Kyushu Road Trip Itinerary: 5 Days of Hidden Gems
Approximate reading time: 5—8 Minutes
Kyushu Shinkansen, Bullet train in Japan
Table of contents
Introduction
Disclaimers
Explore Kyushu in 5 Days
Day 1: Canal Cruises & Shrines
(Fukuoka → Yanagawa → Dazaifu → Fukuoka)
Day 2: Storybook Villages & Hidden Onsen
(Fukuoka → Yufuin → Yunohira)
Day 3: Hot Springs & Samurai Streets
(Yunohira → Yufuin → Beppu → Kitsuki)
Day 4: Volcano Views & Castles
(Beppu → Aso → Kumamoto)
Day 5: Scenic Drive Back to Fukuoka
(Kumamoto → Fukuoka)
Hotel Recommendations
Quick Tips
Ready for your next adventure?
Ending notes
Looking for the best travel hacks?
Introduction
The Solhaugens in Japan
If you’ve already explored Japan’s iconic spots and are craving something more rural and intimate, it’s time to turn your compass south. Kyushu is a region rich in volcanic landscape, onsen towns, and centuries-old history, yet often overlooked by first-time visitors. We always make it a point to try visiting less touristy places whenever we travel, so making the trip through the outskirts of Fukuoka was just the adventure we were looking for.
Not only was it our first time in Fukuoka, but it was also our first time traveling with our baby.
While traveling as a family definitely comes with its challenges (especially with younger kids), we found the best way to explore the region without the stress, going on a road trip!
Renting a car or, better yet, booking a private car service made all the difference, especially since many of Kyushu’s best-kept secrets are nestled far off the local train lines. For families or big groups, having a driver who knows their way around is not just convenient, it's game-changing.
Take the road less traveled and discover a side of Japan that might just surprise you. Here is the ultimate guide for hidden gems beyond Fukuoka.
Disclaimers
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Explore Kyushu in 5 Days
Day 1
Fukuoka → Yanagawa → Dazaifu → Fukuoka
Yanagawa, also known as the "Venice of Kyushu", features a network of canals where boat rides are a popular activity. Click the thumbnail to watch the vlog.
Drive time: ~2.5 hours
Head to Yanagawa, a small town known for its canal boat rides along lush sakura trees. Come here during spring when they blossom and you’ll be in awe! The boatmen even sing traditional songs as you drift by.
Unagi no Seiro-mushi, which is grilled eel served on rice in a bamboo steamer, is Yanagawa’s famous specialty dish that you have to try while you’re there.
By mid-afternoon, take a short drive to Dazaifu. It’s a popular day trip spot from Fukuoka and for good reason. It’s a beautiful town to stroll through with the Tenmangu Shrine amidst a backdrop of plum tree gardens. The Kyushu National Museum is also a great stop for some historical immersion.
Day 2
Fukuoka → Yufuin → Yunohira
Yufuin Floral Village. You can watch the vlog on Martin’s Youtube channel : Yufuin
Drive time: ~3 hours
Hit the highway bound for Yufuin, a picturesque town cradled at the foot of Mount Yufu. Wander through Yufuin Floral Village, a whimsical European-style village with boutique shops and themed cafes — every turn transports you into a storybook.
Music lovers also might want to check out Artegio, a music-themed art museum nestled in the hills, really only accessible by car.
Some say it’s not a complete trip to Japan without experiencing an onsen, a hot spring bath. Take a 30-minute detour to Yunohira Onsen, a preserved stone-paved hot spring village few outside Kyushu know. Recharge and stay the night in Yunohira’s boutique ryokans, which feature private baths in each room.
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Day 3
Yunohira → Yufuin → Beppu → Kitsuki
Hells of Beppu
Drive time: ~2 hours
A short morning drive brings you to Beppu, one of Japan’s most famous hot spring towns. The town is known for producing more hot spring water than any other place in the country.
Go on a tour through the “Hells of Beppu”, a collection of vividly colored, otherworldly hot spring ponds. Some were cobalt blue, others blood-red — and while not for bathing, they’re stunning to witness.
From there, continue to Kitsuki, a town often overlooked but home to one of Japan’s best-preserved samurai districts. If ever you’re missing out on Kyoto, this is a great alternative for a glimpse into Edo-period Japan. You can walk through a slope where the thatched-roof samurai homes overlook a tiny port town, and not another tourist in sight.
Day 4
Beppu → Aso → Kumamoto
Image courtesy of “Klook”. All rights reserved to the original owners
Aso Cuddly Dominion
Drive time: ~3.5 hours
Make your way to Mount Aso, one of the world’s largest active calderas. Taking a car allows you to get to Daikanbo, a stunning viewpoint of Aso’s crater basin. For families, it also might be worth checking out Aso Cuddly Dominion, a wildlife park where you can pet and feed a variety of animals — including adorable capybaras!
Arrive in Kumamoto by late afternoon or early evening. This city is known for its rich samurai heritage. You can’t leave without a visit to Kumamoto Castle, one of the grandest architectural feats in Japan. While much of it is still being restored from the 2016 earthquake, it’s an absolute must-see.
Day 5
Kumamoto → Fukuoka
Drive time: ~2.5 hours
En route back to Fukuoka, make a detour to small towns like Asakura — also dubbed as the “Little Kyoto in Chikuzen.” By the time you roll back into the capital city, you’ll surely feel like you’ve seen a side of Japan most never do.
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Looking for the perfect stay in Fukuoka Japan?
Here are our top three hotel recommendations.
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Premium
Miyako Hotel Hakata [ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ]
Address : Fukuoka, Hakata-ku Hakataeki-higashi 2-1-1
Standard
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Budget
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Address : Fukuoka, Hakata-ku Hakataekihigashi 2-9-10
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Quick Tips
Money
While cashless options are available in most stores in Japan, always have cash on hand since some stores (especially locally run, small businesses) do not accept card payments. We’ve found that convenience store ATMs are the next best thing for withdrawing cash if there’s no money exchange nearby.
There’s also good news for all Filipinos using GCash! You can use the app abroad to pay in Japan at a good conversion rate. Just have them scan the QR code generated using AliPay+. If you use WePay or ApplePay, you can also look for the sign first before you ask.
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Transportation cards
If you haven’t gotten yourself an ICOCA, Suica, or PasMo yet, it might be the best time to get one. Makes traveling that much easier!
Special Tickets
Got the JR Pass? Make sure to keep it with you ALWAYS since it’s nonrefundable! If you want to know more about the Japan Rail Pass and its different alternatives.
Etiquette / Cultural Customs
Remember to be respectful and mindful of Japanese culture while visiting, especially at shrines and temples.
Ending notes
If you’re looking to stay longer than five days, this is obviously just the beginning. Check out our list of 7 Day Trips from Fukuoka for all the spots you can add to your itinerary.
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