Recommend March 2013 - (Page 85)

Opposite page: The driveway at Kamenoi Bessou in Yufuin covered with fallen autumn leaves. Left: The Peace Memorial in Nagasaki. book it offers daily service to Fukuoka from most of the country and will launch a tour of Kyushu in October 2013 through a train called Seven Stars. This is a journey designed to pay homage to more elegant times. The Seven Stars promises to be Japan’s ﬁrst sleeper train exclusively designed for sightseeing. Its cars are made up of 14 compartments, including Japanese-style rooms with tatami mats for sleeping. Two are designated as “deluxe suites” with wider beds and more extravagant decorations. The 7-car train will have an observation car with a bar, plus an elegant dining car. All services will feature ultra-plush accommodations and will offer a 1-night, 2-day plan and a 3-night, 4-day journey beginning and ending in Fukuoka. The tour will stop on the island’s most important destinations. Prices will start at about $1,900 pp. ● Archived related articles (available on recommend.com/magazine/supplement-archive): Asia Travel Planner (February 2012) contact information Hilton Sea Hawk: (800) 445-8667; hilton.com Japan National Tourism Organization: jnto.go.jp/eng JR Group: japanrailpass.net Kamenoi Besso: yufuin-kagiya.com/online/English Kyushu Tourism Promotion Organization: welcomekyushu.com Luigans on Hakata Bay: luigans.com Japan has long attracted Americans, but although the country is known for its modern amenities and progressive ﬂair, the destination presents something of a challenge for those wishing to venture off the tourist path because it’s a relatively insulated society that’s not very English friendly. Tours to Japan abound and Westerners are seen in practically every island and resort, but far off places like Kyushu are still relatively “unexplored” when it comes to American tourism. Says Steve Adelsman, owner and president of Adventures in Japan, an Arizona-based tour operator, “Kyushu is off the beaten track for most foreigners, therefore it offers the opportunity to experience fascinating and less-familiar aspects of Japanese life and culture. It is one of the safest, cleanest places you will ever visit. The people are courteous, the food is amazing and the culture—with its ancient roots— is fascinating and unique.” Adventures in Japan, has a well-proven track record of leading private tours exclusively to Japan for more than 10 years, and Adelsman says that Kyushu is custom-made for “the traveler who wishes to go beyond a traditional tourist visit and desires a deeper and more intimate exposure to this amazing culture.” He adds that Kyushu is not huge, so visitors can see the highlights efﬁciently. “The place is varied enough to give a great sampling of the cultural aspects they’ll ﬁnd most intriguing, such as unusual geography (hot springs, grand vistas and mountains), history (including the unique ways foreigners impacted Japan), wonderful and delicious cuisine, or the pleasures of relaxation (beaches and spas).” Although there are very few large guided tours of Kyushu in most itineraries, Adelsman leads private land-only tours ranging from about $3,200 to $6,000 pp dbl, depending on the number of travelers in the group. He considers Kyushu one of the great destinations in the country—a place that must be seen, if one wants to experience a “hidden” Japan. For more information, visit adventuresinjapan.com. march 2013 85 80-85 AS Japan.indd 85 2/20/13 3:13 PM http://www.recommend.com/magazine/supplement-archive http://www.hilton.com http://www.jnto.go.jp/eng/ http://www.japanrailpass.net http://www.yufuin-kagiya.com/online/English http://www.welcomekyushu.com http://www.luigans.com http://www.adventuresinjapan.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Recommend March 2013

Editor's Notes/Agent Speak
Hotel Desk: Fairmont Hotels & Resorts
Tour Talk: Travel Indochina
Safaris in Southern Africa
Un-Cruise Adventures in Alaska
Alaska is Celebrating in 2013
"Hard Rock" Chicago-Style: Rock out in the Windy City
Mexico Destination Weddings & Honeymoon Planner
Girldfriends' Getaway at Eden Roc, Miami Beach
Kyushu: The Rising Sun of Japanese Destinations
The New All-Inclusives in Jamaica Claim Their Turf
RIU Punta Cana
Costa Rica: A Trio of Detours
Touring Central & Eastern Europe

Recommend March 2013