Kyushu packs a lot into a small area—hot spring meccas like Beppu and Yufuin, the vast landscapes of Mt. Aso, mystical Takachiho, active Sakurajima, and fabulous food scenes from Hakata to Nagasaki.
This model course uses public transport (Shinkansen, JR/private rail, buses) with a relaxed 9:00–18:00 pace to cover highlights over 2 nights and 3 days.
Overview (2 nights, 3 days)
- Transport: Shinkansen, JR/private rail, buses
- Suggested bases: Night 1 = Fukuoka / Night 2 = Beppu–Yufuin or Nagasaki–Kumamoto
- Sightseeing hours: depart 9:00 / arrive accommodation 18:00
- Budget estimate:
- Transport: approx. ¥5,000–10,000/day
- Meals: approx. ¥3,000–6,000/day
- Lodging: approx. ¥8,000–15,000/night
- Total (2 nights, 3 days): approx. ¥50,000–85,000/person
Itinerary
- Day 1: Fukuoka (Hakata & Dazaifu) – Dazaifu Tenmangu & Kyushu National Museum → lunch: Hakata tonkotsu ramen & mentaiko → Hakata old town or Tenjin–Nakasu (street food stalls) → stay in Fukuoka.
- Day 2: Option A = Nagasaki / Option B = Kumamoto & Aso
- A: Nagasaki – Dejima, Glover Garden → lunch: champon or “Turkish rice” → Oura Church, Peace Park → (time-permitting) Mt. Inasa night view → stay in Nagasaki or return to Fukuoka.
- B: Kumamoto & Aso – Kumamoto Castle → lunch: taipi-en noodles → Aso (Kusasenri/Dai-Kanzan lookouts; use local/visitor buses) → stay in Kurokawa Onsen or Beppu–Yufuin.
- Day 3: Beppu–Yufuin or Kagoshima (Sakurajima)
- Beppu–Yufuin – Beppu Hells tour → Yufuin stroll & Lake Kinrin → lunch: toriten & dango-jiru → return to Kokura/Hakata by 18:00.
- Kagoshima – Shinkansen to Kagoshima-Chuo → Sakurajima ferry & Yunohira Observatory → lunch: Kurobuta tonkatsu & “Shirokuma” shaved ice → Sengan-en (time permitting) → depart from Kagoshima-Chuo.
Seasonal Highlights (months)
- Spring (Mar–May): Sakura at Dazaifu & Kumamoto Castle; Yufuin fresh greenery; Huis Ten Bosch tulips
- Summer (Jun–Aug): Hakata Gion Yamakasa (July), Nagasaki fireworks, beaches & islands (Iki, Goto)
- Autumn (Sep–Nov): Aso grassland colors, Takachiho Gorge foliage, Karatsu Kunchi (Nov)
- Winter (Dec–Feb): Beppu & Kurokawa steam, Ibusuki sand bath, winter illuminations (Huis Ten Bosch)
Food & Souvenirs
- Food: Hakata ramen, motsunabe, mentaiko, Nagasaki champon & sara-udon, “Turkish rice”, Kumamoto ramen & horse sashimi, Oita toriten & ryukyu, Miyazaki chicken nanban & mango, Kagoshima kurobuta & satsuma-age & shochu
- Souvenirs: Niwaka senbei, Torimon sweets, Castella, Aso Jersey dairy, Yufuin confections, Hakata mentaiko, Satsuma cut glass, Hasami/Arita porcelain