Kyushu Itinerary: 10 days Exploring Kyushu Island on a Budget

June 24, 2020

Located southwest of the main island, Kyushu is the third largest island in Japan. The mountainous island has high geothermal activities, active volcanoes and an abundance of hot springs scattered throughout the island.

To visit Kyushu, the perfect itinerary must include the three major cities: Fukuoka, Kumamoto and Kagoshima. Plus, it must include hikes around volcanoes, hot spring experiences and sampling food unique to the region.

It might be easiest to see Kyushu with a car, but it is possible to see the majority of Kyushu on public transportation ie. on a budget. I’ll show you exactly how you can see the best Kyushu destinations with my Kyushu itinerary in 10 days.

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What you need to know before your visit to Kyushu

Before you visit Kyushu Island, take a look at my post on everything you need to know before going to Japan. I included a lot of information, including how to get around Japan and other travel tips.

Here are additional travel tips that you may find useful for your Kyushu tour itinerary:

SUGOCA is the prepaid IC card for Kyushu. It is a rechargeable smartcard where you can take public transportation, including bus, train and etc. It is especially useful for travelling within cities in Kyushu. And if you take the train, you can use your IC Card too.
Hyperdia is an excellent website for checking schedules and fares for train travel in Japan.
Kyushu tourism is not as popular as other places in Japan, such as Tokyo, Osaka or Kyoto. But the beauty of travelling off the beaten path places is that it allows you to discover something new and unusual.
However, transportation and accommodation prices are slightly higher in Kyushu than in other well-known places in Japan. Probably because travelling distances are much longer and there is less competition for accommodations.

Kyushu Island has many natural wonders including Mount Aso

Kyushu travel budget tips

Kyushu Island is rather big, and it may be the easiest to see it with a car.

However, renting a car may not be ideal for some people, especially if travelling solo. Plus, the total cost of the rental car, insurance, petrol and highway toll can be quite expensive if you decide to have a car in Kyushu for 10 days.

To save (a lot) of money, take advantage of the excellent public transportation in Kyushu. All the major cities are well-connected by trains and highway buses.

In each section below, I listed all the train and bus options so you can choose a transportation mode that fits your budget and style.

If you want to try the shinkanesen (bullet train), get a 5-days JR Kyushu Rail Pass before you leave for Japan. Use the rail pass from day 4 to 8, which covers the 2 shinkansen trains and other train rides to neighbouring towns.

JR train and highway bus are both excellent options for budget travel in Kyushu

Kyushu itinerary: 10 days exploring Kyushu Island from north to south

The best way to spend 10 days in Kyushu Island is by flying into northern Kyushu and start your 10 day Kyushu itinerary in Fukuoka.

Use Fukuoka as a base and visit several neighbouring cities before heading south to Kumamoto.

Then finally, end your 10 day trip in Kagoshima, the southernmost city on Kyushu Island.

Here is a summary of all the Kyushu destinations you will visit and the number of days you will spend in each city:

Day 1 – 5: Fukuoka (including Dazaifu, Takeo and other day trips)
Day 6 – 7: Kumamoto (including Mount Aso)
Day 8 – 10: Kagoshima (including Ibusuki and Sakurajima)

Kumamon Bear, a popular mascot,is on many products in Kyushu

Day 1 – 5: Fukuoka (5 days)

Fukuoka is your first stop on your 10 day itinerary in Kyushu. It is the 7th largest city in all of Japan. And with strong food culture and numerous things to do in Fukuoka, there is plenty to do to occupy a couple of days in the city.

Plus, the accommodation in Fukuoka is the cheapest and nicest compared to the rest of Kyushu. Using Fukuoka as a base and leisurely tour of the city and visiting neighbouring towns makes the most sense.

Where to stay in Fukuoka

Hostel Stand By Me ($) – A small boutique budget hostel with clean dorm rooms and a private bunk bed. There is a common area on the second floor and a restaurant on the ground floor.
- Check prices & reviews: Agoda

Day 1 – 3: Arrive in Fukuoka and explore the city in 3 days

Things to do in Fukuoka

Eat Hakata Ramen, udon, other local specialties at a yatai (outdoor food stall) along Nakasa River
Check out the food market at Yanagibashi Rengo Market
Temple hop in Hakata Old Town
Indulge in art at Fukuoka Art Museum, Fukuoka Asian Art Museum (FAAM), Fukuoka Prefectural Art Museum
People watch at Maizuru Park and Fukuoka Castle Ruins
Get zen at Ohori Park Japanese Garden
Learn about Hakata’s merchant history at Hakata Machiya Furusato-kan (Folk Museum)
Visit Kyushu’s busiest train station at JR Hakata City
Shop and pick up souvenirs at Kawabata Shopping Arcade, Canal City Hakata, and Tenjin Chikagai
Take short excursions to Itoshima Peninsula, Yanagawa River, or Nokonoshima Island

Day 4: Day trip to Dazaifu

Dazaifu is a popular day trip destination from Fukuoka. Located only 18km southeast of Fukuoka City, Dazaifu is your first glimpse of rural Kyushu.

Things to do in Dazaifu

Pray and get a blessing at Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine
Learn Japanese history at Kyushu National Museum
Stroll through the main shopping street, Tenjinsama-dori
Try an umegae mochi rice cake (red bean rice cake), a local specialty
Visit the ultra-modern Starbucks
Enjoy the zen gardens of Komyozen-ji Temple
Indulge in a Japanese kaiseki tofu lunch at Ume no Hana
Hike up Mount Shioji and see a panoramic view of Dazaifu from Iwaya Castle Ruins

How to travel from Fukuoka to Dazaifu

Nishitetsu Railway: from Tenjin Station to Dazaifu Station
- Time: 24 minutes
- Cost: ¥410 (IC card is accepted)

Day 5: Day trip to Takeo

Takeo is a small onsen (hot spring) town in Saga Prefecture. The perfect day trip to Takeo includes strolling through the town, soaking in hot springs and seeing modern art installations at an onsen hotel and park.

Things to do in Takeo

Soak in the ancient hot springs at Takeo for ¥400 at Takeo-Onsen Tower
Visit the scared 3,000-year-old camphor tree at Takeo Shrine
Roam through the aisles of the contemporary library, Takeo City Library
See cherry and plum blossoms at Mifuneyama Rakuen Park during spring
See the permanent art and light exhibition by teamLab at Mifuneyama Rakuen Hotel where interactive installation with Murano glass and LED lights are displayed
TeamLab also had another light installation in the Mifuneyama Rakuen Park called “A Forest Where Gods Live” during the summer and fall of 2018 and 2019. There were light installations on trees, ponds, and rocks, and the entire park lit up as the sun went down. Perhaps they will have future exhibitions in the park. Check the teamLab website and see if they have a similar light installation in the future.

How to travel from Fukuoka to Takeo

JR Train: from Hakata Station to Takeo-Onsen Station on Midori-Huis Ten Bosch Line
- Time: 1 hour 20 minutes (+ 12-minute walk to onsen)
- Cost: ¥3,100 each way (covered by Kyushu Pass)

Day 6 – 7: Kumamoto (2 days)

The next destination on your Kyushu itinerary is Kumamoto, the capital city of Kumamoto Prefecture. The city has one of Japan’s top 3 castles, Kumamoto Castle, and many other historic temples and shrines. And it is also the gateway for visiting Mount Aso.

How to travel from Fukuoka to Kumamoto

There are trains and buses from Fukuoka to Kumamoto. It all depends on your schedule and budget. The fastest way is via Kyushu shinkansen and the most affordable ways are Japan Rail and Kyushu Bus.

Kyushu Shinkansen: from JR Hakata Station to Kumamoto Station
- Time: 40 minutes
- Cost: ¥5,230 (covered by JR Pass except for Nozomi and Mizuho trains)

JR Train: from JR Hakata Station to Kumamoto Station
- Time: 2 hours
- Cost: ¥2,170

Kyushu Bus: from Hakata Bus Terminal to Kumamoto Station
- Time: 2 hours
- Cost: ¥2,280
- Check Kyushu Bus Booking for schedules and exact fares

Where to stay in Kumamoto

Hotel The Gate Kumamoto

Hotel The Gate Kumamoto ($) – Stay in a single room with an upper or lower bunk and your private area for an affordable price. The hotel is tailored for Japanese business people but is also great for tourists. And it is within walking distance of Kumamoto Station and Kumamoto Bus Terminal
- Check prices & reviews: Agoda

Day 6: Arrive in Kumamoto and explore the city

Things to do in Kumamoto

See one of the top 3 castles in Japan, Kumamoto Castle
See a panoramic view of Kumamoto from Honmyo-ji Temple
Tour the Sakuranobaba Johasaien Castle Town
Try local Kumamoto cuisine, including Kumamoto Ramen at Kokutei
Get zen at Suizen-ji Jojuen Garden
See Yahoo Kusama’s artwork at Contemporary Art Museum, Kumamoto (CAMK)
Shop at Shimotori Shopping Arcade
Buy a Kumamon souvenir (many items have the famous Kumamon bear)

Day 7: Day trip to Mount Aso

Mount Aso can be visited as a day trip from Kumamoto, even if you don’t have a car. Spend the day hiking the active volcano and see rural Kumamoto Prefecture.

How to travel from Kumamoto to Mount Aso

Kyushu Odan Bus #1, #3, #7: from Kumamoto Bus Terminal to Aso Station
- Time: 1 hour 56 minutes
- Cost: ¥1,500
- Check Kyushu Odan Bus for daily schedule

Mount Aso Bus: from Aso Station to Aso Nishi-eki (Mount Aso)
- Time: 30 – 40 minutes (one bus every 1 – 2 hour)
- Cost: ¥1,200 (return ticket)
- Check Mount Aso Bus for daily schedule

Things to do in Mount Aso

See the highest peak, Mount Nakadake, one of the world’s largest volcanic craters (check to see if the latest condition allows you to see the crater)
Hike the trails from Kusasenri to Eboshidake and to Kishimadake
Ride horses at Kusasenro-ga-hama
Learn more about the volcano at Aso Volcano Museum
See Mount Komezuka on the way back down to Aso Station

Expansive views from the top of Mount Aso

Day 8 – 10: Kagoshima (3 days)

Kagoshima is the southernmost city on Kyushu Island and the last city in your Kyushu travel itinerary. As the capital of Kagoshima Prefecture, the city is known for Sakurajima, an active volcano and the gateway to many islands in Southern Japan.

How to travel from Kumamoto to Kagoshima

There are many trains and buses from Kumamoto to Kagoshima. The fastest way is to take the shinkansen but the cheapest way is to take the highway bus.

Shinkansen: from Kumamoto Station to Kagoshima Chuo Station
- Time: 57 minutes
- Cost: ¥6,870 (covered by Kyushu Pass)

JR Train: from Kumamoto Station to Kagoshima Chuo Station
- Time: 4 hours 30 minutes +
- Cost: ¥4,380 (covered by Kyushu Pass)

Kirishima-go Bus: from Kumamoto Station to Kagoshima Station
- Time: 3 hours 30 minutes
- Cost: ¥3,770
- Check Kyushu Bus Booking website for schedules and fares

Where to stay in Kagoshima

Hotel Mystays Kagoshima Tenmonkan ($$) – Renovated in 2018, the 3-star hotel has affordable single rooms in Kagoshima City. It is right in the heart of Tenmonkan, a shopping district with many restaurants and shops
- Check prices & reviews: Agoda

Day 8: Arrive in Kagoshima and visit Ibusuki

Try to get into Kagoshima as early as you can. Then after you drop off your luggage at the hotel, hop back on the train and head to Ibusuki for a unique natural sand hot spring experience.

How to travel from Kagoshima to Ibusuki

JR Train: from Kagoshima Chuo Station to Ibusuki Station(JR Ibusuki Makurazaki Line)
- Time: 70 minutes + walk 10 minutes
- Cost: ¥1,020 (covered by Kyushu Pass)

Things to do in Ibusuki

Visit Saraku Sand Bath Hall, a large hot spring facility
At the bath hall, enjoy the natural sand spa (buried in the sand), indoor baths and steam room

Things to do in Kagoshima

Visit the zen Sengan-en Garden
Walk around the grounds of Tsurumaru Castle Ruins
Hike up Mount Shiroyama and see an unobstructed view of Kagoshima from the Shiroyama Observatory
See artwork by local artists at the Kagoshima City Museum of Art
Take a tour around Kagoshima Fish Market
Try unique Kagoshima food like Kagoshima Ramen and Kagoshima Kurobuta Pork
Eat at Kagoshima Furusato Food Village or Tenmonkan

Day 9: Explore Sakurajima

Sakurajima is the symbol of Kagoshima. It used to be an island until the active volcano erupted in 1914 and connected the island to the Osumi Peninsula. You can easily spend the entire day hiking the trails and soaking in hot springs. Some highlights include:

Hike Nagisa Lava Trail from the ferry terminal
Soak your feet in Nagisa Park Foot Bath for free
Get the Sakurajima Island View Bus one day pass and see attractions like Karasujima Observatory, Akamizu Observatory and Yunohira Observatory

Free foot baths along the shores of Sakurajima

Day 10: Explore Kagoshima and fly home

It is the last day on your 10 day Kyushu itinerary. Depending on the time of your flight leaving Kagoshima Airport, you may have more time to roam around the city.

How to travel from Kagoshima to Kagoshima Airport

Airport Limousine Bus: from Kagoshima Chuo Terminal Building to Kagoshima Airport
- Time: 45 minutes (about 4 buses per hour)
- Cost: ¥1,300
- Check Nangoku Kotsu Bus website for schedule and fares

Are you ready to book a trip to Kyushu and spend 10 days on the island?

Kyushu Island may not be as well known as the rest of Japan, but the island is excellent for anyone who wants to get off the beaten path and explore something different in Japan.

I hope you like my 10 day Kyushu travel itinerary! I planned it exclusively for any solo travellers who want to see Kyushu Island on a budget. Let me know in the comments if you like the itinerary or any suggestions on improving it.

Thank you for reading my Teshima itinerary post

You might also like these other posts on solo travel in Japan:

Introduction to Japan

Kyushu region

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About Author

queenie mak

Hi, my name is Queenie, and I've been a solo traveller for 18+ years and currently based in Hong Kong. Follow me on my adventures through Instagram and my blog!