Kyushu VS Hokkaido?

[bosssaizo]

Just wanna ask the Japan experts here.

Planning to head to Japan in Sept.

Eyeing on these two places. Either Kyushu or Hokkaido

Kyushu mainly looking at Kumamoto and Fukuoka

Hokkaido mainly furano and Sapporo.

Looking at good food, nature, visiting Temples and onsen.

Any other recommendations are welcome...

PS: looking at around 8-9 days of Travelling. Pax: 2

Thanks

 

[saffronsatire]

Is Kumamoto still worth visiting with the castle down? Myself considering Kumamoto for Nov. Can go to Aso from Kumamoto (provided still worth going to Kumamoto la). Was told Fukuoka not a lot to offer, quite boring compared to the other areas in Kyushu. I might be doing Nagasaki after Fukuoka with the Northen Kyushu 3 day pass.

 

[bosssaizo]

Is Kumamoto still worth visiting with the castle down? Myself considering Kumamoto for Nov. Can go to Aso from Kumamoto (provided still worth going to Kumamoto la). Was told Fukuoka not a lot to offer, quite boring compared to the other areas in Kyushu. I might be doing Nagasaki after Fukuoka with the Northen Kyushu 3 day pass.

Yea... was thinking Fukuoka might be boring but thought it could be a good place to start off the Japan trip though....


Trying to keep to the North of Kyushu if possible.

Another option if Fukuoka is a no go might be beppu, oita?

 

[twtan14]

September in Hokkaido see mainly Cosmos nia. Also autumn more wet days and the sky cloudy most of the time.

http://en.visit-hokkaido.jp/thingstodo/holidayideas/pdf/flower_calender.pdf

 

[saffronsatire]

Yea... was thinking Fukuoka might be boring but thought it could be a good place to start off the Japan trip though....


Trying to keep to the North of Kyushu if possible.

Another option if Fukuoka is a no go might be beppu, oita?

Haha yes would start with Fukuoka too. Then head to Beppu, Oita. That is my alternative if the choice is not to go Nagasaki.

If not for omitting Kumamoto / Aso and the distance, Fukouka + Nagasaki + Beppu / Oita seems good too. Alas, I don't have that many days too, since will be coming from Osaka and planning to do 1 day in Tokyo before returning, since JAL have to stopover there anyway.

 

[anyhowsaysay]

Kumamoto castle still damaged. Cannot go inside yet. No point going there, wait for 10 years later for repair to be completed. Luckily I visited there in 2014 before the earthquake.

 

[MajiMax]

Kyushu route can consider below,

Day1 Fukuoka via SQ direct flight and reach in the morning -> Nagasaki (stay)

- Activate All Kyushu Rail Pass 18,000 yen

- Stay http://www.jrk-hotels.co.jp/en/Nagasaki/#roomWrap

- Visit Glover Garden, Oura Catholic Church, Nagasaki Chinatown and evening / night go Mount Inasayama for sunset and night city view.

Day2 Nagasaki -> Fukuoka (stay)

- Morning visit Gunkanjima, follow by Nagasaki Peace Park and Atomic Bomb Museum.

- Evening take train go back Fukuoka.

Stay http://www.jrk-hotels.co.jp/en/Hakatachuo/

Day3 Kagoshima -> Fukuoka (stay)

- Visit Sakurajima, Senganen Garden.

Day4 Fukuoka, take enough clothing / things enough for 1 night, the rest request to put in hotel as you will be returnning -> Beppu (stay)

- Visit Hells (Jigoku), then lepak at onsen resorts.

Day5 Yufuin -> Fukuoka (stay)

- Take train from Beppu and stopby Yufuin. Can visit Lake Kinrinko and shopping area along the main walking route.

- Can hoot cake from here if you're early, it get sold out fast https://tabelog.com/en/oita/A4402/A440201/44000122/

- Can have lunch beside Lake Kinrinko https://tabelog.com/en/oita/A4402/A440201/44000042/

Take Yufuin no Mori 6 back to Hakata http://www.jrkyushu.co.jp/english/train/yufuin_no_mori.jsp

Day6 Fukuoka (stay)

- Visit Dazaifu area, evening go Momochihama Beach for sunset and
Fukuoka Tower for night city view.

Day7 Takachiho via highway bus -> Fukuoka (stay)

- Visit Takachiho Shrine, Takachiho Gorge.

Day8 Fukuoka (stay)

- Morning visit Uminonakamichi Seaside Park for some cycling, quiet place to cycle around, afternoon go Canal City Hakata for shopping.

Day9 Fukuoka, morning flight back -> SIN, reach afternoon

Been to 22/47 prefectures, Kyushu the nicest region that I've really enjoyed.

 

[Wood41]

What are you looking for at Furano in September ?

 

[rrr2015]

i feel Kyushu provides a more varied experiences ...
Mizuakari Festival @ kumamoto in early october worth the visit
no visit is completed without trying out basashi (horse meat)
if you like quiet, retro place, may i suggest mojiko @ kitakyushu. must also try fugu cuisine, uni don

 

[bosssaizo]

What are you looking for at Furano in September ?

Was hoping to catch some flowers since it is the last 2 weeks of summer. Not too cold... not too warm either.

Looks like most of the flowers would have uplorry by then

 

[bosssaizo]

Kyushu route can consider below,

Day1 Fukuoka via SQ direct flight and reach in the morning -> Nagasaki (stay)

- Activate All Kyushu Rail Pass 18,000 yen

- Stay http://www.jrk-hotels.co.jp/en/Nagasaki/#roomWrap

- Visit Glover Garden, Oura Catholic Church, Nagasaki Chinatown and evening / night go Mount Inasayama for sunset and night city view.

Day2 Nagasaki -> Fukuoka (stay)

- Morning visit Gunkanjima, follow by Nagasaki Peace Park and Atomic Bomb Museum.

- Evening take train go back Fukuoka.

Stay http://www.jrk-hotels.co.jp/en/Hakatachuo/

Day3 Kagoshima -> Fukuoka (stay)

- Visit Sakurajima, Senganen Garden.

Day4 Fukuoka, take enough clothing / things enough for 1 night, the rest request to put in hotel as you will be returnning -> Beppu (stay)

- Visit Hells (Jigoku), then lepak at onsen resorts.

Day5 Yufuin -> Fukuoka (stay)

- Take train from Beppu and stopby Yufuin. Can visit Lake Kinrinko and shopping area along the main walking route.

- Can hoot cake from here if you're early, it get sold out fast https://tabelog.com/en/oita/A4402/A440201/44000122/

- Can have lunch beside Lake Kinrinko https://tabelog.com/en/oita/A4402/A440201/44000042/

Take Yufuin no Mori 6 back to Hakata http://www.jrkyushu.co.jp/english/train/yufuin_no_mori.jsp

Day6 Fukuoka (stay)

- Visit Dazaifu area, evening go Momochihama Beach for sunset and
Fukuoka Tower for night city view.

Day7 Takachiho via highway bus -> Fukuoka (stay)

- Visit Takachiho Shrine, Takachiho Gorge.

Day8 Fukuoka (stay)

- Morning visit Uminonakamichi Seaside Park for some cycling, quiet place to cycle around, afternoon go Canal City Hakata for shopping.

Day9 Fukuoka, morning flight back -> SIN, reach afternoon

Been to 22/47 prefectures, Kyushu the nicest region that I've really enjoyed.

Thanks Majimax

Will look into it. Went to Japan last year for Sakura season so this year wanted to look at a different location in Japan

 

[bosssaizo]

i feel Kyushu provides a more varied experiences ...
Mizuakari Festival @ kumamoto in early october worth the visit
no visit is completed without trying out basashi (horse meat)
if you like quiet, retro place, may i suggest mojiko @ kitakyushu. must also try fugu cuisine, uni don

Woooo...


will google to find out more. See if can adjust boss's leave schedule

 

[bosssaizo]

Kumamoto castle still damaged. Cannot go inside yet. No point going there, wait for 10 years later for repair to be completed. Luckily I visited there in 2014 before the earthquake.

damn sad

Actually wanna visit kumamoto because of this:

 

[oceanicmanta]

damn sad

Actually wanna visit kumamoto because of this:

I saw a real one in Shiretoko, Hokkaido, by the roadside 5m from car

 

[Sunny85]

Planning to visit Kyushu too! Places on my list is Fukuoka, Nagasaki, Beppu, yufuin, Kumamoto, mt aso. Will it be better to self drive or take a train ?

 

[bosssaizo]

Planning to visit Kyushu too! Places on my list is Fukuoka, Nagasaki, Beppu, yufuin, Kumamoto, mt aso. Will it be better to self drive or take a train ?

usually boss will prefer train lah.

Cheaper leh.

Not a fan of driving. Find car parks is always a pain in the butt. Especially in japan cities.

 

[saffronsatire]

Planning to visit Kyushu too! Places on my list is Fukuoka, Nagasaki, Beppu, yufuin, Kumamoto, mt aso. Will it be better to self drive or take a train ?

Northern Kyushu ok to take train.
(For Southern end, Kagoshima, Miyazaki etc. my colleague took domestic flight to Kagoshima then drove up north.)

 

[evilerniex]

usually boss will prefer train lah.

Cheaper leh.

Not a fan of driving. Find car parks is always a pain in the butt. Especially in japan cities.

rental car will be good for exploring places outside the cities, where it is less accessible by public transport.

if u are visiting kyushu, do take a look at this for info on wat is closed. note at kumamoto castle is still closed, and Mt Aso crater and ropeway is inaccessible as well
http://www.japan-guide.com/news/0035.html

my trip report on northern kyushu for reference:
http://forums.hardwarezone.com.sg/j...ima-northern-kyushu-22-oct-8-nov-2562372.html

 

[rrr2015]

for flower you can try kuju flower park @ oita
need self drive since the route up highlands, quite scenic
otherwise you may have to hunt for bus tour from fukuoka or beppu

Was hoping to catch some flowers since it is the last 2 weeks of summer. Not too cold... not too warm either.

Looks like most of the flowers would have uplorry by then

 

[MajiMax]

Planning to visit Kyushu too! Places on my list is Fukuoka, Nagasaki, Beppu, yufuin, Kumamoto, mt aso. Will it be better to self drive or take a train ?

If driving and also going Beppu / Yufuin in Oita prefecture, you can consider this place as well.

http://www.yumeooturihashi.com/eng/summary.html