Japanese Hot Springs: Kyushu Onsen

Itinerary - 5 Days

1. Day 1

   Location

   Fukuoka

   Hotel

   JR Kyushu Hotel Blossom Hakata Chuo

   Welcome to the lovely Kyushu, Japan's third largest island! (Arrive by plane to Fukuoka airport or by train to JR Hakata station.)
   
   Check in to your hotel, and then you are free to explore Fukuoka!
   
   Fukuoka is known for its nightlife and local cuisine, including the numerous food stalls or 'Yatai' set along the river. Particularly famous in Fukuoka is Hakata ramen, a style of ramen noodles that have led to the creation of restaurants the world over, but nothing quite compares to the authenticity you'll find in Fukuoka.

2. Day 2

   Location

   Beppu

   Hotel

   Shiragiku

   Meal

   Breakfast & Dinner

   Today you are staying in Beppu, one of the biggest hot spring towns in Japan. In Beppu, plumes of steam can be seen billowing out of the ground at many points. On top of onsen, Beppu is famous for its 'Hells' hot springs that are too hot to bathe in but rather to look at. We recommend exploring some different onsen in Beppu, there are many different varieties from the very new to the very old. Most are within walking distance or a short taxi journey away.
   
   Suggested route:
   Depart from Hakata at 10:19 Arrive in Beppu at 12:24
   
   Tonight, you will be staying in a ryokan, which will have its own hot springs. We hope you enjoy it!

3. Day 3

   Location

   Beppu > Yufuin

   Hotel

   Shiragiku

   Meal

   Breakfast & Dinner

   After you check-out from your hotel, you will travel to another hot spring town, Yufuin. Yufuin is much smaller than Beppu and has more of a rural feel, although it too has many modern conveniences. There is a beautiful lake a short stroll away. Why not explore it and then return to your ryokan for more bathing, relaxing and food?
   
   Suggested route:
   Beppu 11:50 > Yufuin 13:23

4. Day 4

   Location

   Yufuin > Hakata

   Hotel

   JR Kyushu Hotel Blossom Hakata Chuo

   Meal

   Breakfast

   After you check out, you can spend some more time in Yufuin or stop by Mameda town in Hita, Oita, a town with the oldest merchant houses and storehouses in Japan. At the museum here, there is a large collection of old and valuable objects. Once you are done here, head back to Fukuoka.
   
   Suggested route:
   Depart Yufuin 12:09 > Hita 13:04
   Hita 16:48 > Hakata 17:41

5. Day 5

   Location

   Fukuoka

   Meal

   Breakfast

   We hope you have enjoyed your onsen trip around Kyushu and that you are now a fully fledged onsen-a-holic. There are more of us than you think! There are many different onsen resorts all over Japan, some in the most unlikely of places, so there are plenty more to explore! If after this trip you are interested in visiting more of Japan's onsen and natural regions, why not give us a call?