Kyushu Japan
3
Day Itinerary •
Japan
Three days in Kyushu reveals Japan's most dramatic southern island, its remarkable active volcanoes, extraordinary hot spring towns, the finest ramen in Japan at Fukuoka, the remarkable Takachiho gorge and the extraordinary ceramic heritage of Arita and Imari. This route covers the essential Kyushu: the extraordinary Takachiho gorge boat trip, the remarkable Aso volcanic caldera, the finest Hakata ramen in Fukuoka, the extraordinary Beppu hells and the remarkable Nagasaki atomic bomb heritage.
Best Time To Visit
March to May or September to November
Getting There
Fly to Fukuoka Airport (FUK). Metro to city in 5 min.
Getting Around
Car essential for Aso and Takachiho. Train for cities.
Budget Per Day
Approx 80 to 160 euros per person per day
Difficulity
Easy to moderate , some volcanic walking
DAY 1
FUKUOKA
MORNING
FUKUOKA OHORI PARK AND HAKATA
Ohori Park is the most extraordinary urban park in Kyushu, its remarkable central lake and extraordinary reconstructed Fukuoka Castle ruins giving the finest morning walk in the city. The remarkable Hakata old town with its extraordinary Kushida Shrine, the guardian shrine of Fukuoka, and the remarkable Hakata Machiya Folk Museum give the finest traditional heritage in the city. Park free. Drive: 20 min by metro
MIDDAY
CANAL CITY HAKATA AND TENJIN
Canal City Hakata is the most extraordinary shopping complex in Kyushu, its remarkable canal running through an extraordinary indoor street of shops, restaurants and the finest ramen stadium in Japan , eight competing ramen shops in a single food court. The remarkable Tenjin underground shopping arcade, the finest in western Japan, gives the most extraordinary covered retail experience in the country. Free to explore. Drive: 10 min walk
AFTERNOON
NAKASU YATAI STREET FOOD STALLS
The Nakasu yatai are the most extraordinary open-air food stalls in Japan, their remarkable rows of tiny wooden stalls on the Nakasu island between two rivers serving the finest Hakata ramen, yakitori skewers and the extraordinary mentaiko spicy cod roe in the country. The remarkable atmosphere of sitting elbow-to-elbow with locals at outdoor stalls gives the finest street food experience in Kyushu. Dishes approx 800 yen.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Fukuoka Asian Art Museum in the Hakata riverain complex contains the finest collection of contemporary Asian art in Japan, its remarkable rotating exhibitions of extraordinary works from across Asia giving the most internationally diverse art experience in the country. Entry approx 200 yen.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Hakata ramen shop Outstanding Hakata tonkotsu ramen for breakfast in the city where this extraordinary style was created. | Lunch: Canal City Ramen Stadium Outstanding ramen tasting at the finest ramen complex in Kyushu. Eight styles under one roof. | Dinner: Nakasu yatai stall Outstanding yakitori and Hakata ramen at the most extraordinary outdoor food stalls in Japan.
DAY 2
BEPPU AND YUFUIN
MORNING
BEPPU EIGHT HELLS
The Beppu Hells are the most extraordinary hot spring spectacle in Japan, their remarkable eight geothermal pools each with extraordinary colours , the vivid cobalt blue of Umi Jigoku Sea Hell, the blood-red Chinoike Pond Hell and the extraordinary spouting geyser of Tatsumaki , giving the finest volcanic landscape accessible to visitors in the country. Combined ticket approx 2200 yen. Drive: 20 min by bus
MIDDAY
BEPPU SAND AND MUD BATHS
Beppu's extraordinary sand baths are the most remarkable onsen experience in Japan, their remarkable natural geothermally heated black sand burying visitors up to their necks in the finest mineral-rich treatment in the country. The extraordinary seafront setting at Suginoi and the remarkable mud baths at Kannawa give the finest therapeutic onsen in Kyushu. Sand bath approx 1500 yen. Drive: 30 min drive
AFTERNOON
YUFUIN VILLAGE
Yufuin is the most extraordinary onsen village in Kyushu, its remarkable traditional craft shops and galleries lining the extraordinary Yunostubo Kaido street from the station to Lake Kinrin, where the fine morning mist over the geothermal lake gives the finest village atmosphere in the south. The remarkable glasswork shops and the extraordinary Yufuin Film Festival heritage give the finest artisan village in Kyushu. Free to walk.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Kannawa steam cooking experience in Beppu lets visitors cook their own food in natural volcanic steam vents, the remarkable jigoku-mushi method producing the finest steamed vegetables, eggs and seafood in Kyushu. The most hands-on volcanic cooking in Japan. Approx 800 yen per person.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Beppu onsen cafe Outstanding Japanese breakfast near the extraordinary Eight Hells. The finest start to the volcanic day. | Lunch: Yufuin village restaurant Outstanding local Kyushu cuisine in the finest onsen village in Japan. Local Bungo beef and fresh tofu. | Dinner: Ryokan dinner in Beppu or Yufuin Outstanding traditional kaiseki at a Kyushu ryokan with private onsen overlooking the volcanic valley.
DAY 3
TAKACHIHO AND ASO
MORNING
TAKACHIHO GORGE BOAT TRIP
Takachiho Gorge is the most extraordinary river gorge in Japan, its remarkable sheer basalt column walls rising 80 to 100 metres above the emerald river and the extraordinary Manai waterfall cascading directly onto the gorge floor giving the finest boat trip in the country. The remarkable rowing boats available for hire give the finest close-up of the extraordinary basalt formations. Boat hire approx 2000 yen per boat. Drive: 30 min walk
MIDDAY
AMANO IWATO SHRINE AND GORGE WALK
Amano Iwato is the most extraordinary Shinto shrine in Kyushu, its remarkable position facing the cave where the sun goddess Amaterasu hid giving the finest mythological heritage in Japan. The extraordinary cedar forest approach and the remarkable suspension bridges over the gorge give the finest heritage walk near Takachiho. Entry approx 300 yen. Drive: 1 hr drive
AFTERNOON
MOUNT ASO VOLCANIC CALDERA
Mount Aso is the most extraordinary active volcano in Japan, its remarkable Nakadake crater with extraordinary turquoise sulphur lake and the dramatic steam and gas emissions giving the finest active volcanic experience in the country. The extraordinary caldera, the largest in Japan at 25km across, and the remarkable Kusasenri grassland give the finest volcanic landscape in Kyushu. Entry approx 1000 yen.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Takachiho Night Kagura is the finest traditional dance performance in Japan, its remarkable all-night ritual dances re-enacting the myth of Amaterasu performed in the extraordinary Takachiho Shrine every night from November to February. Ticket approx 1000 yen.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Early cafe before Takachiho gorge Early start for the gorge boat trip. The extraordinary basalt walls are most atmospheric in the early morning mist. | Lunch: Takachiho restaurant Outstanding local Miyazaki cuisine near the extraordinary gorge. Local chicken nanban and fresh mountain vegetables. | Dinner: Return dinner in Fukuoka or Beppu Outstanding farewell Kyushu dinner. Fukuoka yatai stalls or Beppu onsen ryokan kaiseki.
DAY 4
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
DAY 5
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Where To Stay
Fukuoka, Night 1 Best transport hub. Hotels from 70 to 180 euros. 5 min from airport to city by metro. Beppu or Yufuin, Night 2 The finest onsen ryokan experience. Ryokans from 100 to 300 euros per person. Budget option Business hotels in Fukuoka from 50 euros. Capsule hotels near Hakata station from 30 euros.
Top Tips
1. Takachiho gorge boats: queue from 7am for the extraordinary boat hire. The 30-minute wait at opening is worth it , boats sell out by 10am in peak season.
2. Mount Aso crater: check the volcanic alert level before visiting at www.jma.go.jp. The crater is frequently closed due to gas emissions. The caldera views are extraordinary regardless.
3. Beppu Hells: the Umi Jigoku (Sea Hell) cobalt blue pool is the finest of the eight. Go there first when it opens at 8am before tour groups arrive.
4. Fukuoka yatai stalls: the finest stalls open at 6pm on the Nakasu island. The extraordinary intimacy of sitting at an outdoor stall in the rain is the finest Japan experience.
5. Yufuin village: arrive by 9am to see Lake Kinrin in the extraordinary morning mist before the tour buses arrive at 10am. The village transforms completely with crowds.
6. Hakata ramen: the finest bowl in Fukuoka is at Shin Shin in Tenjin. The extraordinary clean tonkotsu broth is lighter than Beppu versions. Queue opens at 11am.
Total Budget
80 to 160 euros/day