Road trip to Kyushu and Shikoku

Today, you take the wheel of your rental car heading southwest towards the city of Nagasaki.

Driving in Japan

Several stops punctuate the day and will interest lovers of craftsmanship and art history. The Imari and Arita region is indeed a historic center of pottery and ceramics. These two cities are among the main centers of porcelain production in Asia today.

Porcelain museum, porcelain bridge and workshops illustrate the important place of this art in the region.

Okawachiyama is a mountain village located between Imari and Arita which, like its two larger modern sisters, is dedicated to pottery and ceramics, but offers a more picturesque and rural appearance. It is full of workshops, kilns and small shops.

Upon your arrival in Nagasaki, you settle in at your hotel.

East of Nagasaki, the Shimabara peninsula evolves under the permanent influence of the active volcano Mount Unzen. Sometimes discreet, sometimes unstable, it shapes this territory and its history profoundly.

Like any explosive volcano, it is characterized by its pyroclastic flows, hot clouds composed of volcanic gases and ash. One of the most striking episodes remains the 1991 eruption, during which French volcanologists Maurice and Katia Krafft lost their lives studying this phenomenon in the field.

Around the Mount Unzen, you explore an environment directly marked by volcanic activity. The hiking trails allow you to observe this landscape shaped by volcanism, while the Geopark provides insights into local geological phenomena. The hot springs bear witness to this still-present underground activity, and the memorial dedicated to the victims reminds us of the volcano's lasting impact on the region.

Another striking place on the peninsula, Shimabara Castle allows you to better understand the history of the city as well as that of Christianity in the region.

A little further west, the old samurai district extends the visit and gives an insight into the residential organization that had developed around the castle.

The city of Kumamoto is one of the major stops in Kyushu and offers several visits.

Its castle dominates the city. Still undergoing renovation since the 2016 earthquakes, it is still possible to observe the progress of the work and better understand its historical importance.
The Suizen-ji Jōju-en is a landscape garden that features reproductions of the 53 stages of the old Tokaido route connecting Tokyo to Kyoto.
You can also discover residences of notable figures, some of which are open to visitors, such as that of writer Natsume Sōseki or that of the Hosokawa clan, built approximately 350 years ago.

Finally, the city center proves to be lively in the evening, with numerous bars and restaurants located along the shopping arcades.

You head towards the interior until the mountain village of Takachiho, located southeast of the Aso volcano.

This territory is closely linked to Japanese myths and legends. According to tradition, a major episode of mythology took place there, related to the founding of Japan by deities: the sun goddess Amaterasu took refuge in the Amano Iwato shrine following a dispute with her brother. The world would then have been plunged into darkness, until their reconciliation.

A natural wonder of the region, you must not miss admiring the extraordinary volcanic gorges of the Gokase River, whether from the top of the cliffs or from below, aboard a boat.

At the foot of the Aso volcano, the magnificent small village of Takamori conceals deep within a cypress forest a place steeped in profound spirituality: the kamishikimi sanctuary, access to which must be earned by climbing 260 stone steps between the trees.

The Mount Aso corresponds to a vast volcanic complex composed of five peaks. Its caldera, marked by still visible activity, presents landscapes that evolve according to the seasons, between lush terrain in summer and snow-covered expanses in winter.

The area attracts hikers and visitors interested in hot springs. Access to certain zones remains conditioned by the level of volcanic activity.

Night in a ryokan at Kurokawa Onsen.

Kurokawa Onsen is a hot spring village located north of the volcanic Mount Aso massif. Known for its onsen, its natural hot springs, it offers a diversity of baths. Its mountain setting makes it a popular stop for travelers and hikers exploring the region.

The town of Kitsuki, located at the far northeast of the peninsula, is known for its medieval period remnants, including its castle and its old quarters. The kimonos and the former samurai houses are part of the urban landscape and testify to this historical heritage.

Night in Beppu.

The city of Beppu presents a landscape marked by geothermal activity. Seen from above, it reveals numerous plumes of steam escaping from the ground. With more than 3,000 hot springs and a wide variety of baths — mud, sand, clay or mineral-rich — it constitutes an important stop for travelers interested in relaxation and thermal experiences. Here, wellness activities hold a central place.

After a few hours of driving and ferry crossing, you reach Shikoku.

You then settle into your hotel in the city of Matsuyama.

To the east of the island of Shikoku, Iya Valley offers a preserved environment, far from the pace of Japan's major cities.

This valley stands out for its isolation and peaceful atmosphere, with small houses perched on hillsides and vine bridges, called kazura-bashi, that cross rivers with emerald-green hues.

This setting sometimes earns it the nickname of " Tibet of Japan ". Travelers with an appreciation for natural spaces will find numerous hiking routes and varied landscapes there.

Night in a ryokan in Iya Valley.

You then head towards Takamatsu, a port city located on the north coast of the island, facing Okayama.

The main site to discover is the Ritsurin Garden, whose development began approximately 400 years ago. This garden was the residence of the Matsudaira lords, masters of the province, until the Meiji Restoration. A walk of approximately one hour allows you to observe its essential elements, even though you could spend more time there.

The city of Takamatsu is also home to the Shikoku Mura, a museum dedicated to traditional houses that presents different forms of ancient architecture from the island.

This morning, you join the city of Osaka, the main city in the Kansai region.

Once there, the contrast is striking with the country's other major cities: this western part of Japon is better known for its cheerful, festive and playful atmosphere than for its modernity.

The jewel of the city remains its Osaka Castle in Gold with its eye-catching appearance. Despite this showy side, this place is worth seeing for its museum and its park. The Umeda district is another hidden treasure in the heart of its downtown.

At night, Osaka comes alive in celebration. Some of its districts become buzzing at this stage of the day.

From then on, you can explore its dynamic Namba district crossed by its famous Dotonbori Street and a canal. We can also visit the Shinsekai district also called the "New World".

These two places perfectly represent the marginal and electric culture of Osaka.