5-Day Kyushu Itinerary

Kyushu is one of Japan's best-kept travel secrets. Less trafficked than Kanto (the region which includes Tokyo and Yokohama), but it's filled with incredible experiences, diverse culture, and unparalleled landscapes, including active volcanoes.

This island region is home to a vibrant and unique food scene and historical landmarks, so you'd be missing out not to have Kyushu on your travel list.    

Kyushu is the southernmost island of the main islands of Japan, bordered by the East China Sea and the Pacific Ocean. The name Kyushu refers to kuni, the nine ancient provinces it used to comprise. Within Kyushu are seven prefectures, including Fukuoka, Kagoshima, Kumamoto, Miyazaki, Nagasaki, Oita, and Saga. The region also includes a portion of the Ryukyus within Okinawa prefecture.

While there's a lot to explore in Kyushu, definitely more than we can pack into one week, we've put together this 5-day itinerary across a few of these prefectures for an abundantly satisfying yet not overly fast-paced trip.

There are a few options for getting to Kyushu via Tokyo. If you enjoy seeing the scenes on your journey, take the Tokaido/Sanyo Shinkansen from Tokyo to Fukuoka. This will take around five to six hours and costs around 160 USD or 23,000 JPY. If you’ve got a Japan Rail Pass, you can take a Hikari or Sakura train but not the Nozomi. This means the travel duration will be a little longer, and you’ll need to transfer at Shin-Osaka Station.

The shorter or faster route is to take a plane from Haneda Airport, where there are dozens of departures per day to Fukuoka. 

There’s also a night bus that’ll take you from Shinjuku Station to Fukuoka, taking around 14.5 hours one way - so you can get some overnight shut-eye. Depending on your seat and season of travel this will set you back 60 to 160 USD or 9,000 to 23,000 JPY.

Fukuoka is Kyushu’s largest city; you can consider it Tokyo’s more laid-back, southern cousin. You can walk through the streets without the hustle and bustle of intense crowds and enjoy the line-up of great gastronomy, including around 100 small independently-run yatai (open-air food stalls) located mostly in Nakasu, Tenjin, and Nagahama areas.

As you’re making your way around, you’ll be able to get to most attractions by one of the city’s three subway lines: Airport Line, Hakozaki Line and Nanakuma Line. Start your day by heading to Fukuoka Castle ruins and its adjoining Maizuru Park. Learn about the historic sites and stroll through nearby Ohori Park or visit the Fukuoka Art Museum located inside the park grounds.

After walking around the verdant areas of Fukuoka, you might be hungry for some lunch. Here, you won't want to miss a bowl of Hakata-style ramen, the city's specialty. The rich and creamy tonkotsu or pork-bone broth is served with thin noodles and the usual toppings; pork, egg, spring onion, and sometimes wood-ear mushrooms. Some restaurants to look out for are Ganso Nagahamaya, Hakata Issou, and Menchan.

For something slightly different, hop on a 10-minute boat ride from Fukuoka to Nokonoshima Island Park, a beautiful garden with flowers blooming throughout the seasons. You can also visit Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine, this popular sightseeing spot is home to the God of learning and cultural arts.

If you need some retail therapy or are keen to window-shop instead, head to the vibrant Canal City Hakata, a large shopping and entertainment complex, or the Tenjin shopping district.

Nakasu district is known for its bustling nightlife and is an excellent spot for dinner. Finally, end the day with a visit to the iconic Fukuoka Tower on the waterfront and gaze over stunning night views from the observation deck.

Now it’s time to head to Nagasaki. From Fukuoka, take the train to Nagasaki on the western side of Kyushu, which is approximately a two-hour ride away.

Nagasaki has a unique legacy as the only port between Japan and the outside world for over 200 years during the Edo period (1603-1867). It is also known for its tragic history, being the target of the atomic bomb attack in 1945.

Start the day at Nagasaki Peace Park and the Atomic Bomb Museum, just an 11-minute ride on the tram from Nagasaki Station. Walk through the large, open memorial park and visit the 32-feet-tall Peace Statue created by Nagasaki sculptor Seibo Kitamura. One part of the park, the Hypocenter Park, is the spot above which the bomb detonated.

Head over to Meganebashi Bridge which spans the Nakashima River, where you can enjoy views of Nagasaki's harbor. Kofukuji Temple, the oldest and one of the most important Buddhist temples in Nagasaki, founded by a Chinese monk, is also a short walk away. 

By this time, you'll probably have worked up an appetite, so walk through the nearby Nagasaki Chinatown to find something for lunch. We suggest trying champon, a hearty noodle soup dish with fried pork, vegetables, and seafood in a creamy broth.

In the afternoon, walk into Nagasaki Prefectural Art Museum, designed by the renowned architect Kengo Kuma. The museum features works from Nagasaki and Spain and holds workshops, concerts, and other activities outside exhibitions. You can see a magnificent view of Nagasaki Port from the building's Roof Garden. Head to the Museum Shop to look out for their original goods or have an afternoon treat at the Café. 

After the museum, walk over to Dejima, a tiny artificial island created in the 17th Century Edo Period exclusively for European foreign trade. 

Head to one of several restaurants in the port neighborhood to enjoy a range of cuisines reflective of this town of international influence. You'll find Italian, Chinese, Japanese, and Western options in the area. 
There are many places to stay in Nagasaki; however, the Garden Terrace Hotel, designed by renowned Japanese architect Kengo Kuma, may be the most luxurious. The hotel is located within the region of Mount Inasa, and has an ocean view, an outdoor swimming pool, and spacious rooms. 

Kumamoto City, known for its Samurai heritage, the magnificent Kumamoto Castle, and the Kumamon mascot, is a Kyushu destination brimming with history, culture, and culinary delights.

Start your day in the center of Kumamoto City at Kumamoto Castle, one of Japan's most impressive fortresses. In 2016 a large portion of the castle was destroyed due to an earthquake, but the building has been painstakingly reconstructed piece by piece. From there, walk towards the nearby Honmyoji Temple, a tranquil place for some peaceful introspection.

The bustling Shimotori shopping arcade is a great spot to find something to eat for lunch. Here, you'll discover the famous Kumamoto ramen, renowned for its mouth-watering garlic flavors and delicious pork bone broth with medium-sized straight noodles.

Afterward, stroll through the beautifully maintained Suizenji Garden, an enchanting Japanese garden set around a picturesque lake. Conclude your afternoon with a visit to the Contemporary Art Museum, which has a captivating display of modern and contemporary art.

As the day winds down, head up to the Kumamoto City Hall Observation Room and take in the panoramic vista of the city and the iconic Mount Aso in the distance.

Kagoshima, Kyushu's southernmost major city, is known for its most famous attraction: Sakurajima, an active volcano that towers over the city. With its many shrines, gardens, temples, and delicious local specialties, you'll savor the sights and the food.

Visit Sengan-en, a beautifully preserved Japanese garden and former villa of the Shimazu clan. You can take a 20-minute ferry ride to Sakurajima, walk around the visitor center, and even hike some trails.

Dig into a local specialty Kagoshima-style tonkatsu (breaded and deep-fried pork cutlet) at one of the city's restaurants for lunch. Head on over to the Museum of the Meiji Restoration to learn about the pivotal part that Kagoshima played in the modernization of Japan.

After an afternoon of education, digest everything you've learned while watching the sunset at Shiroyama Observatory, a lookout point with stunning views of the city and Sakurajima.

In the evening, relish another local specialty, Satsuma-age—a delectable deep-fried fishcake known for its rich and savory flavors. Conclude your day by unwinding at one of the numerous hot springs in the vicinity, indulging in a rejuvenating soak that will leave you feeling utterly relaxed and content.

Renowned as one of Japan's premier hot spring destinations, Beppu offers a range of rejuvenating experiences from onsen to parks and culinary delights. 

Start the day with fresh bread at Tomonaga Bakery, a local favorite near Beppu Station. Grab a pastry or an adzuki bean sweet roll if you can.

Next up, head to the Beppu Ropeway and take a scenic ride up Mount Tsurumi for panoramic views of the city and surrounding areas, including Oita City and Mount Yufu. You can follow a nice walking track on top of the mountain, and there's also a small shrine. While you’re in the mountainous area, visit Shidakako or Shidaka Lake, which sits about halfway between Beppu and Yufuin, offering magnificent views of Tsurumidake (Mount Tsurumi) and Yufudake (Mount Yufu). This is one of the spectacular landscapes of Oita Prefecture.

Grab lunch at Midori no Jikan which is a quaint café restaurant near the foot of the ropeway, or head to Toyotsune along the coast for some toriten chicken tempura. Beppu City also has a range of famous seafood, such as pufferfish or squid, and you’ll be able to find a range of restaurants offering this in town.

In the afternoon, explore the famous Jigoku Hells of Beppu, a collection of hot springs with vibrant and unusual colors, including bright red, blue, and green. This one isn't for bathing; they're boiling pools of sulfuric water that make for an interesting visual experience!

For something a little different, visit the Oita Fragrance Museum, where you can learn all about the history of fragrance and scents in Japan and overseas.

After a day of being out and about, you'll surely want to enjoy a relaxing soak in Beppu's onsens - that's what Beppu is most known for! One particularly unique onsen experience is sunayu, where you can be covered in sand, washed with hot spring water, and wrapped in warmth. Some of the onsens that offer this service include Hyotan Onsen and Takegawara Onsen.