Kyushu Journeys Reviews

Thomas Ko 2026.01.07

     

My family and I have used Kyushu Journeys twice in 2025 to plan for our family trips in Kyushu. They are so professional and able to customize our trips based on our family's needs/interests. Soyo-san has been so responsible and responsive in taking all our questions before and during the trip. Highly recommended for anyone who wants an in-depth / amazing travelling experience in Kyushu!

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Reply from Kyushu Journeys

Thank you so much, Thomas! It was an absolute pleasure working with you twice this past year. We know how important family trips are, and it honestly means the world to us that you trusted us to take care of your parents for their holiday as well.

We will make sure to pass your kind words on to Soyo-san—she will be thrilled to hear that her support made such a difference for your family. We hope to see you in Kyushu again soon!

Richard Anderson 2025.11.29

     

This was our first holiday in Japan, a country that we discovered and enjoyed on business in the 1980’s. We wanted to explore some lesser-known places, focusing on countryside and tradition rather than cities and mass tourist sites, and benefit from reasonable weather in November; this led us to Kyushu. We chose Kyushu Journeys from initial internet searches and from the detailed and helpful responses to our enquiries. We wanted a small group as we usually make our own travel arrangements and avoid crowded sights. The Kyushu Tours Autumn Tour was perfect. Our guide was charming, knowledgeable, helpful and efficient. She managed to organise a diverse group through a very busy programme, without us feeling pressured or rushed. Maybe we became a little Japanese - it would never have worked unless we all understood, respected and helped each other to enjoy each of the experiences. Our driver was also an important part of this group vibe, in addition to his faultless driving and helpfulness. Exploring Japanese cuisine was a principal objective. The quality and range of food was superb. On our own we would have avoided breakfasts and limited lunch stops, while our evening meals would never have been as adventurous. The choice of hotels and restaurants provided traditional and modern settings in which to enjoy the food and the company of our group. We lost count of the number of dishes presented and were frequently surprised by the tastes and delicacy of the food we received. When you add the traditional ryokan inn experience and onsen opportunities, it was wonderful. Exploring Kyushu in the autumn we enjoyed the colours of the trees and gardens and were happy with the choice of visits to fill the space between meals. The smaller items such as persimmon picking were as important as castle and volcano trips because we met the people who make Kyushu the welcoming place that it is. Thank you to the whole team

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Reply from Kyushu Journeys 2025.12.01

Thank you, Richard, for such a thoughtful and detailed review! We're thrilled to hear how much you enjoyed the Autumn Tour. It’s rewarding to know our efforts left such a lasting impression.

Alex L 2025.11.27

     

We went on the Autumn Tour of Kyushu with Kyushu Journeys in November 2025, and it was an unforgettable experience. The itinerary was very well crafted, balancing cultural immersion, scenic beauty, and culinary delights. Every day we enjoyed sightseeing with food tasting at local places. The accommodation choices were well thought through, offering a mix of modern comfort and traditional charm. Staying in ryokan inns with tatami rooms and onsen baths was a highlight. The tour was well balanced, with reasonable walking at visited sites and some time spent on the bus to comfortably reach each destination. Our Tour guide, Soyo-san, very knowledgeable, dedicated and patient shepherded our small team with humor and enthusiasm. The Driver, Ego-san, such a professional, who rode the bus with care and efficiency. Kyushu Journeys delivered an exceptionally organized tour that blended culture, nature, and gastronomy. The pacing was perfect—enough time to enjoy each location without feeling rushed. If you’re looking for an authentic and personalized Kyushu experience, I highly recommend Kyushu Journeys.

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Reply from Kyushu Journeys 2025.12.01

Thank you, Alex, for sharing your wonderful experience! It was a pleasure to have you on the tour. We're thrilled you enjoyed the experience, accommodations, and the Soyo's guidance. Your recommendation means a lot, and we hope to welcome you again!

Ren Tang 2025.10.18

     

Thank you for your email; I am very pleased with the arrangements and had an enjoyable trip. I appreciate Dale and Soyo for their patience and thorough assistance, even though our car was booked nearly 10 months ago. Your team planned everything clearly and carefully, making it easy to find the station despite my initial worries about potential confusion, and even advising me on all the minor details from parking to tolls. You all did an excellent job, and I will definitely consider booking with you again if we return to Japan. Lastly, thank you, and it has been a pleasure using your service.

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Reply from Kyushu Journeys 2025.10.21

Thank you, Ren, for your kind words! We're thrilled to hear you enjoyed your trip and appreciated Dale and Soyo's assistance. It means a lot to know our planning made your experience seamless. Safe travels and see you again!

Madeleine Poncin 2025.07.10

     

Our stay in Kyushu was wonderful, very well organised, all the restaurants were excellent.

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Reply from Kyushu Journeys 2025.07.14

Thank you, Madeleine! We're thrilled to hear you had a wonderful stay in Kyushu and I have to say that it was an absolute joy working with you. Your kind words mean a lot, and we hope to welcome you again in the future!

Terri Koh 2025.05.14

     

It gives me great pleasure to review my recent trip to Kyushu with Kyushu Journeys. The trip and their assistance (shout out to Soyo!) really exceeded expectations. To the team, thank you for accommodating our needs and wants, and particularly with the assistance in booking of trains and seats. What was outstanding of the service was the thoughtful deliberation and wisdom which went into each daily travel plan. The pre-trip, and WhatsApp support during the trip, was also meticulous and prompt. I’m glad we did not have to contact the team too much, save for the times when there were some delay at our end (travelling with a kid……). We would love to be back in Kyushu with you guys soon!

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Reply from Kyushu Journeys 2025.05.19

Thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts and we were so happy that your family trip was a big success. We are ready to welcome you back any time, and until then, may the force be with you!

Lionel Le Meur 2025.04.19

     

Our family had a wonderful experience touring Kyushu with our Kyushu Journeys guide. We enjoyed all of it: the incredible landscapes of Mount Aso and the Takachiho gorge, the beautiful textile and pottery craft, the tea ceremonies, the history, the traditions, the shopping and above all the generous welcome at every stop. The restaurant selection was particularly successful: every meal was delicious and made us discover a different facet of Japanese and Kyushu cuisine. We could not pick a favorite, we loved it all. And a special mention to our guide who made Kyushu come to life and fit in seamlessly in our family group, often joining in our laughs and banter. It was a pleasure to share those 4 days with her and she made our trip truly special.

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Reply from Kyushu Journeys 2025.04.21

Thank you, Lionel, for such a thoughtful and heartfelt review! We're so happy to hear that your family enjoyed the beauty, traditions, and flavors of Kyushu—and that the experience felt so rich and welcoming at every stop. It means a lot to know your guide became such a natural part of the group and helped bring Kyushu to life in such a memorable way. Stories like yours are exactly why we do what we do!

Vincent Scheib 2025.04.16

     

Thank you for your support on our trip. The detailed planning, logistics booking, and support throughout the week allowed us to focus on the fun part of vacation. Also, thanks for arranging the cherry blossoms and weather 🌸😉 - quite ideal!

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Reply from Kyushu Journeys 2025.04.17

Thank you, Vincent! We're so glad you enjoyed the trip and found the planning and support helpful. It’s always a pleasure to take care of the details so you can focus on enjoying the experience. We'd be happy to help with your next adventure whenever you're ready.

Midori 2025.04.12

     

Incredible trip with a wonderful guide! A big thank you to our wonderful guide, Mia, and Kyushu Journeys for organising and guiding us on a private 8 day trip around Kyushu and the Goto Islands for our family of 5 (ages 58-84). The trip itinerary that was presented to us took into account our own interests as well as introducing us to new and interesting places and topics. The accommodation and the restaurants that were chosen were first rate. The restaurants were carefully chosen and every meal seemed to be a different type of dish. And the accommodation was all very good. Mia's passion for the history and culture of Japan was evident throughout. She shared her wealth of knowledge throughout the trip and her explanations greatly enhanced our trip. Mia was extremely flexible while on the tour - one of our party was in a wheelchair so she arranged easy access to sites; we had bad weather on a few days and we also wished to try to find information on an ancestor from the Goto Islands and she was able to rearrange the itinerary to accommodate in both instances. She was so helpful in acting as an interpreter at the local town hall (while trying to find information on our ancestors)! I would highly recommend Kyushu Journeys and, in particular, Mia. She was the perfect tour guide! Thank you so much!!
Date of experience: 27 March, 2025

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Reply from Kyushu Journeys 2025.04.14

Thank you, Midori, for sharing such a thoughtful review! We're thrilled to hear Mia’s guidance and flexibility made the trip memorable for you, Amy and all the group. Your kind words inspire us to continue crafting exceptional experiences. Wishing you more amazing travels ahead!

Heidi S 2025.03.19

     

We had a grand time! The trip exceeded everyone's expectations. Very satisfied with the hotels, the itinerary and specially the food. As a second timer, the food was even better this time around. Plus, thank you for recommending Uokura--the food was top notch, every bite gives that "sweet" taste that only the freshest produce has. Lastly, we were so blessed with Mia. as our tour guide. Indeed we can sense her pride in showing us around Kyushu. She is very knowledgeable about her subject, always has an intelligent and satisfying answer to every question. Personally, I feel that the price is very very reasonable. Thank you Kyushu Journeys for the most beautiful and unforgettable memories! Indeed, a trip that is food for the body and soul.

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Reply from Kyushu Journeys 2025.03.25

Thank you so much, Heidi! We're thrilled you had such a memorable trip and that Mia made your journey even more special. Your kind words mean a lot, and we’re so glad to have exceeded your expectations again!

Greg Caplan 2025.03.18

     

After months of travel and doing all the planning, I just couldn't get a handle on how to plan Kyushu. I finally decided a few days before arrival to get help from a tour planner and came across these folks. They were kind enough to take on the challenge of building a 5 night tour with all lodging and train bookings. Soyo met us to go to the train station to get our tickets. Would have been totally lost without her. The app they have for referring to the planned itinerary is easy to use. The communication via WhatsApp to handle any questions or changes is all done very quickly. We visited Hita, Beppu, Taketa, and Kumamoto before heading back to Fukuoka. So many great memories. I would use these folks again when we return because there is much more to see on the island and so many small / medium cities to explore that its helpful to have experts on your side.

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Reply from Kyushu Journeys 2025.03.19

Thank you for your kind review Greg! We're glad we could help make your Kyushu trip smooth and enjoyable despite the short time-frame. It was a pleasure planning your tour, and we’re happy to hear you had a great experience. Looking forward to welcoming you back for more Kyushu adventures! Dale, Moo and all the team

Maya Nayak 2025.02.21

     

The team at Kyushu Journeys helped us plan an incredible road trip around Kyushu. They tailored the itinerary to our interests, gave us detailed maps and were incredibly kind and responsive anytime we had questions or issues. We could not possibly have had such an incredible experience without their help and guidance, and would, without reservation, recommend their services to anyone looking to explore the incomparable island of Kyushu.

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Reply from Kyushu Journeys

Thank you so much for your kind words! It's great to hear that your Kyushu road trip was unforgettable. We’re truly grateful for the opportunity to have been a part of your incredible adventure. We look forward to helping you explore even more of Kyushu in the future!

Lauren Rolfe 2025.01.09

     

We used Kyushu Journeys for our December 2024 trip to Kyushu, and it was a great decision. We are a family of 5, including 3 children, and it is hard to find hotels for this setup. KJ did a great job securing hotels for us with very comfortable arrangements. They also suggested great restaurants and made reservations. They suggested itineraries which were all fun- we were able to choose the ones we had time for and pivot if weather was a factor. They selected activities that were great for both adults and kids. We also rented a car, which they arranged, and they made that seamless. I would highly recommend them for any family traveling to Kyushu!

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Reply from Kyushu Journeys 2025.01.11

Thank you, Lauren, for your glowing review! We're thrilled to know that our arrangements made your family trip enjoyable. It's great to hear that our planning worked out so well and suited everyone. Your recommendation means a lot to us!

Chong-Meng Chai 2024.12.27

     

Just returned from our trip planned by Kyushu Journeys. The entire itinerary was fantastic and the attention to details was amazing. There was very little to worry about even though it was our first road trip in Japan. Wendy & Eric

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Reply from Kyushu Journeys 2024.12.28

Thank you, Wendy and Eric, for sharing your experience! We're thrilled to hear you enjoyed the itinerary and felt at ease on your first road trip in Japan. Safe travels on your next adventure!

Joan Guirao Zambrana 2024.12.13

     

Great service and attention. They designed and planned a road trip across Kyushu according to our needs and preferences. They were very kind and the trip experience was fantastic as well as exploring all the spots they recommended. Thank you!

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Reply from Kyushu Journeys 2024.12.19

Thank you, Joan! We're thrilled to hear you enjoyed your Kyushu road trip. Our team loves planning personalized experiences, and it's rewarding to know the recommendations added to your adventure. Safe travels on your future journeys!

Alice Shan 2024.12.03

     

Kyushu Journeys is the go to expert for traveling in the Kyushu region. We did the self guided tour with their help in planning the itinerary that meets our interests and every recommendation has been spot on. They handled all the reservations so we don’t have to worry about the logistics. They are also available on instant messenger during our trip in case of emergency, which provided tremendous help and guidance when we run into issues with our car rental. When we go back to Kyushu, we would 100% use their services again!

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Reply from Kyushu Journeys 2024.12.03

Thank you so much, Alice, for your kind words. We were also very relieved we were able to assist you. We’d love to help you explore more of Kyushu whenever you decide to return. Thanks again for choosing Kyushu Journeys!

Ami Ferrer 2024.11.25

     

Would hire them again! Invaluable to our trip planning. Our family had a lot of fun exploring Kyushu

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Reply from Kyushu Journeys 2024.12.03

And we'd love to have the opportunity to work with you again as well. Thank you so much!

Barbara Koh OL 2024.11.16

     

Kyushu Journeys took out the guesswork and hours of planning needed for our first visit to Kyushu. They helped plan an itinerary, working in what we would like to experience and see, and each day was well mapped out for us. We had the freedom to do what we enjoyed, without having to worry about where to go next, where to stay next. It was the perfect holiday - with recommended must-dos and must-sees that have made our holiday so memorable.

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Reply from Kyushu Journeys 2024.11.18

Thank you Barbara! Your trip was long in the planning phase so we're happy it worked out in the end 🥰

Matt DeGooyer 2024.11.11

     

Kyushu Journeys was incredibly helpful and kind! During my trip to Kyushu I had plans to stay at a traditional Inn in Karatsu and hoped to visit several pottery villages in the mountains nearby. But some of the logistics were a little challenging to figure out on my own in spite of some knowledge of Japan. During the planning stages of my trip, I set up a 30 minute ZOOM consultation for a small fee with a Kyushu Journeys travel consultant. She was so kind, knowledgeable and helpful. Ultimately they arranged a private taxi to pick me up at my hotel with a recommended itinerary, including a place for lunch. I prepaid for the taxi before departing the U.S. On the day of my excursion, the taxi arrived early and was waiting for me. The driver knew the itinerary and impressively was in constant communication with Kyushu Journeys throughout the day to make adjustments, get additional recommendations for places to visit, customizing my day in response to my needs. The place they suggested for lunch was awesome. I had a very positive experience and would definitely use them again in the future. If you are planning a trip to Kyushu, these are your people! It was so easy, I purchased some lovely pottery and had a great day!

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Reply from Kyushu Journeys 2024.11.13

Hey there Matt, we're glad we were able to make it work for you, and even more glad that you had such a great time! We are thrilled you enjoyed our lunch recommendation as well. Both food and pottery are big passions of ours. I do indeed hope we have the chance to do this again!
-- The Kyushu Journeys team❤️

T Y Ho 2024.10.15

     

Great experience with Kyushu Journeys A word of thanks for the amazing job Kyushu Journeys did for our self drive trip last week. Great communication pre-booking, post-booking, arrival (meet and greet with Soyo-san), during the trip (with questions about destinations and the malfunctioning Wi-Fi hot spot device) and even post trip follow up. The attention to detail was excellent. The hotel choices were good and tightest room (in Nagasaki) had a silver lining as it had a washing machine right when we needed it. Even our last day taxi ride to the airport was all prepared. The self-drive trip also allowed us to stop or divert to any point of interest we desired. The built in navigation in our rental Prius wasn't as flexible (nor as up to date) as Google Maps so we often ran with just Google Maps or both in tandem. Toyota needs to update their map software. The Wi-fi device was invaluable for this. Driving in Kyushu is pretty easy. It's generally not crowded on the roads as you move from attraction to attraction. A lot of the driving is on countryside 'B' roads - with one lane on either side. In town, they are also remarkably patient and will give way if you signal your intention. We did not drive more than 3 hours on any day. Totally happy with our experience with them and wholeheartedly recommend them if you are headed to Kyushu and want someone to do all the hard work and research for you. https://photos.app.goo.gl/Q4pp6ea7ezCsUNAL8

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Reply from Kyushu Journeys 2024.10.16

Thank you, T Y, for sharing your fantastic experience! We're thrilled to hear you enjoyed the itinerary and found our services helpful. Your feedback on navigation and Wi-Fi is much appreciated. Safe travels and hope to assist you again! PS: your photos are like a pro!! Cheers, Simon, Mia and all the team xx