Honshu - Kyushu (short trip to Japan)

Hi there,

I added your itinerary in our cost calculator and a 7 day JR Pass will help you make good savings compared to purchasing normal tickets.

I would suggest using the JR Pass from 17-22, unless you plan on doing some kind of day trip from Tokyo.

Hope this helps,
Daniel

Hi Daniel,

Thanks for your response and advice.

I am still unsure about 2 things:

1. For Kyushu trip: would Oita be the best starting point to travel along those 3 cities (Oita/Beppu - Nagasaki - Fukuoka) ? or or should I start with Fukuoka first then Nagasaki/Oita ? I can rearrange my flight to Kyushu if needed.
2. With only 1 day overnight in each city except Tokyo, would it be enough to see some nice spot around ? We want to spend our limited time during this short trip.

Really appreciate your help.

Hi,

Let me get into details. I need suggestion for our short trip:

1. Suggested itenary for 1 day overnight in Nagasaki, Fukuoka, Beppu/Yufuin, Hiroshima and Osaka.
2. Should I start the trip to Kyushu from Fukuoka or Nagasaki or Beppu/Yufuin ? We will fly from Haneda to Kyushu and going up north to Tokyo by JR train.

Really appreciate any help. Thanks.

Regards,
Hary

Hi again,

It looks Daniel been busy, I can't find any responses.

Would it be ok if I make Fukuoka as my base for my trip in Kyushu ?

Would like to know if it is possible, staying 3 days in Fukuoka and taking day trip to Beppu/Yufuin, Nagasaki or any suggested itineraries ?

On Day 4, we will go back to Tokyo using JR trains and make a stop on the route in Hiroshima and Osaka.

Thank you for any help and advice.

Hi there,

Yes, sorry I've been out this weekend. However let's get right back to your questions.

Fukuoka is a great place to base yourself for Kyushu. Almost every good part of Kyushu can be reached in good time from there and the city itself is also pleasant.

Beppu is a bit far but can be done as a day trip, same for Yufuin but I really recommend staying there for a night to experience a Japanese Onsen. I think what I would do is visit Nagasaki as a day trip and stay one night in Yufuin. That's how I think you could spend your time best. You could further make a trip to Kumamoto or Aso if you would like an additional day trip.

Hope this helps,
Daniel

Hi Daniel,

Thank you for your great help ! Now I have no doubt make Fukuoka as my base :)

Yes, I really would like to try Japanese Onsen, still hard to choose between Beppu and Yufuin. Any thought ?

It's time to seek accommodations now.

Hi again,

Beppu is more like a bathing town, where you can try a public bath. While Yufuin is more of a resort with private Onsen. This is sort of a general sense, you can find private onsen in Beppu as well and there are public baths in Yufuin. That said, my preference would be to visit Yufuin. Its a bit more expensive but also nicer to stay at.

Hi Daniel,

Thanks so much again ! It is greatly appreciated.

Hi again Daniel,

How are you ? Hope you are doing fine.

I am planning to extend one more day in Kyushu so total 4 night in Kyushu and would like to add Kagoshima-Ibusuki in my itinerary.

Is it possible to make a trip from Fukuoka (my base) to Kagoshima (explore some spots) - Ibusuki (sand bath) then back to Fukuoka in the same day ?

I do not know how long the trip it will take and which transport should I use.
Would you please enlight me ?

Thank you, Hary

Hi again,

Its possible to do Kagoshima and Ibutsuki as a single day trip. There are not that many trains to Ibusuki, so be sure to check time tables before hand. Making this day trip without a JR Pass is quite pricey and not something many locals would do, that's really where the power of the JR Pass shows.

You can use the Shinkansen directly from Hakata (Fukuoka) to Kagoshima-Chuo, from there local trains run to Ibusuki. You can check time tables via www.hyperdia.com

If you have the chance, I also recommend going up Shiroyama park. It has an amazing view on SakuraJima.

Hope this helps,
Daniel

Hi Daniel,

Thank you so much, great help as usual.

BR,
Hary