7 Days in Kyushu
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: home base: SFO; living in: LHR
Posts: 89
7 Days in Kyushu
My sister and I are going to Kyushu for 7 days.
We are definitely flying into Yakushima and out of Fukuoka, but everything else is flexible. Will activate the JR pass from Day 4, so transportation costs shouldn't be an issue - just want our travel time to be fast!
I was thinking:
Day 1: arrive in Yakushima (see sea turtles, ocean)
Day 2: Yakushima (Mononoke Forest)
Day 3: Ferry out of Yakushima (arrive at 4 PM); visit Sakurajima, spend the night in Kagoshima
Day 4: Go to Kumamoto for the day; spend the night in Yufuin or Beppu
Day 5: Takasaki Monkey Park for the day. Go to Fukuoka afterward.
Day 6: Spend the day in Fukuoka or side trip
Day 7: Day in Fukuoka. Fly back to Tokyo at 9 PM.
I was considering going to Nagasaki but it seems hard to squeeze in (have been to Hiroshima before). Also wanted to do Takachiho but it looks really far as well.
Are there any places we're missing here that are convenient and worth visiting? We know we definitely want to do Yakushima and Takasaki but additional ideas are welcome as well. Also any ryokan suggestions would be great. Japanese language isn't a problem.
I'd really appreciate any input. Thanks!
We are definitely flying into Yakushima and out of Fukuoka, but everything else is flexible. Will activate the JR pass from Day 4, so transportation costs shouldn't be an issue - just want our travel time to be fast!
I was thinking:
Day 1: arrive in Yakushima (see sea turtles, ocean)
Day 2: Yakushima (Mononoke Forest)
Day 3: Ferry out of Yakushima (arrive at 4 PM); visit Sakurajima, spend the night in Kagoshima
Day 4: Go to Kumamoto for the day; spend the night in Yufuin or Beppu
Day 5: Takasaki Monkey Park for the day. Go to Fukuoka afterward.
Day 6: Spend the day in Fukuoka or side trip
Day 7: Day in Fukuoka. Fly back to Tokyo at 9 PM.
I was considering going to Nagasaki but it seems hard to squeeze in (have been to Hiroshima before). Also wanted to do Takachiho but it looks really far as well.
Are there any places we're missing here that are convenient and worth visiting? We know we definitely want to do Yakushima and Takasaki but additional ideas are welcome as well. Also any ryokan suggestions would be great. Japanese language isn't a problem.
I'd really appreciate any input. Thanks!
#2
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: TYO
Programs: Tokyo Monorail Diamond-Encrusted-Platinum
Posts: 9,622
For my style of travel, that's too many places that aren't really close together - the transit time would waste too much of the week. Perhaps yoiu're comfortable with a more hectic pace of travel than I am, but you mention that you want travel time to be fast ... so I'd suggest cutting some places from your list and spending more time on Yakushima.
Last edited by jib71; May 26, 2010 at 3:10 am
#4
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Minneapolis, Minnesota,USA
Programs: UA, NW
Posts: 3,752
You seem to have more of a nature/animals focus to your trip than I would. A whole day in the Monkey Park? Not for me. However, I wonder if you could make your travel between sightseeing spots more efficient by heading up the east side to Beppu first, then Fukuoka, then Nagasaki (which is different enough from Hiroshima to be quite interesting historically), then flying out of Kumamoto. The train connections work very well.
I thought that Mount Aso was quite an interesting trip out of Kumamoto, but it may not be necessary if you are visiting Sakurajima.
I thought that Mount Aso was quite an interesting trip out of Kumamoto, but it may not be necessary if you are visiting Sakurajima.
#6
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Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Thanks for the Memories !!!
Posts: 10,656
Would give Beppu a miss....and substitute for Yufuin/Kuju/Oguni-Kurokawa. I would also rent a car for that portion of the trip from Kumamoto City to Kurokawa/Aso/Yufuin asi it is an easy day trip(And I have done it at least 100 times). Cars are easily rented at/near train stations in Kyushu! Nagasaki is also definitely worth the trip as is over-looked Saga!
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: home base: SFO; living in: LHR
Posts: 89
Thanks for the advice everyone!
In the end I've decided to spend 2 nights in Yakushima, stopover in Kumamoto for the afternoon, 1 night in Nagasaki and 3 nights in Fukuoka, which I'll use as a base to visit Takasakiyama and Saga. Very excited!!
In the end I've decided to spend 2 nights in Yakushima, stopover in Kumamoto for the afternoon, 1 night in Nagasaki and 3 nights in Fukuoka, which I'll use as a base to visit Takasakiyama and Saga. Very excited!!
#8
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Join Date: Sep 2003
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I am so glad you are going to visit Saga.....it is very charming....be sure to rent a car and enjoy the mountain villages. The drive from Fukuoka city to Karatsu along the Japan sea coast is also very nice. Go a bit further to Yobuko for some delicious squid ! Saga beef is also very delicious......(if you are a meat-a-tarian)!
#9
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Yokohama (near HND, TYO)
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Please put in mind now there is an outbreak of Foot and Mouth disease in some parts of Kyushu.
HI State Issues Alert Over Serious Animal Disease (in Miyazaki, Kyushu, Japan)
http://www.kitv.com/news/23728532/detail.html
HI State Issues Alert Over Serious Animal Disease (in Miyazaki, Kyushu, Japan)
http://www.kitv.com/news/23728532/detail.html
#10
Join Date: Sep 2009
Programs: Marriott Plat, Hyatt Glob AA Plat
Posts: 262
I still think you could do with another night in Yakushima, and one less in Fukuoka...All the trouble to get to that magical island..might be worth 2 full days of hiking/sightseeing.
Now if you guys aren't planning on going hiking/climbing, that might be a different story! I've been trying to find a way to fit yakushima into my winter JP trip, but the costs of transport just to get there/around the island are rather prohibitive for me
Now if you guys aren't planning on going hiking/climbing, that might be a different story! I've been trying to find a way to fit yakushima into my winter JP trip, but the costs of transport just to get there/around the island are rather prohibitive for me
#11
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: WAS
Posts: 873
I did a whirlwind Kyushu trip, 5 cities in 5 days. It was an ambitious schedule (with some hiccups) that worked out well for me, but I wouldn't recommend it to everyone. Its hard to give you advice but my experience might be helpful. My goals were cultural, learning about Saigo (see #5), and nature at Mt. Aso and Sakurajima.
1) Kumamoto- cool castle and garden, and a Miyamoto Musashi museum (for real fans only) that was hard to get to and had almost nothing in English. A cool little city, and I feel that one day/night was perfect for it.
2) Nagasaki- There is so much unique history to check out, I only got the highlights in one day. Dejima is a fantastic reconstruction of a very special island in Japanese history, and the Peace (A-bomb) Museum and park are totally worth seeing. There are great city views up the ropeway, as well. Plenty to do over 2 days, at least. I can't imagine a trip to Kyushu without Nagasaki.
3) Beppu- It felt a big gimmicky/touristy, but to attract Japanese tourists, not foreigners. Did the Hells tour and went to an old hot sand onsen. I think if you make it to a unique onsen or two during your trip, you can skip this one.
4) Mt. Aso- I messed up and got there too late for the bus up the mountain, and then had to wait hours for the next train. If you plan on going without a car, make sure the times work out for you.
5) Kagoshima- Kag was full of personality, and a circulating tourist bus made it very easy to hit all the major sites. Many of the sites are centered around Saigo Takamori, the real "Last Samurai." The more you learn about his life (and death), the more you'll get out of this one. Again, I think this city is special and worth a trip if you can get this far south. I went to Sakurajima without a plan and regretted it. If you venture to the island, figure out what you are going to do and how you are getting around.
6) Fukuoka- Likely due to my choices, this city just felt like a medium-sized city without much personality. I went to a temple famous for bringing green tea to Japan, and a cool Hakata Folk Museum. I ended up in a mall after that. Again, there are probably better ways to spend your time in this city, I just didn't know what.
I hope this helps!
1) Kumamoto- cool castle and garden, and a Miyamoto Musashi museum (for real fans only) that was hard to get to and had almost nothing in English. A cool little city, and I feel that one day/night was perfect for it.
2) Nagasaki- There is so much unique history to check out, I only got the highlights in one day. Dejima is a fantastic reconstruction of a very special island in Japanese history, and the Peace (A-bomb) Museum and park are totally worth seeing. There are great city views up the ropeway, as well. Plenty to do over 2 days, at least. I can't imagine a trip to Kyushu without Nagasaki.
3) Beppu- It felt a big gimmicky/touristy, but to attract Japanese tourists, not foreigners. Did the Hells tour and went to an old hot sand onsen. I think if you make it to a unique onsen or two during your trip, you can skip this one.
4) Mt. Aso- I messed up and got there too late for the bus up the mountain, and then had to wait hours for the next train. If you plan on going without a car, make sure the times work out for you.
5) Kagoshima- Kag was full of personality, and a circulating tourist bus made it very easy to hit all the major sites. Many of the sites are centered around Saigo Takamori, the real "Last Samurai." The more you learn about his life (and death), the more you'll get out of this one. Again, I think this city is special and worth a trip if you can get this far south. I went to Sakurajima without a plan and regretted it. If you venture to the island, figure out what you are going to do and how you are getting around.
6) Fukuoka- Likely due to my choices, this city just felt like a medium-sized city without much personality. I went to a temple famous for bringing green tea to Japan, and a cool Hakata Folk Museum. I ended up in a mall after that. Again, there are probably better ways to spend your time in this city, I just didn't know what.
I hope this helps!
#13
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: YYZ
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Posts: 942
I think the rest are correct. Nagasaki is more than another a-bomb city. It is actually quite beautiful. It is actually not as famous as Hiroshima when it comes to A-bomb related and they don't really have that image in people's mind (all everyone sees is the a-bomb dome)
If you can spend a little more time in Kagoshima, I would do something fun and take a day trip to Ibusuki to do the sand bath http://www.onsenjapan.net/onsenreview.php?onsen=IBUSUKI
If you can spend a little more time in Kagoshima, I would do something fun and take a day trip to Ibusuki to do the sand bath http://www.onsenjapan.net/onsenreview.php?onsen=IBUSUKI
#14
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: WAS
Posts: 873
Kagoshima would be second, and there are things in that area that I would have liked to see. Unfortunately, it was pouring rain for most of my stay, but I didn't let that deter me from seeing the sites.
Kyushu in general has a more laid back "island" vibe than southern Honshu, and most big cities have streetcars, which is a fun way to get around. The Satsuma history of the area is sort of a different take on the Tokugawa era of Japan- there wasn't 250 years of isolation in southern Kyushu, that's for sure, and they didn't live under the thrall of the shogunate. It was also fun to explore a part of Japan that the typical tourist doesn't get to, yet isn't inaka (the boonies) by any means.
#15
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: home base: SFO; living in: LHR
Posts: 89
Thanks for the great information guys. Unfortunately it looks like we're not going to have enough time to explore Kagoshima. I'm trying to fit in Kumamoto the same day we leave Yakushima.
Does anyone have any recommendations for lunch around the main station in Kagoshima? Or is it better to wait and eat in Kumamoto?
Alternatively should I save Kumamoto for a day trip from Fukuoka and take the time to look around Kagoshima on my way to Nagasaki?? Although it looks like it takes a good 4 hours to get from Kagoshima to Nagasaki
I don't know if you've heard about this one, but I found a 4-hour ferry that is only 3200 yen each way. It looks like a great option if time isn't an issue. http://www.yakushimaferry.com/ Then the problem becomes just getting to Kagoshima!
Does anyone have any recommendations for lunch around the main station in Kagoshima? Or is it better to wait and eat in Kumamoto?
Alternatively should I save Kumamoto for a day trip from Fukuoka and take the time to look around Kagoshima on my way to Nagasaki?? Although it looks like it takes a good 4 hours to get from Kagoshima to Nagasaki
I've been trying to find a way to fit yakushima into my winter JP trip, but the costs of transport just to get there/around the island are rather prohibitive for me