JJapan Trips

Planning Our Fourth Visit to Japan – 10 Nights for Kyushu

  • November 10, 2025

TL;DR: Although we were just in Japan last year, we are craving it and must go back! In March/ April, we will be 3 nights in Okinawa, 10 nights on Kyushu, go to S. Korea for a week, then end up in Tokyo area for 6 nights. Specifically, we would love for you to comment on our Kyushu itinerary and provide accommodation/ restaurant recommendations. Our Japanese friend who lives in Tokyo will be joining us for half of the Kyushu itinerary.

Our first visit to Japan was a family vacation in summer 2003. We visited the Japanese language teacher who taught our kids Japanese in the USA at our public elementary school. We did the Golden Triangle.

In April 2017, we went back to Tokyo and also visited Kanazawa and Kamakura.

April of last year we did Tokyo, Takamatsu, Naoshima Island, Kurashiki, Hiroshima, Yamaguchi, and Hagi. By the end of our trip we were intoxicated with all things Japanese (we even went to a Carps game!). We did not want to leave, but vowed to return very soon.

We are fortunate that our Japanese friend, who still lives in Tokyo, travels with us for a portion of our trip each time.

For this upcoming trip, March/ April of next year, we will start in Okinawa for 3 nights, then fly to Fukuoka, traveling around Kyushu for 10 nights, then ferry to S. Korea for a week, before flying to Tokyo area (with side trip to Matsumoto) for 6 nights.

For the Kyushu portion of our trip, our Japanese friend will join us in Karatsu. They have provided some input for our overall plans, but I would love some additional input from Redditors on our Kyushu itinerary.

πŸ‡―πŸ‡΅ Kyushu Itinerary β€” March 31 – April 10 (10 nights / 11 days)

Interests: art, culture, nature, food (pescatarian). Route: Nagasaki β†’ Kumamoto β†’ Karatsu β†’ Iki Island β†’ Fukuoka.

Day 1 – Sun Mar 31 | Nagasaki

Arrive in Nagasaki. Explore Dejima and Megane-bashi bridge.

Day 2 – Mon Apr 1 | Nagasaki

Peace Park & Atomic Bomb Museum. Oura Church, Glover Garden. Inasayama ropeway night view.

Day 3 – Tue Apr 2 | Kumamoto

Travel to Kumamoto. Visit Kumamoto Castle & Suizenji Jojuen garden.

Day 4 – Wed Apr 3 | Kumamoto

Explore Mt. Aso volcanic area or city sights like the Contemporary Art Museum.

Day 5 – Thu Apr 4 | Karatsu

Travel to Karatsu. Visit Karatsu Castle & Nijinomatsubara pine grove.

Day 6 – Fri Apr 5 | Karatsu

Coastal excursion: Yobuko Morning Market, Hado Cape, local ceramics.

Day 7 – Sat Apr 6 | Iki Island

Travel to Iki Island. Explore Ikikoku Museum, Sakyōbana cliffs, Harahoge Jizō.

Day 8 – Sun Apr 7 | Iki Island

Katsumoto Market, Tatsunoshima cruise, Ondake Shrine, Kojima Shrine (tide-dependent).

Day 9 – Mon Apr 8 | Fukuoka

Travel to Fukuoka. Options: Dazaifu Tenmangu & Kyushu National Museum OR Ohori Park + Maizuru Castle ruins. Try yatai stalls at night.

Day 10 – Tue Apr 9 | Fukuoka

Yanagibashi Market. Shopping in Tenjin/Daimyo, Canal City. Optional: half-day Itoshima coast.

Day 11 – Wed Apr 10 | Depart from Fukuoka

Depart from Hakata Port for Busan.

  1. Itinerary – let us know if there are any things you would add (or subtract).

  2. Transportation – we plan on using mostly trains, but plan to rent a car on Iki Island. We have an international drivers license. Is this a good plan?

  3. Accommodations – we are open to traditional hotels, onsens, guesthouses, or Airbnbs. All suggestions are welcome!

  4. Restaurants/ bars – have you stumbled upon any hidden gems? We don't eat meat, but we do everything else. We love to try different Sakes.

TYIA

by bobt2241