What’s good in this Kyushu itinerary: Chasing autumn colours on Kyushu’s scenic retro trains from Fukuoka to Kagoshima. Eating at traditional roadside yatai stalls. Unique sauna episodes under volcanic sand.

Japan may scream TOKYO but if you’re looking for food and experiences authentically Japanese sans the crowds of Tokyo, Kyushu is a great introductory destination into Japan.

This Kyushu itinerary brings you Southwest of Japan’s main island during the beautiful season of autumn!

Pre-trip Essentials

Yufuin kinrink lake - Japan Kyushu Itinerary-8

Getting around: IC cards (Suica, Pasmo or Icoca card) for intercity transportation. JR Kyushu Pass for interstate travel all around Kyushu. Download mobile app Japan Travel for updated train schedules and route plans.

Staying connected: Get your SIM card online and delivered to your doorstep before your trip! Alternatively, pre-paid travellers’ SIM cards are available from Fukuoka International Airport.

Flights: Prices for flights from Singapore to Fukuoka (where this itinerary starts at) vary all year round, so check prices for your dates of travel with this nifty tool.

Read also: 7-Day Tokyo & Mt. Fuji Itinerary

Day 1: Fukuoka (Hakata)

Kushida Shrine (櫛田神社)

Kushida shrine exterior - Japan Kyushu Itinerary

Seen as a guardian temple of Hakata ward, Kushida Shrine is the oldest and most important shrine in the area, 5 minutes from Gion subway station.

Tengu masks in Kushida shrine - Japan Kyushu Itinerary

Tengu masks with exaggerated noses in Kushida Shrine.

This shrine comes alive in the summer with the impressive Hakata Gion Yamakasa festival when giant decorative floats make their way across the city starting from the shrine.

Yellow ginkgo tree of Kushida shrine - Japan Kyushu Itinerary

The thousand-year-old Ginkgo tree of Kushida Shrine.

During the autumn months, another impressive giant takes the centre stage: a millennia-old Gingko tree symbolising longevity turning a vibrant yellow.

Entrance fee: Free
Opening hours: 4AM – 10PM
Address: 1-41 Kamikawabatamachi, Hakata, Fukuoka-shi, Fukuoka-ken

Lunch at Fukuei Kumiai (福榮組合)

Chicken dishes of Fukueikumiai - Japan Kyushu Itinerary

Try the Fukuoka specialty “jidori”, which means local-raised chicken, here at Fukuei Kumiai.

Of Fukuoka’s many unique localised cuisines, one must-try is the “jidori”, a poultry breed exclusive to the prefecture that’s known for its robust flavour. Don’t be surprised if you see “raw chicken” on menus in Fukuoka, because jidori chickens are said to be clean enough to be eaten sashimi-style.

Fukueikumiai - Japan Kyushu Itinerary

Even if you’re not adventurous enough to try raw chicken, you can get cooked jidori chicken at Fukuei Kumiai either deep-fried, grilled, or braised in vinegar.

Cost: From ¥830 (lunch set)
Opening hours: 11:30AM – 3PM, 5PM – 11PM
Address: 4-210 Kamikawabatamachi, Hakata Ward, Fukuoka, Fukuoka Prefecture 812-0026, Japan (Within Kawabata Shopping Street).

Canal City Hakata

Canal City Hakata - Japan Kyushu Itinerary

Photo credit: Ann Hung Flickr

Built around an artificial canal, Canal City Hakata is a mall so big that locals call it “a city within a city”. With over 250 shops and dining spaces, Canal City Hakata is every shopaholic’s haven and also the go-to for Fukuoka specialties.

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Opening hours: 10AM – 11PM (retail shops close by 9PM)
Address: 1-2, Sumiyoshi, Hakata-ku, Fukuoka-shi, Fukuoka Prefecture 812-0018

Fukuoka Zoo & Botanical Garden (福岡市動植物園)

Giraffe enclosure of fukuoka city zoo - Japan Kyushu Itinerary

Yes, we get it, zoos are basic. The Fukuoka City Zoo & Botanical Garden is, however, a nice getaway from the bustling city. Established in 1953, the Fukuoka Zoo is not the most impressive animal sanctuary out there, but it houses a modest collection of animals from macaques to giraffes and tigers.

Fukuoka City Zoo in autumn - Japan Kyushu Itinerary

The abundance of trees in Fukuoka City Zoo makes it a great place to admire the autumn colours.

Adjacent to the zoo is the botanical garden that has 2,600 kinds of plants. If you’re like us chasing autumn colours in Kyushu, the Fukuoka Zoo & Botanical Garden is a must-visit! At ¥600 for entry to both the zoo and garden, it’s a great bargain for Japanese standards!

Entrance fee: ¥600
Opening hours: 9AM – 5PM (last entry at 4:30PM), closed on Mon
Address: 810-0037 Fukuoka-ken, Fukuoka-shi, Chūō-ku, Minamikōen

Dinner at Ichiran Ramen (一蘭)

Ichiran ramen in Fukuoka

Many may know Ichiran as the popular “anti-social” ramen restaurant thanks to its signature reclusive booths, but back in the 1960s it was more known as a humble ramen stall in Fukuoka.

Ichiran concept store in Fukuoka - Japan Kyushu Itinerary

Which is why in its hometown stands the Fukuoka concept store, where besides single dining booths, you can also choose to dine “yatai” style. That means “shop stand (屋台)”, referring to a small, mobile roadside food stand commonplace in Fukuoka.

Ichiran Fukuoka Yatai - Japan Kyushu Itinerary

Yatai-style dining in Fukuoka’s Ichiran flagship concept store.

Cost: From ¥980
Opening hours:
24hrs
Address: 810-0801, 5-3-2 Nakasu Hakata-ku Fukuoka-shi Fukuoka-ken

Check-in at HOTEL MYSTAYS Fukuoka Tenjin

Hotel Mystays Hakata Tenjin

The downtown area of Tenjin (天神) is a good place to base in when travelling around Fukuoka city, and there’s everything within walking distance of HOTELS MYSTAYS Fukuoka Tenjin, be it retail shopping, food or necessities.

Look no further than the hotel’s main entrance for authentic cuisine to start your day too — the in-house restaurant sells breakfast sets at only ¥1,300/guest.

Cost: From ~S$67/night
Address:
 3 Chome-5-7 Tenjin, Chūō-ku, Fukuoka-shi, Fukuoka-ken 810-0001, Japan

Day 2: Fukuoka (Hakata) to Kitakyushu (Kokura)

After a hearty breakfast at HOTELS MYSTAYS Tenjin, we headed to Kitakyushu (北九州), 16 minutes away via the Shinkansen Nozomi 44. Do note that shinkansen rides between Hakata and Kokura are not covered by the JR Pass, so separate tickets will be needed.

If you don’t mind a longer ride (~40-50mins), there are express trains (slower than shinkansen) that run between Hakata and Kokura that’s covered by the All Kyushu JR Pass.

Train to Shimonoseki - Japan Kyushu Itinerary

Shimonoseki (下関市) 

Kanmon bridge of Shimonoseki

Kanmon Bridge connecting Kagoshima and Shimonoseki.

At Kitakyushu, we hopped onto another train to Shimonoseki, the port city best known for its export of the notoriously poisonous pufferfish delicacy, fugu. Overlooking the Kanmon Bridge (関門橋) is the Karato Market (唐戸市場).

Karato Market fugu Shimonoseki - Japan Kyushu Itinerary

You can get fresh fugu from Karato Market in Shimonoseki.

We had lunch in Fukunoseki (ふくの関) that’s within the Kamon Wharf. The fugu supply is fresh there, so there’s no better place to try it!

Fukunoseki restaurant fugu Shimonoseki - Japan Kyushu Itinerary

Shimonoseki is famous for fugu (pufferfish).

There are several ways one can get to Shimonoseki from Kitakyushu — by car, train, or ferry.

Mojiko station of Shimonoseki

Photo credit: Kitakyushu City

A short walk away from the ferry terminal is the Mojikō Station (門司港駅), the oldest station on the Kagoshima Line built in 1914. Today, the vintage Neo-Renaissance building is an attraction itself. From there, we took a train back to Kitakyushu (Kokura).

Kokura Castle (小倉城)

Kokura Castle - Japan Kyushu Itinerary

Photo credit: Fukuoka Now

The only castle left standing in Fukuoka Prefecture is the Kokura Castle, so if you’re not venturing beyond north Kyushu, the only chance of seeing an ancient Japanese castle is in Kitakyushu.

Entrance fee: ¥350
Opening hours: 9AM – 8PM (Apr – Oct), 9AM – 7PM (Nov – Mar)
Address: 2-1 Jōnai, Kokurakita-ku, Kitakyūshū-shi, Fukuoka-ken 803-0813, Japan

Dinner at Otokomeshi Onnameshi (男飯 女飯)

Beef tongue from Otokomeshi Onnameshi

Beef tongue from Otokomeshi Onnameshi.

The Uomachi area around Kokura station is lined with eateries but we recommend Otokomeshi Onnameshi (男飯 女飯) if you’re looking for an authentic yet affordable option. Almost every dish costs only ¥390, and this restaurant prides itself on providing affordable meals for the masses even if it means getting a negative profit at the end of the day.

*Note: This shop is permanently closed.

Check-in to ART HOTEL Kokura New Tagawa

ART HOTEL Kokura New Tagawa western style room

A cosy western style room of ART HOTEL Kokura New Tagawa.

We checked in to ART HOTEL Kokura New Tagawa in Kitakyushu, which has rooms in both Western and oriental Japanese styles.

Lobby overlooking garden of ART HOTEL Kokura New Tagawa

ART HOTEL Kokura New Tagawa is built next to a 120-year-old Japanese garden.

This hotel is also a favourite among locals for weddings and banquets, thanks to its historic architecture and Japanese gardens built during the Meiji Era.

Cost: From ~S$57/night
Address: 3-46 Furusemba-machi, 3 Furusenbamachi, Kokurakita-ku, Kitakyūshū-shi, Fukuoka-ken 802-0082, Japan

Day 3: Kitakyushu – Yufuin – Beppu

Tanga Ichiba Market (旦過市場) at Kokura

Kukora Tanga Ichiba Market - Japan Kyushu Itinerary

Most Kitakyushu residents do their daily grocery shopping at Tanga Ichiba Market, but this narrow little street is also loved by visitors scouring for affordable local delights.

Fresh fish stall Kukora Tanga Ichiba Market - Japan Kyushu Itinerary

Expect to find Kitakyushu specialities such as karashi mentaiko (辛子明太子, spicy salted roe) and nukadaki (ぬか炊き, fish simmered in miso).

Old stalls of Kukora Tanga Ichiba Market

Opening hours: 9:30AM – 6PM
Address: 4

Yufuin (由布院)

From Kitakyushu, we proceeded to the quaint town of Yufuin through the Ltd Exp Sonic 33 train via Oita. Yufuin is a popular hot spring resort surrounded by Mount Yufu. The main street is lined with cafes, boutiques and small museums.

Yufuin main street with horse carriage - Japan Kyushu Itinerary

Explore Yufuin’s main street on a horse carriage.

Kinrinko Lake (金鱗湖)

YUfuin Kinrinko lake - Japan Kyushu Itinerary

Kinrinko Lake has both hot and cold springs welling up from its bottom, resulting in many ripples on the surface of the lake at all times.

A short cab ride from the Yufuin station is Kinrinko Lake, also known as the “Golden Fish Scales Lake”. The lake is the most spectacular in the early mornings when mist clouds over the surface of the lake due to the hot spring and regular spring water from the bottom of the lake mixing. The maple trees were beautiful in orange and red when we visited in autumn.

Yufuin English Sightseeing bus - Japan Kyushu Itinerary

The sightseeing bus brings passengers to the Flora House, Kozenin Temple, and Unaguhime-jinjya Shrine of Yufuin town.

Yufuin may be a small town in comparison to bigger hot spring resort towns such as Beppu, but if you’re thinking of exploring Yufuin by walking, it could take you up to a day.

There are alternative ways to explore Yufuin, like renting bicycles, on a horse carriage, or on a sightseeing bus. Do check for the availability of those transport choices at the tourist information centre (YUFUiNFO) located next to the train station upon arrival!

Yufuin Yufuinfo centre - Japan Kyushu Itinerary

The YUFUiNFO Centre is located just next to the train station.

*Pro-tip: You can deposit your baggage at the YUFUiNFO Centre from ¥300 between 9AM – 5PM.

Yufuin Floral Village - Japan Kyushu Itinerary

Yufuin Floral Village.

One of the most photographed places in Yufuin is the Yufuin Floral Village that’s inspired by south-central England’s Cotswolds.

Opening hours: 9:30AM – 5:30PM
Address: 1503-3 Kawakami YufuinchoYufu 879-5102, Oita Prefecture

Onwards to Beppu (別府市)

There’s no better place to experience hot springs and onsens than in Beppu, the “home of hot springs”.

Check-in to Beppu Kamenoi Hotel

Onsen in Beppu Kamenoi Hotel - Japan Kyushu Itinerary

Almost every hotel in Beppu has onsen facilities, and for this Kyushu itinerary, we stayed at Beppu Kamenoi Hotel that’s within walking distance from Beppu train station.

Beppu Kamenoi Hotel Restaurant meal - Japan Kyushu Itinerary

There’s also an in-house restaurant that serves up delicious Toriten (Oita-style fried chicken) and Ochakuze (hot green tea over rice, seaweed, vegetables and tofu).

Cost: From ~S$57/night
Address: 5-17 Chūōmachi, Beppu-shi, Ōita-ken 874-0936, Japan

Day 4: Beppu – Kagoshima (via Kokura & Kumamoto)

Beppu Hells Blood Pond Hell - Japan Kyushu Itinerary

Blood Pond Hell.

The most famous attraction in Beppu is undeniably the “Hells of Beppu” — natural hot springs found around the Kanawa and Shibaseki districts.

There are eight hot springs in all, but they’re not in the same place. We recommend just getting a ticket to the Umi Jigoku compound which contains three of the eight hot springs, including the red “Blood Pond Hell (赤池)” and cobalt blue “Sea Hell (海地獄)”, which are the most visually impressive of the lot.

Beppu Hells Sea Hell - Japan Kyushu Itinerary

Sea Hell.

These hot springs are disappointingly thankfully only for viewing and not dipping as they range from 78–98°C. Besides taking out-of-the-world pictures, another way to feel more involved is to buy the hell-steamed custard pudding.

Beppu Hells custard pudding - Japan Kyushu Itinerary

Custard pudding steamed by the hot spring!

So please, when in Beppu, go to hells.

Entrance fee: ~S$20/adult
Opening hours: 8AM – 5PM
Address: 559-1 Kannawa, Beppu, Ōita Prefecture 874-0000, Japan

Beppu Sand Bath 

Beppu sand bath - Japan Kyushu Itinerary

Being buried is a scary yet oddly therapeutic experience. Before this turns morbid, I’m really just referring to the sand bath experience in Beppu. The naturally heated volcanic sand supposedly alleviates body aches and improves blood circulation.

If you’re claustrophobic, the anxiety you get beneath the sand is real, but soon you’ll find yourself relaxing under the weight of the sand instead.

Entrance fee: ¥1,030
Opening hours: 9AM – 5PM
Address: 9 Shoningahamacho, Beppu, Ōita Prefecture 874-0023, Japan

*Pro-tip: Bring your own towel and save ¥350 from buying new towels at the sand bath.

Scenic train rides to Kagoshima (via Kumamoto)

Yoshimatsu train to kagoshima - Japan Kyushu Itinerary

After filling our tum-tums at Mekiki-no Ginji, we hopped onto an express train towards Kokura where we made another transfer towards Kagoshima (鹿児島) at Kumamoto.

Scenic train to kagoshima - Japan Kyushu Itinerary

For the southwards route, we took three nostalgic scenic trains with our Kyushu itinerary:
1. Kawasemi (Kumamoto to Hitoyoshi)
2. Isaburo Shinpei (Hitoyoshi to Yoshimatsu)
3. Hayato no Kaze (Yoshimatsu to Kagoshima-chuo)

All three trains require prior seat reservation with the JR Pass, and they’re very limited so make your reservations early! The train masters will make stops at a couple of smaller stations in between for passengers to get off for photo opportunities. One such stop is the Masaki Station (真幸駅) which was built in 1911.

Station of Scenic train to kagoshima - Japan Kyushu Itinerary

Masaki Station (真幸駅) is the oldest railway station on the Hisatsu Line, opened in 1911.

Staff waving Scenic train to kagoshima - Japan Kyushu Itinerary-6

Locals doing the “tewofu-rail” wave to the passengers on the train as the train departs the station.

Check-in to HOTEL MYSTAYS Kagoshima Tenmonkan

HOTEL MYSTAYS Kagoshima Tenmonkan - Japan Kyushu Itinerary

Photo credit: HOTEL MYSTAYS

The train rides took up the whole day, and once we reached Kagoshima, we checked into our accommodation HOTEL MYSTAYS Kagoshima Tenmonkan for the night. Situated in the bustling Tenmonkan area within Kagoshima, we had quick access to many eateries, drugstores and souvenir shops around the hotel. Convenient!

If you’re not too sure where to start for your gastronomic adventure around HOTEL MYSTAYS Kagoshima Tenmonkan, let us recommend to you Shirokuma shave ice dessert  — the birthplace of shave ice desserts in Japan, located a mere 5-minute walk away from the hotel.

Another must-eat is the Kagoshima Kurobuta (black pork), one of the best-known black pork in the world, and in HOTEL MYSTAYS Kagoshima Tenmonkan, kurobuta shabu shabu is available at the hotel’s morning buffet spread.

Cost: From ~S$44/night
Address: 2-7 Yamanokuchi-cho, Kagoshima-shi, Kagoshima, 892-0844 Japan

Day 5: Kagoshima

Sengan-en Garden (仙巌園)

Senganen Garden kagoshima - Japan Kyushu Itinerary

Sengan-en is a Japanese-style landscape garden built in 1658 by the powerful and influential Shimadzu Clan that ruled the Kagoshima area during the Edo Period. 

Senganen Garden lake kagoshima - Japan Kyushu Itinerary

The Shimadzus are still highly respected by the Japanese today for bringing Western science and technology to Japan.

Senganen Garden kagoshima pond - Japan Kyushu Itinerary

The autumn foliage was in pretty shades of red, yellow, orange and brown when we visited. On a clear day, you can even see the majestic Mt. Sakurajima volcano across the bay!

Senganen Garden shochu kagoshima - Japan Kyushu Itinerary

The gift shop in Sengan-en sells an assortment of Shochu, a liquor made from locally-grown sweet potatoes.

Sengan-en’s gift shop also sells exclusive Kagoshima-produced snacks and food products from hard liquor Shochu to fruity gummies made from locally-sourced ingredients.

Senganen Garden glass gallery shop kagoshima - Japan Kyushu Itinerary

Satsuma Kiriko crystal glass gallery.

There’s also a glassware gallery and shop that showcases the Satsuma Kiriko cut glass that was first created in Kagoshima during the Edo period.

Entrance fee: ¥1,600 (entry to garden, museum and house)
Opening hours: 9AM – 5PM
Address: 9700-1 Yoshino-cho, Kagoshima City, Kagoshima 892-0871

Lunch at Sengan-en Matcha Cafe

Sengan-en matcha cafe lunch set - Japan Kyushu Itinerary

Sengan-en’s Matcha Cafe sells pretty decent lunch!

Within Sengan-en is a Muji-esque cafe serving all things matcha from parfaits to affogato. From 11AM – 3PM the cafe serves two lunch sets (¥1,300) — Keihan (chicken rice), and Yudofu (tofu soup). Each is limited to 15 sets per day, so get there early for a taste!

Opening hours: 9AM – 5PM

Dinner at Shabu Zen (しゃぶ禅)

Shabu Zen pork - Japan Kyushu Itinerary

Besides seafood, another must-try in Kagoshima is their local black pork (Kagoshima Kurobuta), best-eaten shabu-shabu style. We had our share of shabu goodness at Shabu Zen, offering both à la carte and buffet options. The all-you-can-eat shabu-shabu starts from ¥3,500/pax.

Opening hours: 5PM – 11PM
Address: CUBE Building 2F 5-12 Higashi Sengoku-cho, Kagoshima-shi, Kagoshima-ken

Day 6: Kagoshima – Fukuoka

On our last day in Kyushu, we travelled northwards back to Fukuoka. The shinkansen will take you back from Kagoshima-chuo to Hakata in 1.5 hours.

Ohori Park (大濠公園)

"Ohori Park playground Fukuoka - Japan Kyushu Itinerary

Fun fact: Ohori in Japanese means moat, and the large pond in the middle of Ohori Park used to be part of the moat system of the nearby Fukuoka Castle!

Now, you can just take a leisurely stroll while walking on the stone bridges connecting the pond to the mainland.

Entrance fee: Free
Address:
 1-8 Ōhorikōen, Chūō-ku, Fukuoka-shi, Fukuoka-ken 810-0051, Japan

Read also: 8-Day Hokkaido Spring Itinerary

The Ruins of Fukuoka Castle (福岡城跡)

The ruins of Castle Fukuoka - Japan Kyushu Itinerary

Although only ruins remain, the Fukuoka Castle makes a good lookout point to the city.

Walking distance from Ohori Park, what’s left of the once-great Fukuoka Castle is only a few ruined walls, though it’s nonetheless a great lookout point for a panoramic view of Fukuoka city.

Lunch at Tori Mabushi (とりまぶし)

Torimabushi - Japan Kyushu Itinerary

The most challenging part of this dinner is successfully reserving a table beforehand because this restaurant is hugely popular among locals as well. But add this to your Kyushu itinerary and try your luck anyway (Tel: 092-260-7273)!

The second most challenging part is learning the proper way of eating Tori Mabushi, a Fukuoka grilled chicken with chicken broth.

Waitress explaining how to enjoy Tori mabushi restaurant - Japan Kyushu Itinerary

The restaurant staff will prepare the condiments and explain the “proper” way of enjoying a tori mabushi meal.

Here are the steps to eating tori mabushi (which the staff will gladly show you to properly enjoy the dish):

  1. Eat 1/3 of the bowl of grilled chicken and rice as it is served.
  2. Eat the next 1/3 with added condiments such as kombu (dried kelp) and yuzukoshō (yuzu pepper).
  3. Finish the last 1/3 by mixing chicken broth into the rice.

All that effort was not for nought though — if there’s only one restaurant worth a repeat visit among the plethora of eateries in Fukuoka, it’s Tori Mabushi.

Tori mabushi restaurant - Japan Kyushu Itinerary

Cost: From ~¥1,800/adult
Opening hours: 10:30AM – 10PM
Address: Fukuoka Prefecture Fukuoka City 5-3-18 Nakasu, Hakata-ku Tm-16 Building 1F

Tōchō-ji (東長寺)

Tochiji Temple in Fukuoka

Housing the largest wooden seated Buddha statue in Japan is the Tochoji Temple. You may also recognise the red pagoda next to the main hall of the temple. Conveniently situated a few minutes walk from Gion subway station, Tochoji Temple is not only for devout Buddhists but anyone.

Entrance fee: Free
Opening hours: 9AM – 5PM
Address: 2-4, Gokusho-machi, Hakata-ku, Fukuoka

Dinner at a Yatai 

Yatai Food stalls in Fukuoka

Yatai stalls along Nakasu district of Fukuoka.

One has not been to Fukuoka if they’ve not eaten at a yatai in Fukuoka. A dying trade, yatai are essentially roadside food stalls selling local delights like ramen, sukiyaki and oden. While roadside stalls are still a common sight in many Asian countries, they’re practically unheard of in Japan and can only be found in Fukuoka.

Yatai stall in Fukuoka

We had our dinner with other locals and curious foreigners alike, taking in the tastes and experiences of a soon-to-be-gone part of Fukuoka culture and tradition.

Yatai meal Fukuoka

Honestly, the sukiyaki is nothing special, but it’s the experience of eating piping hot food by the streets with a dozen other hungry diners huddled under a small tent that made it interesting for us.

Opening hours: 6PM till late
How to get there:
 Yatai stalls can be found in Tenjin, Nakasu, and Nagahama areas of Fukuoka

Accommodation in Kyushu

Cities in Kyushu are easily an hour or two apart so we based ourselves in four hotels with this Kyushu itinerary. With these no-frills accommodation options in Kyushu’s major cities, we were able to travel around and explore Kyushu without much hassle.

What we loved about all four hotels was their relatively central location that’s always within walking distance of a train station, with ample shops nearby to purchase any essentials we need/forgot to bring. Here are the hotels we stayed at in our Kyushu itinerary:

Fukuoka — HOTEL MYSTAYS Fukuoka Tenjin

Hotel Mystays Tenjin room

Located in a prime location yet not directly at the heart of Tenjin, HOTEL MYSTAYS Fukuoka Tenjin is close to convenience stores and Tenjin station but still provides a quiet environment. Rooms are adequately furnished for their cosy size, and if you need additional amenities like toiletries or laundry bags, you can help yourself in the lobby.

Cost: From ~S$67/night
How to get there: Walk 5mins from Tenjin subway station (Kuko Line)

Kitakyushu — ART HOTEL Kokura New Tagawa

ART HOTEL Kokura New Tagawa japanese style room

Japanese-themed room at ART HOTEL Kokura New Tagawa.

ART HOTEL Kokura New Tagawa is considerably no-frills in terms of amenities, but it makes up for it with its spaciousness and aesthetics. In fact, this hotel is straight-up classy with a tinge of luxury.

There are themed rooms in either Japanese or Western furnishing and also has a century-old Japanese garden within its compound that’s a popular setting for Japanese weddings.

Cost: From ~S$57/night
How to get there: Walk 12mins from Kokura Station

Beppu — Beppu Kamenoi Hotel 

Beppu Kamenoi Hotel Room

The most spacious hotel of the lot, Beppu Kamenoi Hotel is only a stone’s throw away from Beppu station with its own in-house onsen and a level with an arcade and candy store that they call a “kids’ zone”. For its convenient location and spaciousness at these rates, we’d say this one is the most value for money of the four.

Cost: From ~S$57/night
How to get there: Walk 6mins from Beppu station

Kagoshima — HOTEL MYSTAYS Kagoshima Tenmonkan

HOTEL MYSTAYS Kagoshima Tenmonkan

This hotel’s close proximity to the Tenmonkan area is a huge plus as that also means an abundance of restaurants and bars around! 

My favourite part of the hotel is the 24-hour convenience store next to the hotel lobby so I’ll never go hungry during my stay, not even in the wee hours of the morning. There is also coin laundry located on the 7F of the hotel.

Cost: From ~S$44/night
How to get there: Walk 15 mins from Kagoshima-chuo station, or 1 min from Takamibaba City tram station.

Anything else we should add to this Kyushu itinerary? Let us know in the comment section below!


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15 COMMENTS

  1. hello, thanks for sharing your itinerary.

    may i know how did you managed to take the 3 rides? what timings were it?
    For the southwards route, we took three nostalgic scenic trains:
    1. Kawasemi (Kumamoto to Hitoyoshi)
    2. Isaburo Shinpei (Hitoyoshi to Yoshimatsu)
    3. Hayato no Kaze (Yoshimatsu to Kagoshima-chuo)

  2. Hi Edelyn,
    Thanks for sharing your itinerary.

    Which month were u in Kyushu ? The scenery are very nice.

    I am planning to go on 12 – 19 Dec. Is the autumn fall still available ?

    Best regards,
    Michelle

    • Hi Michelle, we were there in late Nov to the first week of Dec last year.
      You might be able to see some autumn colours on 12th Dec, but we’d recommend travelling in November if you want to see the autumn colours in full 🙂

  3. Hi Edelyn

    Great to read your sharing. Would be great if you can share the transportation from one city to another, eg . Any day pass, JR etc..should we buy. I have absolutely no idea about Kyushu but love to visit it in September.
    Thanks

    • Hi Sheung Ko!
      Great question you’ve brought up! To answer your question, it really depends on which areas of Kyushu you’re intending to visit. Basically, there are 3 different JR passes for Kyushu based on areas.
      – North-Kyushu Pass: Shimonoseki, Mojikō, Kokura, Hakata, Yufuin, Beppu, Oita, Kumamoto, Aso, Saga, Nagasaki, Huis Ten Bosch and Sasebo, besides (limited to the portion between Hakata and Kumamoto, and cannot be used for the area between Hakata and Kokura).
      – South-Kyushu Pass: Kumamoto, Misumi, Hitoyoshi, Kirishima-onsen, Kirishima-jingū, Kagoshima, Ibusuki, Nishi-Ōyama, Miyazaki, Obi, Nangō, Nobeoka (limited to the portion between Kumamoto and Kagoshima-chuo)
      – Whole Kyushu Pass: Whole of Kyushu except the area between Hakata and Kokura.
      Do also get yourself a reloadable prepaid IC card (Suica, Pasmo or Icoca) for subway and bus transportations in the city.
      Get your preferred pass type from Klook
      Hope this helps! 🙂

  4. Hi Edelyn, would like to clarify with you regarding All Kyushu Pass (you mentioned in your reply to Sheung Ko that it doesn’t cover area btwn Hakata and Kokura) but in your Day 2 itinerary, “…we headed to Kitakyushu (北九州), 16 minutes away via the Shinkansen Nozomi 44. This route (Hakata to Kokura) is covered by the All Kyushu JR Pass”.
    Looking forward to hearing from you. Thanks in advance

    • Hi Celine! Thanks for pointing out and so sorry for the confusion! To clarify, JR Kyushu passes do not cover rides on the Shinkansen Nozomi trains; separate tickets for the shinkansen ride has to be purchased. You can take other trains that run between Hakata and Kokura such as the Limited Express Sonic that’s covered in the JR Pass. The article has been corrected.
      Thank you.
      -Edelyn

    • Hi Veronica, we’re unable to advise on driving as we only travelled by train around Kyushu. But here are some pros and cons of travelling via train to help you in your decision-making.
      Pros: Wonderful scenic views on sightseeing trains. The train and rail systems in Kyushu are well-connected.
      Cons: Reservation of seats is a must and can only be done at a JR pass counter, which can be complicated. Slower travelling speed as compared to driving.

      Hope this helps!
      -Edelyn

    • Hi Colin! Any time’s a good time to visit Kyushu, although it will be cold in Feb at around 10degC in the day and 2degC at night, so do pack thicker clothes. Wow, 2 weeks! You’ll be able to cover so much more of Kyushu than what we have in this itinerary, haha! Do visit Nagasaki (which we missed out for our trip), and check out the Nagasaki Lantern Festival happening late Jan to early Feb if you have the chance. You might be able to see plum blossoms too! If you need more road trip info for Kyushu, WelcomeKyushu is a pretty good website! 🙂

    • Hi Nana! Yes, April to May is a good time to travel Kyushu, although it will be slightly warmer as it’s spring/summer. Do take note that the Japan Golden week will fall between Apr 29 – May 5, so festivities aside, streets may get crowded as there will also be a lot of local Japanese tourists travelling too. 🙂

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