Kyushu Travel Guide - MyTravelBuzzg

Last updated on March 3rd, 2024

Find out the complete Kyushu travel guide and itinerary with the best things to do from northern to southern Kyushu. We spend an amazing time in Kyushu and here is our Kyushu travelogue including Fukuoka, Kumamoto, Oita, Miyazaki, and more.

Here is our Kyushu travel guide with best things to do, best food to do, and best place to stay, that separate by prefecture and region:

For a quick idea on how to plan for your Kyushu itinerary, here is the ultimate travel guide to guide you on interesting things to do in Kyushu. Most importantly, how to getting around and some money-saving tips.

How To Plan Your Kyushu Itinerary: Ultimate Guide

Popular places to visit in Kyushu (Northern and Southern):

Northern Kyushu Region:
Fukuoka Prefecture: Fukuoka, Dazaifu
Kumamoto Prefecture: Kumamoto, Mt Aso, Kurokawa Onsen
Nagasaki Prefecture: Nagasaki, Sasebo (Kujukushima Island), Huis Ten Bosch
Oita Prefecture: Oita, Beppu, Yufuin, Kokonoe
Saga Prefecture: Takeo Onsen

Southern Kyushu Region:
Miyazaki Prefecture: Miyazaki, Nichinan, Takachiho Gorge
Kagoshima Prefecture: Kagoshima, Sakurajima, Kirishima, Ibusuki

Awaiting place to explore in Kyushu: Okinawa Prefecture.

For a complete list of Kyushu travel info:

Added, we also have a separate travel blog to guide you with Kyushu SunQ Pass itinerary by traveling in central and southern Kyushu by using the bus in more detail. Places covered with SunQ Pass are Kumamoto, Mount Aso, Kurokawa Onsen, Takachiho Gorge, Miyazaki, and Beppu.

Kyushu Transportation Guide

Kyushu Special Sightseeing Trains (Design & Story) — By Train: Kyushu JR pass

Southern Kyushu Itinerary with SunQ Pass — By Bus: Kyushu SunQ Pass

Public transport is one of the budget way when visiting Kyushu Japan. However, there is something that you need to know when traveling in Kyushu by bus and train. Below useful transport tips will help you save a lot of effort and money.

Kyushu JR Pass vs SunQ Pass: Which One To Choose?

Here are the useful Kyushu Transport Guide to make a reservation for train and bus:

Detail explanation on easy travel from Fukuoka Airport to downtown city and other places:

Fukuoka

Fukuoka (福岡) is the biggest and busiest city in the Kyushu region. It is also a great base to plan for a day trip to nearby attractions, starting and end your Kyushu trip. Added, Fukuoka also the birthday to Hakata ramen, motsunabe, and mizutaki delicacy. Make sure to sample those local cuisines in Fukuoka when visiting Fukuoka.

Easy short Day Trip From Fukuoka:

The Complete Lists of Fukuoka Food Guide for the best food to eat in Fukuoka.

For Fukuoka Best Ramen:

Mojiko – Kokura – Shimonoseki

Kitakyushu (北九州) is located in the northernmost city in Kyushu. A day trip to Kitakyushu (Mojiko, Kokura, and Shimonoseki) from Fukuoka is full of mouthwatering food, historical monuments, and fun experience.

Nagasaki – Sasebo

Nagasaki (長崎) is a vibrant and exciting city, full of history and culture. There are many places to visit in Nagasaki and you can spend a couple of days going around the city.

Nagasaki city has extensive insights into World World II with Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum, Nagasaki Peace Park, and historical memorial. Moreover, being one of the port cities open to foreigners during Japan’s isolation period, Nagasaki is a charming city that perfectly combined Japanese and Western cultures.

For Nagasaki Best Food:

Kujukushima (99 Island) in Sasebo is one of the top attraction spots that we highly recommended for your Kyushu itinerary. Although the name is called ninety-nine islands, there are a total of 208 uninhabited islands at the coast bay.

Sasebo Itinerary: Kujukushima Sightseeing Cruise

Kumamoto – Aso – Kurokawa Onsen

Kumamoto Travel Guide: Things To Do in Kumamoto

The Kumamoto (熊本) is one of the must-visit places in Kyushu Japan. Plan your visit to explore the Kumamoto city, Aso, and Kurokawa Onsen.

Kumamoto city (熊本市, Kumamoto-shi) with what to do and eat during our visit.

Kumamoto Food Guide:

Best Things To Do in Aso For 1-Day Itinerary

Aso (阿蘇) is known as nature sightseeing. Mount Aso (阿蘇山, Asosan) is the largest active volcano in Japan and worth spending time to get closer to the volcano activities.

Located at the northern foot of the Mount Aso, Kurokawa Onsen (黒川温泉) is the most popular hot spring spot in Kyushu. It boasted by numerous open-air baths and high quality of natural hot spring water. Many visitors are coming all the way to experience their authentic natural onsen bath in Kurokawa onsen.

Miyazaki – Takachiho Gorge

An amazing tropical city in Southern Kyushu, Miyazaki (宮崎) worth spending one or two days to slowly discover. It is ideal to plan on Miyazaki itinerary for an excellent day trip and visit the popular attractions along the Nichinan coastline.

Miyazaki Food Guide for best local specialties in Miyazaki:

Takachiho Gorge (高千穂峡) is the most popular geological attraction and must-visit in the Kyushu region. Many locals and travelers from many countries coming to mesmerized this stunning natural wonder. Difficult to reach by public transport. Please read on my Takachiho Gorge travel guide, itinerary, things to do and transport arrangement to this dramatic columnar rock formations.

Oita – Beppu – Yufuin – Kokonoe

Located in Oita Prefecture, there are many attractions and things to do and see when visiting here. We plan our time visiting Beppu, Yufuin, and Kononoe Yume Otsurihashi and had a great time here.

Beppu (別府), one of the famous onsen towns in Kyushu Japan. My Beppu itinerary and food hunting tour in this amazing hot spring town as below:

Yufuin (由布院/湯布院) is a renowned onsen town in Oita prefecture and famous for its unique charm. There are many boutiques, art museums, antique toy, restaurants, and shops can easily spend your time discovering.

Half-Day Trip to Kononoe Yume Otsurihashi (九重”夢”大吊橋). It is Japan’s Highest Pedestrian Suspension Bridge.

Kokonoe Yume Otsurihasi: A Walk To Japan Highest Suspension Bridge

Oita, Beppu, Yufuin Food Guide:

Kagoshima – Sakurajima – Kirishima

Kagoshima Itinerary - A Travel Guide Blog

Kagoshima (鹿児島) has plenty to offer. This charming city is undeniably the slowly moving island time. Take your time strolling along the rural and town areas, mesmerizing the active volcano in Mt. Sakurajima, exploring the Sengan-en Garden, soaking into the unique hot springs, and tasting the local cuisine.

Don’t miss out on the chance to indulge in the best Kagoshima food has to offer. We have explored some of the most popular and here is our recommendation food to eat in Kagoshima.

Kirishima Itinerary - A Travel Guide Blog

Kirishima (霧島) is an active volcanic mountain range that lies on the border between Miyazaki and Kagoshima Prefectures. It is well-known for its natural beauty (stunning mountains, highlands, volcanic lakes, and onsen). Here are what to do and see in the Kirishima area.

We stayed in Kirishima Hotel, one of the popular onsen resorts in Kirishima. Our stay included a hearty dinner and breakfast. It is the perfect place to relax and unwind after a day of exploring Kirishima.

Check for room availability at Kirishima Hotel here (Booking.com | Agoda.com)