Hi, From 20 December to 5 January I will be travelling through Kyushu (Kitsuki, Kitakyushu, Fukuoka, Dazaifu, Kuratsu, Nagasaki, Kumamoto — 5 days via car — Kagoshima, Miyazaki).
I am especially wondering what I should do between Kumamoto and Kagoshima after I rent a car in Kumamoto for 5 days (29 December to 2 January).
I was thinking about something like the itinerary below.
I would like to ask you for any suggestions, or maybe brand-new ideas, about what would be fun to do during those 5 days (taking into account the fact that many places may be closed during this period).
I like nature, museums, history and local food .
By the way, has anyone visited Japan’s National Parks during New Year’s Eve or New Year’s Day? Did you faced any difficulties?
29.12 (Monday)
-Mount Aso (4–5 h hike) + Kamishikimi Kumanoimasu Shrine and Takamori Yusui Tunnel Park
-Kuju Mountains – only visiting observatories (Yamanami Highway Observatory, Makinoto Observatory, Chojabaru Visitor Center)
Overnight: Kurokawa Onsen
30.12 (Tuesday)
-Yufuin (Aso-Kuju National Park Sagiridai Overlook)
-Beppu (Beppu Ropeway, Hells (Jigoku), Steam Cooking Center, Oita Prefectural Art Museum — most likely closed)
Overnight: Beppu
31.12 (Wednesday)
-Beppu (Umitamago Aquarium)
-Oita (Oita Prefectural Art Museum and Oita Art Museum — most likely closed)
-Usuki (Usuki Castle Ruins, Nioza Historical Road, Usuki Stone Buddhas)
-Takachiho GorgeOvernight: Ebino (city close to Kirishima Kinkowan National Park)
01.01 (Thursday)
-Kirishima-Kinkowan National Park (small hike 3–4 h)
-Sakurajima (a torii gate buried under volcanic ash in the KurokamichĹŤ district + visiting observatories)
Overnight: Cape Nagasakibana
02.01 (Friday)
-Cape Nagasakibana (Flower Park Kagoshima, Kaimondake volcano)
-Chiran (Chiran Castle Ruins, Chiran Peace Museum)
-Minamisatsuma (Bansei Tokkō Peace Museum — if open)
Overnight:Kagoshima
by wacky6