Say hello to Kyushu, our favourite underrated region in Japan
Known as the "Land of Fires", Kyushu is a mountainous island in the South of Japan famous for its untouched nature from natural hot springs to active volcanoes. Also the birthplace of incredible cuisine, this wide region has plenty to explore. For the uninitiated, you can begin your Kyushu exploration at the popular cities of Fukuoka, Nagasaki, and Kumamoto. Download your very own Fukuoka-Nagasaki-Kumamoto 7D6N itinerary with tips on making the best of your visit to these exciting cities.
1 week itinerary for Kyushu
Day 1: touchdown and explore Fukuoka city
Upon arrival at Fukuoka airport, collect your travel essentials such as your 4G pocket wifi or sim card and JR Kyushu Pass (pick up available at Hakata Station) before you kickstart your journey! Thankfully Fukuoka Airport is not far from the city centre, you can get to the vibrant Fukuoka city centre (Hakata) in minutes via the subway, bus, or car.
First things first - get your first meal settled. You've probably heard of the famous Ichiran Ramen, known for its rich tonkotsu broth and ramen focus booths where you can dine in alone without feeling awkward - but did you know that Fukuoka is the birthplace of Ichiran? Start your Kyushu trip right with a warm bowl of comforting ramen at the OG Ichiran Ramen restaurant in Hakata.
Now it's time to walk off your calories with some sightseeing!
The Fukuoka Castle is a must-visit when in Kyushu. While it used to be the largest castle in the region, much of the castle structure has been demolished and burned down over the years. Today, only ruins and scattered surviving towers remain, but the castle park remains a popular sightseeing spot especially when the cherry trees here bloom in spring.
Besides the Fukuoka Castle, we'd also recommend checking out the Kushida Shrine (one of the largest and most popular shrines in Hakata), Sumiyoshi-jinja Shrine, Daizaifu Tenman-gū, Nanzoin Temple (home to a massive bronze statue of the Reclining Buddha), and the tranquil Ohori Park. If you enjoy museums, you can also pop by the Fukuoka Art Museum, Hakata Machiya Folk Museum, and Kyushu National Museum. ✨
For dinner, make your way to Canal City Hakata, one of Kyushu's commercial complexes that's as huge as Tokyo Disneyland. Canal City Hakata houses a wide variety of shops, restaurants, and entertainment facilities. Make sure to also not miss out on the water fountain show that's held every half an hour in the centre court of the mall. You can enjoy good views of the show from every floor of the complex!
P/s: Canal City Hakata gets decked up in celebratory lights whenever it's a festive season. The Christmas illuminations and performances in December are especially beautiful - there was even artificial snowfall when we travelled there years ago!
We always recommend seeing a city from above - there's just something magical about watching the twinkling city lights come on at night. 🌃✨ Before ending the night, make your way to the Fukuoka Tower for some night views of Fukuoka.
If you're looking for more spots to hangout at in Fukuoka at night, we'd suggest heading to Tenjin, a vibrant downtown district dotted with huge department stores, fashion boutiques, bustling restaurants, and yatais (street food stalls). Eat, shop, and be merry until you're ready to call it a night.
Day 2: catch a train to Beppu, Kyushu's laid-back onsen town
- Duration from Fukuoka by train: 2 hours
- Route covered with the JR Kyushu Pass
If hot springs are your sort of thing, you have to visit Beppu during your trip to Kyushu. Located along the east coast of Oita, Beppu is a laid-back onsen town surrounded by the sea and rolling mountains. The small town is home to over two thousand big and small hot springs, including 8 unique ones known as the eight 'hells' (jigoku) of Beppu.
Instead of cafe-hopping, some travellers go hells-hopping while they're here, and visit the 8 jigoku one after another. Do note though that these hot springs are too hot for you to dip in, and are for viewing purposes only. ✨ While you visit the jigokus, enjoy some soft-boiled eggs and pudding that are specialty treats cooked using the steam of the hot springs!
Besides sightseeing, make sure to allocate some time to visit an onsen for a dip, or stay in a ryokan if you have the chance and budget to. Most ryokans offer a common onsen area as well as a small hot spring bath in each room, perfect for those who prefer to soak in privacy.
Besides visiting the hot springs, here are some other sights worth checking out in Beppu:
- Beppu Park
- Kijima Kogen Park (home to the first wooden roller coaster in Japan!)
- Beppu Tower
- Beppu Ropeway
- Takasakiyama Monkey Park
- Kitakoka Shotengai Shopping Street
- Matogahama Beach Park
Day 3: visit the fairytale-like town of Yufuin
- Duration from Fukuoka by train: 1.5 hours
- Route covered with the JR Kyushu Pass
Yufuin is one of our favourite places in Kyushu! Also located in the Oita prefecture, Yufuin is a tranquil town blessed with breathtaking sceneries and a small-town, Spirited Away vibe. Our favourite way to get to Yufuin is by hopping on the charming Yufuin no Mori, a unique, beautiful green train with a cosy wooden interior that connects Hakata to Beppu via Yufuin. 🚃 You can get to Yufuin on this limited express train whether from Hakata or Beppu, and the route is covered with the JR Kyushu Pass. ✨
Begin your Yufuin exploration by strolling through Yunotsubo Street, the town's main shopping street that stretches from Yufuin Station (where you'll disembark if you're taking the train here) to the beautiful Kinrin Lake. The street is lined with cute cafes, cosy restaurants, and quaint stores selling everything from pretty accessories to souvenirs, artwork, street food, desserts, and snacks.
Some adorable shops to look out for include the Snoopy Tea House, Donguri no Mori (a must-visit for fans of Studio Ghibli films! You can spot it from the huge Totoro at the entrance), and the Yufuin Floral Village. There are even shops dedicated to dogs, cats, Alice in the Wonderland, Miffy, and Hello Kitty.
Oh, if you're feeling peckish, get a cheesecake from Milch (it's served in a small cup and can be enjoyed hot or cold) or a Japanese croquette from Yufuin Kinsho Croquettes! Both stores are located opposite each other along the street and can't be missed because you'll likely spot the queue from steps away.
Visit the beautiful Kinrinko Lake in Yufuin. Photo credit: Tayawee Supan on Unsplash.
Keep walking along the street for 20 minutes (it won't feel that long because there's plenty to see along the way!) and you'll find yourself at Lake Kinrinko, a must-visit gem in Yufuin. The lake shimmers in the sunlight and is a pretty place to take a stroll around with your loved ones. There are some coffee shops and restaurants in the vicinity, so you can pop by to fuel up if you're feeling hungry. Head back to Fukuoka city after you've spent enough time in Yufuin.
Day 4: first day in Nagasaki
- Duration from Fukuoka by train: 2 hours
- Route covered with the JR Kyushu Pass
Most people have only read about Nagasaki in history books - but can you imagine actually stepping foot on this interesting city with a haunting past? Nagasaki may have been pretty much destroyed by an atomic bomb during the World War II, but it rose from the ashes and was rebuilt into a vibrant, beautiful city. Today, you'll be able to stroll through beautiful memorial parks, across elegant bridges, and climb hills to have a glimpse of one of Japan's three best night views. ✨
Klook Tip: The journey from Hakata to Nagasaki will only take you about 2 hours via the Limited Express Kamome train (covered with the Whole Japan Rail Pass and JR Kyushu Pass). If you want to enjoy views of the Ariake Sea, reserve a seat on the left-hand side of the train!
Here are some places you can visit when in Nagasaki:
- Nagasaki Peace Park
- Atomic Bomb Museum
- Nagasaki Prefectural Art Museum
- Urakami Cathedral
- Nagasaki Chinatown (feast on dishes and street food like sesame balls, sara udon, and Chinese buns!)
- Inasa-yama Park
- Nagasaki Penguin Aquarium
- Nagasaki Bio Park
For breathtaking views of the city, we'd recommend heading to the summit of Nagasaki's Mount Inasa. There's a ropeway for visitors to get to the top via a cable car, or you can also hike up to the observation platform. The observatory at the top of the hill provides majestic views of Nagasaki's "10 Million Dollar Night View", ranked among Japan's three best night views.
Looking for a dinner location in Nagasaki? Our personal recommendation is Yossou, a 150-year-old family-run restaurant in the city. Yossou is credited as being the very first chawanmushi specialty restaurant in Japan. Unlike how you usually get it in a tiny teacup in Malaysia, the chawanmushi in Yossou is served in a huge bowl and is steamed with 9 ingredients - chicken, shiitake mushrooms, kikurage mushrooms, white fish, ginkgo, bamboo shoots, fish paste, grilled conger eel, and wheat powder! Opt for a chawanmushi or mushizushi set meal that comes with a variety of yummy dishes. 🍱 We promise you'll leave with a very satisfied belly.
Day 5: second day in Nagasaki
Option 1
For day 5 after spending a night in Nagasaki town, we'd suggest heading out on a Battleship Island Cruise. Also known as Hashima Island or Gunkanjima, the Battleship Island is a tiny abandoned island located off the coast of Nagasaki, just 15 kilometres from the city centre. If you like places with a unique history, you'll be deeply intrigued by Battleship Island.
The island was known as an operation base for undersea coal mines and garnered status as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2015. Hop on a cruise to get there and you'll get to stroll through haunting ruins, abandoned buildings, and concrete seawalls that provided the island protection for over a hundred years.
Option 2
If exploring the ruins of an abandoned island doesn't sound like your cup of tea, we've got a milder, more fun-inducing suggestion for you in Nagasaki. Step into Asia's largest resort theme park inspired by 17th-century Dutch and European customs, located in Sasebo, Nagasaki! Huis Ten Bosch pays tribute to the Netherlands with life-sized copies of old Dutch buildings, canals, windmills, amusement rides, and a park filled with seasonal flowers that will make your heart flutter.
Huis Ten Bosch is especially beautiful during specific seasons for the years including the Flower Festival and the Illumination Kingdom Celebration. It's also extremely dazzling at night when the lights come on. ✨
Klook Tip: Book your Huis Ten Bosch entry tickets on Klook in a few easy clicks! Besides the most common 1-Day Passport, you can also enjoy some savings by booking half-day tickets (entry after 3PM or 5PM) at discounted rates of up to 50% off the full-day price. Be smart and #justklookit!
Day 6: day trip to Kumamoto
- Duration from Fukuoka by train: 2.5 hours
- Route covered with the JR Kyushu Pass
Another day, another day trip! Start your day early by hopping on a train to Kumamoto, located under 3 hours from Fukuoka city. If you're afraid of getting hungry on your train ride, get some snacks from the convenience store or an ekiben (railway bento) to ride the train Japanese-style. ✨
Kumamoto is a major city in Kyushu, most known for the majestic Kumamoto Castle, which is one of the largest and most complete castles in Japan. Other things the city is known for: Mount Aso (the largest active volcano in Japan), Kurokawa Onsen (a picturesque onsen town filled with public baths and ryokans), and its mascot - the adorable Kumamon bear! 🐻
Before heading back to Fukuoka, have a hearty dinner at Katsuretsutei Shinshigai Honten to end your day on a high note. This tonkatsu (pork cutlet) restaurant in Kumamoto was awarded a Michelin star and is top-rated by both locals and travellers. Otherwise, you can also find a restaurant that serves one of Kumamoto's specialty dishes such as horse meat sashimi (this is apparently a local delicacy that's worth a try if you're adventurous enough!), taipien (Kumamoto and Chinese fusion vermicelli soup), or Kumamoto Ramen (tonkatsu ramen).
Day 7: final day in Fukuoka
Photo credit: https://www.kyushuandtokyo.org/spot_91/
- Duration from Fukuoka by train: 50 minutes
- Route covered with the JR Kyushu Pass
Spend your final day just chilling and enjoying Fukuoka city! If you're up for heading a lil out of the city centre, we'd suggest catching a train to Yanagawa, a charming city once coined the Venice of Kyushu. Yanagawa is located under an hour from Hakata by train, and is known for its winding rivers and many canals that were constructed to protect the city's castle from intruders. The best way to experience Yanagawa's unique beauty is by hopping on a Yanagawa River Cruise.
Cruise down the famous Yanagawa River on a traditional gondola-like 'donko' boat and take in Japanese architecture consisting of early 20th century warehouses while gliding through the water. Depending on the time you're visiting, you can also witness seasonal flowers on either side of the river. It's especially beautiful in spring and autumn!
Say goodbye to Kyushu!
While we believe 7 days is far from enough to explore all that this beautiful region has to offer, you'll be able to cover quite a bit of ground if you plan your trip carefully. ✨ Most importantly, be sure to get a travel pass that will allow you to travel efficiently without burning a hole in your wallet. Our all-time-favourite pass to recommend is none other than the JR Kyushu Rail Pass, available for booking from RM254 on Klook.
Enjoy unlimited train rides and travel north, south, or all over Kyushu over your preferred period of 3, 5, or 7 days with a handy JR Kyushu Pass! Decide which JR Kyushu Pass to get by checking out the routes covered here.
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