Hello
We’re planning just under 3 weeks in Kyushu and Okinawa. I would appreciate any advice on whether our itinerary below sounds feasible, and any recommendations you may make.
We are travelling for our honeymoon. Our priorities are beautiful scenery, amazing food, a fairly relaxed trip experiencing rural Kyushu. We have a few days in Fukuoka at the start of the trip to acclimatise, but generally are not too interested in cities.
We plan to rent a car for the Kyushu main island and Yakushima parts of the trip.
We had considered Ishigaki instead of Zamami; however, as we need to fly to Manila afterwards, this makes things a little more complicated and trying to avoid extra unnecessary flights.
Any thoughts or recommendations on any aspect of this trip are much appreciated! I have put things I would specifically like recommendations on in italics.
Another specific question: would you recommend a suitcase, or large backpack for this trip? Given we are not doing lots of trips via train/shinkansen, I am hoping a proper suitcase will be fine.
**5****^(th)** **October**
Arrive 19:40 FUK
Sleep: Hakata, Fukuoka
**6****^(th)** **October**
Fukuoka – a relaxed day wandering city, acclimatising from jet lag, eating good food
Sleep: Hakata, Fukuoka
**7****^(th)** **October**
Day trip to Dazaifu and Yanagawa (with joint sightseeing ticket)
Sleep: Hakata, Fukuoka
**8****^(th)** **October**
Fly Fukuoka to Yakushima 1255
Arrive 1405 Yakushima. Pick up rental car at airport.
Drive to and check in at accommodation, have not yet decided on area – *Anbo/Miyanoura or somewhere between them, perhaps in 1 of the towns as we like easy walking access to good restuarants*
A short hike if we have time
Sleep: Anbo/Miyanoura
**9****^(th)** **October**
Yakushima hiking
Sleep: Anbo/Miyanoura
**10****^(th)** **October**
Yakushima kayaking – half day
Exploring island by car, relaxing in onsen – half day
Sleep: Anbo/Miyanoura
**11****^(th)** **October**
Yakushima hiking
Sleep: Anbo/Miyanoura
**12****^(th)** **October**
Fly Yakushima – Kagoshima 1005 – 1040
Kagoshima, pick up car. Most of a day in Kagoshima. *Sakurajima? or spend time in the city, Sengan-en? Can both of these things be fitted in?*
Sleep: Kagoshima
**13****^(th)** **October**
Slow drive along Kagoshima coastline, drive to Miyazaki prefecture, explore Miyazaki area. Sun Messe?
Stay near Miyazaki *(not in city – near Ko-Uchiumi?)*
Sleep: Miyazaki prefecture, tbc
**14****^(th)** **October**
Morning: drive along Miyazaki coast via Aoshima (Devil’s washboard, cats) to Takachiho Gorge. Lunch and afternoon in this area.
Drive to Kurokawa Onsen
Sleep: Kurokawa Onsen ryokan
**15****^(th)** **October**
Hiking in Kuju mountains (*or would Aso be better?*)
Sleep: Kurokawa onsen ryokan
**16****^(th)** **October**
Drive to Kumamoto, take car ferry across to Shimabara, Nagasaki prefecture
*Day in ?Unzen, ?Nagasaki. Stay overnight in one of these areas, or Chiwata overlooking Omura bay?*
Sleep: Nagasaki prefecture
**17****^(th)** **October**
Quite early start – drive from Nagasaki up Saga to Arita or Imari, Okawachiyama village drive north coast to Fukuoka
Fly to Naha ideally 1655 – 1845. *There is also a flight an hour later if not enough time.*
Sleep: Naha
**18****^(th)** **October**
Early boat to Zamami
Exploring, short hike, relaxing on the beach
Sleep: Zamami
**19****^(th)** **October**
Zamami, snorkelling/relaxing on beach at Furuzamami beach
Sleep: Zamami
**20****^(th)** **October**
Zamami, half day kayak tour
Boat back to Naha
Sleep: Naha
**21****^(st)** **October**
Fly from Naha to Manila 1150
by chillyobinz