Day 1: Hakata Arrival
Hakata is the biggest city in Kyushu, the final station of Shinkansen from Tokyo. This huge port city was the main gate of Japan for people from other countries since the ancient era. Temples and shrines that enshrine the gods of the sea and the safety of sail are popular destinations. Also, people in Japan appreciate Hakata as a Mecca of food, ramen, Motsunabe hotpot, and yakitori are all local specialties of this city. We recommend you try as many of these as you can.
Accommodation in Hakata
Day 2: Dazaifu-Tenmangu Shrine & Ureshino Onsen (Saga)
After picking up your car hire, we’ll drive for 30 minutes to Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine. This biggest shrine in Fukuoka Prefecture is worshiped by people as a shrine of study. Before the entrance exams of universities or high schools, many students visit the god of learning enshrined in Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine to make a wish to pass their exams. In addition, around the temple is a traditional shopping street, you’ll enjoy the traditional sweets and goods there.
Afternoon will drive for around one hour to Ureshino Onsen town. Ureshino, one of the largest onsen towns in Kyushu, has some local specialties such as food or ceramics work, and the onsen is known as one of the top three onsen for beautiful skin because of the chemicals contained in these hot springs.
Accommodation in Ureshino Onsen
Day 3: Mt. Unzen & Unzen Onsen
Today will travel to a large volcano and onsen (1hr). In Unzen City, you’ll experience of power of volcanic nature with your body. The ropeway or observatory will make you see the spectacular nature of the mountain, Unzen Jigoku, the springs gushing onsen water, will show you the dynamics of natural hot springs, and you can also enjoy the local food making use of this onsen hot water, onsen tamago which is a soft boiled egg with the onsen steam. Other than the onsen attractions, Unzen has some traditional handiworks. Crafts of glass or pottery in this city have been loved by people since the techniques arrived from overseas.
Accommodation in Unzen
Day 4: Kumamoto Castle & Mt. Aso
Take a car ferry to Kumamoto City (30 mins). The Kumomoto’s must-see is obviously Kumamoto Castle. This castle is classified as one of the three castles in Japan because of its functions of defence and the beauty of the main tower. The high stone wall preventing the castle from invasion and secret tunnels are one of the interesting functions of defence. The highlight of the castle would be the golden hall called Shokun no Ma in the main palace. The walls of the main palace are filled with golden paintings depicting Wang Zhaojun, a court lady of the Han dynasty in China.
In the afternoon, we’ll drive to one of the biggest calderas in the world, Mt. Aso. It is the only mountain where we can see the volcanic crater with the marks of eruption.
Accommodation in Aso
Day 5: Takachiho & Kurokawa Onsen
Today, we’ll go for a village of myth (1.5 hrs). The reasons why Takachiho is called so are the shrines and the surrounding nature where many Japanese mythologies developed. The gorge and the shrines are the most popular attractions for tourists. Ancient people thought that the gods existed in nature with sacred atmospheres and built shrines among the sacred nature to enshrine those gods. This is why most of shrines in Japan are located in steep mountains or deep in gorges. This area is probably quite difficult to reach with public transportation.
After being empowered by sacred nature and the gods, take a further drive to another onsen town. Approximately 1 hour driving will take you to Kurokawa Onsen. This onsen town has a unique style and idea that “this whole town is the one hotel”. You can soak in three different baths out of 28 with each feature and function.
Accommodation in Kurokawa Onsen
Day 6: Yufuin Onsen
Until the last day, we’ll visit a lot of hot springs. Many onsen fans in Japan travel on this route. About 1-hour drive from Kurokawa onsen, Yufuin is one of the most well-known onsen towns in the island of the onsen kingdom, Kyushu. The outstanding feature of Yufuin among numerous hot spring villages is the traditional Japanese townscape. The sightseeing hansom cab in this town is popular among tourists, you can see around the Japanese gardens and architecture.
Accommodation in Yufuin Onsen
Day 7: Beppu Onsen
We’ll drive 1 hour from Yufuin Onsen Town to one of the most popular onsen resorts in Japan, Beppu Onsen Town. The way you enjoy the onsen in Beppu is not only soaking in the bath. Jigoku Meguri, which is a 7-onsen sightseeing tour, is a highly recommended attraction to experience in Beppu. You can visit the seven hot springs with each story and uniqueness, one is beautiful cobalt blue, and another one is mud hot spring, for instance. Other than the onsen tour, you can experience cooking with onsen steam, pudding, pork bun, or seafood. Of course you can also stay in a hotel with a hot spring, and soak in the onsen until you get satisfied with Japanese hot spring culture.
Accommodation in Beppu Onsen
Day 8: Return to Hakata & Transfer to Tokyo
Go back to Hakata on your self-drive and return the car hire at Hakata Station, and transfer back to Tokyo or your next destination. Of course you can stay a night if there remain some foods to try in Hakata. Tempura, udon noodles, and seafood are also recommended in Hakata.
