14DAYS HAKATA-HAKODATE-HAKATA

Hi,

I'm afraid I don't understand your itinerary at all. Am I reading it right? Why all the endless backtracking?
You're wasting hours and hours just sitting on trains.
First you land at Fukuoka. Then you go to Himeji, then back to Fukuoka, then return to Himeji? <i><b>Why??</i></b>

Instead, see Fukuoka first, go to Himeji, see the city, move up to the next city, etc. If you only have a hand carry bag and heavy luggage is not an issue, it makes even more sense. Your plans already make a rail pass pay off, but the primary goal is to see a lot of nice places, not make a rail pass pay off.
As for Hakodate, yes it is worth seeing. But you need to use your time more efficiently. For seeing the autumn colors, there are many famous places, which you can see here. But your travel period is simply too early for most places, unless you go up in the high mountains or Hokkaido.

Good luck.

Hi,

I write again my itinerary - should be clearer....

Is this itinerary too much to handle? Is hakodate worth the trip? If not, I can end my north bound trip at Aomori and then go back to Tokyo and add a day in Kyoto or HAkata.

I am travelling alone. I like walking a lot and fast. I have only a hand carry luggage. I wish to see autumn leaves and enjoy beautiful sceneries of Japan and onsens too..

day 1 - arrive Fukuoka
day 2 - Himeji stopver then Tokyo
day 3 - Tokyo second nite
day 4 - HAnamaki
day 5 - Hakodate
day 6 - Aomori
day 7 - Aomori second nite
day 8 - Tokyo
day 9 - Tokyo
day 10 - Iwata
day 11- Kyoto
day 12 - Hiroshima/ Miyajima
day 13 - NAgasaki
day 14 - HAkata
day 15 - departure Fukuoka

Hi,

OK, that looks much better.
Again, I think Hakodate is worth seeing. Especially the night view from the top of Mt Hakodate is spectacular. The only things that stand out to me is too much time for Tokyo and not enough time for Kyoto. I'm also not sure why you're going to Iwata. Personally, I'd take that time and go see Nara. In Nara, the Todaiji Great Buddha is an extraordinary place, as well as many other historic temples, shrines and gardens in the area.

You can see both Hiroshima and Miyajima with an early morning start. You can cover the Peace Park/Museum, castle, Shukkeien Garden and Okonomiyaki-mura, and then go down to take the JR ferry to the island. Aside from the Itsukushima Shrine with the giant "floating" torii, the Daishoin Temple is also a must-see place. There are several other pagodas and temples, and climbing Mt. Misen offers a fantastic view over the island and whole area.

If you have time, just a bit past Miyajima is Iwakuni with its iconic historical bridge and mountaintop castle.

In terms of history and varied points of interest, Nagasaki is really the most interesting city on the island. Be sure to try the chanpon or saraudon for lunch or dinner - they are both excellent.

For Fukuoka, see this site as a good guide.

Good luck.