Kyushu, Japan · Route map
A Kyushu Feast of Peaks and Bays
Focusing entirely on Japan's dramatic southern island of Kyushu lets you experience incredible regional food and active volcanoes without the crowds of the Golden Route.
- 1
Fukuoka
2 nights
Open-air food stalls and brilliant Hakata ramen.
- 2
Nagasaki
2 nights
Historic harbor views and fusion culinary heritage.
- 3
Mount Aso
2 nights
Surreal caldera landscapes and steaming thermal dips.
- 4
Kagoshima
2 nights
Active volcano backdrops and Kurobuta pork feasts.
- ✦4 stops · 8 nights
A sample from our journal — written by Waypora, kept as inspiration
Use this as a starting pointThe day-by-day
Welcome to Foodie Fukuoka
Arrive at Fukuoka Airport
Flight · Morning · Fukuoka
Fukuoka's airport is incredibly close to the city center.
Subway transfer to Hakata Station
Transfer · Morning · Fukuoka
A quick five-minute subway ride into the city.
Walk the historic alleys of Kawabata
Excursion · Afternoon · Hakata
Stop by Kushida Shrine, the guardian temple of the city's famous summer festival.
Dine at open-air Yatai food stalls
Excursion · Evening · Nakasu
Avoid the main tourist strip; head to the quieter stalls in Tenjin for better Hakata ramen.
Overnight in Fukuoka
Accommodation · Evening · Hakata
Coastal Parks and Local Brews
Stroll around Ohori Park lake
Excursion · Morning · Ohori Park
Grab a matcha at the beautiful traditional Japanese garden inside the park.
Afternoon shopping in Daimyo backstreets
At leisure · Afternoon · Tenjin
Savor local Mizutaki chicken hotpot
Excursion · Evening · Chuo Ward
Reserve a table at Toriden for a rich, collagen-heavy broth locals swear by.
Overnight in Fukuoka
Accommodation · Evening · Hakata
Journey to Historic Nagasaki
Express train to Nagasaki
Transfer · Morning · Nagasaki
Takes about one and a half hours on the Kamome Shinkansen.
Explore historic Dejima trading post
Excursion · Afternoon · Nagasaki
Walk through the restored Dutch warehouses to understand Japan's century-long isolation.
Catch the Mt. Inasa night view
Excursion · Evening · Mount Inasa
Take the ropeway up for what is ranked as one of Japan's top three night views.
Overnight in Nagasaki
Accommodation · Evening · Nagasaki
Slopes and Catholic Heritage
Walk the historic Glover Garden slopes
Excursion · Morning · Minamiyamate
Look for the heart-shaped stones paved into the pathways for good luck.
Savor local Champon noodles in Chinatown
Excursion · Afternoon · Shinchi Chinatown
Kozanro serves the most authentic, rich pork and seafood broth.
Wander the atmospheric temple district
At leisure · Afternoon · Teramachi
Overnight in Nagasaki
Accommodation · Evening · Nagasaki
Into the Volcanic Caldera
Pick up rental car in Nagasaki
Car hire · Morning · Nagasaki
Self-drive Nagasaki to Mount Aso
Self-drive · Morning · Aso
Drive takes about three hours via Kumamoto.
Marvel at Kusa-senrigahama grasslands
Excursion · Afternoon · Aso Caldera
The visitor center here has a great museum explaining the caldera's geology.
Overnight in a Mount Aso Ryokan
Accommodation · Evening · Aso
Stay in a traditional inn with its own natural hot spring baths.
Peaks and Ancient Shrines
Drive the scenic Yamanami Highway
Excursion · Morning · Kuju Highlands
Stop at the Da观峰 lookout point for a panoramic view of the entire volcano.
Visit ancient Aso Shrine
Excursion · Afternoon · Aso
The surrounding shopping street, Monzenmachi, has delicious spring water fountains you can drink from.
Relax in local Kurokawa Onsen
At leisure · Evening · Kurokawa
Buy an 'on-sen tegata' wooden pass to hop between three different outdoor hot spring baths.
Overnight in a Mount Aso Ryokan
Accommodation · Evening · Aso
South to Active Sakurajima
Self-drive Aso to Kagoshima
Self-drive · Morning · Kagoshima
Drive south through Kumamoto takes about three hours.
Drop off rental car in Kagoshima
Car hire · Afternoon · Kagoshima Airport
Walk the gardens of Sengan-en
Excursion · Afternoon · Kagoshima
This Edo-period garden borrows the active Sakurajima volcano as background scenery.
Dine on Kagoshima Kurobuta pork
Excursion · Evening · Tenmonkan
Try it shabu-shabu style at Ajimori for the melt-in-your-mouth experience.
Overnight in Kagoshima
Accommodation · Evening · Kagoshima
Volcanic Island and Hot Sands
Ferry to Sakurajima Volcano
Transfer · Morning · Sakurajima
A brief fifteen-minute ferry ride across the bay.
Walk the Nagisa Lava Trail
Excursion · Afternoon · Sakurajima
Soak your feet in the massive, free foot bath overlooking the active crater.
Toast with local sweet potato Shochu
Excursion · Evening · Tenmonkan
Ask the bartender for 'oyuwari' style—mixed with warm water to release the earthy aromas.
Overnight in Kagoshima
Accommodation · Evening · Kagoshima
Farewell Kyushu
Limo bus to Kagoshima Airport
Transfer · Morning · Kagoshima
Takes about 40 minutes from the city center.
Departure flight
Flight · Afternoon · Kagoshima Airport
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