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Kyūshū's Volcano Loop — a 7-Day Plan You Can Actually Drive
The 7-day version for November: every day fits real transit, opening hours and daylight. Prefer more or fewer days? 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
Day 4 Around Kumamoto
🌡 -0.9–25.9°C · 🌧 ~14 rain days · ☀ 10.3h light
09:00
Kumamoto City Hallhistory & sagas
Spot the castle and downtown skyline from the high-floor observation point.
50 min · Kumamoto · free
09:50
Fujisaki Hachimangu Shrine
Experience vibrant festivals and serene traditions at this bustling city shrine.
50 min · Kumamoto
10:40
Hosokawa Gyōbutei
Walk the perimeter of this historic clan home, enjoying its beautiful garden.
50 min · Kumamoto
11:30
Reigando (Miyamoto Musashi's cave)
Feel the historic calm where Musashi meditated and wrote his masterwork.
50 min · Kumamoto
12:20
Fujisakidai Baseball Stadium
Cheer for amateur teams in a lively, sunlit ballpark atmosphere.
90 min · Kumamoto · Free
13:50
Shiki no Sato Park
Relax in natural hot springs and stroll through an on-site animal park.
50 min · Kumamoto
14:40
Yokobachilocal & traditional
Relish traditional and regional dishes outdoors under spring and fall stars.
60 min · Kumamoto
open: open until midnight
Overnight: Kumamoto
e.g. Media Cafe Popeye · Toyoko Inn
Day 5 Mount Aso
🌡 -4.4–22.8°C · 🌧 ~14 rain days · ☀ 10.3h light
10:03
Takamori Linevolcanic
Ride through stunning scenery to the village within Aso caldera.
50 min · Mount Aso · ¥1220
10:53
Aso Volcano Museummuseums & heritagevolcanic
50 min · Mount Aso
11:43
Aso-sanvolcanic
See sulphuric steam rising from the active Mt. Nakadake crater.
50 min · Mount Aso
12:33
Aso Roadside Stationvolcanic
Get detailed travel info from the helpful tourist desk.
50 min · Mount Aso
open: Daily 09:00-18:00
13:23
Aso Shrinevolcanic
Visit an ancient shrine dedicated to transportation and traffic safety.
50 min · Mount Aso
14:13
Aso Saru Mawashi Gekijōvolcanic
Watch entertaining man-and-monkey stage shows.
50 min · Mount Aso
15:03
Kojirō-buchimuseums & heritage
Savor generous portions of meat cooked at your table over a fire.
60 min · Mount Aso · ¥1500-2000 (price listed 2000)
18:30
Shirakawa Spring
Drink clear, fresh water from one of Japan's best 100 springs.
75 min · Mount Aso · ¥100
Overnight: Mount Aso
e.g. Aso Youth Hostel · Aso Base Backpackers
Day 6 Mount Aso → Kumamoto
🌡 -4.4–22.8°C · 🌧 ~14 rain days · ☀ 10.3h light
09:00
Komezukavolcanic
Admire the perfectly symmetric, green slopes of this small volcano cone.
50 min · Mount Aso
09:50
Kurokawa Onsenhot springs
Discover a small village renowned for its relaxing hot spring.
50 min · Mount Aso
11:43
Lake Ezu
50 min · Kumamoto
Overnight: Mount Aso
e.g. Aso Youth Hostel · Aso Base Backpackers
Day 7 Beppu → back to start
🌡 1.4–24.1°C · 🌧 ~12 rain days · ☀ 10.2h light
10:35
Beppu City Traditional Bamboo Crafts Centermuseums & heritagehot springslocal & traditional
Learn about and try bamboo craftsmanship in this display center.
50 min · Beppu
11:25
Hyōtan Onsenhot springsvolcanic
Relax in diverse wood, stone, and waterfall baths within a large complex.
90 min · Beppu · ¥750 for adults, ¥330 extra for the sand
open: 09:00-01:00
12:55
Yume Tamatebakohot springslocal & traditional
Try six varied indoor and outdoor baths, including an electric bath.
90 min · Beppu · ¥520
open: 7:00-2:00 (2 a.m.)
14:25
The Beppu Jigoku Associationhot springsvolcanic
50 min · Beppu