7 day Kyushu itinerary (Kumamoto, Beppu, Fukuoka)

For my second trip to the island of Kyūshū in Japan I decided to explore the northern part of the island, visiting Kumamoto, Fukuoka and Beppu. Here is my 7 day Kyushu itinerary which includes day trips to Takachiho Gorge, Yufuin and Dazaifu too! 

I did the itinerary below without a car and without a Rail Pass too. (If you’d like to see my other Japan itineraries, here is my Golden Route itinerary (Tokyo, Kyoto, Hiroshima, Miyajima). I’ve also visited Central Japan too, and you can see my Tokyo/ Chubu region itinerary here).

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Kumamoto

I stayed for three nights in Kumamoto and although there’s not loads to do in the city itself it was a great base to explore the surrounding area.

I stayed at the REF Kumamoto which was situated in a shopping arcade and was just across the street from the Sakuramachi bus terminal. My room was modern and neat and the hotel had a sento (public bath) which was heavenly.

Day 1: Visit Kumamoto Castle

Spend the afternoon exploring Kumamoto Castle and surrounding shrines.

Day 2: Explore Suizenji Garden in Kumamoto

Visit Suizenji garden and enjoy a green tea by the lake. (I had originally planned to visit Unzen Onsen/ the Shimabara peninsula this day but I was actually pretty ill so I just took it easy. Looking back on my trip now, you can easily combine Kumamoto Castle and Suizenji garden in a day if you are short on time).

Day 3: Day trip from Kumamoto to Takachiho Gorge

Take the 3 hour bus to Takachiho. Start off the day with a trip on the adorable Amaterasu Railway for some amazing views across the valley. Visit Takachiho shrine before heading down to the gorge to watch the rowing boats.

 

Beppu

From Kumamoto I took the shinkansen to Beppu, a hot spring town. Although touristy, I really liked Beppu! I stayed at the Super Hotel Beppu Ekimae which was close to the railway station and bus stops and it had its own public bath.

Day 4: See the Hells of Beppu

Walk round the Hells of Beppu. (The Hells are hot spring ponds that have different colours or properties. They are well worth a visit!)

Day 5: Day trip to Yufuin and Mt Tsurumi

Take the bus to Yufuin, which is about an hour away from Beppu. Do some shopping along the lovely traditional streets and visit Kinrin lake. On the way back to Beppu, take the cable car up to the top of Mt Tsurumi for amazing views.

 

Fukuoka

There is lots going on in Fukuoka so is a great place to visit. I stayed at the Nishitetsu Hotel Croom (Hakata Gion Kushida Shrine) and it was SO nice – my room was big and modern and of course, the hotel had an public bath too.

Day 6: Explore Fukuoka and visit TeamLab Forest

Visit local shrines and go shopping in Tenjin. In the afternoon/early evening, venture out to TeamLab Forest to experience some amazing interactive digital art. (A visit to a Teamlab exhibit – any Teamlab exhibit – is definitely a must if you are visiting Japan!)

Day 7: Day trip to Dazaifu

Take the bus to Dazaifu, a town south of Fukuoka. Wander along the traditional shopping street and visit Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine (sadly Komyozenji Temple was closed). Visit the Kyushu National Museum to find out more about Japan’s history. Upon arriving back in Fukuoka, go shopping in the mall next to Hakata railway station. (When I say shopping, I mean Tokyu Hands and the Pokémon store!)