Hi there – would like to get some thoughts on my current itinerary for 11 days in Kyushu in November. I am arriving in Nagasaki and leaving through Fukuoka both via connecting flight through Tokyo from the US. I am planning to purchase the All Kyushu JR pass for much of the journey as it depends on using the Kyushu Shinkansen on multiple days. Any thoughts or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
This is my second trip to Japan, first time visiting Kyushu. As interesting as it looks, I have ruled out visiting Yakushima as I don’t believe my trip length will give it sufficient time to enjoy properly.
**Day 1 – Nov 10 Nagasaki**
\- Arrive HND to NGS in morning
\- Take airport bus to Nagasaki city, drop bag at hotel
\- Visit peace park and museum
\- Visit one legged tori and cathedral
\- Take ropeway to top of mountain near sunset
**Day 2 – Nov 11 Nagasaki**
\- Take ferry to gunkanjima in the morning
\- Sightsee on gunkanjima until early afternoon
\- Visit dutch slope / cathedral in Nagasaki
\- Shopping in Chinatown
**Day 3 – Nov 12 Kagoshima**
\- Begin train travel to Kagoshima in morning
\- Arrive near lunch to drop bag at hotel
\- Shopping/lunch/browsing in tenmonkan
\- Visit shiroyama park and observation center near sunset
**Day 4 – Nov 13 Kagoshima**
\- Take ferry to Sakurajima in morning
\- Walk lava path and use footbaths near visitor center
\- Take tour bus round Sakurajima island
\- Return to Kagoshima via ferry
\- Visit Amaminosato if time permits
**Day 5 – Nov 14 Kagoshima**
\- Take train to Ibusuki in morning for sand bath
\- Sightsee in Ibusuki until early afternoon
\- Return to Kagoshima via train
\- Visit Sengan-en garden
\- Visit Amaminosato if missed on Day 4
**Day 6 – Nov 15 Aso/Kurokawa**
\- Take train to Kumamoto in morning
\- Collect rental car near Kumamoto station
\- Drive to Takachiho gorge to arrive mid morning/lunchtime
\- Leave Takachiho gorge mid afternoon and drive to Kurokawa onsen
\- Check in to ryokan and visit onsen if time permits
**Day 7 – Nov 16 Aso/Kurokawa**
\- Drive to Mount Aso in morning
\- Visit crater sites (assuming they are open)
\- Visit Kamikishimi shrine lunchtime/afternoon
\- Visit Shirakawa spring early afternoon if time
\- Return to Kurokawa onsen mid afternoon for more time to visit onsen in town
**Day 8 – Nov 17 Kumamoto**
\- Leave Kurokawa for Kumamoto in morning
\- Stop at Kikuchi gorge along the route in mid morning
\- Arrive Kumamoto near lunchtime and return rental car
\- Get lunch, visit Kumamoto castle in afternoon
\- Check in to hotel
**Day 9 – Nov 18 Fukuoka**
\- Check out of hotel, take train to Hakata station in morning
\- Arrive Hakata station and drop bag at Fukuoka hotel
\- Shopping at Hakata markets lunchtime/early afternoon
\- Visit Shofukuji later in afternoon
\- Attend sumo match or Yatai in evening
**Day 10 – Nov 19 Fukuoka**
\- Take train to visit Yotoku Inari shrine in morning
\- Return to Fukuoka and visit Uminonakamichi park early afternoon
\- Visit Fukuoka castle ruins mid afternoon
\- Attend sumo match or Yatai in evening (depending on Day 9 activities)
**Day 11 – Nov 20 Fukuoka**
\- Take train to visit Dazaifu in morning
\- Return to Fukuoka and visit Munakata shrines in afternoon
\- End day a little early to give time to pack and prepare for return home
**Day 12 – Nov 21**
\- Begin travel home starting FUK – HND
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