Planning on going on a five-day solo trip from my hometown in Tokai area to Kyushu at the end of June. No car sadly, so gonna go by bus/train. My original plan was to night bus it to Fukuoka, make my way down to Nagasaki, and spend a few days cycling around Fukue Island. I’ve realized this might be a bit of a hike for five days with no car, so I’m thinking of starting in Osaka, and hitting Tottori and/or that area of west coast Japan. I’m unfamiliar with the area but would just like to walk/ride around while taking photos and finding new places. Any insight/recommendations would be appreciated!
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If you have five days for your cycling trip that focuses on photography, I would suggest following areas of western Japan:
* Shimabara Peninsula and Mt. Unzen area (Nagasaki) – this can be extended along Ariake Sea (note: dawn over Ariake Sea can be very spectacular)
* Hirado Island and northern Kyushu coast to Karatsu including Fukushima Island
* Kunisaki Peninsula (Oita) – this can be extended to Beppu and Yufuin
* Izumi, Matsue area (Shimane) – this can be extened either to Yasugi (and along Iinashi river) or to Mt. Daisen
* Kibi Plain route (including Bichu-Takamatsu castle), central Okayama (Kurashiki) and Kagawa prefecture (Zentsuji, Marugame, Kotohira, Takamatsu). Combining any of those with art islands (particularly Shodoshima) also should work well.
If you had more time I’d recommend the sleeper ferry as a way to get from Kansai to Kyushu
I spent three weeks driving around Kyushu in October 2021. I loved it.
This is pretty deep into the rainy season, and Kyushu gets hit hard. Just be aware weather might derail your plans. You should be safe form typhoon season this far out, though.
With no car, if you plan to only do Fukuoka and Nagasaki, this is pretty realistic. But anything else, it’ll take time. You’ll end up rushing. I had three weeks and I only went to an Autobacs and Kuroneko in Saga, only had one day/night in Nagasaki and felt I could have stayed in Oita and Miyazaki for twice as long. (I would have also spent time overnight in the Aso region.) I basically added three days to Kagoshima because I loved it so much.
Anyway, with a train and bike, you can easily go to Dazaifu (touristy, but beautiful temple and scenery), Yanage, Takeo onsen and end up right in Nagasaki.
If you can make five days a full week, I think you’ll have a better time.