Recommendation needed for kyushu

[Quasar]

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?

One thing about Kurokawa is that you are relying on national route to get you to yufuin and beppu. That adds a bit of travel time because of traffic lights and narrow roads.

I do prefer hub based touring as it is less stressful for the kids.

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)

Another quirk of Japanese gps is it allows search by phone numbers. Just make sure it directs to the location and not a call centre. Depending on gps updates it’s more reliable than map code.

Kyushu Expressway Pass has restarted in April 2023 and is worth it if you are doing hub based travel. With some exceptions in the Nagasaki area.

 

[abutan]

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

Thanks for the reply. I very inclined to add Mount Aso or Takachiho into my itinerary. From what I read in Japan guide website, the area in Aso might not be so convenient with public transport. https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e4551.html

Also, if were to use trains, then would I have to make a area as my base (thinking of Hakata)? Else, it would be very tiring and time consuming to change hotels throughout the week. I very keen to stay in a ryokan with private onsen for 2 nights to experience it, the rest of the nights ok with normal hotels.

 

[MajiMax]

Thanks for the reply. I very inclined to add Mount Aso or Takachiho into my itinerary. From what I read in Japan guide website, the area in Aso might not be so convenient with public transport. https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e4551.html

Also, if were to use trains, then would I have to make a area as my base (thinking of Hakata)? Else, it would be very tiring and time consuming to change hotels throughout the week. I very keen to stay in a ryokan with private onsen for 2 nights to experience it, the rest of the nights ok with normal hotels.

If you are visiting Mt. Aso then you might want to consider dropping Sakurajima since you only have 7 travelling days.

I based myself at Hakata & Nagasaki that time.

 

[abutan]

If you are visiting Mt. Aso then you might want to consider dropping Sakurajima since you only have 7 travelling days.

I based myself at Hakata & Nagasaki that time.

You used the trains to go about? and I suppose you only changed hotel once?

 

[MajiMax]

You used the trains to go about? and I suppose you only changed hotel once?

I did my Kyushu this trip in this manner via trains & bus.

If wasn't not due to wanting to visit Gunkanjima (in case of bad weather and cannot sail out on that day) and Mount Inasa (night view). I could just base myself the whole trip in Hakata (Fukuoka).

Day 01. Fukuoka
Day 02. Fukuoka > Miyazaki's Takachiho Gorge, Bus ride begin @ 08:03, reach @ 11:53, Bus return ride at 16:40, reach Hakata @ 20:29
Day 03. Fukuoka > Saga > Fukuoka
Day 04. Fukuoka > Okayama > Fukuoka
Day 05. Fukuoka > Yamaguchi > Fukuoka
Day 06. Fukuoka > Hiroshima > Fukuoka
Day 07. Fukuoka > Oita's Yufuin > Fukuoka
Day 08. Fukuoka > Kagoshima's Sakurajima > Fukuoka *Drop by Kumamoto castle (only viewed from outside as the castle had suffered damage from the earthquake) before going back to Hakata
Day 09. Fukuoka > Nagasaki
Day 10. Nagasaki
Day 11. Nagasaki
Day 12. Nagasaki
Day 13. Nagasaki > Fukuoka
Day 14. Fukuoka

 

[abutan]

Wonder the duration required to cover yufuin? Is 1 day just nice or need just maybe half a day?

 

[luvenergy]

Hi all.. sharing my kyushu planned itinerary…can help to see if it is ok?

Day 1: Fukuoka to Nagasaki via Ltd express Kamome or pick up car at Fukuoka and drive to Nagasaki.stay Nagasaki

Day 2: Nagasaki

Day 3: Nagasaki to Uzen to Shimabara to Kumamoto via car ferry.Stay Kumamoto

Day 4: Kumamoto to Takachiho.stay kumamoto or takachiho?

Day 5: Takachiho to Mt Aso.stay Mt Aso or kumamoto?

Day 6: Mt Aso to Kurokawa.stay Kurokawa

Day 7: Kurokawa to Beppu.stay Beppu

Day 8: Beppu to Yufuin.stay Beppu

Day 9: Beppu to Hakata. Day trip to Dazaifu.Stay Hakata

Day 10: Day trip Itoshima or Uminonakamichi seaside park.drop car at Fukuoka

Day 11: Home sweet home

 

[zoossh]

Thinking of asking here of itinerary, over whether I should stay two nights in beppu or mojiko as I think my itinerary of 8 nights are super tight and I have to prioritize one

3 night - Fukuoka (1+2)
1 night - nagasaki
1 night - Kumamoto
1 night - beppu (or 2)
1 night - mojiko (or 2)

im traveling in jan which is cold so I won’t be considering mt aso, kusasenri, takachiho. And I’m not driving, likely to take train for 2 hrs in mid day and leave the previous early morning/evening for going out.

any ideas for adding to the following itinerary?

D1: fukuoka arrival, dazaifu, itoshima, stay over (so)
D2: Nagasaki: urakami tram, huis ten bosch (so)
D3: Nagasaki: battleship island, leave
D4: Kumamoto: castle, yachiyoza theater, leave
D5: beppu: yufuin floral, hells, tower, yukimuri obs, so
D6: mojiko: shiokaze train mekari park, sankirou lunch, porto, so
D7: fukuoka: ainoshima cats
D8: fukuoka: shopping relax
D9: return

Sakurajima will be nice but I’m afraid it is too time consuming to travel 3-4hrs with short winter hours

 

[Quasar]

Thinking of asking here of itinerary, over whether I should stay two nights in beppu or mojiko as I think my itinerary of 8 nights are super tight and I have to prioritize one

3 night - Fukuoka (1+2)
1 night - nagasaki
1 night - Kumamoto
1 night - beppu (or 2)
1 night - mojiko (or 2)

im traveling in jan which is cold so I won’t be considering mt aso, kusasenri, takachiho. And I’m not driving, likely to take train for 2 hrs in mid day and leave the previous early morning/evening for going out.

any ideas for adding to the following itinerary?

D1: fukuoka arrival, dazaifu, itoshima, stay over (so)
D2: Nagasaki: urakami tram, huis ten bosch (so)
D3: Nagasaki: battleship island, leave
D4: Kumamoto: castle, yachiyoza theater, leave
D5: beppu: yufuin floral, hells, tower, yukimuri obs, so
D6: mojiko: shiokaze train mekari park, sankirou lunch, porto, so
D7: fukuoka: ainoshima cats
D8: fukuoka: shopping relax
D9: return

Sakurajima will be nice but I’m afraid it is too time consuming to travel 3-4hrs with short winter hours

IMHO Nagasaki battleship island in January depends on weather and operations of the ships. (<80% chance of proceeding based on pass normal years) they also seem to have started doing maintenance in November to January.

https://www.gunkanjima-concierge.com/uw/achievement/#general_achievement

 

[rrr2015]

Thinking of asking here of itinerary, over whether I should stay two nights in beppu or mojiko as I think my itinerary of 8 nights are super tight and I have to prioritize one

winds are very strong in mojiko. so if u want avoid cold i think best stick to beppu.

 

[zoossh]

IMHO Nagasaki battleship island in January depends on weather and operations of the ships. (<80% chance of proceeding based on pass normal years) they also seem to have started doing maintenance in November to January.

https://www.gunkanjima-concierge.com/uw/achievement/#general_achievement

Thanks. I’ll watch this closely closer to the date and make my accommodation a bit more flexible for this limb

 

[zoossh]

winds are very strong in mojiko. so if u want avoid cold i think best stick to beppu.

Mojiko looks like one of the places that I like more so I’ll likely still go. Only thing is whether two day one night is an overkill

 

[rrr2015]

Mojiko looks like one of the places that I like more so I’ll likely still go. Only thing is whether two day one night is an overkill

really up to u. u can find info easily, so pick what u want to do & decide how long u need.

mojiko not crowded & very relaxing compared to beppu. so u should not rush yourself.

stroll leisurely take photo of retro buildings

u can try fugu cuisine (they actually keep fugu in tank), uni don, baked curry etc

shiranoe botanical garden, may try if u can catch apricot blossom

there is one beautiful Spanish marriage centre unfortunately not open to public
https://space.fivestar-wedding.com/sanmarco-moji/facilities/

 

[angcsbenny]

TS, sorry to hijack your thread. Want to ask all the kyushuu expert a quick question.

For Huis Ten Bosch if we only want to see the flower road, we will also have to buy the theme park admission ticket right?

 

[MajiMax]

TS, sorry to hijack your thread. Want to ask all the kyushuu expert a quick question.

For Huis Ten Bosch if we only want to see the flower road, we will also have to buy the theme park admission ticket right?

I don’t recall there was a separate ticket for it that time when I visited it.

 

[angcsbenny]

I don’t recall there was a separate ticket for it that time when I visited it.

Yeah that's what I figured as well. Thanks

 

[KyushuWoozy]

u can try fugu cuisine

For Fugu without silly prices try this place, nothing fancy, like a casual diner (it's in Shimonoseki, short hop from Mojiko):

https://maps.app.goo.gl/yPdwuV6K7AiaqXMg9

 

[rrr2015]

For Fugu without silly prices try this place, nothing fancy, like a casual diner (it's in Shimonoseki, short hop from Mojiko):

https://maps.app.goo.gl/yPdwuV6K7AiaqXMg9

good prices! had mine in one of those fugu food alley, can't remember where now. Bigger restaurants only offer fugu set course for minimum 2~4 pax

 

[endori]

Sorry to hijack, for gunkanjima tour, is the tour by gukanjima concierge conducted in English or Japanese? I know Yamasa Kaiun has english and chinese guides but the tours are no longer available on my requested dates.

 

[MajiMax]

Sorry to hijack, for gunkanjima tour, is the tour by gukanjima concierge conducted in English or Japanese? I know Yamasa Kaiun has english and chinese guides but the tours are no longer available on my requested dates.

If I recall correctly, I was given a headset with an English audio guide that time (2016). Those headset that you would receive in the museum kind.

I checked my video of the tour, the on board ship, the introduction of the island was in Japanese.