FUMIJAPAN
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A self-guided rail & air journey · 21 days / 20 nights

The Grand Arc
of Western Japan

Osaka Bay. Sacred Miyajima. The wonders of Kyushu.
A generous journey, with time to enjoy every stop.

Unfold the journeyYour daily guide ↓
Original painted travel panorama with Miyajima’s torii, a Shinkansen, a harbour and Sakurajima across the bay
The Grand Arc · A Fumi travel illustration
21days in Japan
20comfortable nights
7places to unpack
1domestic flight

Fumi travel films

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1:42English narration · English captions
Read the film transcript

Island shrines, beautiful harbours, and the warmth of southern Japan. Discover the Grand Arc of Western Japan. This twenty-night journey sweeps from Osaka Bay through Hiroshima and Kyushu,

before a generous five-night finale in Osaka. Ease into Japan with three nights in Rinku Town, beside Osaka Bay, with time to settle in and enjoy the waterfront.

Stay two nights in Hiroshima, with an island outing to Miyajima: a wonderful day of shrine scenery and waterside wandering. Then savour three nights in Nagasaki, where hillside views,

harbour history and inviting streets reward a slower look. Kumamoto follows for two nights, bringing castle-town character and another delicious taste of Kyushu.

Continue south for two nights in Kagoshima, with Sakurajima across the bay: a striking backdrop to an easygoing stay.

A direct Shinkansen brings you to Fukuoka for three nights of lively neighbourhoods and excellent food. Fly to Osaka Itami, then settle near Shin-Osaka for five nights.

Unpack once, and enjoy four days your way. Choose Kyoto, Nara, Himeji or Kurashiki outings, or linger in Osaka.

There is room to follow your interests. Explore the complete Grand Arc with Fumi Tours. A wonderfully varied journey, with time to enjoy it.

FumiTours.com.

The illustrated Fumi atlas

Follow the great arc west.

Open the large maps ↗
The Grand Arc of Western Japan — illustrated journey map1. Rinku Town, 3 nights · Days 1–4; 2. Hiroshima, 2 nights · Days 4–6; 3. Miyajima, Island day · Day 5; 4. Nagasaki, 3 nights · Days 6–9; 5. Kumamoto, 2 nights · Days 9–11; 6. Kagoshima, 2 nights · Days 11–13; 7. Fukuoka / Hakata, 3 nights · Days 13–16; 8. Shin-Osaka, 5 nights · Days 16–21. Illustrated route overview. North is up.8Shin-Osaka2Hiroshima3Miyajima1Rinku Town7Fukuoka / Hakata5Kumamoto4Nagasaki6KagoshimaF U M I / T H E I L L U S T R A T E D A T L A SThe Grand Arc of Western Japan20 NIGHTS · RAIL SOUTH, FLY BACK, STAY A LITTLE LONGERT H E J O U R N E Y1Rinku Town3 nights · Days 1–42Hiroshima2 nights · Days 4–63MiyajimaIsland day · Day 54Nagasaki3 nights · Days 6–95Kumamoto2 nights · Days 9–116Kagoshima2 nights · Days 11–137Fukuoka / Hakata3 nights · Days 13–168Shin-Osaka5 nights · Days 16–21Rail / surfaceFlightFerryA FUMI JOURNEYN
The Grand Arc of Western Japan — illustrated journey map1. Rinku Town, 3 nights · Days 1–4; 2. Hiroshima, 2 nights · Days 4–6; 3. Miyajima, Island day · Day 5; 4. Nagasaki, 3 nights · Days 6–9; 5. Kumamoto, 2 nights · Days 9–11; 6. Kagoshima, 2 nights · Days 11–13; 7. Fukuoka / Hakata, 3 nights · Days 13–16; 8. Shin-Osaka, 5 nights · Days 16–21. Illustrated route overview. North is up.8Shin-Osaka2Hiroshima3Miyajima1Rinku Town7Fukuoka / Hakata5Kumamoto4Nagasaki6KagoshimaF U M I / T H E I L L U S T R A T E D A T L A SThe Grand Arc of Western Japan20 NIGHTST H E J O U R N E Y1Rinku Town3 nights · Days 1–42Hiroshima2 nights · Days 4–63MiyajimaIsland day · Day 54Nagasaki3 nights · Days 6–95Kumamoto2 nights · Days 9–116Kagoshima2 nights · Days 11–137Fukuoka / Hakata3 nights · Days 13–168Shin-Osaka5 nights · Days 16–21Rail / surfaceFlightFerry
  1. Rinku Town3 nights · Days 1–4
  2. Hiroshima2 nights · Days 4–6
  3. MiyajimaIsland day · Day 5
  4. Nagasaki3 nights · Days 6–9
  5. Kumamoto2 nights · Days 9–11
  6. Kagoshima2 nights · Days 11–13
  7. Fukuoka / Hakata3 nights · Days 13–16
  8. Shin-Osaka5 nights · Days 16–21

Gold dashes: Fukuoka–Itami flight · Solid: rail / surface · Blue dashes: ferry

Rail carries you south to Kagoshima and back north to Hakata. The single flight links Fukuoka with Osaka Itami; an airport coach completes the connection to Shin-Osaka. Miyajima is a day trip from Hiroshima. Finish by Haruka to Kansai Airport.

A holiday with room to breathe

Go a long way.
Stay a little longer.

Begin beside Osaka Bay, cross the Inland Sea by ferry to sacred Miyajima, and follow the railway into Kyushu. Nagasaki’s harbour, Kumamoto’s castle and Kagoshima’s volcanic skyline each have their own chapter.

Then take the Shinkansen to food-loving Fukuoka, fly back to Osaka and settle into one hotel for five nights. Kyoto, Nara, Himeji and Kurashiki are invitations: choose the outings you love, and leave room for Osaka itself.

No one-night hotel stops. Every base gives you at least two nights. This self-guided journey suits travellers who enjoy trains and varied places, with a few longer travel days balanced by time to stay put.

Planning season: The accommodation examples were researched for March travel. Follow the 21-day route in your chosen season and book each part directly.

Painted Miyajima torii and island water
01 / OSAKA BAY & HIROSHIMA · 5 NIGHTS

Begin gently.

An easy arrival, a thoughtful city visit and the island beyond the torii.

Start the journey →
Painted Sakurajima and Kyushu bay
02 / KYUSHU · 10 NIGHTS

Let the south unfold.

Harbours, castle streets, volcanic horizons and an excellent dinner.

Follow the railway south →
Courtyard by Marriott Shin-Osaka Station, the five-night finale hotel
03 / SHIN-OSAKA · 5 NIGHTS

Make yourself at home.

One hotel, four free days and a beautiful choice of adventures.

Choose your Osaka days →

Your day-by-day travelling companion

Three weeks. Seven welcoming bases.

A clear route, a manageable day and the connection that matters. The final four sightseeing days are interchangeable choices.

Showing all 21 days

01Day 1 · Rinku TownA soft landing beside Osaka Bay

Sydney → Kansai Airport → Rinku Town

The day ahead

Arrive in Kansai and make the short journey to your first hotel. There is no need to tackle central Osaka tonight: settle in, find something simple to eat and get a good sleep.

The first evening is about arriving well.

02Day 2 · Rinku TownA little sea air. An easy beginning.

Rinku waterfront · optional Namba evening

The day ahead

Begin slowly with breakfast and a waterfront walk. If you feel ready for Osaka, take Nankai to Namba for food and bright streets, then return to the quieter bay.

Dinner in Namba, or sunset beside the water: follow your energy.

03Day 3 · Rinku TownOne more day to find your feet

A flexible day beside Osaka Bay

The day ahead

Enjoy the hotel, browse Rinku’s shops or return to a favourite neighbourhood. With three arrival nights, there is time to recover properly before the railway journey begins.

Coffee, fresh air and the pleasure of having time.

04Day 4 · HiroshimaFollow the railway west

Rinku Town → Osaka → Shin-Osaka → Hiroshima

The day ahead

Take the railway inland and west toward Hiroshima. After leaving luggage at the hotel, give the Peace Memorial Park and museum the time and attention they deserve.

Make room for a Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki dinner.

05Day 5 · HiroshimaThe island beyond the torii

Hiroshima → Miyajimaguchi → Miyajima → Hiroshima

The day ahead

Leave your suitcase at the hotel and spend the day on Miyajima. Follow the shrine waterfront, explore the lanes and make the island your only major outing.

Let the sea, shrine and wooded hills set the pace.

06Day 6 · NagasakiAcross to the harbour city

Hiroshima → Hakata → Takeo-Onsen → Nagasaki

The day ahead

Continue west and then south into Nagasaki for three nights. A waterfront stroll and an unhurried meal are enough after today’s longer railway journey.

A harbour evening and a new side of Japan.

07Day 7 · NagasakiNagasaki, a city of stories

City trams · Peace Park or the harbour districts

The day ahead

Choose a thoughtful Peace Park and museum visit, or explore Dejima and the waterfront. Give each area room rather than trying to see the whole city in a day.

Try champon or sara udon, then wander a little farther.

08Day 8 · NagasakiYour own Nagasaki day

Glover Garden area · cafés · optional evening view

The day ahead

Explore the hillside harbour neighbourhoods, return to a place you enjoyed, or make this a rest and laundry day. If weather is clear, an evening viewpoint can be a lovely finishing touch.

Three nights give you the chance to become a familiar face at a café.

09Day 9 · KumamotoA change of trains, a change of scene

Nagasaki → Takeo-Onsen → Shin-Tosu → Kumamoto

The day ahead

Travel across northern Kyushu and then south to Kumamoto. Settle into your station-side hotel, leaving the castle for tomorrow’s full day.

An easy evening in a new city, with no sightseeing deadline.

10Day 10 · KumamotoA castle day in Kumamoto

Kumamoto city · castle district

The day ahead

Make the castle district the centre of the day, with time for lunch and the surrounding streets. Add a garden visit only if you feel like a fuller afternoon.

Find a comfortable lunch spot and let the afternoon unfold.

11Day 11 · KagoshimaSouth to Kagoshima

Kumamoto → Kagoshima-Chuo

The day ahead

Board the Kyushu Shinkansen and continue to southern Kyushu. Your hotel near Kagoshima-Chuo makes arrival easy, leaving the afternoon for a first look at the city.

The anticipation of a bay, a volcano and a different southern light.

12Day 12 · KagoshimaSakurajima across the water

City waterfront · optional Sakurajima ferry

The day ahead

Make the bay the focus. Cross to Sakurajima for a ferry-and-walking day when conditions suit, or stay in the city for Senganen, Tenmonkan and local food.

A ferry breeze and the scale of the volcano across the bay.

13Day 13 · Fukuoka / HakataThe easy railway back north

Kagoshima-Chuo → Hakata · Kyushu Shinkansen

The day ahead

Enjoy breakfast, walk to the station and take a direct Shinkansen to Hakata. Unpack for three nights in Fukuoka and make the first evening about a good bowl of ramen.

A relaxed city-to-city journey with no airport transfer.

14Day 14 · Fukuoka / HakataFukuoka flavours and park paths

Ohori Park · Tenjin · Nakasu

The day ahead

Start with a gentle walk around Ohori Park, then choose Tenjin shops or the river districts. Make the evening meal the main event, with a yatai stall if one takes your fancy.

This is a city that rewards turning dinner into an outing.

15Day 15 · Fukuoka / HakataKeep one day open

A Fukuoka day or optional Dazaifu outing

The day ahead

Choose another local day, or make Dazaifu your principal excursion. Leave the evening pleasantly open before tomorrow’s flight back to Osaka.

A final Kyushu meal, and a few snacks for the journey.

16Day 16 · Shin-OsakaOne flight. Five nights to settle in.

Hakata → Fukuoka Airport → Osaka Itami → Shin-Osaka

The day ahead

Take the short domestic flight to Itami, then continue to your final hotel at Shin-Osaka. The next five nights are in one room: an ideal base for exploring at your own pace.

Unpack properly: the rest of the journey comes back to the same front door.

17Day 17 · Shin-OsakaChoose a Kyoto day—or enjoy Osaka

Optional Kyoto outing · pass day 1 if selected

The day ahead

Kyoto makes a beautiful first choice: select one temple district and leave time for lunch and wandering. Prefer a quieter start? Stay in Osaka and move Kyoto to another day.

One good neighbourhood is enough for a rewarding day.

18Day 18 · Shin-OsakaChoose Nara—or keep it local

Optional Nara outing · pass day 2

The day ahead

Nara offers old lanes, temple grounds and a full change of atmosphere. It is one of the choices for these four free days, not a compulsory stop.

Enjoy the park slowly and allow plenty of time for the temple you choose.

19Day 19 · Shin-OsakaChoose the white castle

Optional Himeji outing · pass day 3

The day ahead

If Himeji is on your wish list, make the castle and nearby Koko-en the day’s focus. Otherwise choose a local Osaka day, with no need to chase a distant train.

The long first view of the castle from the station boulevard.

20Day 20 · Shin-OsakaCanal town, or a favourite Osaka corner

Optional Kurashiki / Okayama outing · pass day 4

The day ahead

For a longer day, visit Kurashiki’s historic canal district via Okayama. Or keep the final full day close to your hotel for shopping, cafés and a relaxed farewell dinner.

Choose the day you want, not the longest list of places.

21Day 21 · Fly homeLeave Japan feeling unhurried

Shin-Osaka → Kansai Airport · Haruka · pass day 5

The day ahead

Enjoy breakfast and a gentle final morning. Collect your luggage and take the airport train for the international flight home. An overnight return may arrive in Sydney the following day; check your chosen flight.

One last look from the train window, and time to leave well.

Five nights in one hotel · Days 16–21

Your base. Your pace.
Your kind of Kansai.

Four free sightseeing days, five good ideas. Pick two favourite excursions and two Osaka days, or explore farther. You do not need to do them all.

OPTION 01 / Kyoto

Temple lanes & an unhurried lunch

Choose one area, such as Higashiyama, with a temple visit and a long lunch. Allow extra time and separate fares for local buses or subway travel.

Fumi’s Kyoto & Nara Railway Tour →

If you skip the longer Himeji and Kurashiki outings, compare ordinary tickets before buying a pass. A relaxed Osaka day should never feel like wasting a ticket.

Seven places to make yourself at home

Stay well. Unpack properly.

From the first night beside Osaka Bay to your final five-night base, the hotel is part of the holiday. These are the recorded room-stay totals from the original itinerary; choose and price your own occupancy and room plan.

01 / Rinku Town3 nights

OMO Kansai Airport by Hoshino Resorts

Lobby at OMO Kansai Airport by Hoshino Resorts

Days 1–4

A gentle beginning beside Osaka Bay. Stay one station from Kansai Airport, with three nights to recover, wander the waterfront and find your Japan rhythm.

Breakfast included in the recorded plan

Arrival & room notes

Use Rinku Town station, one stop from Kansai Airport. Follow the hotel’s access map for the short walk. Keep the optional Namba evening separate from your onward Hiroshima journey.

A$101recorded total / 3-night stay
Official hotel ↗Find on map ↗
02 / Hiroshima2 nights

APA Hotel Hiroshima Ekimae Shinkansenguchi

APA Hotel Hiroshima Ekimae Shinkansenguchi entrance and illuminated facade at dusk

Days 4–6

A practical station-side stay for a thoughtful Hiroshima afternoon and a full day on Miyajima. Two nights let you explore the island without taking your suitcase.

Breakfast included in the recorded plan

Arrival & room notes

This is the Shinkansenguchi property on the north side of Hiroshima Station. Save the full property name: Hiroshima has several APA hotels.

A$184recorded total / 2-night stay
Official hotel ↗Find on map ↗
03 / Nagasaki3 nights

Dormy Inn Premium Nagasaki Ekimae

Illuminated entrance sign at Dormy Inn Premium Nagasaki Ekimae

Days 6–9

Three nights for harbour walks, city tram rides and Nagasaki’s layered history. A welcoming place to come back to after exploring the slopes and waterfront.

Room only

Arrival & room notes

Follow the exact hotel pin from Nagasaki Station. Have breakfast in town or add the hotel plan separately; it is not included in this example.

A$126recorded total / 3-night stay
Official hotel ↗Find on map ↗
04 / Kumamoto2 nights

One Station Hotel Kumamoto

Warm timber guest room at One Station Hotel Kumamoto

Days 9–11

A convenient railway base with a full day for the castle and city. Arrive, unpack and enjoy Kumamoto without adding a rushed onward journey.

Room only

Arrival & room notes

The hotel is on the city / Shirakawa side of Kumamoto Station. The castle district is farther into town; use the tram or a taxi rather than expecting it beside the station.

A$161recorded total / 2-night stay
Official hotel ↗Find on map ↗
05 / Kagoshima2 nights

Solaria Nishitetsu Hotel Kagoshima

Exterior of Solaria Nishitetsu Hotel Kagoshima opposite Kagoshima-Chuo Station

Days 11–13

A well-placed city stay opposite Kagoshima-Chuo, with the bay and Sakurajima waiting beyond. Your next departure is conveniently by Shinkansen from the city.

Breakfast included in the recorded plan

Arrival & room notes

Use Kagoshima-Chuo, not Kagoshima Station. Choose the room category you prefer when booking; views depend on the room.

A$216recorded total / 2-night stay
Official hotel ↗Find on map ↗
06 / Fukuoka / Hakata3 nights

APA Hotel & Resort Hakata Ekihigashi

The entrance and tower of APA Hotel & Resort Hakata Ekihigashi

Days 13–16

Three nights on Hakata’s east side for food, park paths and easy local exploring. The domestic airport is a short subway journey away when it is time to return to Osaka.

Room only

Arrival & room notes

Use the Chikushi / east exit of Hakata Station. This example does not include breakfast; the outdoor pool operates seasonally; check opening dates for your stay.

A$178recorded total / 3-night stay
Official hotel ↗Find on map ↗
07 / Shin-Osaka5 nights

Courtyard by Marriott Shin-Osaka Station

Exterior of Courtyard by Marriott Shin-Osaka Station beside the railway

Days 16–21

Your final five-night home beside the main railway hub. Make short adventures into Kansai, return to the same room, and keep your suitcase unpacked.

Choose your preferred room and meal plan

Arrival & room notes

The recorded example was a high-floor king room with Executive Lounge access. Lounge access is tied to the eligible room or rate, so select it explicitly if you want that feature. Shin-Osaka and Osaka Station are different stations.

A$433recorded total / 5-night stay
Official hotel ↗Find on map ↗

The route, made practical

Your rail & air companion.

Use individual tickets for the long journey south and back to Hakata, then choose the right ticket for your Osaka days.

THE KYUSHU RAILWAY

Two changes worth knowing.

For Nagasaki: Shinkansen to Hakata, Relay Kamome to Takeo-Onsen, then Kamome to Nagasaki. The change at Takeo-Onsen is across the same platform.

For Kumamoto: Kamome back to Takeo-Onsen, Relay Kamome to Shin-Tosu, then Kyushu Shinkansen south. Reserve the connecting journey together.

Kagoshima-Chuo → Hakata: take a direct Sakura or Mizuho, roughly 1½ hours on faster services. This keeps both ends of the journey in the city. No Kagoshima airport transfer is needed.

Kamome & the Takeo-Onsen transfer ↗JR Kyushu tickets & route planning ↗Fumi’s tickets & reservations guide →
THE OPTIONAL FIVE-DAY PASS

Kansai WIDE:
a useful finale companion.

¥12,000 adult / 5 consecutive days

For the wider excursion plan, start on Day 17 and use through Day 21. It covers the eligible Sanyo Shinkansen to Himeji and Okayama, JR local journeys within its area, and the reserved Haruka to Kansai Airport.

Kyoto uses the ordinary JR line. The Tokaido Shinkansen from Shin-Osaka to Kyoto is excluded. So are city subways, Kintetsu, airport coaches and the earlier Kyushu journeys.

For eligible visitors with a non-Japanese passport and Temporary Visitor status. Reserve seats before boarding services that require a reservation.

Official pass, coverage map & eligibility ↗Choose your excursions first ↑
ONE DOMESTIC FLIGHT · Day 16

Fukuoka → Osaka Itami

JAL is our preferred flight option for this route. Compare its normal fares with Japan Explorer Pass fares if you live outside Japan and hold an international return ticket. If you have eligible JAL miles or a travel credit, check its own redemption rules.

The original planning example found a fare around A$110 for this hop. Price your chosen departure and baggage when booking.

  1. 01Hakata → Fukuoka domestic terminal by subway.
  2. 02Fly FUK → ITM, allowing comfortable airport time.
  3. 03Itami → Shin-Osaka by airport coach.
Explore JAL’s visitor fares ↗

Itami is your domestic arrival airport. Kansai is your international departure airport five days later.

01

Book the connections together.

For the longer rail days, ask for the full journey and its seat reservations. This is especially useful for the Kamome / Relay Kamome changes and the onward train at Shin-Tosu.

Use the timetable for your actual date. Keep the train name, departure, arrival and next hotel together in your workbook.

Fumi railway guides →
02

Let luggage travel comfortably.

Bring a case you can handle on trains and through station gates. Reserve the appropriate oversized-baggage seat when your bag is over 160 cm and up to 250 cm in combined dimensions on the relevant Shinkansen services.

Every base has at least two nights, so you can leave the large case behind on sightseeing days.

Official Shinkansen luggage guide ↗
03

Give the last day breathing room.

Public holidays and weekends can make the final connections busier. Reserve the long-distance seats you need, and protect the final Haruka connection.

Work backwards from your actual flight and terminal. A relaxed final morning is better than a last-minute cross-city outing.

Travel changes & getting help →

Know the next station before you arrive

The right station.
The right direction.

Open the operator’s map or access guide before leaving the hotel. Save the hotel pin, then use live signs for the platform and lift route.

Kansai Airport & Rinku

One stop to Rinku Town on arrival; Haruka back to Kansai Airport at the end.

OMO’s arrival map ↗

A generous trip. A thoughtful budget.

Twenty nights.
Very pleasing value.

Illustrative core budget for one traveller≈ A$3,350Flights + recorded hotels + transport allowanceBefore meals, sightseeing and personal spending

This combines the original international fare and hotel examples with a revised transport allowance for the train from Kagoshima to Hakata and one cash-priced domestic flight.

The hotel amounts are recorded totals for the original room plans. Select your own occupancy and meal options when pricing the trip.

Our short note on prices & exchange rates →
Build your own version
ComponentPlanning figure
International return to Kansai
Original Jetstar example		A$1,171.63
Seven hotel stays / 20 nightsA$1,399
Rail, ferry & main transfers
¥75,000 allowance, including the ¥12,000 finale pass		About A$660
Fukuoka → Itami flight
Cash-fare planning example		About A$110
Rounded core budgetAbout A$3,350

What the transport allowance covers

About ¥63,000 for the main journeys and transfers before the finale, including Kagoshima-Chuo → Hakata by train, plus ¥12,000 for the five-day Kansai WIDE pass. Use the allowance to start planning, then price the trains for your dates.

The AUD conversion keeps the original planning rate of roughly ¥113.5 to A$1. Add meals beyond the listed plans, local sightseeing rides, admissions, taxis, insurance, shopping and any card fees.

If your chosen excursions do not justify the pass, substitute ordinary tickets. Domestic-flight miles or credits can change your own cash cost; they are not assumed here.

Take Fumi along

More confidence for the journey.

YOUR FINAL BASE

Osaka Railway Tour

Get comfortable with Osaka’s stations, connections and city journeys.

Explore the guide →THE COMPLETE CONNECTION

Regional air & rail

Connect airports, stations and the last few kilometres to your hotel.

Read the guide →YOUR OWN TRAVEL NOTES

The railway workbook

Keep your train times, hotel pins, exits and tomorrow’s plan together.

Open the workbook PDF ↗
Useful official reading & artwork credits

Artwork & photography

Panorama: original Fumi AI-assisted travel illustration, an imagined composite of the journey. Illustrated atlas: Fumi’s painted plates with separately composed route labels. Use the daily guide for the actual connections.

Hotel photographs show the named properties. Select a thumbnail for its official source, or see the photography credits.

Prefer a different rhythm? Explore Southern Skies & Coastal Rails →

The great arc, at your own pace

Keep the wonderful route.
Make the days your own.

A harbour you linger in. A meal you remember. A train window that makes you put the phone away. Leave room for those moments.

Back to the daily plan ↑Explore more Fumi journeys →