Lush Landscapes in the Land of Fire
A Wonderful Winter Week in Kyushu
Immerse yourself in the gorgeous natural surroundings of Kyushu with this four-day winter itinerary through the land of fire. From elegant trains and heartstopping mountain scenery to historical gardens and hot air balloon rides, this journey will whisk you through some of the major highlights of Kyushu, the southernmost island of mainland Japan.
En route, you’ll visit the sprawling prairie land of the Aso-Kuju National Park, see magnificent volcanoes in Kumamoto, Oita and Kagoshima up close, soak in hot springs and hot sands, taste local culinary delights, and much more — a real dive into the hidden gems of Kyushu.
Day 1: Take the emerald express to Yufuin Onsen
©Kyushu Railway Company
Your Kyushu adventure begins at Hakata Station in Fukuoka Prefecture, where you’ll board the elegant train Yufuin no Mori bound for Yufuin Onsen in Oita Prefecture. We’re not just travelling from Point A to Point B — the journey is just as important as the destination!
Start Planning!
Over two hours, this emerald-green sightseeing train whisks you through the lush Mino mountain ranges, past leafy forests and rivers, and stunning sights like Jion Falls and Mount Yufu. Enjoy delicious ekiben from the buffet counter. Best of all, the train even slows down at the Jion Falls area for passengers to fully take in the sights.
©Yufu City, Oita Prefecture
On arrival, spend some time strolling around this elegant onsen town, flanked by the majestic Mt. Yufu in the distance. Wander down Yunotsubo Shopping Street, with its plethora of cafes, galleries and shops selling local souvenirs, snacks, and condiments like yuzu-kosho, and set onwards to the picturesque Lake Kinrin.
©Nihon no Ashitaba
In the evening, soak away any lingering stress in the baths at a traditional Japanese inn such as Oyado Nihon no Ashitaba, a ryokan perfectly encapsulating the best of local hospitality. With several hot spring baths overlooking verdant surroundings — like the bath set in a bamboo grove — available for private use, and a sumptuous multicourse dinner featuring the best of seasonal Oita produce, a stay here is a fine way to end a first day in Kyushu.
Day 2: A winter wonderland in Aso Kuju National Park
Visit Aso-Kuju National Park, one of the best places in the country to observe active volcanoes and their surrounding landscapes. Think dramatic mountain ranges, rolling grassy prairies, and a fabulous vastness of sky above. It’s as far from hectic urban life as you can get.
©Aso-city
Set in an ancient crater overlooking the smoking Mt. Nakadake, Kusasenri is an idyllic 785,000-square metre prairie dotted with ponds, stretching as far as the eye can see, bright green in summer and dusted silvery-white in winter. Summer may be popular, but exploring the plateau is equally special and rewarding when it’s covered in snow. Gaze upon the frozen ponds, or wander up a trail for perhaps one of the most memorable winter views in the area — snow-dredged fir trees flanked by dramatic Mount Kishima.
For something different, hop into a hot air balloon and enjoy spectacular aerial views of Aso (do note that this attraction can be done only if there are more than 15 people participating!) or take a culinary breather at New Kusasenri, a restaurant serving regional dishes including steak rice bowls, excellent coffee and gelato made with local milk. It’s a great place to rest and stay warm while waiting for the bus back to civilisation!
©glamping resort ASO
Then again, there’s no need to leave at nightfall — make the most of your time in the Aso area by staying overnight. A great option is to go glamping at a scenic spot overlooking Mount Aso. By night, gather around the fire and let the starry skies above bring you back to ancient times; in the morning, wake up to a spectacular and unforgettable sunrise.
Day 3: Stunning Sengan-en
©Sengan-en
Make your way to Kagoshima, the seaside capital of Kagoshima Prefecture. Best known for Sakurajima, its active, smouldering volcano, this relaxed city has plenty to offer the visitor by way of culture, cuisine and scenery.
One cannot leave Kagoshima without visiting Sengan-en, one of the finest examples of a Japanese-style landscape garden in Kyushu. Built in 1658, it’s a brilliant example of “borrowed scenery” for incorporating Sakurajima and Kinko Bay into its landscape design. From the Konan Bamboo Grove to a cat shrine to a hiking trail, Sengan-en alone is sure to keep you busy for several hours.
Eat, drink, and enjoy in Kagoshima
©Kagoshima Prefectural Visitors Bureau
Shochu is a Japanese distilled liquor, which can be made using different types of ingredients such as rice, barley, sweet potatoes, buckwheat or brown sugar.
The most popular shochu on Kagoshima mainland is the sweet potato shochu (imo-jochu) because sweet potatoes are widely cultivated here.
Similarly, the Amami islands, found in Kagoshima Prefecture on Kyushu island, are known for producing brown sugar, and therefore the brown sugar shochu (Kokuto shochu) is the most common.
Besides shochu, Kagoshima is also famous for good quality whiskey. One can learn more about whiskey production and also sample this local specialty through a tour of Hombo Shuzo Co. Mars Tsunuki Distillery. Delicious tipples from this distillery were given the highest honour at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition (SFWSC) 2023.
To get a taste of Kagoshima’s culinary specialities without having to restaurant-hop, visit Kagomma Furusato Yataimura, a food stall village conveniently located at Kagoshima Chuo Terminal Building that’s popular with both local residents and visitors to the prefecture.
The 25 stalls offer a wide spread of reasonably-priced traditional and modern versions of Kagoshima classics: satsuma-age (fried fish cakes), shabu-shabu with finely-marbled kurobuta pork, fresh-caught seafood, kuro-satsuma chicken (like local kampung chicken), and more — naturally, with plenty of locally-brewed shōchū alongside. As a bonus, visitors receive a free shōchū glass at the fifth stall they visit!
Day 4: A stroll on Sakurajima
©Kagoshima Prefectural Visitors Bureau
After a day of gazing at Sakurajima from a distance, it’s time to get up close with this majestic, smouldering beauty of a volcano. Take a 15-minute ferry across the bay to Sakurajima and spend a few hours exploring this island. Start with a leisurely stroll along the scenic Nagisa Lava Trail near the ferry terminal, perhaps following with a soak in the free foot baths. You can learn about the geology of the volcano itself at the Visitor Center, go kayaking and bike riding around the island, or play in the jungle gym at Dinosaur Park — yes, the one with several life-sized dinosaur statues!
A steamy stint in a sand bath
©Kagoshima Prefectural Visitors Bureau
You’ve soaked in hot spring baths, but have you steamed yourself in hot black sands? When in Kyushu, suna-mushi or sand baths are absolutely unmissable in Ibusuki Onsen, a hot spring town on the edge of Kagoshima Bay that’s home to the world’s only natural sand bath.
This unique experience begins by donning a yukata. Then, allow yourself to be buried in hot sand, and enjoy the sound of ocean waves for the next 10 to 20 minutes while breathing in geothermal steam. After several days of active travel, a steamy stint in the sand baths is a great way to detoxify and refresh the mind and body — not to mention the sand’s additional skincare benefits!
©Kagoshima Prefectural Visitors Bureau
Follow with ontamaran-don, a hearty rice bowl topped with meat, vegetables, and ‘onsen’ eggs cooked in hot sand. Delicious.
From Kagoshima, take a bullet train to Fukuoka to cap off your five-day adventure in Kyushu — or start another one!
Whether you’re a solo traveller seeking solace in nature or a group going after new adventures in cities, Japan has all you need and more. Discover a Japan for You below.
