Hidden Japan: Discover Kyushu (via Nagasaki)

Itinerary - 11 Days

1. Day 1

   Location

   London > Fukuoka

   Meal

   In Flight

   All great trips to Japan have to start at the airport!
   
   Depart from London to Fukuoka.
   
   Your holiday starts here, catch a film on the flight, or just try and get some shut eye. You'll be in Japan before you know it.

2. Day 2

   Location

   Fukuoka

   Hotel

   JR Kyushu Hotel Blossom Hakata Chuo

   Touchdown in Fukuoka, Kyushu.
   
   For the rest of today, you are free at leisure in Fukuoka.
   
   One of Japan's up and coming cities, 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 produced restaurants the world over, but nothing quite compares to the authenticity you'll find in Fukuoka. Why not head out and try some for yourself?

3. Day 3

   Location

   Nagasaki

   Hotel

   Dormy inn Nagasaki

   Meal

   Breakfast

   Today you get to start your train travel!
   
   Leave from Hakata station to Nagasaki, and start using your 5-day Kyushu Pass.
   
   Suggeted travel times:
   Depart Hakata at 10:55, arrive Nagasaki at 12:49
   
   This afternoon, you are free to explore Nagasaki.
   Nagasaki is the site of Nagasaki Peace Park, the Dejima port where the Dutch traded Western goods with the Japanese for many years, and the iconic Gunkanjima or 'Battleship Island', a derelict island full of abandoned buildings that was made famous in James Bond's 'Skyfall'.

4. Day 4

   Location

   Kagoshima

   Hotel

   Dormy inn Kagoshima

   Meal

   Breakfast

   Another day another city, head down to Kagoshima with your JR Kyushu Pass.
   
   Feel free to explore Nagasaki until you do so.
   
   Our suggestions:
   Of course, the Peace Park is for many a must-see. The Oura church, the oldest Christian church in Japan and a rather striking building given its unusual architecture for this part of the world. (This writer's personal suggestion would be Dejima, the re-constructed trading post, but that's possibly just because he's a history student!)
   
   Suggested travel times:
   Depart Nagasaki at 14:20, arrive Kagoshima-chuo at 17:49, changing at Shin-Tosu.
   (Trains run roughly every half an hour.)

5. Day 5

   Location

   Kagoshima

   Hotel

   Dormy inn Kagoshima

   Meal

   Breakfast

   Free to explore Kagoshima.
   
   The symbol of Kagoshima is the constantly smoking volcano, Sakurajima, which has minor eruptions several times a day and which can be easily visited by ferry. Hikes and onsen and foot baths are just a few of the things you can do on the island.

6. Day 6

   Location

   Kirishima

   Hotel

   Ishiharaso

   Meal

   Breakfast & Dinner

   From Kagoshima you will be heading to the phenomenal mountain range of Kirishima, full of excellent hiking and staying the night in a charming onsen resort surrounded by forest.
   
   Kirishima has a known link to tales from Japanese mythology, and you can easily see why by the surroundings.
   
   Suggested route:
   Depart Kagoshima chuo at 13:24, arrive Kareigawa at 14:15
   *Take a short local bus ride to your ryokan (15min/ JPY240)

7. Day 7

   Location

   Kumamoto

   Hotel

   Dormy inn Kumamoto

   Meal

   Breakfast

   Today you head to Kumamoto.
   
   Kumamoto is home of Kumamoto Castle, one of the grandest and most beautiful castles in Japan and home to the mascot 'Kumamon', whose face has become well known worldwide.
   
   Suggested route:
   Depart Hayato station at 10:54, arrive in Kumamoto at 12:28.
   
   Free to explore Kumamoto

8. Day 8

   Location

   Takachiho

   Hotel

   Dormy inn Kumamoto

   Meal

   Breakfast

   Day trip to Takachiho Gorge by bus, and time to start using your SunQ Bus Pass!
   
   Today you will be exploring the Takachiho area, where there is a beautiful gorge, a true meeting place between nature and spirituality. It is famous in Japanese mythology as the place where Amaterasu, the sun goddess, came to hide. If you're feeling particularly adventurous you can row down this river, the waters of which are very tranquil.
   
   Suggested route:
   Depart Kumamoto at 09:11, arrive Takachiho at 12:09
   Depart Takachiho at 16:31, arrive Kumamoto at 19:26

9. Day 9

   Location

   Aso > Kurokawa Onsen

   Hotel

   Sanga

   Meal

   Breakfast & Dinner

   Travel to Kurokawa via Mt Aso by bus.
   
   Kurokawa is a charming town, lined with ryokan, cafes, shops and small shrines. The ryokan are renowned for their outdoor baths, which allow you to take in the scenery while you bathe. Kurokawa offers an Onsen hopping pass, the 'Nyuto Tegata' which lets you visit three hot springs for only 1300yen (roughly £10), we highly recommend you take advantage of this!
   
   Along the way, you will be passing Mt. Aso, an active volcano where you can visit the crater itself! This is a unique opportunity!
   
   Suggested route:
   Depart Kumamoto at 10:46, arrive Mt Aso at 12:46
   Spend a couple of hours exploring Mt. Aso.
   Leave Mt. Aso at 14:16, arrive Kurokawa Onsen at 15:31
   
   Enjoy your stay in a ryokan! If you've not tried out an onsen yet, now is definitely the time! Dive in! (Not literally, the water is relatively shallow.)

10. Day 10

    Location

    Yufuin > Fukuoka

    Hotel

    JR Kyushu Hotel Blossom Hakata Chuo

    Meal

    Breakfast

    Today, you will head back to Fukuoka via Yufuin, another charming onsen town.
    
    You are free to explore the picturesque onsen town of Yufuin until your bus departs for Fukuoka. Yufuin's centre is a bit more modern than some others like it in terms of shopping and cafes, but hot springs are still there to be enjoyed as well!
    
    Are you an onsen-o-holic yet?
    
    Suggested route:
    Leave Kurokawa Onsen at 11:26, arrive Yufuin at 13:01
    Leave Yufuin at 16:20, arrive Hakata bus terminal at 18:38

11. Day 11

    Location

    Fukuoka

    Meal

    Breakfast

    All good things must come to an end, and today you have to head back to the UK! We really hope you have enjoyed your trip around one of the most beautiful areas of Japan and have made the most of your time here. After an entire trip around Kyushu, you must be a true seasoned Japan traveller! If you're up for an even bigger challenge next time, how about Shikoku, the smallest of Japan's four main islands and easily the most rural... We await your call!
    
    After you check out from your hotel, make your own way to Fukuoka airport and fly back home.