My First Trip to Kyushu 九州 

If you have been following my Instagram, you would have seen my posts on my visits to the various prefectures at Kyushu in October last year. Before my vacation, I burnt my weekends to catch up on my work, that I may have a minimal backlog. I had one amazing time there.

This trip was made to celebrate my birthday. Barely two months before the trip, I have no idea where to go. On the flight back from San Francisco after the sales conference, my colleague who sat next to me on the flight suggested that I should visit Kyushu as I was planning a trip within Asia. He was kind enough to give me a high-level itinerary and a few suggestions of where to eat and stay and they are all excellent recommendations.

About Kyushu 九州

Kyushu  (九州, Kyūshū, literally “nine provinces”) is Japan’s third largest island, located southwest of the main island Honshu. An early centre of Japanese civilization, Kyushu offers many historic treasures, modern cities and natural beauty. As of 2016, Kyushu has a population of 12,970,479 and covers 36,782 square kilometres (14,202 sq mi).

My Ten Days & Nights Itinerary in Kyushu

Day 1  Nagasaki 長崎県 – Landed at Fukuoka 福岡県, and picked up the rental car at Fukuoka International Airport then drove to Nagasaki 長崎県.

Day 2  Nagasaki 長崎県 – Visited Shimabara Castle 島原城, Nagasaki Peace Park, and Atomic Bomb Museum.

Day 3 Kagoshima 鹿児島県 – Drove from Nagasaki to return the rental car at Hakata Station at Fukuoka. Took Shinkansen from Hakata Station to Kagoshima 鹿児島県 and picked up the rental car at Kagoshima-chuo Station

Day 4  Kagoshima 鹿児島県 – Visited Shiroyama Park 城山公園 and Kagoshima Aquarium 鹿児島水族館

Day 5 Kagoshima 鹿児島県 / Miyazaki 宮崎県 – Drove to Sakurajima 桜島 (via ferry), spent half a day. Stopped by at Umagase then drove to Miyazaki 宮崎県

Day 6  Miyazaki 宮崎県  /Takachiho 高千穂 – Drove to Takachiho 高千穂. Visited Amano Iwato Shrine 天岩戸神社.

Day 7 Takachiho 高千穂 / Oita 大分県 – Visited Takachiho Gorge 高千穂峡 and Manaino Waterfall then drove to Oita and explored Yufuin 由布院.

Day 8 Oita 大分県 Beppu – Visited Jigoku 地獄 – Visit 7 Hell Hot Springs in Beppu

Day 9 & 10 Fukuoka 福岡県 – Drove to Fukuoka 福岡県 and returned the rental car. Shopped at Canal City Hakata 博多 and had street food for dinner at Yatai 屋台.

Day 11 – Morning Flight Back to Singapore

Through this trip, we realised that we are absolute city dwellers and creatures of comfort. We enjoyed a good blend of city and nature but not too much of small town living. We enjoy being in the middle of the action. Perhaps growing up in an urban city like Singapore has made us 100% urban city dwellers.

Stay tuned for my updates on our Kyushu road trip.

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