Kyushu (Japan) — Cindy's Journal

Sep 5

Sep 5 Kyushu (Japan)

Feb. 19 - Feb. 24, 2026 (6D5N): After taking in the bustling streets of Osaka and the history of Hiroshima, heading south into Kyushu on the Shinkansen brings a welcome change of pace with its vibrant food stalls in Fukuoka, the historic bay of Nagasaki, Kumamoto Castle, and the majestic Sakurajima Volcano in Kagoshima (where my grandpa received his PhD). The highlight of this leg is visiting peaceful Ibusuki where my father once found relief for his back in the famous geothermal sand baths. It is the ultimate way to slow down, reconnect, and experience a completely different, soul-soothing side of Japan.

*Highly Recommended hotels & food

Day 1 (Kagoshima):

Afternoon arrival at Kagoshima-Chuo from Hiroshima (via Shinkansen)
Check-in @ Solaria Nishitetsu Hotel Kagoshima*
DIY walking tour of Kagoshima:
- Historic Site of Kabayama Sukenori's Residence
- Statue of Okubo Toshimichi
- St Francis Xavier Cathedral (the first cathedral built in Japan)
- Saigo Takamori Statue
- Statue of Shimazu Hisamitsu
- Terukuni Shrine
- Road commemorating the birth of the Meiji Restoration
- Samurai residence (Futatsuya)
Dinner @ Kagoshima Furusato Yataimura BUSCHIKA (foodcourt with 20+ options) or explore the Tenmonkan food scene
“Amuran” Ferris Wheel

Day 2 (Sengan-en & Ibusuki)

Train to Sengan-en Station (be sure to check the train schedule as it doesn’t run as often)
Sengan-en (9am - 5pm; suggested duration 2-3 hours):
- Garden
- Sweet potato ice cream
- Shoko Shuseikan Museum (admission included)
Lunch @ かつ寿アミュプラザ鹿児島店* (Tonkatsu restaurant)
Take the Ibusuki no Tamatebako sightseeing train (if available, otherwise any train) to Ibusuki Station:
- Saraku Sand Bath Hall
- Shop @ Drug Store Mori Yunohama
- Dinner @ Satsumaaji or Aoba
- Dip your feet @ Ibusuki Ekimae Foot Bath
Return to Kagoshima (be sure to check the train schedule ahead of time as it runs once an hour)

Day 3 (Sakurajima Volcano & Kumamoto)

Purchase 1 Day CUTE Pass @ Tourist Information Center (^covered by the pass; ¥1300)
Bus to Sakurajima Ferry Terminal^
Sakurajima Ferry^ (every 20 mins during peak times) to Sakurajima Volcano:
- Hinoshima Megumikan Rest Stop (ice cream & oranges)
- "Sakurajima Island View" bus^ (1 hr loop):
  - "Portrait of a Shout" Monument (pic only)
  - Yunohira Observatory (the closest public viewpoint to the active peak)
- Sakurajima Visitor center (13 minutes video & a mini museum; free)
- Nagisa Park & Footbath (a 100-meter-long, free foot bath with views of the volcano and city)
- Nagisa Lava Trail
Shinkansen to Kumamoto (~1 hr):
- Check-in @ Tudzura*
- Kumamoto Castle (9am - 4pm; suggested duration 1.5hrs)
- Sochu & sashimi @ Kumamoto Food Stall Village
- Walk/Shop @ Shinshigai (look for cool vintage items @ Big Time or Coug)
- Dinner @ Gen Zone* (must try horse sashimi/basashi)

Day 4 (Fukuoka)

Shinkansen to Fukuoka/Hakata Station
Check-in @ ANA Crowne Plaza Fukuoka by IHG (skip)
Shop mentaiko (pollock roe) @ Karashi Mentaiko | Shimamoto Hakataekimaeten
Lunch @ Hakata Genki Ippai!!*
Ohori Park
Tenjin underground mall:
- Dessert @ Truffle Bakery
- Shop @ GU & Uniqlo
Dinner @ Hakata Robata Fishman*

Day 5 (Nagasaki)

Train to Nagasaki (need to purchase tickets at the machine; transfer to Nishi-Kyushu Shinkansenat @ Takeo-Onsen Station):
- Tonkatsu lunch @ とんかつ濵かつアミュプラザ長崎店*
- Nagasaki Peace Park (via streetcar - ¥150/ride and tap your card/phone as you exit):
  - Fountain of Peace
  - Hypocenter Park
  - Atomic Bomb Museum (8:30am - 6pm; suggested duration 2hrs)
- Shinchi Chinatown
- Shop castella @ Fukusaya co.,ltd. Main Store (confectionary store since 1624) or Bunmeido Sohonten Nagasakieki Kamomeichiba Store @ AMU Plaza Nagasaki
- Camphor tree of 800 years @ Daitoku-ji Temple
- Grilled mochi @ Umegae Mochi Kikumizu*
- Milk seiki @ Fujio
Fukuoka:
- Rooftop Garden @ JR Hakata City
- Canal City Hakata:
  - Nakasu Food Stalls Street (skip if too crowded) or Uoden Hakata Seafood
- Souvenir shopping @ MaxValu Express Hakata Gion

Day 6

Late morning flight to TPE:
- Lounge Fukuoka
- Royce chocolate @ Duty Free Shop

Other points of interest & food:

Kagoshima:

Shiroyama Park Observation Deck (if your hotel doesn’t get a view of Sakurajima)

Ibusuki:

Get the 1 day bus pass and visit Lake Ikeda

Kumamoto:

Dessert shop @ 友達屋製菓本舗

Cocktail @ チョコレート&カクテルバーセプティグラス
Dinner @ SUGANOYA (Shinshigai Store or Ginza Street Store)

Fukuoka:

Fukuoka Tower
Hot springs @ Minato Onsen NAMIHA NO YU
Sushi @ Sushi Sakai, Sushi Kuma
Izakaya @ Nagaraku, RIKYU
Seafood @ Kisuimaru Hakata Seafood Restaurant, めんたい料理博多椒房庵
Yakiniku @ Yakiniku Champion JR Hakata City Store

Nagasaki:

Catch the sunset view from Mount Inasa via Nagasaki Ropeway @ Fuchi Shrine Station
Glover Garden
Jazz @ Milestone
Huis Ten Bosch (Dutch Theme Park)

Tips:

Don't buy point-to-point Shinkansen tickets! The JR Kyushu Rail Pass (available in All Kyushu or Southern Kyushu options) covers the Shinkansen, local express trains, and even the scenic trains down to Ibusuki. It will save you hundreds of dollars compared to individual tickets.
For the famous sand baths at Ibusuki, aim to go around low tide or early morning where the geothermal heat is at its best, and you avoid the tour bus crowds. Bring your own small hand towel to avoid paying the extra rental fee!
To navigating Fukuoka’s food stalls, head to Nakasu Island or Tenjin around 7PM when the stalls set up. Cash is king here. Most stalls have an unwritten rule: order at least one drink and one food item per person.