Kyushu is Japan's southern island: warmer, more relaxed and far less crowded than the classic Golden Route. It's also arguably the country's best food island. Think tonkotsu ramen, yatai street stalls, mentaiko and Kumamoto horse sashimi for the brave.
No car needed. Fly into Tokyo and straight on to Fukuoka (or fly directly into Fukuoka), then travel by train and bus in a loop: Fukuoka → Yufuin → Beppu → Kumamoto → Nagasaki → Fukuoka. Fly back to Tokyo for the big-city finale. Doing 21 days instead of 16? Add one of three classic side trips from Tokyo.
*Hotels (sharing a room) and local transport. International flights not included.
The route at a glance
Tap or click the map to open it at full size.
Hotels on this route are easy to book on the usual platforms. Pick your own comfort level. The budget below assumes mid-range city hotels plus one ryokan night.
Stop by stop
Fukuoka 福岡
Nights 1–3 · Ramen capital & yatai food stalls
Plan
- Arrival: check in, find ramen near the hotel. Hakata tonkotsu is the local religion
- Nanzoin (one of the largest bronze reclining Buddhas in the world), Canal City, Ohori Park
- teamLab Forest, and a half-day trip to Dazaifu Tenmangu shrine
- Evenings: the yatai stalls along the river in Nakasu. Eat a lot!
- Optional half-day: Yanagawa, about 50 minutes south, for a punt ride on the canals and steamed eel (unagi seiro-mushi) at Ganso Motoyoshiya or Wakamatsuya
Also worth seeing
Where I eat
- Nagahama Yatai Dogenyayatai street stall
- Hakata Issoutonkotsu ramen
- Hakata Ramen ShinShintonkotsu ramen
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- Maedaya Motsunabemotsunabe hot pot
- 博多もつ鍋菊武motsunabe hot pot
- Hakataro Nishinakasumizutaki & motsunabe
- Yoshizuka Unagigrilled eel
- Daichi no UdonHakata udon
- Hakata Yakiniku Hachi Hachiyakiniku
- Hakata Sushi Momonoki (博多鮨桃の木)sushi
- A Happy Pancake Tenjinsoufflé pancakes
- Rec Coffee · Stereo Coffee · Blue Bottlecoffee
Yufuin 由布院
Night 4 · A ryokan night: traditional food & onsen
Plan
- Main point: a traditional kaiseki dinner and a long soak in the onsen
- Lake Kinrin early in the morning when the mist rises
- Yufuin Floral Village, the Comico Art Museum, small cafés and shops along Yunotsubo street
Also worth seeing
Beppu 別府
Nights 5–6 · The seven hells & countless hot springs
Plan
- The Hells of Beppu (jigoku): boiling blue, red and mud ponds you look at, not bathe in
- Beppu Ropeway up Mount Tsurumi
- Takasakiyama, the monkey mountain
- The beach, sand baths and a downtown stroll
Kumamoto 熊本
Nights 7–9 · Castle, Kumamon & Mount Aso
Plan
- Kumamoto Castle and Suizenji garden
- Kumamon Square and the One Piece statues around the prefecture
- Day trip: Mount Aso, one of the world's largest calderas
- Day trip: Kurokawa Onsen, or Takachiho Gorge with its rowing boats under a waterfall
Also worth seeing
Nagasaki 長崎
Nights 10–11 · History, harbour & one of the world's great night views
Plan
- Mount Inasa lookout at night
- Meganebashi stone bridge
- Sanno Shrine and its famous one-legged torii
- Peace Park
- Teramachi-dori temple street and Chinatown
Also worth seeing
Fukuoka 福岡
Night 12 · Back for one easy night
Plan
- Arrive around midday, relaxed shopping
- One more big ramen dinner in the evening
Tokyo 東京
Nights 13–15 · Fly back to the capital
Plan
- Roppongi, Tokyo Tower, Shibuya, Yoyogi Park & Meiji Shrine, Shinjuku & Gyoen
- Asakusa, Akihabara, Ginza, the fish market, Tokyo Station
- teamLab Planets, Odaiba, wagyu and a night of bar hopping
Also worth seeing
Where I eat
Side trip (pick one) 寄り道
Nights 16–18/19 · For the 21-day version
Plan
- Kyoto: 3–4 days, with day trips to Osaka and Kobe
- Hiroshima: Peace Memorial, Miyajima island
- Kanazawa: Kenroku-en garden, geisha district, seafood market
- Or stay closer to Tokyo: Hakone or Lake Kawaguchiko for Mount Fuji, Ito on the Izu peninsula, or Yokohama
Also worth seeing
Where I eat
Tokyo 東京
Final 1–2 nights · Last shopping & the Ghibli Museum
Plan
- Ghibli Museum in Mitaka (book tickets well in advance)
- Kanda, and a last round of shopping in Ginza
Budget
Estimates for October at ¥150 ≈ US$1 · ¥165 ≈ €1. Ranges, not promises.
| 16 days | 21 days | |
|---|---|---|
| Hotels (per person, sharing) | ≈ €1,100 | ≈ €1,500–1,700 |
| Local transport (trains, buses) | ≈ €150 | ≈ €200 |
| Total per person | ≈ €1,250 | ≈ €1,700–1,900 |
My recommendation
Hotel prices are based on real mid-range options. You can easily go cheaper or more luxurious. The 21-day price depends on which side trip you pick.
Not included
- International flights
- Domestic flights Tokyo ⇄ Fukuoka
- Food, ryokan upgrades and entrance fees
Booking & practical tips
Luggage
Same hotel twice in Fukuoka and twice in Tokyo means you can leave luggage behind. Takkyubin (luggage forwarding) solves the rest.
Booking timing
Book hotels about six months ahead for autumn. Ryokans in Yufuin and Kurokawa go first.
Alternative loop
Swap Yufuin and Oita for a western extension: Fukuoka → Nagasaki → Kumamoto → Beppu → ferry to Matsuyama (Shikoku) → Hiroshima → Fukuoka.
Eat
Hakata ramen, yatai, mentaiko, Kumamoto horse sashimi, champon in Nagasaki, jigoku-mushi in Beppu.
Two more ways to do Kyushu
Option 1 · the onsen-heavy version
- 3 days Fukuoka
- 2 days Yufuin
- 2 days Oita
- 3 days Kumamoto
- 2 days Nagasaki
- 1 day Fukuoka
- fly to Tokyo: 3 days Tokyo, 2 days Ito (Izu), rest in Yokohama or Tokyo
Option 2 · Kyushu + Shikoku + Hiroshima
- 3 days Fukuoka
- 2 days Nagasaki
- 3 days Kumamoto
- 2 days Beppu
- 2 days Matsuyama
- 2 days Hiroshima
- 1–2 days Fukuoka
- rest in Tokyo
Frequently asked questions
Is a JR Pass worth it for this route?
Usually not. The Kyushu loop is cheap with single tickets, and the Tokyo ⇄ Fukuoka leg is faster and often cheaper by plane. Price the JR Kyushu Rail Pass only if you add many long train days.
Why fly between Tokyo and Fukuoka?
The Shinkansen takes about 5 hours; a flight takes under 2 hours, and Fukuoka Airport is only two subway stops from Hakata Station. Booked early, domestic flights often cost less than the train.
Can I see Mount Aso and Takachiho without a car?
Aso, yes: the Kyushu Odan bus and JR trains stop there. Takachiho and Kurokawa are much easier as a day tour from Kumamoto or with a one-day rental car.
Is the horse sashimi in Kumamoto a must?
It's the local speciality (basashi), usually served with sweet soy and ginger. If it's not for you, Kumamoto ramen with fried garlic is the safer classic.
Which side trip should I pick for the 21-day version?
Kyoto for temples, Hiroshima and Miyajima for history and the floating torii, Kanazawa for gardens and seafood. If you have never been to Kyoto, pick Kyoto.
Comments
Questions, tips, your own experience?
Done this route, planning it, or found a great ryokan I missed? Leave a comment below. Please keep it friendly and on topic.
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