Kyushu Itinerary (9 days) – Fukuoka, Nagasaki, Kumamoto, Mt Aso, Kagoshima, and Beppu

I’m planning on travelling to Kyushu in late March 2023 (\*fingers crossed\* for cherry blossoms) and have put together a somewhat detailed itinerary.

This will be my first time visiting Kyushu (but fourth time overall in Japan) and I understand it is quite a packed plan so I am aware I may not get to do everything on this list.

I’m travelling with parents in their 60s but we are all generally okay with longer days and can handle lots of walking

I’m happy to hear any feedback, tips, things to skip, must sees etc. 🙂

**Day 0**

* Arrive in Fukuoka Airport late afternoon
* Head to hotel and sleep

**Day 1 (Fukuoka)**

* **Fukuoka Castle**
* **Ohori Park**
* **Fukuoka Tower**
* **Momochi Seaside Park**
* **Nishi Park**
* **Tochoji Temple**
* **Kushida Shrine**
* **Canal City**
* Dinner, shopping, fountain show
* Ramen stadium on top floor

**Day 2 (Fukuoka)**

* **Sumiyoshi Shrine**
* **Asahi Brewery Hakata**
* Only if we have time
* **Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine**
* Explore **Tenjin**
* **Nakagawa River Cruise**
* **Yatai** (food stalls) for dinner

**Day 3 (Nagasak)**

* 90 minute train ride from Hakata Station to Nagasaki Station
* Drop off luggage at hotel (or locker)
* **Atomic Bomb Museum**
* **Peace Park**
* **Chinatown**
* For lunch
* **Dejima**
* **Meganebashi Bridge**
* **Kofukuji temple**
* **Suwa Shrine**
* **Mount Inasa**
* nighttime view
* optional ropeway

**Day 4 (Nagasaki)**

* **Gunkanjima (Hashima) Island**
* Also museum on the mainland
* Departs at 9am (and again at 1pm)
* **Dutch Slope**
* **Confucius Shrine**
* **Oura Church**
* **Glover Garden**
* **Mt. Nabekanmuri Park & Observatory**

**Day 5 (Kumamoto)**

* Travel from Nagasaki (8:39am train)
* Arrive to Kumamoto Station at 10:30
* **Suizenji Jojuen Garden**
* **Izumi Shrine**
* **Kumamoto City Hall**
* Free observation deck
* **Sakuranobaba Josaien**
* **Kumamoto Castle**
* **Kato Shrine**
* **Shimotori Shopping Arcade**
* Shopping/restaurant strip for dinner

**Day 6 (Mt Aso)**

* Pick up rental car from Kumamoto station
* Drive 90 minutes to Mount Aso
* **Daikanbo viewpoint**
* Observation point
* **Kusasenri**
* Greenery grassland with grazing cows and horses
* **Kusasenri Observatory**
* **Aso Sanjo Public Square**
* **Nakadate crater**
* **ASO CANYON TERRACE**
* Large swing with view
* Only if we have time on drive home
* Return car to Kumamoto station late evening

**Day 7 (Kagoshima/Sakurajima)**

* 1 hour train from Kumamoto
* **Sengan-en**
* Ride ferry
* **Sakurajima**
* One-day Sakurajima Island View Bus pass
* Can rent bikes
* Visitors Centre
* Yunohira Observation Point
* Nagisa lava trail (3km walk)
* Kurokami Observation Point
* Arimura Observation Point
* Ferry back to Kagoshima
* **Tenmonkan**
* Downtown area for dinner
* **Shiroyama Park Observation Deck**
* If enough time
* 1 hour train back to Kumamoto

**Day 8 (Beppu)**

* Train from Kumamoto to Beppu Station
* Scenic route – 3 hours 30 minutes
* Lunch
* **Beppu Park**
* **Beppu Ropeway**
* **Mount Tsurumi**
* Explore **Yufuin**
* **Kinrin Lake**

**Day 9 (Beppu)**

* **Hells of Beppu** (Kannawa District)
* **Umi Jigoku**
* **Oniishibozu Jigoku**
* **Kamado Jigoku**
* **Oniyama Jigoku**
* **Shiraike Jigoku**
* **Jigoku Mushi**
* Food steaming workshop
* **Yukemuri observatory**
* **Kifune Castle**
* **Hells of Beppu** (Shibaseki District)
* **Chinoike Jigoku**
* **Tatsumaki Jigoku**
* Stay at hotel with **private onsen**

**Day 10**

* Continue holiday up to Hiroshima