In march 2020 I was about to go on a long-planned trip with a friend, focused on Kyushu and Southern Honshu. We had to cancel it due to the lockdown a few days before we would have departed. This was our basic itinerary:
* Arrive in Fukuoka
* 2 days Fukuoka
* 2 days Nagasaki: General sightseeing, maybe Arita, Onsen (Shimabara)
* 3 days Kagoshima: Sakurajima, Sand onsen, maybe sidetrips
* 3 days Hiroshima: Peace park, side trip to Miyajima
* 1 day Onomichi
* 2 days doing the Shimanami Kaido Cyclepath
* 2 days Kyoto: already been there, mainly wanted to see the Miyako Odori
* 3 days Tokyo: Ghibli museum, showing my friend Tokyo, who hasn’t been there before
* Flying back from Tokyo
Now that it looks like there is an end to the pandemic in sight, and since we expect to be vaccinated by mid-2021, we’re reconsidering doing the trip in autumn (october) of 2021. We’re considering already booking some hotels (with free cancellation) soon, as they still seem to be quite cheap to book right now.
Our itinerary was created for spring, with following the cherry blossoms in mind. Is there anything you think we should change considering the change in season? Are there any events or festivals around autumn in southern Japan that we shouldn’t miss?
We’re also considering extending the trip by maybe a week or so, including a side trip to Yakushima. Are there any destinations along the way where you would recommend spending another day? We’re mainly interested in traditional culture, but also natural sights. More obscure suggestions are definitely welcome! (as long as they’re reachable by train)
14 comments
Beppu is a really nice Hot spring town if you want to do hot springs or the the famous 7 hot springs (I think seven) they have.
You will be able to see autumn leaves if you head to the alps for a bit. Maybe consider adding a few days and doing the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route or exploring that area?
What exactly do you mean by “Onsen (Shimabara)”? If you’re planning a day trip to Shimabara (either the town or the peninsula), I think 2 days won’t be enough for Nagasaki.
Just throwing this in there but, assuming it’s not cancelled, Tsu Festival in Mie prefecture is in October (on a Saturday and Sunday) and it’s fantastic! Lots of yosakoi dancing. The big yosakoi final competition is Sunday evening. Don’t know if Mie would be squeeze-inable but you know. Just in case you’re in the area
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Of those 3 days in hiroshima, highly recommend you stay the night in Miyajima
I don’t suggest getting your hopes up..
Couple things:. If the boarders do open up. The world will not be rid of the virus by the fall. Keep that in mind. This means not all attractions will be open for you to see. You may have to quarantine even if you have the shot. Remember the vaccine isn’t 100%
Of the boarders open up…. EVERYONE and their dogs are going to want to travel. Which means the busy ass country of Japan is going to be even more crowded. Don’t ruin your experience because you couldn’t wait an extra 6 months.
The Olympics will be happening In the summer to late fall. Try to avoid this time frame if you don’t like crowds and sports…. Gives me anxiety
3 days in kagoshima is a little too much. 1 is enough. I’d suggest getting to yakushima if you’re that close.
I’m not sure if October is enough time for health restrictions to clear up for everything in your proposed itinerary.
Mt Kuju in Oita and Mt Unzen in Nagasaki have spectacular Azalea blooms that turn the mountains pink in May. Dazaifu in Fukuoka area has wonderful Plum blooms in late February and Sakura in March. Mt Aso has opened up, so you can also visit one of the largest volcanoes in the world.
damn dude
I plan to spend the last week of October in Japan at the end of a RTW trip. I think it’s likely to be possible to travel then. If your friend hasn’t been to Kyoto either you’re shortchanging him/her.
I’ve always found the best weather in Japan to be in late October. Hopefully we can travel there in 2021.
For Tokyo, if you want to go off the beaten path, Maid S Runner. ‘nuff said.
> 2 days Nagasaki: General sightseeing, maybe Arita, Onsen (Shimabara)
Nagasaki by itself can be a 2-day experience. An onsen somewhere around Shimabara Peninsula is a fairly good call. Logistics make Arita more of a day trip out of Fukuoka.
> 3 days Hiroshima
Iwakuni or Kure are possible day trips. Thus said, considering you want to do Shimanami Kaido, a day in Matsuyama could make sense (and doing the route in reverse – starting in Imabari, and finishing in Onomichi).