If you are thinking of a road trip in Japan – this 7 days Kyushu itinerary might be exactly what you need! Kyushu is the southernmost main island in Japan, famous for its active volcanoes, relaxing hot springs and beautiful mountain ranges. It offers dramatic landscapes, vast spaces, unspoiled nature, no crowds, so it’s fantastic to escape from a big city life and… to eat some authentic Neapolitan pizza! As you can’t just live with ramen and sushi or… actually maybe you can?! 🙂
What's in this blog post?
KYUSHU 7 DAYS ITINERARY: HIGHLIGHTS
One week in Kyushu is perfectly enough to explore the best of Kyushu Island if you are a nature lover. Here are the highlights of this road trip:
- MOUNT ASO: the largest active volcano in Japan, famous for its huge caldera!
- VERY ACTIVE VOLCANOES: constantly monitored by the Japan’s Meteorological Agency: Aso and Kirishima as well as Japan’s most active volcano – Sakurajima.
- PRISTINE LANDSCAPES & PEACEFULLNESS: less crowds than in other parts of Japan.
- BEST OF JAPAN’S NATURE: 2 out of 34 Japan’s National Parks: Aso-Kuju National Park & Kirishima-Kinkowan National Park.
- STUNNING GORGE, WATERFALL & RICE TERRACES: those kind of places you probably don’t expect to see in Japan, or at least I did not expect 🙂
- GREAT SCENERY FOR A ROAD TRIP: kilometres of scenic drive through the mountain grasslands.
- ITALIAN PIZZA in “Naples of Japan” – the city of Kagoshima.
- SUBTROPICAL CLIMATE of southern Kyushu to escape colder weather in other parts of Japan.
- TICKING OFF 4/47 PREFECTURES: Kumamoto, Oita, Miyazaki & Kagoshima, if you plan to visit them all 🙂
How do you get to Kyushu island from Tokyo?
Travelling from Tokyo to Kyushu by plane is much cheaper than a journey with a bullet train. I flew with Solaseed Air – a regional airline operating mainly between Tokyo and the island of Kyushu, which was cheap and convenient. The flight was less than 2 hours and cost half of the price of a 7-hour train journey.
To make the best use of your time and fully enjoy the stunning nature of Kyushu, Kumamoto is probably the most convenient place to start your 1 week Kyushu road trip. Alternatively, you can start from Kagoshima and drive your way up to Kumamoto. Renting a car is essential to fully enjoy stunning nature in Kyushu. You can travel by public transport but it’s not very convenient, especially if you plan hiking. Buses do not run frequently.
KYUSHU 7 DAYS ITINERARY: ROAD TRIP DAY BY DAY
DAY 1. Milk Road & Daikanbo Lookout: a scenic drive from Kumamoto Airport to Aso
Kumamoto Airport is situated between the city of Kumamoto and Mount Aso. Therefore, depending on your arrival time, you might directly head towards the volcano paradise and skip visiting the city. That’s what we did. It’s only a 40-minute drive from Kumamoto Airport to Aso via the main road (30 km). However, it is worth taking a slightly longer, but more picturesque route called “Milk Road”, marked as number 339.
The Milk Road takes you through grasslands along the rim of the caldera and gives you a first glimpse of the beautiful landscapes. In short, it’s a great start to your 1-week trip in Kyushu. It is dotted with numerous scenic viewpoints, of which Daikanbo Lookout is by far the most impressive. It is a perfect place to experience the immensity of the Aso caldera.
Driving time and distance from the Kumamoto Airport to Aso
- Kumamoto Airport – Daikanbo Lookout: 55min ~ 40km;
- Daikanbo Lookout – Aso town: 25min ~ 15km
Cheap accommodation in Aso
Guest House Asora is a clean, affordable and strategically located simple accommodation with free parking. There are two types of rooms – with single Western-style beds (double beds are not so common in Japan), or with traditional Japanese tatami mats and futon mattresses. The bathroom, as usual in Japan, is shared. It is definitely not a fancy place, but when you are surrounded by wonderful nature, it really doesn’t take much to be happy.
DAY 2. Exploring Mount Aso caldera & Nakadake crater
Mount Aso is not a single mountain. It consists of five peaks (Takadake, Nakadake, Eboshidake, Kishimadake and Nekodake) and one of the largest calderas in the world with a circumference of over 100 km resembling the magical landscape of Mount Bromo in Indonesia.
Unfortunately, I was not able to hike to the smoking crater and the peaks of Naka and Taka to see the spectacular crater from above, which was my original plan. Due to the increased volcanic activity, during my stay in Aso, the area within 1 km of the crater and most of the trails were closed.
On the first day, when I got to Mount Aso, the crater was still open, but the weather was bad. It was cloudy and rainy. Therefore, I decided to put off the most awaited highlight of my 7-days Kyushu itinerary until the next day. The weather forecasts were fantastic. The next day it was indeed sunny and the sky was blue. Unfortunately, on the same day, the area around the crater was closed.
how close I got to Nakadake crater...
Maybe next time...
Well, this is a good lesson for the future: you should visit an active volcano even in bad weather, because you never know when it will get more active again. 🙂
When planning your itinerary around Aso, always check the volcano’s activity status on the official website for live updates via this link: Mount Aso activity updates
What to do if Aso crater is closed?
If the crater is closed, it’s still not the end of the world either, as the surrounding area is very interesting. There are nice lookouts, as well as the Aso Volcano Museum, cafes and restaurants, so you will still enjoy your time. There is also an alternative way to explore the inside of the crater.
You can explore the crater from the helicopter...
...or explore alternative ways to enjoy your time...
Read more about this extraordinary experience – helicopter flight over the crater in “Hiking in Kyushu – complete guide” – COMING SOON!
Driving time and distance from Aso town to Mount Aso
- Aso town – Mount Aso: 20 min ~ 35km (one way) and return to the town of Aso for the second night at Guest House Asora
DAY 3. A green volcanic cone, hiking one of the Mount Aso peaks & stunning rice terraces
Komezuka's perfect cone
Start your day visiting the perfectly shaped volcanic cone, Komezuka. The green grass slopes of this baby volcano, which is only 80 meters high, make it a very picturesque place. There are several viewpoints in the area where you can park your car to take a photo and take a walk in the meadow. Driving around the area is very picturesque.
Mount Eboshi hike
The drive from Komezuka to the Eboshidake trailhead takes only about 10 minutes. Mount Eboshi (1,337m) is the easiest peak among all five Mount Aso peaks. The hiking trail (round trip takes around 2h) is usually open, even when the rest of the area is closed. You can get pretty good views over the caldera and Nakadake crater from the top. You can also hike Eboshidake the day before, if Nakadake crater is closed.
Read more about my Mount Eboshi hike in “Hiking in Kyushu – complete guide” – COMING SOON!
OGI RICE TERRACES
After hiking, if you still have time, drive to one of the most beautiful rice fields I have ever seen in my life. Despite their small size, Ogi Rice Terraces are worth visiting because of its particular fan shape. In order to reach them, you will need to drive through winding narrow roads. You can also take a slightly longer, more scenic route through the Milk Road to complete the entire scenic route you have started on Day 1.
Ogi Rice Terraces are not very popular among tourists, so most likely you will have them all to yourself. There is a small hill opposite the rice fields to take the best photos. From what I learnt from a little map I received at the guesthouse, according to the Ministry of Agriculture these picturesque rice fields are among the most beautiful in Japan.
If you do not have enough time for all the attractions mentioned in this blog post, try to combine 2 days of visiting Mount Aso into one (Day 2 & Day 3). It won’t be easy though!
Driving time and distance from Aso town to Komezuka, Eboshidake and Ogi Rice Fields
- Aso town – Komezuka: 15 min ~ 11 km;
- Komezuka – Aso Volcano Museum (parking lot for Mount Eboshi hike): 10 min ~ 5km,
- Aso Volcano Museum – Ogi Rice Terraces: 65min ~ 40km
On the way back there are 2 options depending on your accommodation for the 3rd night:
- Ogi Rice Terraces – Aso town: 45min ~ 28 km (Guest House Asora) or;
- Ogi Rice Terraces – Minami Aso: 45 min ~ 31 km (Camping ground in Minami Aso).
Where to stay for the third night: Aso or Minami Aso?
I can recommend two options. You can head back to Aso for the 3rd night at Guest House Asora, or move to the campground across the caldera to Minami Aso. Kyukamura Minamiaso Family Auto Camping Ground is located in a beautiful forest and offers, which is very convenient, both tents and camping equipment rentals. The showers are new and spot lessly clean. Reservations can be made online via the link: Kyukamura Minamiaso Family Auto Camping Ground
Initially I didn’t plan to move from Guest House Asora, but due to the lack of room availability, I had no other choice. I am glad about how it all turned out as the camping experience was an amazing adventure!
Our home for next 2 nights: Kyukamura Minamiaso Family Auto Camping Ground
DAY 4. Beautiful drive to the Makinoto Pass and hiking in the Kuju Mountains
The Aso – Kuju National Park offers not only Mount Aso with its great caldera, but beautiful Kuju Mountains as well. Driving to the Makinoto Pass, which is a main starting point of the hiking trails, is very scenic. Hiking Mount Kuju (1,786 m) and Mount Naka (1,791 m) is very pleasant as the path rises gently.
It never gets too steep and the views are splendid. Mount Kuju is known for its particularly stunning views, while Mount Naka is the highest peak on the entire island of Kyushu.
Read more about the Kuju Mountains hike in “Hiking in Kyushu – complete guide” – COMING SOON!
Those who do not feel like hiking can explore walkways around the Chojabaru Visitor Centre, located 5 km from the Makinoto Pass. A walk on a 2.5 km comfortable wooden path over the wetlands takes around 30-40 minutes. The Kuju Mountains can be seen in the distance.
Wetlands nearby the Chojabaru Visitor Centre
Driving time and distance from Aso town to the Kuju Mountains (Makinoto Pass)
Again, there are 2 options depending on your accommodation for the 4th night. The Kuju Mountains are slightly closer from Aso than from Minami Aso.
- Aso town – Makinoto Pass: 50 min ~ 37 km (+return) or;
- Camping ground in Minami Aso – Makinato Pass: 65 min ~ 50 km (+return).
DAY 5. A dreamlike place: Takachiho Gorge
I fell in love with the beautiful Takachiho Gorge as soon as I saw its photos while planning my 1 week Kyushu trip. It’s really stunning. Before moving to Japan, I did not expect to come across such magical places here. Takachiho Gorge is a narrow valley formed by ancient lava flows from the Mount Aso eruptions hundreds of thousands years ago. The unusual rock formations, which look unreal as if they were carved by a man, can be admired from the 1-kilometer path along the gorge.
Renting a boat is the best way to explore the Takachiho Gorge and the impressive 17-meter Manai waterfall on the Gokase River flowing within the gorge.
A 30-minute boat rental costs 3,000 JPY (27 USD) per boat + 1,000 JPY (9 USD) per passenger. The boat has a maximum capacity of 3 people. Each additional 10 minutes costs 300 JPY (3 USD). Due to the high water level, boat rental might not be always available, which you can check at this website: Takachiho Gorge Boat Rentals
Visiting Takachiho Shrine
On the way back, make a short visit to Takachiho Shrine, located in a mystical cedar forest. I couldn’t believe it was my first visit to a shrine after 5 days of exploring Japan – a country famous for its countless temples and shrines. A visit to this Shinto shrine is simply a must, as Takachiho town is the setting of one of the most important Japanese mythology legends.
If you have enough time, you can also park your car at Takachiho Shrine and walk to the gorge as a picturesque path connects those two places.
Driving time and distance from Aso to Takachiho Gorge and to Kagoshima
It’s slightly closer from Minami Aso than Aso to reach Takachiho Gorge.
- Camping ground in Minami Aso – Takachiho Gorge: 45 min ~ 38 km or;
- Aso town – Takachiho Gorge: 75 min ~ 55 km;
- Takachiho Gorge – Kagoshima: 3h 25 min ~ 230km.
Where to stay in Kagoshima?
Gracias – simple, affordable and comfortable apartments offering views of Mount Sakurajima. Strategically located in front of the ferry terminal to Sakurajima and Yakushima, close to the city center and the best sushi restaurant in the city. What else do you need? Cold beer? You have it – a very friendly and a bit eccentric lady owner gave us two beers upon arrival. I’m not sure if it is her normal way to greet all the guests, but I really hope it is. 🙂 The only drawback of Gracias Apartments is the lack of a free parking lot. But it’s not a big deal as affordable public car parks are situated nearby.
Check out the apartments here: Gracias in Kagoshima – Google Maps
DAY 6. Japan's most active volcano Sakurajima & pizza in Naples of Japan
Visiting Mount Sakurajima
Mount Sakurajima is Japan’s most active volcano and the symbol of Kagoshima. It smokes constantly, and minor eruptions happen every day. It is easily accessible by ferry and best to explore by car. The trip around the peninsula takes around 1 hour. The total transportation cost (2 people and a car) starts from ~1,500 JPY (14 USD) for the smallest vehicle. Ferries depart from the Kagoshima Port every 15 minutes and the journey takes 15 minutes. Easy and hassle free!
Among several observation points situated around the volcano, the Arimura Observation Point is my favourite spot. Although it is not the closest to the crater, the scenery is the most breathtaking. A smoking volcano crater surrounded by beautiful green pine trees, no signs of any human presence, the lack of any buildings and the blue sky over Sakurajima’s picturesque coastline won my heart.
A perfect day in nature - Sakurajima
Naples of Japan - the city of Kagoshima
After visiting Sakurajima, make your way to the Shiroyama Observatory situated on the hill in the heart of the city. It is a great sunset spot offering fantastic views over Mount Sakurajima, the city of Kagoshima and Kinko Bay. This is where the similarities between the landscape of the cities of Naples and Kagoshima are most noticeable.
But wait, what am I talking about? Naples in Italy and this remote corner of the world? Oh, yes. Due to the similar seaside location and dominating stratovolcanoes over the cities, Kagoshima and Naples are considered twin cities. Apart from hiking volcanoes, it was one of the reasons why I went to the very end of Japan and it meant only one thing … Time for pizza!
At L’oro di Napoli (which translates from Italian to “Gold of Naples”:)) you can have a really good Neapolitan pizza. Just remember to stick to the Italian classics. You won’t get disappointed with margherita. In addition, the restaurant interior design and music are great. I highly recommend it to all who want to have a break from eating raw chicken or black pork 🙂
Driving time and distance around Mount Sakurajima
Driving around Mount Sakurajima takes about an hour ~ 36 km.
DAY 7. Kirishima-Kinkowan National Park & hiking in the Kirishima Mountains
If you are staying in Kagoshima and flying off from Kagoshima Airport, it is most convenient to hike the Kirishima Mountains on the last day of your 1 week Kyushu trip. It will allow you to save some overall driving time. It is a 90-minute drive from Kagoshima to Ebino Plateau (1,200 m), which is a starting point of the trails, whereas the airport is halfway in between.
Welcome to the Kirishima Mountains -
the land of volcanoes
The Kirishima Mountains offer spectacular volcanic landscape and unique hikes through the land dotted with perfectly shaped volcanic cones and craters. Here too, you should check volcanic activity updates. Due to recent Shinmoedake eruptions, the most scenic trail through the Kirishima Ridge is closed until further notice. You can check trails status here: Kirishima Ridge closure update
Hiking Mount Karakuni (1,700 m) – the highest peak of the Kirishima Mountains is still possible. This 2.5 – 3 hours round trip from the Ebino Plateau offers breathtaking views of numerous craters, volcanic cones and lakes.
Read more about my Karakunidake hike in “Hiking in Kyushu – complete guide” – COMING SOON!
Driving time and distance from Kagoshima to Kirishima Mountains
Kagoshima – Ebino Plateau: 90 min ~ 72 km;
Ebino Plateau – Kagoshima Airport: 45 min ~ 33 km.
DAY 8. (EXTRA) Satsuma Peninsula
What to do if you have an extra day in Kyushu? That’s very easy – drive to Satsuma Peninsula to visit Mount Kaimon – a cone shaped volcano, try black sand baths and local cuisine!
The Satsuma Peninsula lies at the southwestern tip of Kagoshima prefecture, which you can feel. During my visit I did not meet any other tourists here, and I was greeted by the locals with both on their faces – a great smile and surprise 🙂
And if you have a bit more time in Kyushu... I guarantee you - won't be bored
Things to do in Satsuma Peninsula:
- MOUNT KAIMON – A spectacular cone-shaped inactive volcano rising 924 meters above the coast. Kaimondake is sometimes proudly called “Mount Fuji of Satsuma” (Satsuma is the old name of Kagoshima Prefecture). Frankly speaking, it reminds me more of the majestic Mount Agung surrounded by splendid black volcanic beaches in Bali than Fujisan. You can hike to the top of Kaimondake, but I had no chance to check it out.
- LAKE IKEDA – Kyushu’s largest volcanic lake with a beautiful view of Mount Kaimon. Although I haven’t met the local version of the Loch Ness monster supposedly inhabiting the depths of the lake called Isshii, visiting the lake was enjoyable. I finally had a chance to try the local specialty – the purple sweet potato ice creams, which are sold in very old-fashioned little shops by the lake.
- IBUSUKI ONSEN SAND BATHS, where bathers are buried in hot black sand. Unfortunately, I did not have the opportunity to find out about their healing properties myself, but give it a try, it looks great! While visiting this part of Kyushu, I had terrible back pain and was afraid that if they bury me in the sand, I would never get up again. 🙂
- REGIONAL CUISINE served in local restaurants in Ibusuki Onsen: satsuma-age (deep-fried fish cake), Kibinago (small silver herrings eaten raw), chicken sashimi (raw chicken meat) and Satsuma shochu (traditional sweet potato spirit). I can recommend Satsuma Aji restaurant – not only was the food tasty and authentic, the menu was available in English as well! Check it out here: Satsuma Aji Google Maps
Southern Kyushu Vibes are very different from what you probably think of Japan
and sweet potatoes (satsumaimo) icecream is simply a Must!
Driving time and distance from Kagoshima to Satsuma Peninsula
Kagoshima – Ibusuki Onsen: 80 min ~ 45 km;
Ibusuki Onsen – Mount Kaimon: 25 min ~ 16 km;
Mount Kaimon via Lake Ikeda back to Kagoshima: 90 min ~ 60 km.
KYUSHU 7 DAYS ITINERARY: MORE PLACES TO VISIT, NOT INCLUDED IN THIS ROAD TRIP
- HOT SPRINGS – there are numerous hots springs in the island of Kyushu. The most famous are located in Beppu (Oita Prefecture).
- YUKUSHIMA – a subtropical island off the southern coast of Kyushu, covered with some of the oldest cedar trees in Japan (Kagoshima Prefecture).
- FUKUOKA – the largest and most vibrant city in Kyushu with its traditional street food stalls (Fukuoka Prefecture).
- NAGASAKI – Japan’s most multicultural city, which is one of my favourite cities in the Land of the Rising Sun, full of history and interesting sites (Nagasaki Prefecture).
KYUSHU 7 DAYS ITINERARY: COSTS
The total cost of this 1-week itinerary in Kyushu was around 200,000 JPY (two people, food expenses not included). We travelled in May during the Golden Week Holidays and booked everything well in advance. Here’s the breakdown:
- Return flight ticket from Tokyo for 2 pax ~ 70,000 JPY;
- Car rental ~ 50,000 JPY;
- Petrol ~ 7,000 JPY;
- Road toll ~ 5,000 JPY;
- 6 nights for 2 pax ~ 70,000 JPY.
KYUSHU 7 DAYS ITINERARY: MAP
I hope this article will help you plan your 1-week road trip around the beautiful island of Kyushu. Let me know in the comments if you need anything else or… how did your trip go. Because you are going, aren’t you? 🙂
Hi mam. We are retired couple from India interested to see Japan. Your narration is too good. It seems you went on your own in a rented car. Can you please name any Japanese Tour operator for a road trip. Thank you.
Hi Anuradha, thank you for your good words and for looking into my blog. Unfortunately I can’t recommend any tour operator for a road trip as I always travelled on my own and rented a car from Toyota Rental or sometimes from Orix or Nissan car rentals.
Hi Beti,
Thank you for your detail itinerary. I am planning a road trip to Kyushu in early October. We will fly into Fukuoka and thinking of driving to Saga, Nagasaki, Kumamoto, Mt. Aso, Takachiho, Beppu then back to Fukuoka. Would 7 days enough for this visit? Thanks in advance!
Hi Julie!
Thank YOU for reading my blog 🙂 Your schedule is very tight, but I’ve been so many times in your shoes trying to squeeze as many places as possible with limited time available, so I’ll try to help. If you don’t plan to visit Fukuoka and will just drive through Kumamoto, it might be doable. How about this itinerary?
Day1 Arrive to Fukuoka, drive to Arita (90km/1h30min) and visit this lovely town. I think it’s the nicest attractions in Saga pref.
Day2 Drive to Nagasaki (80km/1h). I spent 4 days in Nagasaki and loved it!
Day3 Morning – sightseeing in Nagasaki, afternoon drive to Mount Aso (250km/3h-3h30min) via Kumamoto.
Day4 Mount Aso <3
Day5 Drive to Takachiho from Aso town (55km/75min), visit the gorge and drive to Beppe (125km/2h30min)
Day6 Relax in hot springs in Beppe (I have never been there!)
Day7 Drive to Fukuoka (150km/2h) - depending on your flight schedule you might be even able to see a bit of Fukuoka.
Good luck with planning and enjoy beautiful Kyushu!
Hi Beth,
Thank you for such a detailed travel log , so helpful.
Due to my wife’s recent knee operations , hiking/climbing/trekking is not an option for us.
Would Kyushu still be very interesting?
The Japanese golden holiday period is to avoided for a visit? Thank you
Hi Anilkumar,
First of all, thank you for reading my blog. To answer your question – I think even if you don’t hike, Kyushu is still a wonderful destination for a road trip if you are seeking to experience Japan’s nature. There are plenty of lookouts / beautiful sights easily accessible by car and amazing onsens in Beppu. If you can, it is better to avoid the Golden Week period as it’s when all Japanese go on holidays and all places are crowded and more expensive.
Hope it helps!
Beti