Hi everyone,
I am planning a Japan trip for Spring 2023. Half of the trip is in Kyushu, which is where I have uncertainties on how realistic my current itinerary is. My SO will be renting a car in Kitakyushu via ToCoo! which is where our Kyushu journey starts. We’re hoping the Kyushu Expressway Pass will be available by then, but if not we’ll settle with the ETC unlimited pass.
Could I get some feedback on whether or not this itinerary will work? We are open to other suggestions or alternatives, or even cutting something out if it is not worth the time. For reference, my SO and I are interested in exploring regional (or delicious) foods, sightseeing, and some game/anime stuff. Our Japanese is pretty bare bones, so we won’t be able to converse extensively. We have absolutely no idea what to do in Fukuoka, besides eating motsunabe or tonkotsu ramen.
Thank you in advance!!
Day 0 (Sunday)
-Pick up rental car
-Stay overnight in Kitakyushu
Day 1 (Monday)
6am – Drive to Beppu from Kitakyushu
8am – Arrive at Umi Jigoku in Beppu (Park nearby)
-Explore Oniishi Bozu Jigoku and Kamado Jigoku
10am – Drive to and visit Chinoike Jogoku
11am – Grab lunch
Noon or 1pm – Drive to Usuki
2pm – Arrive at Usuki and explore Nioza Historical Road and Usuki Castle
4pm – Drive to Miyazaki
7pm – Check into hotel in Miyazaki
Day 2 (Tuesday)
7am – Drive to Aoshima from Miyazaki Hotel
8am – Explore Aoshima Island
10:30am – Drive to Udo Shrine
12pm – Lunch somewhere
Rest of day: Drive back to Miyazaki
Where else to explore in Miyazaki?
-Saitoboru Burial Mounds?
-Miyazaki Historical Museum?
-Hewaidai Park?
Day 3 (Wednesday)
6am – Check out of hotel in Miyazaki and Drive to Takaicho Gorge
8am – Arrive at Takaicho Gorge
11am – Drive to Mount Aso (and grab lunch along the way)
1pm – Arrive/Explore Mount Aso (if not closed due to volcanic activity)
2pm – Drive to Hita (Oita)
4:30pm – Arrive at Hita (Oita) hotel
Day 4 (Thursday)
10 am – Drive to Kikushi George from Hita (Oita) hotel
11am – Hike at Kikushi George
1pm – Grab lunch in Aso
2pm – Drive back to Hotel in Hita (Oita)
Day 4 (Friday)
9 or 10am – Check out of hotel and drive to Yoshinogari Historical Park
11:30am – Explore Yoshinogari Histoical Park
2pm – Drive to Yotoku Inari Shrine
3pm – Drive to Fukuoka
4 or 5pm – Check into hotel in Chuo Ward in Fukuoka.
Day 5 (Sat)
-Any recommendations for Fukuoka city that is convenient via bus/subway?
-Regional Souvenir Stores recommendations? Like mentaiko senbei or anything that can last a flight back to the US.
Day 6 (Sun)
-Check out of hotel
– Take public transportation to Fukuoka airport
-Fly back to united states.