I am already in Japan. I am planning a trip for this August.
## Kyoto
### Day 1
Afternoon Philosopher’s Path, and Ginkakuji
### Day 2
Morning Fushimi Inari (maybe time for Kiyomizu-dera, Kodai-ji?)
Train to Uji, Byodoin Temple, Kosho-ji
### Day 3
Arashiyama, Kinkaku-ji, and Daitoku-ji
### Day 4
Day trip to Osaka involving Shitennoji Temple, Shinsekai, Kuromon market, and Dotonbori
## Kagoshima
### Day 5
Shinkansen 5:45―10:30 am from Kyoto―Kagoshima
Senganen Garden, Sakurajima
## Yakushima
### Day 6
Ferry Yakushima 8:30―12:30 am from Kagoshima―Miyanoura
Shiratani Unsuikyo
### Day 7
Jomonsuigi (or shorter trail)
## Fukuoka
### Day 8
Ferry Kagoshima 1:30―5:40 pm from Miyanoura―Kagoshima
Shinkansen from Kagoshima―Fukuoka
Yatai
## Hiroshima
### Day 9
Morning Canal City Hakata, Hakata ramen
Shinkansen from Fukuoka―Hiroshima
Afternoon visting Hiroshima involving A-dome (maybe Peace Memorial Museum?)
### Day 10
Miyajima
## Okayama
### Day 11
Okayama Korakuen Garden and Okayama Castle, Kurashiki City, Bikan Historical Quarters, Kojima Jeans Street
### Day 13
Morning half Bizen-yaki
Afternoon half-day trip to Himeji
## Questions
I have two more days to allocate anywhere, where should I spend them to balance my time out?
Also, this schedule might be too rushed. Should I cut out some places, like Fukuoka? Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated.
I am also open to changing the overall order in which I visit places.
For Yakushima, I can’t rent a car so I will be relying on the infrequent buses.
5 comments
Are you travelling with a lot of luggage? Because it would make much more sense on Day 4 stay at Shin-Osaka instead. You can drop your luggage at the hotel on the way from Kyoto. Then it’s just jump on the Shinkansen for the next morning.
I would spend another day on Yakushima. You wouldn’t be able to see much of Shiratani if you try to go there after just arriving on the ferry. Yakushima is fantastic and I would even suggest renting a car and driving around the island if you have time. Fukuoka also seems very rushed. It’s probably not worth it to go all the way there for such a short time.
hey, I did a really similar itinerary, except I did the east side of Kyushu instead. loved the ferries and Kagoshima city, went back through Aso/Kirishima NP, ended up in Beppu and took that ferry back to Osaka
spend more time in Yakushima!!! if you’re feeling adventurous hike in and stay at one of the free mountain huts
Personally I would fly domestically to Kagoshima rather than Shinkansen unless the scenery from the train or ekiben or something is important to you. Cheap, easy, fast, and you’ll have more time in Kyushu. Kagoshima is a great city, and the bottom of Kyushu is a long way from Kansai even by Shink
I think this itinerary is a great start! Although the freedom of having a car on Yakushima is pretty huge. Do you just not have a license? International driving permits are pretty easy to get if you do have one in your country, and the driving on the island is some of the easiest in the country and maybe anywhere in the world lol. I think you could still get by with the buses if you stay on top of them.
Regarding your itinerary, taking the shinkansen to Kagoshima City and then doing the ferry seems like a lot. That time of year you run the risk of ferry cancellations too- I’d highly recommend just flying into Yakushima. It’s very easy and quick and would give you more time on the island. Just 1.5 days on the island is way too short in my opinion. If you do go btw, I recommend staying at Shiki no Yado in Onoaida. The family that runs in the inn are so great, and the Mrs cooks amazing food.
Also, just a suggestion, but it might be fun to make your way up to Fukuoka after Yakushima and just focus your trip in Kyushu itself and save Hiroshima/ Okayama for another trip? Kyushu has spots like Ibusuki with the sand baths, Kirishima, Miyazaki, Takachiho, Mt Aso, Kurokawa Onsen, Beppu, Nagasaki. Fukuoka is a big city too, feels a bit rushed maybe to just do barely a day here. Although these areas across Kyushu for sure are all definitely more accessible with a rental car.