there.
https://hanzuiryo.jp
Unzen geothermal heat experience and winter stargazing
In Unzen jigoku, also known as Unzen Hell, located inside Unzen National Park, there is a place you can experience geothermal heat. Lying down in the national park and stargazing while feeling the warmth of geothermal heat will be a special winter experience.
(Free participation)
Day 3 Visit West Kyushu, where you can feel the abundance of nature
Destination for the latter half of Seven Stars trip is west Kyushu. After leaving at ryokan (Japanese-inn), you will visit a local restaurant, expressing local nature and culture through cuisine, for lunch. Dinner onboard will be served “Shippoku” cuisine - Japanese traditional cuisine, influenced by Chinese cuisine and represented the “Wakaran” – a mixture of Japanese, Chinese and Dutch culture and you will be entertained by Kenban, Geisha of Nagasaki. Enjoy the food, nature, history and unique culture of west Kyushu.
Shimabara Railway
The Shimabara Railway, established during the Meiji period (1868-1912) runs along the Ariake Sea connecting Isahaya Station to Shimabara Port Station, with 24 stops in between. Especially, Ohimisaki station is known for Japan's closest station to the sea. From the railway, which Japan's first steam locomotive ran on until 1930, you'll encounter many different types of scenery including antique-like retro stations, Mt. Unzen and of course the gorgeous ocean view of Ariake Sea. Guests of the Seven Stars will be taken to Isahaya Station by a chartered train.
(Guests who chose Shimabara Railway Travel Plan)
Walking in nature (Shirakumo Lake)
Around the Shirakumo Lake, which is a man-made lake of about one hectare, is a quiet lakeside area surrounded by lushly green and blessed with a natural environment.
You can listen to the singing of wild birds while enjoying Nordic Walking with your guide.
(Guests who chose Unzen Hot Springs Stay Plan)
Unzen
We can see the view from the ferry at Kumamoto which is Mt. Fugen. Mt. Fugen stands calmly. Enjoy Unzen, which is blessed with abundant nature and hot springs, such as Japan's first national park and Global Geopark.
Day 4 Thinking about railway travel
On the fourth day, the Seven Stars slowly goes down the Nippo Main Line from Kokura. In the Kunisaki Peninsula, you will be able to experience the operation of the "circulation type agriculture, forestry and fisheries," which is classified as a (UNESCO) World Heritage Site.
In the last part of the journey, you will return to views of Mt. Yufu on the Kyudai Main Line. You will recall your memories of the four-day journey as the scenes flow past the train windows on your way to Hakata Station, which is the final destination and a new starting point for your life.
The World Agricultural Heritage in Kunisaki Peninsula
The operation of the "circulation type agriculture, forestry and fisheries" in the Usa region of the Kunisaki Peninsula is classified as a (UNESCO) World Heritage Site. On the Seven Stars, you will approach this World Agricultural Heritage Site from the two completely different viewpoints of log shiitake mushrooms and chrysanthemum charcoal.
(Optional excursion)
Itinerary
Timetable / route
Operating Schedule
Cuisine
3-Night 4-Day Journey to
Savor Kyushu’s Bountiful Cuisine
Our skilled chefs from all over Kyushu spend time and effort themselves to cook the seasonal ingredients,
which have been grown with love by carefully selected farmers.
Enjoy the luxurious cuisine, which includes Japanese, French, local and Italian cuisine.
Day 1
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Ishidobashi Shiratsugu
The rich seasonal taste of ingredients carefully selected from the fresh foods of Hakata, the coloring of the changing seasons, and the beauty of the meticulous cuisine. The chef makes dishes wholeheartedly so that you can enjoy the deliciousness with your five senses. (Lunch)
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La Verveine
La Verveine is a French restaurant located in Yufuin, Oita Prefecture. All dishes are used local ingredients for dishes that will make your mind and body healthy and enable you to eat with peace of mind. The chef makes dishes with a wish of your health. (Dinner)
Day 2
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olmo coppia
This is an organic restaurant in a renovated 160 year old storage house near Aso Station. It is well known for its dishes that are warm and good for both body and soul. During the Seven Stars journey, heartwarming homemade dishes using organic ingredients, with a focus on homegrown vegetables and organic vegetables grown in open fields that are delivered from Minami-Aso will be served at the restaurant “Kasei,” located in Aso station. (Breakfast)
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Ai Hosokawa
Born in Okayama Prefecture, developed her culinary skills and sensibilities in Italy. She moved to Kumamoto and offers simple yet flavorful dishes that bring out the flavor of the local ingredients with oil and salt, which you can enjoy at the site of the Taisho-ji Temple, where the history of the Hosokawa clan is still alive. (Lunch)
Day 3
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pesceco
Fish-based innovative dishes.
The "Satohama Gastronomy" can only be enjoyed on the Shimabara Peninsula, where the chef was born and raised.
Through the food, you can feel the stories created by the nature of Shimabara, which are stories that can only be told by Chef Inoue, who knows the place well.
(Lunch*) ★Guests who chose Shimabara Railway plan
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Vill a del nido
Italian cuisine enhanced by local flavors and familiar ingredients.
Ingredients from the rich land of Unzen have been made by producers who have nurtured them with care and sincerity. Chef Yoshida expresses the feelings of those producers with his dishes.
You can enjoy the delicate and gentle tastes that reveal the chef's personality.
(Lunch*) ★Guests who chose Shimabara Railway plan
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Unzen Fukudaya "Kofuku"
Tempura dishes made with organic vegetables and ingredients full of vitality.
The aroma of flowers, soil and vegetables that floats in the fields of Mr. Masatoshi Iwasaki, a seed harvesting farmer. The original taste of vegetables that are overflowing with vitality is brought to a higher level by the cooking of Executive Chef Kusano.
(Lunch*) ★Guests who chose Unzen hot springs stay plan
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Shiseki Ryoutei Kagetsu
Historic landmark Shiseki Ryotei Kagetsu, designated as a Nagasaki’s important historical restaurant and has been serving customers since 1642. Nagasaki has prospered as a window for trade with Europe and with China since the opening of its port in 1570. As a result, it has built a unique culture in which Japanese and foreign cultures coexist. On the Seven Stars, you can enjoy the tradition of Kagetsu and Shippoku cuisine, which is a traditional cuisine of Nagasaki, developed a unique culture—still distinctly Japanese, but with strong influences from China and Europe. (Dinner)
Day 4
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Seven Stars Head Chef
The head chef of "Seven Stars in Kyushu" uses ingredients that have been grown in the bountiful nature of Kyushu and locally processed foods that are filled with the wishes of the producers.
Enjoy the delicious breakfast by the head chef, who has worked for many years on the Seven Stars. (Breakfast)
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Kyoyahonten
This famous establishment has been in business for 30 years, and started with hopes to spread “Kyoto-style” bento hospitality in the Oita area. From the grains of rice to the vegetables used in the bento box, much effort has been made in using local Oita ingredients. Guests are sure to enjoy a specially prepared Seven
