Hello everyone, we will be traveling to Japan for the 4th time in May this year (May 12 to June 1), and we would like to do a road trip in Kyushu this time. We prepared the following itinerary and would appreciate your feedback on the feasibility and if there isn’t anything obvious we still need to include/replace.
* Day 1-5: Tokyo + Hiroshima > planning is set
* Day 5: Hiroshima to Fukuoka in the afternoon, we will probably book a guide for the evening to get an introduction to the Yatai atmosphere
* Day 6: Day in Fukuoka, visiting the city
* Day 7: Day trip to Nagasaki from Fukuoka by train
* Day 8: Day trip to Yutoku Inari Shrine + Dazaifu Tenmangu from Fukuoka by train
* Day 9: Start of the road trip, we rent a car in Fukuoka and drive to Yufuin in the morning
* Day 10: Drive to Beppu from Yufuin to check the city (hell holes)
* Day 11: Drive from Yufuin to Kurokawa Onsen and stop at Chojabaru Visitor Center to walk a bit. Our goal is to enjoy a nice onsen for as long as possible on this day.
* Day 12: Drive from Kurokawa Onsen to Kumamoto, but take a side trip to Aso, Takachiho, Amano Iwato Shrine on the way. I am counting \~5h of driving that day, which should be okay.
* Day 13: Day in Kumamoto, visiting the city (Castle, Suizenji garden)
* Day 14: From Kumamoto to Kagoshima by car either in the morning or afternoon, depending on if we want to spend a few more hours in Kumamoto
* Day 15: Day in Kagoshima, visiting the city (Sakurajima, Sengan-en garden)
* Day 16: Driving to Kagoshima airport and flight back to Tokyo
* Day 16-21: Tokyo > planning is set
Overall, I feel comfortable with this itinerary, but I appreciate your feedback. Also, a few questions:
1. There is a lot to do in the Saga prefecture, would you say that Yutoku Inari Shrine + Dazaifu Tenmangu are the main highlights?
2. I am hesitating between Beppu and Kunisaki peninsula (Rokugo Manzan) on day 10, but Beppu seems to be easier (less driving), any opinion?
3. Any recommended road from Kumamoto to Kagoshima? I don’t mind driving 2/3 extra hours if it is to see nice scenery or stop in a cute town/cafe etc. I can take the most direct way by Hitoyoshi or go through Izumi and Akune, both seem easy.
4. I see a lot of rice terraces along the way, is there one in particular we should visit? Is there an “etiquette” to visit such a place? I don’t want to annoy anyone…
Many thanks for your feedback!
by Olivdouglas
1 comment
Like your plan a lot.
Would prefer more time in Nagasaki. Even an overnighter. But less than 2hrs each way on a day trip is not terrible if you leave early. Plenty to see.
Found Fukuoka (Hakata) more of a good day trip base but ok.
Kumamoto was more worth half a day. Most main attractions are central. There are some other spots we did not visit as relied on public transport and the connections and timetables were bad. You will have a car so I envy you. You can even tick some things off on the way to Kagoshima.
Kagoshima was a favourite, you cannot go wrong there. Consider leaving early from Kumamoto.