10 days in Kyushu: A circular itinerary that starts and ends in Fukuoka
- Noa
Kyushu is the southernmost prefecture in Japan and can be reached by flying from Tokyo , Osaka or Okinawa to Fukuoka. The area has amazing nature, geysers and hot springs full of minerals, extremely high mountains, beautiful waterfalls, calm beaches and excellent food. Most of the area is uninhabited and you can travel for tens of kilometers without seeing a single settlement, so you can encounter all kinds of animals such as antelopes, rabbits, wild boars and squirrels!
Here you will find useful information about the area, and a planned 10-day itinerary in Kyushu, Japan.
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Table of Contents
Car rental in Kyushu
To reach the wonderful nature of Kyushu, you need to rent a car. This way you can get around easily and reach the most special places. In order to drive in Japan , you must arrive with an International Driving Permit (IDP ) and driving is on the left side with the driver sitting on the right. The Japanese drive in a very calm and courteous manner, so the driving experience in my opinion was very safe and pleasant.
In terms of price, car rental starts at $49 per day, and will also include insurance.
It is worth comparing car rental prices from Fukuoka Airport through Rentalcars to find the best price.
Seasons and weather in the area
- Winter: December to February. 3-12 degrees. Cold, dry and snowy.
- Spring: March to May. 7-24 degrees. Recommended season because it is pleasant and not rainy. In addition, this is the season of sakura blossoms, which take place at the end of March.
- Summer: June to August. 22-28 degrees. June and July are the rainiest and most humid months of the year and August is the hottest month.
- Autumn: September to November. 22-26 degrees. Also a good season for traveling, warm and a little rainy.
Hot Springs - Onsens in the Kyushu Region
Onsen, or in other words hot springs, are a common occurrence for the Japanese, who call them Sento. The word Sento means public shower. Onsens are an essential part of Japanese culture and a great way to keep warm in the cold winter. The water comes from hot springs into a pool that is combined with cold water. The hot, mineral-filled water does wonders for both body and soul! Most onsens are public and separated for women and men. It should be emphasized that entry into the water is naked and after a shower, and some places do not allow entry to people with tattoos. However, there are also private rooms in some places and some that do allow entry with tattoos. You can find plenty of onsens throughout the area, both public and private.
Recommendations for day trips in Kyushu, Japan
If you're interested in getting to know the area in more depth, including the culture, food, and history that make the area unique, then there are some great attractions with Viator!
Why do I recommend VIATOR?
The Miyazaki Cooking Class offers a fun and interesting experience to learn about the local cuisine of Kyushu. In the course, you will learn to prepare traditional dishes like cold soup and nanban chicken!
✅ 5/5 rating ⭐ on VIATOR
✅ Learn to prepare special dishes from the Miyazaki region
✅ Includes hotel pick-up option
Reserve your spot in the workshop now! ￬
A day trip from Fukuoka to Takachino Gorge is a day full of adventure and the most beautiful views there is.
✅ 5/5 rating ⭐ on VIATOR
✅ Private tour to the most beautiful place in Kyushu: Takachiho Gorge
✅ Includes hotel pickup in Fukuoka
Reserve your spot on the trip now! ￬
A personalized tour with a private guide to all the places you most want to explore in depth in Fukuoka!
✅ Rating of 5/5 ⭐ on VIATOR out of 115 raters
✅ Choice of a 3 to 8 hour tour with a private guide
✅ Personalized tour according to what interests you most
Reserve your spot on the tour now! ￬
Days 1-3: Fukuoka, the capital of Kyushu
Fukuoka is a vibrant city on the island of Kyushu in Japan and the fourth largest city in Japan. It is known for its unique blend of tradition and modernity. You will find interesting attractions throughout the city, including historic temples, delicious street food, good nightlife and an excellent shopping scene. Fukuoka is also the place where most people start their excursions in the area, and from there continue to explore everything the island has to offer, such as the hot springs in Bophu and the mountain scenery in Aso. Excellent public transportation and a pleasant atmosphere make staying in the city an enjoyable experience.
Fukuoka can be reached by domestic flights from Osaka and Tokyo, as well as international flights from Hanoi and Bangkok.
Where to stay in Fukuoka
The two main neighborhoods in Fukuoka are Hakata and Tenjin. Hakata has more interest, but Tenjin is also cool. Here are some recommended places to stay in Hakata, from cheap to expensive:
A recommended place for backpackers/solo travelers, among the cheapest you can find in the area.
⭐ Rating of 8.1 on Booking.com
✅ Central location in the Hakata neighborhood
✅ Dormitories or private rooms
Book now:
A pleasant and comfortable 3-star hotel in a central location, recommended for couples.
⭐ Rating of 8.3 on Booking.com
✅ Central location, close to Hakata train station
✅ Comfortable and airy rooms with TV
Book now:
An excellent, central 4-star hotel, suitable for couples and families.
⭐ Rating of 9.2 on Booking.com
✅ Excellent location in the center of Hakata
✅ Spacious and soundproof private rooms
Book now:
Day 4: Oita
Oita is a beautiful prefecture located on the island of Kyushu in Japan, famous for its many hot springs and volcanic soil. The city of Beppu, located in Oita, is one of the world's leading hot spring cities and offers relaxing and pampering spa experiences. In addition, Oita boasts spectacular natural landscapes, diverse hiking trails, and historical sites that attract many tourists from all over the world.
Umi Jigoku
A park with hot spring pools and geysers. The water has spectacular colors because of the minerals in it. You can't go into the water, just walk around the park. There is also a greenhouse with plants that grow in hot spring water. Admission costs about 500 yen.
Mount Tsurumi
A dormant volcano located near the city of Beppu in Aoita, Kyushu. You can hike on the mountain (about 3 hours). You can also reach the summit by cable car, so you can enjoy the view even if you don't have the strength to climb the mountain.
Mount Yufu
Also known as the ‘Mount Fuji’ of Oita. A famous volcano located near the city of Yufu in Oita, Kyushu. You can climb one of the challenging hiking trails that lead to the summit, as well as soak in one of the hot springs located in the area – the perfect experience at the end of a day of climbing!
Recommended hotels to spend the night in Oita:
Day 5: Miyazaki
Miyazaki is a beautiful prefecture in Kyushu and a perfect destination for surfing, nature walks and visiting ancient temples. The area has plenty of national parks and nature walks, and one of the most famous attractions is Takachino Gorge.
Takachiho Gorge
A visit to Kyushu would not be complete without a trip to the impressive Takechihu Gorge! The gorge is famous for its impressive basalt cliffs and a very clear and beautiful river. You can take a boat ride and enjoy the amazing views of the waterfalls and the surrounding nature, or take a walk along the beautiful hiking trails that surround the gorge.
Mukabaki Falls
An amazing trail to a very high and impressive waterfall! There is parking at the beginning of the trail. The climb from there to the waterfall takes about an hour. The road passes between clear, clean streams of water. It is really worth drinking the water, it is delicious and very clean! You can also go into the water, but since it is snowmelt water, the water is around 7 degrees.
Mount Mukabaki is very close and offers a view of the entire area.
For those interested, there is Mukabaki Shrine nearby – a beautiful and peaceful Zen temple among the mountains.
It's worth ending the day at the Hideji-Beer Brewery.
It is recommended to spend the night in the town of Miyazaki. Some recommended hotels in the area:
Day 6: Kirishima Kinkowan National Park
A national park filled with volcanic landscapes and full of geysers, blue lakes and magical forests, the park offers diverse hiking trails, natural hot springs and attractions such as waterfalls, mountain climbs and day treks.
Maruo Falls
The water also comes from hot springs, so it's a little warm! Camp nearby and you can see the waterfall right away.
Mt. Ohnami-ike
A slightly steep climb of 1.2 km that takes almost an hour leads to a view from the mountain of a magical lake. I climbed the mountain while practicing mindfulness walking , which made the climb very easy! It is worth noting that the weather was cloudy and when we got to the top we were literally in a cloud and because of that we couldn't see more than ten meters ahead! That's how we came to the conclusion that it was important to check the weather. Still, the way up was so beautiful that it was worth it.
Some recommended hotels in the towns in the reserve area:
Day 7: Kagoshima
Kagoshima is a magical prefecture in Kyushu, famous for the active volcano Sakurajima, located right across from Kagoshima City. The area is full of beautiful scenery and nature trails, as well as plenty of hot springs and the opportunity to experience local culture and food.
Sogi Falls
Full of very impressive and powerful waterfalls along a wide stream. There are several parking areas nearby and a cute visitor center with restrooms and a restaurant.
Shiroyama Park Observation Deck
Sakurajima Observation Point: An active volcano located off the coast of Kagoshima City. It is also recommended to view the mountain from the following points:
- Neko Shrine
- Kagoshima Prefectural Yoshino Park
There are quite a few good hotels in the town! Here are some recommended ones:
Day 8: Kumamoto
Kumamoto is a spectacular prefecture in Kyushu, Japan, famous for the magnificent Kumamoto Castle, one of the most beautiful in Japan. The prefecture also offers Mount Aso, one of the largest active volcanoes in the world, with breathtaking views and a variety of outdoor activities. Kumamoto is a perfect destination for history and nature lovers, offering a unique glimpse into Japanese heritage.
Kumamoto Castle
Kumamoto Castle is one of the most impressive and well-defended castles in Japan, located in the city of Kumamoto in Kyushu. The castle is characterized by an impressive structure and is cleverly fortified, which hints at Japan's interesting history! There are beautiful gardens around it, which are fun to have a picnic in.
Nabegataki Falls
An hour and a half drive from Kumamoto. Beautiful waterfalls that can be reached in a ten-minute walk. The waterfalls offer a stunning natural experience, with flowing water that creates rainbows on sunny days. The uniqueness of the waterfalls is that you can walk behind them, which gives a unique perspective and a very magical atmosphere!
Meoto Falls
Two very beautiful and impressive waterfalls! The waterfalls are a popular destination in the area, their water is very clear and the surrounding nature is mesmerizing.
Kikuchi Gorge
An exceptionally beautiful natural area, characterized by stunning views of clear rivers, waterfalls, and a green, quiet, and peaceful forest.
There are several recommended places to stay in Kumamoto:
Day 9: Aso Kuju National Park
One of the most beautiful natural areas in Kyushu! It is full of breathtaking views, green mountains and hot springs. In the park you can climb Mount Aso, one of the largest active volcanoes in the world. The climb to the top of Mount Aso takes about 40 minutes, and from there there is a stunning view of the entire area. In addition, the area has a variety of other hiking trails, activities, pleasant hot springs and small, picturesque towns where you can enjoy local culture and food.
There are several good hotels in the area to spend the night in, before returning to Fukuoka:
Day 10: Back to Fukuoka
An hour and a half drive back to Fukuoka. You can stop in the town of Kurume for lunch on the way.
I recommend spending another night or two in Fukuoka to rest after the trip!
Camper rental in Kyushu Japan
You can rent a camper van that you can also sleep in, through Samurai campers . On the one hand, it's very convenient to just get up and drive without looking for places to sleep, along with a greater sense of freedom and independence than sleeping in hotels. On the other hand, sometimes the weather can be a bit extreme (we slept like that, and there were nights of minus 2 degrees), there are no toilets, no showers (lucky there are onsens!) and of course there are back problems after a week like this. Overall, there's no doubt that it was a bit tough but mostly amazing and exciting!
Other interesting destinations in Japan
Beyond the stunning Kyushu region, there are plenty of other destinations in Japan that you shouldn't miss! Osaka , the largest city in western Japan, offers nightlife, urban nature, fascinating history, and famous dishes like takoyaki and okonomiyaki. Okinawa , with its tropical islands, is a popular destination for beach lovers, scuba diving, and unique culture. Kyoto , the historic city, boasts stunning temples and gardens and a rich traditional culture. Colorful and mesmerizing Tokyo , offers a combination of technological innovation and pop culture. Each of these destinations is unique in its own right and worth a visit.
Questions and Answers
When is the best time to travel to Kyushu? 🌤️
The recommended season depends on the experience you are looking for:- Spring (March-May) : Pleasant weather and cherry blossoms.
- Autumn (September-November) : Colorful fall foliage and cool air.
- Winter (December-February) : Perfect time to enjoy onsen (hot springs).
- Summer (June-August) : The weather is hotter and more humid, but suitable for beaches and marine attractions.
How much time should you spend in the area? ⏳
It is worth spending at least 3-4 days in Fukuoka. If you rent a car to travel around the island, it is worth arriving for 10-14 days.What are the must-see attractions in Fukuoka? 🌇
- Fukuoka Tower : Beautiful view of the city and the sea.
- Ohori Park : A perfect place for relaxing walks.
- Yatai Market : Street stalls with authentic Japanese food like ramen and tonkatsu.
- Kushida Shrine : A famous and beautiful shrine.
What nature walks in Kyushu are not to be missed? 🌿
- Takachiho Gorge : A boating route through a river gorge among the most beautiful there is.
- Mount Aso : The largest active volcano in Japan with amazing hiking trails.
- Umi Jigoku : A park with hot springs and geysers in Oita. You can't dip in the water (it's too hot), but the view is beautiful.
