Hello, we are a family of 5 travelling to the Kyushu region during the late Nov- early Dec period and have planned an itinerary that allows us to visit as much places as we can. Currently the only issue is maximising the 7 days JR Pass and trying to reduce the number of days in Fukuoka alone. Could anyone help us with this? Should we be renting cars or just stick to using the rail? Thank you!!
27 Nov, Wed – 8 Dec, Sunday
Day 1:
– Land in Fukuoka Airport at 1330
– Check in, explore Fukuoka Castle and Ohori Park, shopping in Canal City Hakata
– Kushida Jinja Shrine (walking distance from Canal City)
Day 2:
– Visit Fukuoka Tower
– Day trip to Itoshima for beaches and coastal scenary
– Return to Fukuoka and visit Lalaport Shopping Mall
Day 3:
– Visit Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine
– Head to Yanagawa for riverboat experience
– Head back to Fukuoka
Day 4:
– Activating JR Pass (Day 1/7), heading to Nagasaki
– Visit Glover Garden to see harbour, Dejima, Nagasaki Dejima Wharf, Maganebashi Bridge, Chinatown Shinchi
– Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum, Oura Church, Mt Inasa Night View
– Not sure whether to return to Fukuoka or stay at Nagasaki
Day 5: JR Pass (Day 2/7)
– Head to Huis Ten Bosh / Takeo Onsen via 4047 Sightseeing Train
– Stay in Nagasaki
Day 6: JR Pass (Day 3/7)
– Head to Kumamoto from Nagasaki/ Fukuoka
– Visit Suganoya, head to Kumamoto Castle, Sakuranobaba Johsaien, shopping at Shimotori Shopping Arcade
Day 7: JR Pass (Day 4/7)
– Rent a car for daytrip to Mt Aso area and Takachiho Gorge, drive to Takachiho Gorge first and then visit Aso Crater on the way back
– Explore Aso Shrine, Kusasenri Prairie, Daikanbo Lookout
– Head back to Kumamoto
Day 8: JR Pass (Day 5/7)
– Daytrip to Kagoshima, take a ferry to Sakurajima Volcano, optionally visit Ibusuki, return to Kumamoto
Day 9: JR Pass (Day 6/7)
– Head to Beppu via Shinkansen, visit Beppu Hells and Takegawara Onsen, Eight Hells
– Beppu Ropeway to Mt Tsurumi
Day 10: JR Pass (Day 7/7)
– Head to Yufuin from Beppu via Yufuin no mori, visit Yunotsubo Kaido, Kinrin Lake
– Visit Yufuin Floral Village and Quaint Town
– Head back to Fukuoka via Yufuin no mori
Day 11/12:
– Marine World, Marina City Fukuoka, Aeon Mall Fukuoka, Tenjin Chikagai, Solaria Plaza
by limshg