14-Day Fukuoka, Kyushu Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival & First Impressions

Morning: Arrive at Fukuoka Airport and take the subway to your hotel in Tenjin. Settle in and enjoy a quick walk to a nearby café for a light breakfast.

Afternoon: Explore the vibrant Tenjin shopping district, browsing department stores and boutique shops while sampling local sweets.

Evening: Stroll to Nakasu and experience the famous yatai food stalls, trying Hakata ramen and grilled seafood.

Day 2: Central Fukuoka Highlights

Morning: Visit Ohori Park, rent a rowboat on the lake, and enjoy the surrounding Japanese garden.

Afternoon: Walk to the historic Fukuoka Castle Ruins in Maizuru Park, climbing the remaining walls for city views.

Evening: Shop and dine at Canal City Hakata, catching the nightly fountain show.

Day 3: Cultural Immersion in Dazaifu

Morning: Take a short train ride to Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine, offering prayers for academic success.

Afternoon: Explore the adjacent Kyushu National Museum, admiring artifacts that trace the region’s history.

Evening: Return to Fukuoka and enjoy a quiet dinner in the Hakata Riverain area.

Day 4: Seaside Relaxation

Morning: Head to Uminonakamichi Seaside Park for a bike ride along the coast and a visit to the flower gardens.

Afternoon: Spend time at Momochi Beach, relaxing on the sand and swimming in the sea.

Evening: Visit the iconic Fukuoka Tower for a sunset panorama of the city lights.

Day 5: Marine Wonders

Morning: Explore Marine World Uminonakamichi, watching dolphin shows and learning about marine conservation.

Afternoon: Walk along the nearby Marine Park promenade, stopping at souvenir shops.

Evening: Dine on fresh sushi at a restaurant in the Hakata Bay area.

Day 6: Day Trip to Itoshima

Morning: Take a bus to the coastal town of Itōshima, visiting the scenic Sakurai Shrine.

Afternoon: Relax on Keya Beach, known for its clear waters and beautiful sunsets.

Evening: Return to Fukuoka and enjoy a relaxed night at a local izakaya in Hakata.

Day 7: Culinary Exploration

Morning: Join a Hakata ramen cooking class, learning to make the signature tonkotsu broth.

Afternoon: Visit the Fukuoka City Museum to understand the city’s evolution.

Evening: Sample street food at Yatai stalls along the Naka River, trying mentaiko and tempura.

Day 8: Aso Volcano Adventure

Morning: Depart early for a day trip to Aso Kuju National Park, riding the bus to the Aso Volcano crater.

Afternoon: Walk the volcanic trails, enjoy panoramic views, and visit the Aso Shrine.

Evening: Return to Fukuoka; unwind with a hot bath at your hotel’s onsen.

Day 9: Kumamoto Exploration

Morning: Take the shinkansen to Kumamoto and tour the majestic Kumamoto Castle.

Afternoon: Stroll through Suizenji Jojuen Garden, enjoying its miniaturized landscape.

Evening: Sample Kumamoto’s famous horse meat sashimi before heading back to Fukuoka.

Day 10: Nagasaki History

Morning: Travel to Nagasaki and begin at the Peace Park and Atomic Bomb Museum.

Afternoon: Ride the historic Tram to Glover Garden, exploring Western-style villas.

Evening: Return to Fukuoka; enjoy a quiet dinner near Hakata Station.

Day 11: Beppu Hot Springs

Morning: Take a train to Beppu and start at the Hells of Beppu (Jigoku Meguri) tour.

Afternoon: Relax in a traditional sand bath and try the local onsen steam sauna.

Evening: Return to Fukuoka; treat yourself to a late-night ramen bowl at Ramen Stadium.

Day 12: Yufuin Art and Nature

Morning: Travel to the charming town of Yufuin, wandering the lakeside Yufuin Floral Village.

Afternoon: Visit the Yufuin Art Museum and browse local craft shops.

Evening: Return to Fukuoka and enjoy a final stroll through Tenjin’s illuminated streets.

Day 13: Leisure & Shopping

Morning: Revisit your favorite spots in Tenjin for last‑minute souvenir shopping.

Afternoon: Relax at Hakata Riverain’s rooftop garden with a coffee and view of the city.

Evening: Celebrate the trip with a gourmet dinner at a rooftop restaurant overlooking Fukuoka Tower.

Day 14: Departure

Morning: Pack and enjoy a leisurely breakfast at a local bakery near your hotel.

Afternoon: Take a final walk along Ōhori Park for a peaceful goodbye.

Evening: Transfer to Fukuoka Airport for your departure flight.

Time and Cost Estimates

• Ohori Park – Estimated time: 2 hrs, Estimated cost: ¥0
• Fukuoka Castle Ruins – Estimated time: 1.5 hrs, Estimated cost: ¥200
• Canal City Hakata – Estimated time: 2 hrs, Estimated cost: ¥0
• Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine – Estimated time: 1.5 hrs, Estimated cost: ¥0
• Kyushu National Museum – Estimated time: 2 hrs, Estimated cost: ¥400
• Uminonakamichi Seaside Park – Estimated time: 3 hrs, Estimated cost: ¥400 (bike rental)
• Momochi Beach – Estimated time: 2 hrs, Estimated cost: ¥0
• Fukuoka Tower – Estimated time: 1 hr, Estimated cost: ¥800
• Marine World Uminonakamichi – Estimated time: 2 hrs, Estimated cost: ¥1,800
• Itoshima – Keya Beach – Estimated time: 4 hrs, Estimated cost: ¥1,200 (transport)
• Hakata Ramen Cooking Class – Estimated time: 2 hrs, Estimated cost: ¥3,500
• Aso Volcano Crater – Estimated time: 5 hrs, Estimated cost: ¥2,500 (tour bus)
• Kumamoto Castle – Estimated time: 2 hrs, Estimated cost: ¥600
• Suizenji Jojuen Garden – Estimated time: 1 hr, Estimated cost: ¥300
• Nagasaki Peace Park & Museum – Estimated time: 4 hrs, Estimated cost: ¥1,000
• Glover Garden – Estimated time: 2 hrs, Estimated cost: ¥500
• Beppu Hells Tour – Estimated time: 3 hrs, Estimated cost: ¥1,200
• Sand Bath (Beppu) – Estimated time: 1 hr, Estimated cost: ¥800
• Yufuin Art Museum – Estimated time: 2 hrs, Estimated cost: ¥600
• Yatai Stalls (Nakasu) – Evening meals, Estimated time: 2 hrs, Estimated cost: ¥2,000
• Transportation (JR Pass 7‑day + local) – Estimated cost: ¥30,000
• Accommodation (13 nights, mid‑range hotel) – Estimated cost: ¥130,000
• Meals (average ¥1,500 per meal) – Estimated cost: ¥63,000
• Total Estimated Cost: ¥263,500

Tips

To extend your trip, add extra days in Kyushu’s northern regions such as Kitakyushu and the scenic Yamaguchi coast, or linger longer in hot‑spring towns like Beppu and Yufuin. If you need to shorten the itinerary, combine the day‑trip highlights of Aso, Kumamoto, and Nagasaki into a single “Kyushu Highlights” day and skip one of the beach days, focusing instead on Fukuoka’s city attractions and culinary experiences.