14 Days
Best for: Culture
Japan Summer Festivals: The 14-Day Matsuri Route
Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, and Fukuoka timed around peak matsuri season
Tokyo · Kyoto · Osaka · Fukuoka
#Mid-Range
From$2,700/person
Compare This Route →
Kyushu in 10 Days
Fukuoka ramen, Nagasaki history, an active volcano in Kagoshima, and Beppu's hot springs
10 DaysBest for: Repeat VisitorFrom $2,600/personSpring/Autumn/Winter
ExploreJapanDaily Editorial TeamEditorially reviewedUpdated July 6, 2026Verified July 6, 202615 min read
Duration: 10 DaysDestinations: Fukuoka, Nagasaki, Kumamoto, Kagoshima, BeppuBudget: Mid-RangePace: Moderate
Kyushu rarely makes a first Japan itinerary, but it covers an unusual amount of ground for its size: Fukuoka's ramen and street-stall food culture, Nagasaki's layered foreign-trade history, an active volcano looming over Kagoshima, and Beppu's hot-spring industry, the largest in Japan. The whole route runs on Kyushu Shinkansen and regional rail, with no flights required between stops.
Expect a noticeably more relaxed pace and fewer foreign tourists than the Honshu golden route, along with some of the best regional food in the country, Hakata ramen, Nagasaki champon, and Kagoshima's black pork chief among them.
⚡Quick Answer
What you need to know: 10 Days, $2,600-$6,800 per person, best in Spring or Autumn or Winter, covering Fukuoka, Nagasaki, Kumamoto, Kagoshima, Beppu with a mix of JR trains and regional transport.
💡Good to Know
- •Walking level: Heavy
- •Japan Rail Pass recommended: No, point-to-point tickets are cheaper for this route
- •Family-friendly: Not specifically designed for young children
- •Travel entirely by JR train between Fukuoka, Nagasaki, Kumamoto, Kagoshima, Beppu. A 7, 14, or 21-day Japan Rail Pass covers every inter-city leg.
Your Route
1
2
Nagasaki
2
Glover Garden, the Peace Park, and the reconstructed Dejima trading post
3
Kumamoto
2
Kumamoto Castle and the landscaped Suizenji Garden
4
Kagoshima
2
Sakurajima's active volcano and the Sengan-en Garden
5
Beppu
2
Japan's largest hot-spring resort town and its steaming hell valleys
What's Included in This Itinerary
🍜
Hakata's Yatai Food Stalls
Fukuoka's nighttime street-stall culture, the birthplace of tonkotsu ramen.
⛪
Glover Garden and Dejima
Nagasaki's unusual Western-influenced history, from a 19th-century merchant's hillside estate to a reconstructed Edo-era trading post.
🏯
Kumamoto Castle
One of the three premier castles of Japan, restored after significant 2016 earthquake damage.
🌋
Sakurajima Volcano
An active volcano rising directly across the bay from Kagoshima city, occasionally dusting the streets with ash.
♨️
Beppu's Hell Valleys
A cluster of dramatically steaming, mineral-colored hot springs too hot to bathe in, but striking to walk through.
🐖
Kagoshima Kurobuta Pork
Kagoshima's prized black pork breed, served as shabu-shabu or tonkatsu across the city.
Your Complete 10 Days Plan
Every day. Every stop. Real costs, real transport times, honest opinions.
FukuokaDays 1–2
Stay: Hakata / TenjinCost: $90–$160/dayEat: Hakata tonkotsu ramen
DAY 1Arrival in Fukuoka
Hakata / TenjinAfternoon
Arrive and check in
Land at Fukuoka Airport, one of the closest airports to a city center in Japan, and check in near Hakata Station.
Time: 1 hourTransport: Fukuoka City Subway from the airport, 11 minutesCost: $3–$5
Evening
Hakata's yatai food stalls
Fukuoka's nighttime street-stall culture along the riverside, the birthplace of tonkotsu ramen.
Time: 2 hoursTransport: Walkable from Tenjin or NakasuCost: $25–$40
Where to Stay Tonight
Hakata / Tenjin
A hotel near Hakata Station or Tenjin.
Don't Miss Eating
Hakata tonkotsu ramen
Fukuoka's rich pork-bone broth ramen, the dish that put the city on Japan's culinary map.
Daily spend estimate: $90–$160/personTransport today: $10–$15Walking: 6,000–9,000 steps
DAY 2Dazaifu Day Trip and Tenjin
TenjinMorning
Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine
A major Shinto shrine dedicated to the god of scholarship, set among thousands of plum trees.
Time: 2 hoursTransport: Nishitetsu train from Tenjin, 30 minutesCost: $8–$10 round trip
Afternoon
Tenjin shopping and Canal City
Central Fukuoka's main shopping district, anchored by the Canal City mall with its own indoor canal.
Time: 2 hoursTransport: Walkable from central FukuokaCost: Free to browse
Where to Stay Tonight
Hakata / Tenjin
Same hotel as Day 1.
Don't Miss Eating
Motsunabe (offal hot pot)
A Fukuoka specialty hot pot built around beef or pork offal, simmered with cabbage and chives.
Daily spend estimate: $85–$150/personTransport today: $10–$15Walking: 9,000–12,000 steps
NagasakiDays 3–4
Stay: Nagasaki Station / Glover GardenCost: $90–$160/dayEat: Nagasaki champon
DAY 3Departure for Nagasaki
Nagasaki Station / Glover GardenMorning
Limited express to Nagasaki
Travel southwest to the historic port city of Nagasaki.
Time: 2 hoursTransport: JR Kamome limited express from Hakata StationCost: $40–$50
Afternoon
Glover Garden
A hillside estate of preserved Western-style mansions built for 19th-century foreign merchants, with sweeping harbor views.
Time: 2 hoursTransport: Streetcar to Oura Tenshudo-shitaCost: $6–$8 per person
Where to Stay Tonight
Nagasaki Station / Glover Garden
A hotel near Nagasaki Station.
Don't Miss Eating
Nagasaki champon
A hearty seafood-and-vegetable noodle soup, a legacy of Nagasaki's Chinese trading community.
Daily spend estimate: $90–$160/personTransport today: $45–$55 (limited express to Nagasaki)Walking: 9,000–12,000 steps
DAY 4Peace Park and Dejima
Peace ParkMorning
Nagasaki Peace Park and Atomic Bomb Museum
A memorial park and museum documenting the 1945 atomic bombing, Nagasaki's counterpart to Hiroshima's.
Time: 2.5 hoursTransport: Streetcar to Matsuyama-machiCost: $2–$3 per person
Afternoon
Dejima
A reconstructed Edo-era artificial island that served as Japan's only point of contact with the outside world during over 200 years of isolation.
Time: 1.5 hoursTransport: Streetcar to DejimaCost: $5–$6 per person
Where to Stay Tonight
Nagasaki Station / Glover Garden
Same hotel as Day 3.
Don't Miss Eating
Sara udon
A crispy fried-noodle dish topped with a thick vegetable-and-seafood sauce, a Nagasaki original.
Daily spend estimate: $85–$150/personTransport today: $8–$12Walking: 10,000–13,000 steps
KumamotoDays 5–6
Stay: Kumamoto Castle areaCost: $85–$150/dayEat: Kumamoto-style tonkotsu ramen
DAY 5Departure for Kumamoto
Kumamoto Castle areaMorning
Train to Kumamoto
Travel south, connecting through Shin-Tosu onto the Kyushu Shinkansen.
Time: 2.5–3 hoursTransport: JR Kamome to Shin-Tosu, then Kyushu ShinkansenCost: $50–$65
Afternoon
Kumamoto Castle
One of the three premier castles of Japan, restored after significant damage in the 2016 Kumamoto earthquake.
Time: 2 hoursTransport: Streetcar to Kumamotojo / Shiyakusho-maeCost: $7–$8 per person
Where to Stay Tonight
Kumamoto Castle area
A hotel near Kumamoto Castle.
Don't Miss Eating
Kumamoto-style tonkotsu ramen
A garlic-forward variation on tonkotsu ramen, distinct from the Hakata version.
Daily spend estimate: $85–$150/personTransport today: $55–$70 (train via Shin-Tosu to Kumamoto)Walking: 9,000–12,000 steps
DAY 6Suizenji Garden and Kumamoto City
SuizenjiMorning
Suizenji Garden
A landscaped Edo-era garden built to recreate the 53 stations of the old Tokaido road in miniature.
Time: 1.5 hoursTransport: Streetcar to SuizenjikoenCost: $3–$4 per person
Afternoon
Kumamoto City Hall observation floor
A free observation floor with sweeping views over the castle and city, an easy alternative to a paid lookout.
Time: 1 hourTransport: Walkable from Kumamoto CastleCost: Free
Where to Stay Tonight
Kumamoto Castle area
Same hotel as Day 5.
Don't Miss Eating
Basashi (horse sashimi)
A Kumamoto specialty raw horse meat dish, considered a regional delicacy rather than unusual fare locally.
Daily spend estimate: $80–$140/personTransport today: $8–$12Walking: 8,000–11,000 steps
KagoshimaDays 7–8
Stay: TenmonkanCost: $90–$160/dayEat: Kurobuta (Kagoshima black pork) shabu-shabu
DAY 7Departure for Kagoshima
TenmonkanMorning
Kyushu Shinkansen to Kagoshima
Ride the bullet train to the southern tip of Kyushu.
Time: 1 hourTransport: Kyushu Shinkansen from Kumamoto StationCost: $55–$65
Afternoon
Sengan-en Garden
A landscaped garden built by the Shimadzu clan, with Sakurajima volcano framed directly across the bay as a backdrop.
Time: 2 hoursTransport: Bus from Kagoshima-Chuo StationCost: $10–$13 per person
Where to Stay Tonight
Tenmonkan
A hotel near central Kagoshima.
Don't Miss Eating
Kurobuta (Kagoshima black pork) shabu-shabu
Kagoshima's prized black pork breed, served thinly sliced for hot-pot dipping.
Daily spend estimate: $90–$160/personTransport today: $60–$75 (Kyushu Shinkansen to Kagoshima)Walking: 8,000–11,000 steps
DAY 8Sakurajima Volcano
SakurajimaMorning
Ferry to Sakurajima
A short ferry ride across the bay to an active volcano that still occasionally dusts the city with ash.
Time: 15 minutesTransport: Sakurajima Ferry from Kagoshima PortCost: $1.50 each way
Afternoon
Sakurajima Visitor Center and lava trail
A walk through a preserved lava field from a major 1914 eruption, with the volcano's smoking summit visible throughout.
Time: 2.5 hoursTransport: Sightseeing bus loop from the ferry terminalCost: $5–$8 for a bus pass
Where to Stay Tonight
Tenmonkan
Same hotel as Day 7.
Don't Miss Eating
Shirokuma shaved ice
Kagoshima's famous polar-bear-themed shaved ice dessert, topped with condensed milk and fruit.
Daily spend estimate: $85–$150/personTransport today: $10–$15 (ferry to Sakurajima)Walking: 9,000–12,000 steps
BeppuDays 9–10
Stay: Beppu Onsen districtCost: $110–$190 (onsen inclusive)/dayEat: Toriten (Oita-style fried chicken)
DAY 9Departure for Beppu
Beppu Onsen districtMorning
Train to Beppu
Travel north across Kyushu to Beppu, Japan's largest hot-spring resort town.
Time: 4–5 hoursTransport: Kyushu Shinkansen to Kokura, then limited express to BeppuCost: $70–$90
Evening
Onsen check-in and first soak
Settle into a ryokan with onsen access and take a first soak before dinner.
Time: 1.5 hoursTransport: On-site at the ryokanCost: Included in ryokan rate
Where to Stay Tonight
Beppu Onsen district
A ryokan with onsen access.
Don't Miss Eating
Toriten (Oita-style fried chicken)
Oita Prefecture's regional take on fried chicken, lighter and more batter-forward than standard karaage.
Daily spend estimate: $110–$190 (onsen inclusive)/personTransport today: $80–$100 (train via Oita to Beppu)Walking: 8,000–11,000 steps
DAY 10Beppu's Hell Valleys and Departure
KannawaMorning
Kannawa's hell valleys
A cluster of dramatically steaming, mineral-colored hot springs too hot to bathe in, but striking to walk through, including the vivid blue Umi Jigoku.
Time: 2.5 hoursTransport: Local bus from Beppu Station to KannawaCost: $10–$15 for an area pass
Afternoon
Departure via Oita Airport
Transfer to Oita Airport for your flight home.
Time: 1.5 hoursTransport: Airport bus from Beppu StationCost: $12–$15
Where to Stay Tonight
N/A
Departure day, no overnight stay.
Don't Miss Eating
Jigoku mushi (hell-steamed cuisine)
Vegetables and eggs steamed directly using natural geothermal heat, a Beppu specialty cooking method.
Daily spend estimate: $90–$160/personTransport today: $15–$25 (airport transfer)Walking: 9,000–12,000 steps
Transport Guide
Travel entirely by JR train between Fukuoka, Nagasaki, Kumamoto, Kagoshima, Beppu. A 7, 14, or 21-day Japan Rail Pass covers every inter-city leg.
| Route | Transport | Time | Cost | JR Pass? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fukuoka → Nagasaki | JR Kamome Limited Express | 1h 30m | ¥5,170 (~$34) | Yes |
| Nagasaki → Kumamoto | JR Kamome + Kyushu Shinkansen via Shin-Tosu | 2h | ¥7,000 (~$47) | Yes |
| Kumamoto → Kagoshima | Kyushu Shinkansen | 45m | ¥6,000 (~$40) | Yes |
| Kagoshima → Beppu | JR Kirishima limited express + JR Nichirin limited express | 4h | ¥10,000 (~$67) | Yes |
⭐Best For
A Japan Rail Pass isn't recommended for this route: point-to-point tickets or a regional pass usually cost less.
See current JR Pass pricing →Estimated Trip Cost (USD, Per Person)
All figures below are per person, based on double-occupancy accommodation. Flights are from US/Canada.
| Category | Budget | Mid-RangeMost Popular | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flights | $800 | $1,150 | $2,000 |
| Accommodation | $700 | $1,050 | $1,900 |
| Food & Drink | $350 | $500 | $900 |
| Local Transport | $350 | $500 | $850 |
| Activities & Entrance Fees | $400 | $650 | $1,150 |
| Total | $2,600 | $3,850 | $6,800 |
Last verified: 2026-07-06. Costs are estimates per person. Exchange rate used: JPY 150 = $1 USD.
A regional Kyushu rail pass can be worth it given the number of inter-city legs on this route, run the numbers against individual limited-express and Shinkansen tickets before deciding.
Beppu ryokan rates vary widely based on whether the room includes a private onsen, decide early whether that matters for your budget since it can roughly double the nightly rate.
Packing Tips
Pack for a heavy-walking trip in Spring or Autumn or Winter. See our full seasonal packing guide for a day-by-day checklist.
Full packing guide →Best Time to Visit
This route is built for Spring and Autumn and Winter (March, April, May, September, October, November, December, January, February).
Compare seasons →Need to Know Before You Go
Alternative Options
Related Destinations
Related Attractions
You Might Also Like
10 Days
Best for: Foodie
Foodie Japan Tour: 10 Days
A 10-day culinary route through Tokyo, Osaka, Fukuoka & Kyoto
Tokyo · Osaka · Fukuoka · Kyoto
#Mid-Range
From$2,600/person
Explore Foodie Japan Tour →
12 Days
Best for: Culture
Japan History & Culture: 12 Days
Imperial Tokyo, temple-dense Kyoto, and the Peace Memorial in Hiroshima
Tokyo · Kyoto · Hiroshima · Osaka
#Mid-Range
From$2,900/person
Explore Japan History & Culture →
10 Days
Best for: Nature
Hokkaido in Full: 10 Days Beyond the Snow
Sapporo, lavender fields in Furano and Biei, and the bay views of Hakodate
#Mid-Range
From$2,700/person
Explore Hokkaido in Full →