The time has finally arrived! Depart Australia and fly overnight into Fukouka (FUK).

Arrive at Fukuoka Airport, then transfer by coach for the Kunisaki Peninsula, about 2.5 hours’ drive away. Visit the impressive Usa Jingu shrine, a singularly Japanese environment, and the source of the religious development on Kunisaki over 1,200 years ago.

Arrive in Ota, a quiet village deep in the Japanese countryside. Spend two nights in chalets atop a small, remote mountain and enjoy the peaceful surroundings which include the remains of an old temple. End the day tasting the delicious flavours of the farmhouse cuisine for your first dinner.

Today marks the beginning of your community project work. Large-scale deforestation in Japan, driven by the uprooting of old forests for cedar plantations to supply the construction industry, has severely impacted native woodland habitats. These conditions create a barren forest floor, starved of sunlight, where few other plants and wildlife can thrive.

You'll join a local initiative dedicated to restoring the native ecosystem. This involves planting fruit and nut trees, bushes, vegetables, vines, medicinal plants, and flowers. Activities are diverse and may include surveying, clearing undergrowth, planting trees and bushes, clearing old paths, creating wetlands, and setting up bird boxes.

Other rewarding projects might involve assisting farming couples with the cultivation of shiitake mushrooms – which you'll then help prepare for the evening meal!

At the end of the day, return to your accommodation and try your hand at making soba buckwheat noodles, which will be enjoyed with a delicious Japanese-style curry and rice for dinner. Conclude your day with an engaging wadaiko Japanese drumming presentation.

After breakfast, join Watanabe San and his colleagues at a local farming co-operative to experience and assist with traditional charcoal making. Afterwards, a short bus ride will take you to the towering Kumano Magaibutsu, 1,000-year-old giant Buddhist relief carvings etched into a cliffside.

Next, transfer to Fuki-ji, home to one of Japan's most beautiful Buddhist temple buildings. Lunch will be dango-jiru, a delicious vegetarian dish renowned in the area.

In the afternoon, travel by bus through the heart of Kunisaki to Imi Port. From there, a 20-minute ferry will transport you to Himeshima, a small island located off Kunisaki's north coast.
Upon arrival, take time to learn essential Japanese customs and etiquette for traditional living, including where to remove shoes, bed arrangements, and bath usage. These vital lessons will be crucial for your upcoming homestays with Japanese families.

Begin your day by returning to Imi Port via ferry for a morning craft workshop. Activities will include ikebana flower arrangement and Shittoi weaving.

Following lunch, enjoy a walk through the expansive grounds of Kyu-Sento-ji, a once-powerful temple. Today, only two impressive Nio guardian deities, countless gravestones, ancient stone walls, and foundations remain. A short climb will lead you to the "fortress rock" peak of Itsusu-ji Fudo, which shelters a small shrine room offering spectacular views of Kunisaki, the Seto Inland Sea, and Himeshima.

Conclude your day with a Japanese favorite: a relaxing onsen thermal hot spring bath.

This morning, visit Futago-ji, Kunisaki's most important temple. Here, you'll have the opportunity to try zazen Buddhist sitting meditation under the friendly guidance of Gojun-San, the temple's young priest. Gojun-San will also provide a tour of his beautiful temple grounds and introduce you to the rich religious history of the Kunisaki area.

Transfer to Bungotakada for lunch at a local restaurant, followed by a stroll through this charming small town. You will then split into small groups to meet local Japanese families, who will host you until tomorrow morning. This is a wonderful opportunity to immerse yourself in Japanese culture!

After breakfast, the group will gather with your homestay families in Bungo-Takada for a farewell ceremony. Afterwards, depart for Fukuoka by bus.

Stop in Dazaifu to explore its elegant Shinto shrine, built in 905 AD, which enshrines Tenjin, the Japanese god of learning. Spend some time in Dazaifu exploring the shops and searching for souvenirs.

Arrive in Fukuoka for dinner and a celebratory karaoke session!

Spend your final full day in Japan experiencing the vibrant atmosphere and sights of Fukuoka. Whether it's sampling local delicacies at a Yatai, finding last-minute souvenirs at Canal City, or exploring the ancient ruins of Fukuoka Castle, there's plenty to do!

As our journey concludes, we encourage reflection and sharing of memories from the trip. At Infuse, we aim for students to reflect on their experiences and the issues they engaged with, considering how to apply this new understanding to their own lives.

During or after the closing discussion, groups will participate in a unique and powerful closing ceremony, designed to help students capture the memories and learning moments of their program to process and share with their communities back home.

Before the day ends, enjoy a final dinner and another celebratory karaoke session!

We sincerely hope your time here, the shared experiences, and your reflections will remain with you for a lifetime. After some final group photos with Team Japan, your Program Leaders will escort you to the airport for your departure as you say goodbye and reflect on your incredible adventure.