Trip Dates & Flights

• Arrive Japan: Nov 29 (ICN → NRT)
• Depart Japan: Dec 6 (NRT → ICN)
• Staying 2 nights in Tokyo, 4 nights in Fukuoka
• Planning morning flight from Tokyo to Fukuoka on Dec 2
• Return flight from Fukuoka to Tokyo on Dec 6 in time for 20:30 departure to Seoul

Preferences & Rules

• Already did: Tokyo highlights, Kyoto, Nara, Osaka, Mt. Fuji
• No Fujikawaguchiko this trip
• I like: beautiful scenery, viewpoints, dramatic landscapes, coastal drives, castles
• I don’t care for: temples/shrines, beaches, onsen/ryokan
• Solo traveler
• Staying in central Fukuoka and returning there every night for halal food
• Renting a car (prefer return to same Fukuoka hotel nightly)
• Don't mind hiking as long as the trail is safe as I have never hiked before and don't want to fall lol

Itinerary

Nov 29 – Dec 1: Tokyo

(Handled separately — I’m planning this myself.)

Fukuoka Base: Dec 2–6

Dec 2 – Arrival in Fukuoka / City Exploration

• Flight from Tokyo → Fukuoka (morning)
• Check into hotel in Hakata/Tenjin
• Ohori Park
• Fukuoka Castle (Maizuru Park)

Dec 3 – Itoshima Peninsula (Coastal Scenic Drive)

• Pick up rental car
• Drive to Itoshima Peninsula (~1h)
• Sakurai Futamigaura (Wedded Rocks)
• Shima Sunset Road
• Palm Tree Swing
• Mount Tateishi hike?
• Return to Fukuoka for dinner

Dec 4 – Aso & Kuju Mountains

• Early departure (~7:00)
• Kusasenri Plateau (Mount Aso)
• Daikanbō Viewpoint
• Yamanami Highway scenic drive
• Return to Fukuoka for dinner

Dec 5 – Saga & Karatsu (Castles + Coastal Cliffs)

• Karatsu Castle (bay view)
• Nijinomatsubara Coastal Pine Forest (drive through)
• Nanatsugama Cliffs (easy viewpoint)
• Kagamiyama Observatory (amazing overlook)
• Return to Fukuoka

This replaced Nagasaki — looks way more exciting for scenery

Dec 6 – Free Day in Fukuoka → Tokyo → ICN

• Canal City Hakata / Hakata Station
• Fly back to Tokyo for international flight

Does this plan make sense for early December?
• Road safety to Aso/Kuju okay?
• Are any viewpoints closed/limited in winter?
• Any must-see viewpoints I’m missing near these routes?
• Parking easy at these stops?
• Parking easy in Fukuoka centre?
• Any hikes I should avoid from this itinerary?