Chiran Samurai, Kamikaze Peace Memorial And Ibusuki Sand Bath

Chiran Samurai, Kamikaze Peace Memorial And Ibusuki Sand Bath Photo #1 of 2 Photo copyright ShoreTrips.com.

Overview

A beautifully preserved Samurai town paired with a sand bath in Ibusuki - true Japanese all the way!

This is sort of a surprise, to see such varied experiences in one location, but not unusual in Japan.

Just one hour outside of Kagoshima sits the small preserved town of Chiran. Within the town there is a preserved samurai district with houses and gardens that date back about 250 years. Chiran's isolated location at the southern end of the island of Kyushu has allowed the district to keep much of its historical character intact.

Your adventure in Chiran includes sightseeing in the Samurai Residences of the Shimizu Clan. This preserved samurai district consists of a 700 meter long street within downtown Chiran that runs parallel to the main thoroughfare. The street itself is very attractive, with the rock walls and hedges of residences and the forested hillsides in the distance. Unlike some other samurai districts, it is also free of telephone poles and parked cars that would detract from the historic atmosphere. You will tour here for about 50 minutes before transferring by car to the Chiran Peace Museum for Kamikaze Pilots.

The museum opened in 1975 on the site of the former Chiran Air Base, an enlargement of the museum building to 17 thousand sq. ft. was completed in 1986. Chiran also has several statues and memorials related to kamikaze pilots. Stone lanterns, dedicated to the pilots, line the town's main street and the road leading to the museum. The kamikaze pilots need no introduction but the museum displays about 4,000 photos, final letters, and articles left behind by kamikaze pilots. The museum's exhibits on kamikaze pilots are the most extensive of any museum in Japan.

At this point you will find yourself ready for lunch which will be in a typical Japanese restaurant, always an experience. Your guide will be with you to instruct and direct you to all the nuances of Japanese traditional dining.

Your tour will continue with a transfer to the Ibusuki Sand Baths for your Sand Bath Experience. Thousands of tourists come from all over the world to try the steaming hot sand baths. Blessed with great weather, hibiscus flowers blossom all throughout the area yet Ibusuki is best known for its steam and baths, heated by natural subterranean geysers. Blue-robed visitors come and lay in warm sand pits and are gradually covered with volcanic sand up to their necks. The weight and heat of the sand assists in the body's blood circulation and, after about 10 minutes, the whole body begins to perspire. It is a relaxing sensation both young and old alike enjoy. If you wish to sit out the experience, you can watch others in your group try this once in a lifetime experience!

Refreshed in every way, we return you at this time to your starting point.

- Lunch is included in the tour.
- Admissions to sites mentioned are included in the tour.
- There is some easy walking involved in this tour. Please dress comfortably.
- If you wish to observe others in your group rather than participating in the sand bath, you may watch.
- Please note, that we have limited English speaking guides and this tour must be booked well in advance.

- It is possible Ibusuki Sand Bath will not be available due to tide condition on the date.
- In case there is not enough time to do all sightseeing included in this itinerary, because of ship schedule, we recommend that we modify the itinerary to the length needed by eliminating one of the sites.
- IMPORTANT. This tour has a cancellation/refund policy that is non-conforming with ShoreTrips standard policy. Full refunds will be made for cancellations due to your ship not making its scheduled port stop if you have notified the vendor or ShoreTrips of this situation at least 72 hours prior to the scheduled stop. 50% refunds will be made cancellations due to your ship not making its scheduled port stop if you have notified the vendor or ShoreTrips of this situation at least 48 hours prior to the scheduled stop. No refunds will be made for cancellations made in the last 48 hours prior to the scheduled stop. Excursion Protection insurance is available and highly recommended and will be offered to you during the checkout procedure.

Days offered: 7 days a week

Departures:

• 08:00 AM, duration: 7.75 hours