With one-of-a-kind cultural festivals, UNESCO world heritage sites and a thousand years of history to uncover, it’s no secret why Kyushu is starting to become a popular destination in Japan! In this 7 day Kyushu itinerary, we’ll show you what to visit as a first-time visitor.
While many people visit Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka during their first trip to Japan, there is so much more to see and do. Walking across the famous Shibuya Crossing and snapping the perfect Instagram photo in front of Tokyo Tower is the ultimate dream for many first-time visitors (it was ours too!). But what if I told you that you could still try your first bowl of ramen, ride the bullet train and have a romantic yukata date in one place and within 7 days?
The island of Kyushu is home to 7 out of Japan’s 47 prefectures and captures Japan perfectly. To be honest, I’ve been formulating the perfect 7 day Kyushu itinerary for over six years. When I took my first trip to Japan, Kyushu was the first place I visited and I now call it my home.
Seven days is the perfect amount of time to get the most out of your first trip to Kyushu, while still being able to take your time and enjoy the unique attractions each prefecture has to offer. It’s a perfect spot to visit on your second (or third) trip to Japan, or add it as an additional week to your first visit!
So, join the fan club, and let’s get started on our 7 day Kyushu itinerary!
On This Page
Stay: Booking.com
Connectivity: Journey Japan eSIM | Wireless Japan Pocket WiFi
Transport: Individual Shinkansen Tickets | JR Passes | Airport Transfer
Experiences: Klook | GetYourGuide
My Camera Gear: Fuji Film XT-5 | Sigma 18-50mm f2.8 | DJI Mini 4 Pro
Travel Insurance: SafetyWing
Take me to a random hidden spot in Japan
Thanks to the expansion of the Kyushu Shinkansen line, travelling to all seven prefectures in seven days is 100% possible. Travelling via the high-speed bullet train is essential if you don’t have access to a car, making it a great option for first-time visitors.
Alternatively, you can rent a car to drive around Kyushu. This is something we highly recommend if you’re able to drive in Japan. You’ll be able to visit all the spots in Kyushu much easier on the road.
To maximize your travel time, we recommend spending one night in each prefecture. Since this includes a lot of moving about, it’s best to take limited luggage. Moving from hotel to hotel can be tricky with a big suitcase, especially if you only have one day to explore each place.
A backpack would be great, or you can use coin lockers at train stations to secure your suitcase before being able to check into your hotel in the evening. Of course, this is again easier if you have a car.
Often referred to as the “start-up city,| Fukuoka is the first stop for many travellers before jumping on a bus, plane or high-speed train to their next destination in Kyushu. With a steadily growing population, it’s the largest city in Kyushu and one of Japan’s 10 most populated cities.
Whether you are arriving from Tokyo or from abroad, Fukuoka Airport is the best place to arrive if you’re travelling by plane. It offers a direct connection to the main city of Fukuoka (via Hakata Station) as well as flights to every prefecture on this list.
If you’re adding Kyushu as an addition to your Japan itinerary, you can choose to visit it after Hiroshima – it only takes about an hour to travel between the cities on the Shinkansen.
You can read our full guide on where to stay in Fukuoka for our top accommodation picks.
Photo by ShaSha Sonoda
For this 7 day Kyushu itinerary, we recommend spending one night in Fukuoka to kick off your adventure. Fukuoka City has many hidden gems and photogenic attractions that make it a great place to visit, especially if you’re a first-time visitor. You can read our full one day Fukuoka itinerary for a more in-depth guide to the city.
Since you’ll be spending lots of time on public transportation during your trip, it might be a good idea to purchase a prepaid travel card (most people use Sugoca or Nimoca in Kyushu – but Suica also works).
We recommend starting at Hakata Station as it provides easy access to the rest of the city. Hakata Station is also where you can find the Nishitetsu Highway Bus Station (it’s located in the building next door). Make sure to check out the areas around Hakata Station, Nishitetsu (Tenjin), Ohori Park, and Momochi Seaside Beach.
Here are some other things to do in Fukuoka that you may want to add to your Kyushu itinerary:
On our second day, we’ll head from Fukuoka to Saga. Saga City is only an hour by train from Hakata Station (that’s closer than Dazaifu!). To keep within our 7-day time limit, we plan to stay in Saga for one day.
Always dreamed of attending a Japanese summer festival, tasting iconic Japanese street food like takoyaki (fried octopus balls), walking around wearing traditional festival clothes and watching the hanabe (fireworks) light up the night sky? Sagajoka Fireworks Festival in Saga City is the place to be! Every summer, locals march from Saga Station to watch 1,500 fireworks and stage performances near Saga’s castle.
Saga City is also where the annual Saga International Balloon Fiesta takes place. If you’re looking for a place to pose for some pictures, you can rent a kimono and take a tour inside Saga Castle to get the most out of your day (plus, the entree is free!).
If you only have one night to spend in Saga, and you can’t make it for any of the festivals, consider taking the extra 30-minute train ride to Takeo-Onsen Station.
Here are some more amazing things you can do in Saga:
Photo by ShaSha Sonoda
Photo by ShaSha Sonoda
It’s day three of our Kyushu trip, and our next stop is Nagasaki. We’ve got a full guide on how to have the perfect day trip to Nagasaki, so make sure to read that for more in-depth information about the city.
To make the most of your trip, I would recommend spending one day in Nagasaki. No matter where you go in Nagasaki, you’ll have to take the train back to Fukuoka to Togitsu Station (via the Nishi Kyushu Shinkansen) to reach the next destination on our list.
Here are our recommendations for the best places to visit in Nagasaki (on top of from the ones we mention in our one day itinerary):
Photo by ShaSha Sonoda
One of the great things about travelling in Kyushu is how accessible the major cities are. It takes no time at all to get used to the train system here, which makes it the ideal mode of transportation for first-time visitors.
To get to the next city on our trip, simply hop on the Nishi Shinkansen Line and head on over to Kumamoto prefecture. If you decide to take the train as opposed to the ferry, your commute time from Nagasaki Station to Kumamoto Station will be around 2 hours.
Here are some of the best things to check out when spending a day in Kumamoto:
Our next destination is the southernmost point of Japan’s main islands – Kagoshima.
Kagoshima prefecture is home to several UNESCO World Heritage sites, including but not limited to the Shoko Shuseikan Museum, Tokunoshima Island, and Yakushima (the island that inspired the setting of Hayao Miyazaki’s 1997 animated film Princess Mononoke). Kagoshima is one of my favourite places to visit and is the third city I visited when I was a first-time traveller to Japan.
To keep things short and simple, we’ll focus on Kagoshima City for this itinerary. To reach Kagoshima, take the Kyushu Shinkansen Line for 1 – 1.5 hours from Kumamoto Station to Kagoshima Station.
Here’s a list of attractions to check out when spending a day in Kagoshima City:
Photo by ShaSha Sonoda
We’ve officially made it to the home stretch of our Kyushu itinerary. In our one day Miyazaki itinerary, we’ve outlined places you can access with a car that are the most popular travel destinations in Miyazaki prefecture. We’ve included famous places like Takachiho, Nichinan and Aoshima. While you technically could visit Takachiho and Aoshima without a car, for a first-time visitor, we’ll just stick to the places that are easily accessible by using public transportation or on foot.
Here are some highlights of the best things to see and do in Miyazaki City:
Photo by ShaSha Sonoda
For our last day in Kyushu, we take a 3.5–4 hours train journey north towards Beppu. Located in the Oita Prefecture, Beppu is a famous onsen town, making it a great last stop on this Kyushu itinerary – it’s time to relax in a Japanese onsen!
If you decide to visit Japan in the autumn or winter, Beppu should be at the absolute top of your list. Famous for its onsens (there are some tattoo-friendly ones, which is great news since most public onsens don’t allow people with tattoos to enter) and diverse local cuisine, there’s a reason we’ve saved one of the best cities for last.
Here are the best places to check out on your next trip to Beppu:
Our one day Beppu itinerary gives you more details on what to see and do in this beautiful city.
If you’re planning to follow this Kyushu itinerary and use the train, the JR Kyushu Pass is 100% worth it.
As mentioned before, the most efficient way to travel around Kyushu is either by car or by using the train system. To maximize your travel time in between prefectures, the quickest way is using the Shinkansen (high-speed bullet train). Individual tickets can get a bit pricey if you use the bullet train, which is why the JR Kyushu Pass is a great choice for travellers.
The JR Kyushu Rail Pass covers all of the main arteries of the island. This is essential for planning your Kyushu itinerary. There are a few different ones to choose from, but for this itinerary, you’d want to get the All Kyushu Pass (which covers the entire island of Kyushu) for seven days. There are even some extra benefits for purchasing the rail pass, such as discounts at select shops.
Buy the All Kyushu JR Pass here
Spending seven days in Kyushu gives you the opportunity to visit all prefectures and get a great first impression of this beautiful part of Japan. However, if you have more time, we highly recommend spending at least 10–14 days here.
There are so many things to see and do. All of the major cities we covered in this itinerary are 100% worth a day trip. We have a ton of other Kyushu travel guides on our site, so be sure to check them out for more inspiration.
Yes, Kyushu is 100% worth visiting. Kyushu may not be as popular as other destinations like Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka, but visiting it is an incredible authentic Japanese experience. It’s a way to have even more unique experiences in Japan, learning more about the culture outside of the main touristy destinations.
Recently, a lot of popular YouTubers have been making trips down to Kyushu. Some more mainstream examples include Currently Hannah and Abroad in Japan. Even Rachel and Jun took a vacation to Miyazaki and filmed their experience walking across the famous suspension bridge in Takachiho.
Kyushu doesn’t get as much attention as it deserves. Living in Kyushu myself, I will continue shouting from the mountaintops for first-time visitors to come here and then go to Osaka and Tokyo. If you’re looking to have the perfect trip to Japan, consider adding Kyushu to your Japan bucket list.
Kyushu’s subtropical climate and dry winters make it the perfect travel destination all year round. With so much to offer, we can’t recommend this part of Japan enough as the perfect place for first-time visitors.
We hope this guide has helped you create the best Kyushu itinerary
While many people visit Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka during their first trip to Japan, there is so much more to see and do. Walking across the famous Shibuya Crossing and snapping the perfect Instagram photo in front of Tokyo Tower is the ultimate dream for many first-time visitors (it was ours too!). But what if I told you that you could still try your first bowl of ramen, ride the bullet train and have a romantic yukata date in one place and within 7 days?
The island of Kyushu is home to 7 out of Japan’s 47 prefectures and captures Japan perfectly. To be honest, I’ve been formulating the perfect 7 day Kyushu itinerary for over six years. When I took my first trip to Japan, Kyushu was the first place I visited and I now call it my home.
Seven days is the perfect amount of time to get the most out of your first trip to Kyushu, while still being able to take your time and enjoy the unique attractions each prefecture has to offer. It’s a perfect spot to visit on your second (or third) trip to Japan, or add it as an additional week to your first visit!
So, join the fan club, and let’s get started on our 7 day Kyushu itinerary!
On This Page
- 7 Day Kyushu Itinerary
- Should You Get The JR Kyushu Pass?
- How Many Days Is Enough For Kyushu?
- Is It Worth Going To Kyushu?
- Conclusion – One Week Kyushu Itinerary
7 Day Kyushu Itinerary
Thanks to the expansion of the Kyushu Shinkansen line, travelling to all seven prefectures in seven days is 100% possible. Travelling via the high-speed bullet train is essential if you don’t have access to a car, making it a great option for first-time visitors.
Alternatively, you can rent a car to drive around Kyushu. This is something we highly recommend if you’re able to drive in Japan. You’ll be able to visit all the spots in Kyushu much easier on the road.
To maximize your travel time, we recommend spending one night in each prefecture. Since this includes a lot of moving about, it’s best to take limited luggage. Moving from hotel to hotel can be tricky with a big suitcase, especially if you only have one day to explore each place.
A backpack would be great, or you can use coin lockers at train stations to secure your suitcase before being able to check into your hotel in the evening. Of course, this is again easier if you have a car.
Fukuoka (1 day)
Often referred to as the “start-up city,| Fukuoka is the first stop for many travellers before jumping on a bus, plane or high-speed train to their next destination in Kyushu. With a steadily growing population, it’s the largest city in Kyushu and one of Japan’s 10 most populated cities.
Whether you are arriving from Tokyo or from abroad, Fukuoka Airport is the best place to arrive if you’re travelling by plane. It offers a direct connection to the main city of Fukuoka (via Hakata Station) as well as flights to every prefecture on this list.
If you’re adding Kyushu as an addition to your Japan itinerary, you can choose to visit it after Hiroshima – it only takes about an hour to travel between the cities on the Shinkansen.
You can read our full guide on where to stay in Fukuoka for our top accommodation picks.
Photo by ShaSha Sonoda
Things to do in Fukuoka
For this 7 day Kyushu itinerary, we recommend spending one night in Fukuoka to kick off your adventure. Fukuoka City has many hidden gems and photogenic attractions that make it a great place to visit, especially if you’re a first-time visitor. You can read our full one day Fukuoka itinerary for a more in-depth guide to the city.
Since you’ll be spending lots of time on public transportation during your trip, it might be a good idea to purchase a prepaid travel card (most people use Sugoca or Nimoca in Kyushu – but Suica also works).
We recommend starting at Hakata Station as it provides easy access to the rest of the city. Hakata Station is also where you can find the Nishitetsu Highway Bus Station (it’s located in the building next door). Make sure to check out the areas around Hakata Station, Nishitetsu (Tenjin), Ohori Park, and Momochi Seaside Beach.
Here are some other things to do in Fukuoka that you may want to add to your Kyushu itinerary:
- Dazaifu Shrine: Located in the city of Dazaifu, many university students and parents of young scholars flock to Dazaifu Shrine to pray for good luck in examinations and job hunting. Dazaifu Shrine has been an important piece of Shintō history for over 1,100 years. While you’re in town, don’t forget to stop at any souvenir store and try the local delicacy, a plum-blossom imprinted speciality rice cake called Umegae Mochi.
- Yanagawa: If you search for this spot on Google Maps (an essential travel app for Japan) you might be surprised to learn that Yanagawa is still in Fukuoka prefecture and is only 1.5 hours away by train from Hakata Station. Known as the “Venice of Kyushu”, it’s a beautiful town that has many canals and quaint streets that are reminiscent of Amsterdam, which are lined with cherry blossom trees. You can take the river cruise that passes under stone bridges or take a walk through the old castle town. If you have access to a car, the Yanagawa Sunflower Park is also another lovely summer attraction you won’t want to miss out on!
- Sasaguri: If you’ve seen photos of the famous reclining Buddha at Nanzoin Temple, you will have heard of Sasaguri, Fukuoka! In addition to the great Buddha, Dainichiya Inn is another great spot to visit. Located at the foot of the Narufuchi Dam, this cultural gem is a Buddhist temple by day, and traditional Japanese ryokan (inn) by night. The temple is home to a 200-year-old cherry blossom tree, several red-maple leaf trees known as Momiji, and a large koi fish pond. Visiting during spring or fall is a must if you want to catch the gorgeous foliage from the inn’s many bay windows. There’s also a private bath on site that has an allotted time for each room, so there’s no need to worry if you have tattoos or feel anxious about being around strangers if it’s your first time visiting an onsen.
- Itoshima: If you want to plan a getaway to the sea, but aren’t sure where to go, Itoshima is another great day trip that’s less than an hour by train from Hakata Station. The most famous attraction is Sakurai Futamigaura (Meoto Iwa) Shrine, also known as the “wedded” rocks. In front of the famous rocks rests a beautiful white torii gate that rises from the sea in a similar fashion to Miyajima’s Itsukushima Shrine. It’s a great place to take photos and watch the sunset before heading to the next destination on our trip.
Saga (1 day)
On our second day, we’ll head from Fukuoka to Saga. Saga City is only an hour by train from Hakata Station (that’s closer than Dazaifu!). To keep within our 7-day time limit, we plan to stay in Saga for one day.
Things to do in Saga
Always dreamed of attending a Japanese summer festival, tasting iconic Japanese street food like takoyaki (fried octopus balls), walking around wearing traditional festival clothes and watching the hanabe (fireworks) light up the night sky? Sagajoka Fireworks Festival in Saga City is the place to be! Every summer, locals march from Saga Station to watch 1,500 fireworks and stage performances near Saga’s castle.
Saga City is also where the annual Saga International Balloon Fiesta takes place. If you’re looking for a place to pose for some pictures, you can rent a kimono and take a tour inside Saga Castle to get the most out of your day (plus, the entree is free!).
If you only have one night to spend in Saga, and you can’t make it for any of the festivals, consider taking the extra 30-minute train ride to Takeo-Onsen Station.
Here are some more amazing things you can do in Saga:
- Takeo Onsen: As you may have guessed from the station name, Takeo is famous for Takeo Onsen Romontei, which is within walking distance of Takeo-Onsen Station. The exterior is made of beautiful white and red lacquer. The interior is retro and reminiscent of a bygone era. This bath house offers traditional tatami rooms and well-preserved facilities that will make you feel like you’ve stepped back in time.
- Mifuneyama Rakuen: In addition to being the occasional host of teamLabs Japan, this 500,000 square meter park is located at the base of a small mountain and makes an excellent addition to our itinerary. You can enjoy seeing seasonal flowers all year round in the garden. Admission for the illumination exhibit is 1,200 yen per adult. The month of April is the best time to see the cherry blossom trees and azaleas in full bloom.
- Takeo Shrine & Library: These two attractions are right next to each other. The Takeo City Library is one of my favourite places to sit down and get some work done while sipping on some Starbucks. It’s forbidden to take pictures inside, but you won’t be the only tourist staring up at the impressive display of books. Takeo Shrine, while small in comparison to most shrines, lies in the heart of town. If you visit during the evening, a special surprise awaits you at Takeo Shrine – we won’t spoil it for you, but be sure to let us know if you enjoyed it!
- Marukei Shosha Company: The town of Arita is famous for being the birthplace of modern Japanese pottery and porcelain. Accessible by local trains from both Saga City and Takeo-Onsen Station, an antique store might seem like a strange thing to add to a travel itinerary. Who wants to go to an antique pottery store on vacation? I loved visiting the Marukei ShoSha Company and had a great time walking around the shop (very, very carefully walking around). The staff was very friendly and taking pictures was totally OK! The Arita Ceramics Fair is held in this town every year. If you want to bring home a one-of-a-kind souvenir that’s not only functional but beautiful, consider stopping by the Marukei Shosha Company on your way to Arita Town.
- Sueyama Shrine: The torii gate of this unique shrine is made of 100% Arita porcelain, which makes for a dazzling sight after climbing up the steps to Sueyama Shrine. There are thousands of pieces of pottery scattered about Arita, which makes for an exciting easter-egg hunt. Finally, here’s a secret photo spot for you: in front of Sueyama Shrine is a train crossing where you can snap an iconic photo of a local commuter train while safely standing in front of the shrine.
Photo by ShaSha Sonoda
Photo by ShaSha Sonoda
Nagasaki (1 day)
It’s day three of our Kyushu trip, and our next stop is Nagasaki. We’ve got a full guide on how to have the perfect day trip to Nagasaki, so make sure to read that for more in-depth information about the city.
Things to do in Nagasaki
To make the most of your trip, I would recommend spending one day in Nagasaki. No matter where you go in Nagasaki, you’ll have to take the train back to Fukuoka to Togitsu Station (via the Nishi Kyushu Shinkansen) to reach the next destination on our list.
Here are our recommendations for the best places to visit in Nagasaki (on top of from the ones we mention in our one day itinerary):
- Huis Ten Bosch: Pronounced “house-ten-bos,” this theme park is one of the best theme parks in all of Kyushu. The park is designed to look like a miniature Dutch village and boasts several attractions year-round. These include a summer pool party, the biggest fireworks festival on the island, American-style restaurants where you can try the famous Sasebo Burger, live performances, and every type of seasonal illumination you can think of. Check out the official website for Huis Ten Bosch to learn about ticket pricing and more.
- Nagasaki Bio Park: Yet another popular theme park is the Nagasaki Bio Park. This hybrid zoo and botanical garden is home to roaming capybara and several “cage-free” animal exhibits. There’s also a Flower Dome and Pet Animal World (PAW) where you can pet guinea pigs among other small animals.
- Shimabara: This town, located on the other side of Nagasaki prefecture, maybe the most difficult location to get to on this itinerary. However, I still believe it’s worth a visit. You can take a local train from Isahaya Station and reach Shimabara in less than 1.5 hours, so it’s still possible to spend a night here and have enough time to Kumamoto (there’s a much faster option to ride a ferry). It’s a small castle town that rests between the sea and the draconian Mount Unzen. Shimabara Castle is stunning. Within walking distance of the castle is the Samurai Residence Street, where you can see fish swimming in tiny canals on the side of the road – yet another popular photo spot. Not far from the Samurai Residence Street is the private home of Shimabara’s cutest locals – three, now elderly, shiba dogs that occasionally feel like saying hello back to their adoring fans.
Photo by ShaSha Sonoda
Kumamoto (1 day)
One of the great things about travelling in Kyushu is how accessible the major cities are. It takes no time at all to get used to the train system here, which makes it the ideal mode of transportation for first-time visitors.
To get to the next city on our trip, simply hop on the Nishi Shinkansen Line and head on over to Kumamoto prefecture. If you decide to take the train as opposed to the ferry, your commute time from Nagasaki Station to Kumamoto Station will be around 2 hours.
Things to do in Kumamoto
Here are some of the best things to check out when spending a day in Kumamoto:
- Kumamoto Castle & Sakura no baba Josaien: Kumamoto Castle is known as one of the three most prestigious castles in all of Japan. On your way to the castle, there’s a street full of traditional-style buildings known as Sakura no baba Josaien. If you’re feeling brave, this is a good spot to try a local delicacy known as basashi (raw horse meat). There are also several art museums and shrines in the vicinity of the castle and Sakura no baba Josaien.
- Suizenji Jojuen Garden: For many first-time visitors, visiting a traditional Japanese garden is a dream come true. There is no better place than the Suizenji Jojuen Garden in Kumamoto City. This garden is easily accessible via the city tram and you can experience a real Japanese tea ceremony and watch a live Noh performance if you come during the right time. Always make sure to book in advance and arrive early so you don’t miss out on these amazing experiences! In 2021, it celebrated its 350th birthday.
Kagoshima (1 day)
Our next destination is the southernmost point of Japan’s main islands – Kagoshima.
Kagoshima prefecture is home to several UNESCO World Heritage sites, including but not limited to the Shoko Shuseikan Museum, Tokunoshima Island, and Yakushima (the island that inspired the setting of Hayao Miyazaki’s 1997 animated film Princess Mononoke). Kagoshima is one of my favourite places to visit and is the third city I visited when I was a first-time traveller to Japan.
Things to do in Kagoshima
To keep things short and simple, we’ll focus on Kagoshima City for this itinerary. To reach Kagoshima, take the Kyushu Shinkansen Line for 1 – 1.5 hours from Kumamoto Station to Kagoshima Station.
Here’s a list of attractions to check out when spending a day in Kagoshima City:
- AMU Plaza Kagoshima: Kagoshima Station is part of a large shopping mall called AMU Plaza Kagoshima. There’s an underground section (which can be a great option if you’re looking to escape the summer heat). There’s also a Ferris Wheel located on the 6th floor. AMU Plaza Kagoshima is an excellent starting point for sightseeing in Kagoshima City due to its close proximity to Kagoshima Station and the Kagoshima City Tram Station.
- Sakurajima: Did you know that Japan’s most active volcano is in Kagoshima? And that you could take a ferry ride there for only a couple of hundred yen? The island itself doesn’t offer much besides a local shrine, a few souvenir shops and the Nagisa Foot Bath Park. The best way to enjoy Sakurajima is to rent a car and explore the island. Getting around by city bus is also an option. There is also a “Portrait of a Scream” statue. This off-putting sculpture is actually a monument to the greatest rock concert that was ever held on the volcanic island. Apparently, 75,000 people flocked to Sakurajima to listen to Tsuyoshi Nagabuchi and it was so epic, that they built a statue to commemorate the event.
- Iso Beach: If you’re looking for a way to cool off during Japan’s notoriously hot summer, then look no further than Iso Beach. Iso Beach offers breathtaking views of Sakurajima and the Bay of Kagoshima. Dolphins are often spotted near this beach and locals often come here to jet ski. Just 20 minutes by bus from central Kagoshima City, Iso Beach is a perfect budget-friendly option for your day trip to Kagoshima.
- Sengan-en: A little farther north of Iso Beach is yet another traditional Japanese garden. Sengan-en is a garden that resides on the former grounds of the Shimadzu family estate. It’s a nice place to walk around and enjoy different angles of Sakurajima while surrounding yourself with the natural beauty of a Japanese garden. If you visit during November, you’ll have a chance to attend the annual Sengan-en Chrysanthemum Festival and enjoy seaside views framed by 15,000 chrysanthemums.
Photo by ShaSha Sonoda
Miyazaki (1 day)
We’ve officially made it to the home stretch of our Kyushu itinerary. In our one day Miyazaki itinerary, we’ve outlined places you can access with a car that are the most popular travel destinations in Miyazaki prefecture. We’ve included famous places like Takachiho, Nichinan and Aoshima. While you technically could visit Takachiho and Aoshima without a car, for a first-time visitor, we’ll just stick to the places that are easily accessible by using public transportation or on foot.
Things to do in Miyazaki
Here are some highlights of the best things to see and do in Miyazaki City:
- Heiwadai (Peace Park Tower): This monument that looks like the pinnacle example of Brutalist architecture is contrasted by tranquil views and beginner to intermediate-level hiking trails found at Heiwadai or Peace Park Tower. Constructed in 1940 to commemorate the 2,600th anniversary of the ascension of the legendary first emperor of Japan, Emperor Jimmu, this park is an excellent place to stretch your legs and take photos of Miyazaki’s famous Haniwa Garden.
- Miyazaki Shrine: Miyazaki Shrine is the city’s premier Shintō shrine and is another famous Miyazaki attraction that’s dedicated to Emperor Jimmu. The shrine is said to have been established 2,600 years ago. You can feel its prestige as you walk along the shaded approach, passing by large wooden lanterns and a large koi pond.
- 6 Raccoon Café & Society: Located just around the corner from downtown Wakakusa Street’s retro-style arcade lies 6 Raccoon Café & Society. This local restaurant offers cosy Toronto-inspired dining and delicious speciality coffee. If you’re looking for a great place to sit down and chat with the locals, this beloved cafe is a great place for a break.
- Tachibana Street: Miyazaki City has some great nightlife. Here are some of our favourite places that a) have friendly staff, and b) are foreigner-friendly. Please note that for 2 hours of “nom-mi-ho-dye” (all-you-can-drink) for men it’s ~3,000 yen and for women, it’s ~2,000 yen. If you are looking for a Western-style bar with billiards and some drinking games like Jenga, check out The Bar Miyazaki. If you’re a craft beer lover and want to try going to a local brewery, stop by Miyazaki Phoenix Brewing. If you’ve always dreamt of singing karaoke in Japan and seeing what all the hype is about, the mother-daughter run snack bar known as Cameson is the best place for first-time visitors to go (Cameson is found on the 4th floor of 三輪ビル. Take the elevator up and follow the sign in hiragana that says the bar is on the left).
Photo by ShaSha Sonoda
Beppu, Oita (1 day)
For our last day in Kyushu, we take a 3.5–4 hours train journey north towards Beppu. Located in the Oita Prefecture, Beppu is a famous onsen town, making it a great last stop on this Kyushu itinerary – it’s time to relax in a Japanese onsen!
If you decide to visit Japan in the autumn or winter, Beppu should be at the absolute top of your list. Famous for its onsens (there are some tattoo-friendly ones, which is great news since most public onsens don’t allow people with tattoos to enter) and diverse local cuisine, there’s a reason we’ve saved one of the best cities for last.
Things to do in Beppu, Oita
Here are the best places to check out on your next trip to Beppu:
- Rakutenchi Zekkei no Yu: The Big Flower Ferris Wheel (Japan’s only double Ferris Wheel) is just one of many Showa-esque attractions you can see at Rakutenchi Zekkei no Yu. To get to the park, you can take the colourful cable car 260 metres up to the entrance atop Mount Tateishi. Other attractions include retro-style playgrounds, merry-go-rounds, roller-coasters and the Big Suspension Bridge – the best place to get a bird’s-eye view of Beppu. And yes, there’s also an onsen.
- Hachiman Asami Shrine: A short walk from Beppu Station, tucked away in the quiet suburbs, is Hachiman Asami Shrine. The entrance to this 1,000-year-old shrine is guarded by two massive cedar trees called “Meoto-sugi.” There’s also a 1,000-year-old camphor tree on the premises. If you visit Japan during January, Hachiman Asami Shrine is the perfect place to ring in the New Year.
- Mount Tsurumi & Beppu Ropeway: The view of the sea from 1,75 meters up in the air can only be enjoyed from the top of Beppu’s Mount Tsurumi. To access this summit, take the Beppu Ropeway and enjoy 360-degree views through the gondola’s glass windows. You can also hike to the top. The trail at Matogahama Park takes around four hours. The unparalleled scenery in both the winter and summer months is unmatched. If you’re the outdoorsy type, visiting Mount Tsurumi will be the cherry on top of your Beppu day trip.
- Beppu Jigoku Meguri: Lastly, our day trip to Beppu would not be complete without recommending first-time visitors get a one-way ticket to “hell” (just kidding!). “Hell” is the term Japanese people use for open-air hot springs. At Beppu’s jIgoku Meguri, there are seven hot springs. You can purchase the Jigoku Pass (Hell Pass) and visit every spring for around 2,000 yen. Five of the seven “hells” are within walking distance of each other, so if you decide to visit during springtime, enjoy strolling beneath the cherry blossom trees.
Our one day Beppu itinerary gives you more details on what to see and do in this beautiful city.
Should You Get The JR Kyushu Pass?
If you’re planning to follow this Kyushu itinerary and use the train, the JR Kyushu Pass is 100% worth it.
As mentioned before, the most efficient way to travel around Kyushu is either by car or by using the train system. To maximize your travel time in between prefectures, the quickest way is using the Shinkansen (high-speed bullet train). Individual tickets can get a bit pricey if you use the bullet train, which is why the JR Kyushu Pass is a great choice for travellers.
The JR Kyushu Rail Pass covers all of the main arteries of the island. This is essential for planning your Kyushu itinerary. There are a few different ones to choose from, but for this itinerary, you’d want to get the All Kyushu Pass (which covers the entire island of Kyushu) for seven days. There are even some extra benefits for purchasing the rail pass, such as discounts at select shops.
Buy the All Kyushu JR Pass here
How Many Days Is Enough For Kyushu?
Spending seven days in Kyushu gives you the opportunity to visit all prefectures and get a great first impression of this beautiful part of Japan. However, if you have more time, we highly recommend spending at least 10–14 days here.
There are so many things to see and do. All of the major cities we covered in this itinerary are 100% worth a day trip. We have a ton of other Kyushu travel guides on our site, so be sure to check them out for more inspiration.
Is It Worth Going To Kyushu?
Yes, Kyushu is 100% worth visiting. Kyushu may not be as popular as other destinations like Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka, but visiting it is an incredible authentic Japanese experience. It’s a way to have even more unique experiences in Japan, learning more about the culture outside of the main touristy destinations.
Recently, a lot of popular YouTubers have been making trips down to Kyushu. Some more mainstream examples include Currently Hannah and Abroad in Japan. Even Rachel and Jun took a vacation to Miyazaki and filmed their experience walking across the famous suspension bridge in Takachiho.
Kyushu doesn’t get as much attention as it deserves. Living in Kyushu myself, I will continue shouting from the mountaintops for first-time visitors to come here and then go to Osaka and Tokyo. If you’re looking to have the perfect trip to Japan, consider adding Kyushu to your Japan bucket list.
Conclusion – One Week Kyushu Itinerary
Kyushu’s subtropical climate and dry winters make it the perfect travel destination all year round. With so much to offer, we can’t recommend this part of Japan enough as the perfect place for first-time visitors.
We hope this guide has helped you create the best Kyushu itinerary