Hey guys, this is my second trip to Japan and it will primarily be in Kyushu. For context, I am running a marathon the week before so the theme of the trip is ramen and onsens as that's all I want to do in recovery. I visited Tokyo, Hakone, Kyoto, Osaka and Nara on my first trip in 2023. The highlights of that trip were definitely Hakone and Kyoto for me – I quite enjoyed nature, ryokans, Buddhist temples and historical districts. Osaka Castle was alright but I probably wouldn't tour the inside of another castle. I am a big foodie/ramen head and I already love Ikkousha Ramen as I frequent the shops in Toronto. I'm not afraid of a super packed itinerary as long as transportation/crowds are viable. For example, I did Fushimi Inari, Nishiki Market, Gion, Nineizaka, Sannenzaka, Kiyomizu-dera and Gion Duck Noodles all in one day (rip legs). I will be buying the JR Sanyo Sanin Northern Kyushu Pass.
Itinerary
Day 1 – Monday, Nov 25 – Land in Haneda, 2 Hr Transfer, Fly to Fukuoka. Land ~8pm. Ramen.
Day 2 – Fukuoka Central Day Atago Shrine + Sakurai Shrine Futamigaura Torii in the morning. Then back to the city for Fukuoka Tower, Kushida Shrine, Canal City Hakata for Ramen Stadium.
Day 3 – Not really fleshed out. Nanzoin Temple and Daihonzan Naritasan in Kurume are the key places I'd like to visit. Is this doable in a day? I'm definitely getting ramen in Kurume. Return to Fukuoka City.
Day 4 – Group Tour to Tachiho, Amanoiwato Shrine and Kamishikimi Kumanoza from Fukuoka. Take the train to Takeo Onsen for the night.
Day 5 – Friday, Nov 29 – Head to Nagasaki and Activating the JR Sanyo Sanin Northern Kyushu Pass – I'll just follow a 2 day itinerary. Champon ramen for dinner. I am not visiting Arita or Huis Ten Bosch. Is Sasebo worth the visit for the burger and spinning tops?
Day 6 – Nagasaki
Day 7 – Kurume for Lunch, End at Kumamoto. If I visit Kurume earlier in the Fukuoka days then I will skip Kurume here. Alternatively, could I do half a day in Kagoshima? I am willing to pay the extra 13K for JR train just so I can eat Kagoshima ramen and shaved ice. In any case, spend the night in Kumamoto.
Day 8 – Monday, Dec 2. Head to Kurokawa Onsen via Kyushu Odan Bus. Spend the night
Day 9 – Leave for Beppu. 7 Hells + Ropeway. Spend the night
Day 10 – Leave for Hiroshima after lunch. Main city landmarks. Spend the night
Day 11 – Miyajima and any remaining Hiroshima landmarks. Head to Kobe – Arima Onsen for the night. JR Sanyo Sanin Northern Kyushu Pass ends. I don't think Arima is necessary so I suppose I could go straight to Kyoto. What are your thoughts on Arima?
Day 12 Friday, Dec 6 – Quick stop by Kyoto / Metasequoia avenue. Shinkansen to Tokyo.
Day 13 – Tokyo. Alternatively. I could probably drop this Tokyo day for an extra day in Kagoshima in the itinerary.
Day 14 – Sunday, Dec 8 – Tokyo and depart ):
by sharkusilly