Recommendation needed for kyushu

[Beta_123]

Hello all,
Planning to go to Kyushu this Dec for 9 days, flying back on xmas day.

Currently thinking if this itinerary, does it make sense? We are looking for a chill and relax trip with a 5 yo.

-2N in Yufuin to explore yufuin, not sure if it’s worthwhile to go beppu? Looks like another city
-2N in Kumamoto planning to explore the city itself and 1 day for mt Aso & Takachiko gorge (is this doable in a day?)
-2N in sasebo / Nagasaki, planning 1 day for Huis Ten Bosch
-2N for fukuoka

does it sounds too rush? Any accommodations recommendation? Should I stay 4 nights in fuk instead of splitting 2 nights in sasebo/ Nagasaki?

 

[MajiMax]

1 day for mt Aso & Takachiko gorge (is this doable in a day?)

https://explore-kumamoto.com/takachiho-and-aso-tour/

 

[MajiMax]

Any particular reason to stay in Sasebo?

https://forums.hardwarezone.com.sg/...stions-part-2.5934870/page-125#post-147756018

 

[Beta_123]

Any particular reason to stay in Sasebo?

https://forums.hardwarezone.com.sg/...stions-part-2.5934870/page-125#post-147756018

Thanks for the sharing! Looking to stay at sasebo mainly because it’s convenient for huis ten Bosch. But it’s not firmed up yet…

 

[concreteman]

you might to go to the areas that are in the same rail areas , like beppu / yufuin , kumamoto/kagoshima/aso etc

 

[KyushuWoozy]

>Should I stay 4 nights in fuk instead of splitting 2 nights in sasebo/ Nagasaki?

Personally I wouldn't stay 4 nights in Fukuoka because so much more to see in Kyushu

>not sure if it’s worthwhile to go beppu?

I love Beppu, for best seafood and onsen and Hells of Beppu ("Kamado Jigoku" is best Hell for kids),

This page may give you some ideas (disclaimer: I wrote it):
https://www.kyushujourneys.com/japan/kyushu-travel-faq/

 

[Quasar]

Hello all,
Planning to go to Kyushu this Dec for 9 days, flying back on xmas day.

Currently thinking if this itinerary, does it make sense? We are looking for a chill and relax trip with a 5 yo.

-2N in Yufuin to explore yufuin, not sure if it’s worthwhile to go beppu? Looks like another city
-2N in Kumamoto planning to explore the city itself and 1 day for mt Aso & Takachiko gorge (is this doable in a day?)
-2N in sasebo / Nagasaki, planning 1 day for Huis Ten Bosch
-2N for fukuoka

does it sounds too rush? Any accommodations recommendation? Should I stay 4 nights in fuk instead of splitting 2 nights in sasebo/ Nagasaki?

Would you be driving?

To keep 5 y/o more entertained I'd include more aquarium and zoo.

Some that I've visited:
In Nagasaki Area:
Nagasaki BioPark
Nagasaki Penguin Aquarium
In Beppu Area:
Umi-tamago
and because you went Umi-tamago you just cross the overhead bridge to visit:
Takasakiyama

IMHO if you are not driving Huis Ten Bosch and Nagasaki BioPark are a bit out of the way because of bus requirements. Your time is better spent at the attractions than commuting.

I second going Beppu, my own children enjoyed visiting the jigoku and watching bubbling mud and stinky gas. But Yufuin has it's own charms.

I did something similar last year, I had to skip Mt Aso and Takachiko because of weather (Snow!) and time constraint (Winter sunset).

 

[Beta_123]

>Should I stay 4 nights in fuk instead of splitting 2 nights in sasebo/ Nagasaki?

Personally I wouldn't stay 4 nights in Fukuoka because so much more to see in Kyushu

>not sure if it’s worthwhile to go beppu?

I love Beppu, for best seafood and onsen and Hells of Beppu ("Kamado Jigoku" is best Hell for kids),

This page may give you some ideas (disclaimer: I wrote it):
https://www.kyushujourneys.com/japan/kyushu-travel-faq/

Thanks for the suggestion! Would you recommend to stay in Yufuin or beppu? Initially thought of Yufuin cos the photos of the ryokan are so nice!

Would you be driving?

To keep 5 y/o more entertained I'd include more aquarium and zoo.

Some that I've visited:
In Nagasaki Area:
Nagasaki BioPark
Nagasaki Penguin Aquarium
In Beppu Area:
Umi-tamago
and because you went Umi-tamago you just cross the overhead bridge to visit:
Takasakiyama

IMHO if you are not driving Huis Ten Bosch and Nagasaki BioPark are a bit out of the way because of bus requirements. Your time is better spent at the attractions than commuting.

I second going Beppu, my own children enjoyed visiting the jigoku and watching bubbling mud and stinky gas. But Yufuin has it's own charms.

I did something similar last year, I had to skip Mt Aso and Takachiko because of weather (Snow!) and time constraint (Winter sunset).

Yes I’ll be driving! When did you go last year? I’ll be going in late Dec, not sure will snow anot, probably to drive in mountains when it’s snowing?

 

[rrr2015]

Hello all,
Planning to go to Kyushu this Dec for 9 days, flying back on xmas day.

Currently thinking if this itinerary, does it make sense? We are looking for a chill and relax trip with a 5 yo.

-2N in Yufuin to explore yufuin, not sure if it’s worthwhile to go beppu? Looks like another city

imo yufuin more atas onsen & quiet at night. beppu lively hotspring town. even along side walk can see steam coming out

-2N in Kumamoto planning to explore the city itself and 1 day for mt Aso & Takachiko gorge (is this doable in a day?)

can consider a night in aso farmland.

-2N in sasebo / Nagasaki, planning 1 day for Huis Ten Bosch
-2N for fukuoka

does it sounds too rush? Any accommodations recommendation? Should I stay 4 nights in fuk instead of splitting 2 nights in sasebo/ Nagasaki?

imo quite rush since u want to cover east central west. u can consider fukuoka > kumamoto > aso > beppu > kitakyushu > fukuoka loop

 

[Beta_123]

imo yufuin more atas onsen & quiet at night. beppu lively hotspring town. even along side walk can see steam coming out

can consider a night in aso farmland.

imo quite rush since u want to cover east central west. u can consider fukuoka > kumamoto > aso > beppu > kitakyushu > fukuoka loop

What is there to do in kitakyushu? I included Nagasaki cos I wanted to go huis ten Bosch for the Christmas. Or maybe I should just make it a day trip out from Fukuoka since we are driving. Thanks for advice

If can only pick one, definitely yufuin for me. My ryokan let the guests have private use of their huge onsen and it was very nice! Lake Kinrin is supposedly very nice in early morning with mist above the lake (I overheard a local tour guide saying) but I like my bed too much to go see haha. I got some nice photos in late afternoon at the lake so I was quite satisfied liao.

I also stayed a night a beppu but didn’t like the vibe as much.

thanks thanks! Yufuin for me then! It’s actually nearer for the next stop to Aso>Kumamoto also!

 

[rrr2015]

What is there to do in kitakyushu? I included Nagasaki cos I wanted to go huis ten Bosch for the Christmas. Or maybe I should just make it a day trip out from Fukuoka since we are driving. Thanks for advice

kitakyushu is a very windy retro town & gateway that connects to honshu island. i find place very relaxing & stop night while driving from beppu to fukuoka. end up extending another night. u can google if u r interested, not everyone cuppa.

if your focus is on huis ten, maybe can do north west loop then. winter illumination main attraction so u should stay a night in sasebo/nagasaki

yufuin just another onsen area, so IMO not worth to drive there & then go Nagasaki. am sure u can find similar onsen along the way from aso to Nagasaki.

aso area alot of mountain roads so driving speed will be much slower & also it will be winter.

anyway up to u lah

 

[MajiMax]

At Fukuoka, can consider bringing your 5 yo to Uminonakamichi Seaside Park, its quite a nice place to cycle there.

The park is made up of several different areas including flower gardens, playgrounds, sports fields, a water park, a zoo and large open spaces and lawns perfect for picnicking

https://uminaka-park.jp/facility/
https://uminaka-park.jp/guide/touring/cycling/

 

[Quasar]

Thanks for the suggestion! Would you recommend to stay in Yufuin or beppu? Initially thought of Yufuin cos the photos of the ryokan are so nice!

Yes I’ll be driving! When did you go last year? I’ll be going in late Dec, not sure will snow anot, probably to drive in mountains when it’s snowing?

Ah we actually settled on Kyushu because I wanted to avoid snow. Turned out we encountered the coldest front in decades and ended up with snow flurries over Kyushu and Tohoku. The locals were as excited as my children. Snowfall was a pain to drive in past sunset on the expressway. Thankfully all melted by the night and not cold enough for black ice. Personally I'm not confident to drive in mountains in snow. The rental company didn't even have option for snow tires in Kyushu!

I think we were there around 10-21st Dec or something. Snow in December in Japan is pretty much 0% outside of Hokkaido. Higher chance in Jan/Feb.

Watch out for car return timings as the SQ flight departure is really early and a lot of rental companies are not open till 8am. I just returned my car at Fukuoka and cabbed to the airport. Think around 2500 yen from Tenjin. Cheaper than Singapore Taxi!

Yufuin or Beppu depends on your family preference. Mine mostly city kids so have to bring them to "organised" places like theme parks, aquariums or zoo so they can feed or watch the animals. If your kid ok with wandering around and cafe hopping then Yufuin might be fun to them. Usually at 5 y/o the recall isn't there so more important IMHO is they enjoy the moment with you. Besides, Yufuin and Beppu are 1 expressway exit from each other, so you can decide the itinerary later, try to secure a Ryokan you like first.

Oh just to add on, can consider going strawberry picking as well. I randomly googled a strawberry farm near Kumamoto.

 

[Beta_123]

Ah we actually settled on Kyushu because I wanted to avoid snow. Turned out we encountered the coldest front in decades and ended up with snow flurries over Kyushu and Tohoku. The locals were as excited as my children. Snowfall was a pain to drive in past sunset on the expressway. Thankfully all melted by the night and not cold enough for black ice. Personally I'm not confident to drive in mountains in snow. The rental company didn't even have option for snow tires in Kyushu!

I think we were there around 10-21st Dec or something. Snow in December in Japan is pretty much 0% outside of Hokkaido. Higher chance in Jan/Feb.

Watch out for car return timings as the SQ flight departure is really early and a lot of rental companies are not open till 8am. I just returned my car at Fukuoka and cabbed to the airport. Think around 2500 yen from Tenjin. Cheaper than Singapore Taxi!

Yufuin or Beppu depends on your family preference. Mine mostly city kids so have to bring them to "organised" places like theme parks, aquariums or zoo so they can feed or watch the animals. If your kid ok with wandering around and cafe hopping then Yufuin might be fun to them. Usually at 5 y/o the recall isn't there so more important IMHO is they enjoy the moment with you. Besides, Yufuin and Beppu are 1 expressway exit from each other, so you can decide the itinerary later, try to secure a Ryokan you like first.

Oh just to add on, can consider going strawberry picking as well. I randomly googled a strawberry farm near Kumamoto.

Thanks for providing so much detail! Yes I was wondering about car rental as well I tried to search 7am return got no results. Looks like gotta return car one day earlier. SQ timing so bad, but no choice it’s the only direct flight.

 

[Beta_123]

kitakyushu is a very windy retro town & gateway that connects to honshu island. i find place very relaxing & stop night while driving from beppu to fukuoka. end up extending another night. u can google if u r interested, not everyone cuppa.

if your focus is on huis ten, maybe can do north west loop then. winter illumination main attraction so u should stay a night in sasebo/nagasaki

yufuin just another onsen area, so IMO not worth to drive there & then go Nagasaki. am sure u can find similar onsen along the way from aso to Nagasaki.

aso area alot of mountain roads so driving speed will be much slower & also it will be winter.

anyway up to u lah

Thanks! Will consider this. Initially included Yufuin cos it seems like everyone going to Kyūshū will surely visit Yufuin/beppu.

At Fukuoka, can consider bringing your 5 yo to Uminonakamichi Seaside Park, its quite a nice place to cycle there.

The park is made up of several different areas including flower gardens, playgrounds, sports fields, a water park, a zoo and large open spaces and lawns perfect for picnicking

https://uminaka-park.jp/facility/
https://uminaka-park.jp/guide/touring/cycling/

Thanks for recommendation! Booked marked this

 

[abutan]

h TS, sorry to hijack your thread, I am also planning for a Kyushu trip the December and came across this thread. Likely first week of Dec for 7 days with a 7 year old.

Initial research, I plan to visit Fukuoka (flying in and out via SQ), Nagasaki (Peace Park), Kagoshima (Sakurajima), Oita (Yufuin/Beppu). Would love to stay in a Ryokan in Yufuin/Beppu. Would love to visit other prefectures like Kumamoto as well if time permits.

I plan to drive but I have never driven overseas so I am not sure how safe or easy it is to drive in Kyushu, especially in December. From what I read, should not be any snow yet. May I know how do you plan your driving? For example, how to check which route is the best to take? And the tolls involved, parking etc. SQ flys out early every morning so perhaps I can return my car to Fukuoka on Day 5 and then explore Fukuoka the next 2 days before flying back.

apologies if the itinerary sounds vague at this moment, I am trying to firm it up. this thread has been very helpful for me so far.

Thanks so much.

 

[Beta_123]

Hello all, on seconds thoughts I’m wondering if I should base myself in Kurokawa osen for 4 nights and to travel out to Yufuin,Beppu, mt Aso and takachiho gorge, skipping the overnights in Yufuin and Kumamoto. Would it make more sense?

after that then travel to Hui Ten Bosch and base myself there for 2 nights to do the theme park and explore the surrounds if time permits?

 

[Beta_123]

h TS, sorry to hijack your thread, I am also planning for a Kyushu trip the December and came across this thread. Likely first week of Dec for 7 days with a 7 year old.

Initial research, I plan to visit Fukuoka (flying in and out via SQ), Nagasaki (Peace Park), Kagoshima (Sakurajima), Oita (Yufuin/Beppu). Would love to stay in a Ryokan in Yufuin/Beppu. Would love to visit other prefectures like Kumamoto as well if time permits.

I plan to drive but I have never driven overseas so I am not sure how safe or easy it is to drive in Kyushu, especially in December. From what I read, should not be any snow yet. May I know how do you plan your driving? For example, how to check which route is the best to take? And the tolls involved, parking etc. SQ flys out early every morning so perhaps I can return my car to Fukuoka on Day 5 and then explore Fukuoka the next 2 days before flying back.

apologies if the itinerary sounds vague at this moment, I am trying to firm it up. this thread has been very helpful for me so far.

Thanks so much.

It’s my first time to Kyushu too. However I have driven earlier this year for Hokkaido. For my Hokkaido trip I mainly use google map (bring a hp holder if you plan the same too). The in car map requires input of map codes which I’m not sure where to get and it doesn’t provide current traffic conditions (though I think traffic should be smooth in rural areas)

for route I usually go for shortest which are the express ways and paid the tolls using cash/card (some are manned some are auto)

 

[MajiMax]

Hello all, on seconds thoughts I’m wondering if I should base myself in Kurokawa osen for 4 nights and to travel out to Yufuin,Beppu, mt Aso and takachiho gorge, skipping the overnights in Yufuin and Kumamoto. Would it make more sense?

after that then travel to Hui Ten Bosch and base myself there for 2 nights to do the theme park and explore the surrounds if time permits?

December has a short daylight, around 4pm+ is like SG 7pm+ liao. Staying 4 nights of Ryokan in Kurokawa gonna cost you a lot.

Since you are driving, by going in the clockwise direction, isn't more time efficient?

D1) Collect your car > visit Yufuin > drive to Beppu & stay overnight
D2) Visit Beppu > drive to Takachiho & stay overnight
D3) Visit Takachiho > drive to Kurokawa onsen & stay overnight
D4) Breakfast in the Ryokan and stroll the town > visit Mt. Aso > drive to Kumamoto & stay overnight
D5) Visit Kumamoto > drive Sasebo & stay overnight
D6) Visit Hui Ten Bosch > return to Sasebo & stay overnight
D7) Visit Sasebo https://www.japan-guide.com/ad/sasebo-seawind/ > drive to Hakata & stay overnight
D8) Visit Hakata
D9) Return SG

Accommodation
Beppu - 1 night
Takachiho - 1 night
Kurokawa - 1 night
Kumamoto - 1 night
Sasebo - 2 nights
Hakata - 2 nights

 

[MajiMax]

h TS, sorry to hijack your thread, I am also planning for a Kyushu trip the December and came across this thread. Likely first week of Dec for 7 days with a 7 year old.

Initial research, I plan to visit Fukuoka (flying in and out via SQ), Nagasaki (Peace Park), Kagoshima (Sakurajima), Oita (Yufuin/Beppu). Would love to stay in a Ryokan in Yufuin/Beppu. Would love to visit other prefectures like Kumamoto as well if time permits.

I plan to drive but I have never driven overseas so I am not sure how safe or easy it is to drive in Kyushu, especially in December. From what I read, should not be any snow yet. May I know how do you plan your driving? For example, how to check which route is the best to take? And the tolls involved, parking etc. SQ flys out early every morning so perhaps I can return my car to Fukuoka on Day 5 and then explore Fukuoka the next 2 days before flying back.

apologies if the itinerary sounds vague at this moment, I am trying to firm it up. this thread has been very helpful for me so far.

Thanks so much.

Except Beppu, I have been to those places you mentioned. Those places can be easily reached by JR trains.

Hence, I was thinking, it would be better for you to take train with your 7yo, you don't gain/loss out much by driving (Hakata to Kagoshima is around 2.5 hrs via train & 3.5 hrs via driving). Train travel can be therapeutic for the whole family.

Take this train if you have the chance when going to Beppu/Yufuin.
https://visitjapan-vegetarian.com/yufuin-no-mori-your-sightseeing-train-to-beppu-and-yufuin/
https://www.jrkyushu.co.jp/english/train/yufuin_no_mori.html