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Kyūshū's Volcano Loop: the Day-by-Day Itinerary
Kyūshū is Japan's volcanic south: Aso's vast caldera, Beppu's steaming 'hells', sand baths that bury you warm to the neck. Nagasaki adds its layered, moving history, and Fukuoka's yatai stalls serve the country's best ramen at midnight.
Kyūshū's Volcano Loop is a 700 km loop (self-drive). It works best as 6–9 days; the plan below is the 7-day version for November, built from 235 verified places, with real road-routed transit times, opening hours and daylight checked.
Customize this plan → 6-day plan · 7-day plan · 9-day plan · best time to go
7
days
636 km
distance
11.6 h
driving
42
curated stops
💡 Good to know for this plan
- Autumn colour on Aso's caldera rim and open-air onsen weather in Beppu.
Day 1 Fukuoka → Nagasaki
🌡 2.0–25.9°C · 🌧 ~15 rain days · ☀ 10.3h light
09:00
Nakasulocal & traditionalcraft beer & pubs
Neon lights illuminate bustling streets filled with ramen stalls and vibrant nightlife.
50 min · Fukuoka
09:50
Fukuoka City Museummuseums & heritagehistory & sagas
Discover the city's history through permanent and temporary exhibitions.
50 min · Fukuoka · ¥200 adults / 150 high schoolers / free
open: Tu-Su 09:30-17:30
10:40
Fukuoka City Tourist Information (Sightseeing Plaza Tenjin)museums & heritage
Find friendly guides in multiple languages ready to help you explore.
50 min · Fukuoka
open: Daily 09:30-19:00
13:31
Atomic Bomb Museummuseums & heritagehistory & sagas
Reflect on history through poignant, anti-nuclear exhibits.
50 min · Nagasaki · ¥200
open: 08:30-17:30
14:21
Museum of 26 Martyrs of Japanmuseums & heritagehistory & sagas
Witness the poignant history of crucified martyrs and their legacy.
50 min · Nagasaki · Adults ¥500, high school students ¥300
open: Daily 09:00-17:00
15:11
Koshibyo Confucius Shrinemuseums & heritagehistory & sagas
Marvel at this bright Chinese-built shrine, often overlooked by tourists.
50 min · Nagasaki · ¥525
open: 08:30-17:00
Overnight: Nagasaki
e.g. Casa Noda · Victoria Inn Nagasaki
Day 2 Around Nagasaki
🌡 2.0–25.9°C · 🌧 ~15 rain days · ☀ 10.3h light
09:00
Dejima (Site of the Former Dutch Factory)local & traditionalhistory & sagas
Explore the remnants of Japan's only port open to Western trade for centuries.
50 min · Nagasaki · Adult ¥1100, senior or student ¥550
open: 08:00-21:00, entrance closes at 20:40, shop and restaurant close at 18
09:50
Nagasaki Museum of History and Culturemuseums & heritagehistory & sagas
50 min · Nagasaki · ¥600
open: Daily 08:30-19:00
10:40
Nagasaki Museum for Human Rights and Peacemuseums & heritage
Learn about wartime injustices and the fight for recognition.
50 min · Nagasaki · ¥250, ¥150 for children in high school o
open: Tu-Su 10:00-17:00
11:30
Nagasaki Prefectural Art Museummuseums & heritage
Discover world-touring art in a beautifully modern building.
50 min · Nagasaki · Free; exhibitiins: adult ¥420, senior or
open: Daily 10:00-20:00, closed 2nd and 4th Monday of each month and Dec 29-
12:20
Former Hongkong and Shanghai Bankmuseums & heritage
Discover restored early 20th-century banking architecture and exhibits.
50 min · Nagasaki
13:10
Nagasaki Peace Park
Feel solemnity beneath the Peace Statue, advocating for global peace.
50 min · Nagasaki
Overnight: Nagasaki
e.g. Casa Noda · Victoria Inn Nagasaki
Day 3 Kumamoto
🌡 -0.9–25.9°C · 🌧 ~14 rain days · ☀ 10.3h light
11:40
Kumamoto Prefectural Traditional Crafts Centermuseums & heritagelocal & traditional
Discover exhibits of Kumamoto's renowned traditional crafts and shop for gifts.
50 min · Kumamoto
12:30
Honmyo-ji Templehistory & sagas
Climb the candle-lined stairs to this famous temple honoring Kato Kiyomasa.
50 min · Kumamoto
13:20
Kumamoto Castlehistory & sagas
Admire one of Japan's most beautiful castles, a historic landmark.
50 min · Kumamoto · ¥800
open: 09:00-17:00 (last admission 16:30)
14:10
Suizenji Gardenslocal & traditional
Wander through a serene traditional garden, feeling countryside calm in the city.
50 min · Kumamoto
15:00
Mt. Kinpōvolcanic
Take in sweeping views of Kumamoto and Nagasaki, with city lights sparkling below.
50 min · Kumamoto
15:50
Hanaokayamavolcanic
Enjoy panoramic city views and a stunning night sky from this hilltop overlook.
50 min · Kumamoto
16:40
AzumaZushi (東寿司)local & traditional
Savor centuries-old sushi techniques and Kumamoto’s unique small plates.
60 min · Kumamoto
18:30
Good Time Charlie`scraft beer & pubs
Enjoy nightly country music shows with Coors beer.
75 min · Kumamoto
Overnight: Kumamoto
e.g. Media Cafe Popeye · Toyoko Inn
See the remaining 4 days of the 7-day plan →
Route map
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