Cuisine, Art & Culture Route: Kyushu, Chugoku & Kansai

A 14-day itinerary from Kyushu through the Chugoku region to Kansai, centered on spring scenery, art, and food culture. Travel at a relaxed pace through western Japan, taking in cherry blossoms, Japanese gardens,  world-class museums, historic townscapes, and hot spring resorts.

 

Route

Fukuoka → Saga → Oita → Hiroshima → Okayama → Kyoto → Osaka

 

 

 

Days 1–2: Fukuoka (2 nights)

Day 1

• Arrive at Kansai International Airport and connect to a domestic flight bound for Fukuoka Airport
• Hotel check-in
• View the cherry blossoms at Fukuoka Castle (Maiduru Park)
• Walk through Ohori Park
• Dinner at one of Hakata’s yatai food stalls

Additional recommendations available in the seasonal itineraries

 

 

 

Day 2

• Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine
• Yanagawa Punting
• teamLab Forest Fukuoka – SBI SECURITIES Co., Ltd

 

 

 

Days 3–4: Saga (2 nights)

Day 3

• Yoshinogari Historical Park
• Arita ware pottery making experience 
• Stay overnight in Ureshino Onsen

 

 

 

Day 4

• Yutoku Inari-jinja Shrine
• Mifuneyama Rakuen Flower Festival
• Stay in Takeo Onsen and enjoy a Saga beef dinner

 

 

 

Days 5–6: Oita (2 nights)

Day 5

• Travel from Tosu or Kurume to Yufuin on the limited express Yufuin no Mori
• Walk along Yunotsubo Kaido
• Lake Kinrin
• Stay at an onsen ryokan

 

 

 

Day 6

• Tour the Hells of Beppu
• Try jigoku-mushi cuisine cooked using natural geothermal steam
• Stroll through Beppu’s famous hot spring sites
• Visit local art galleries

 

 

 

Days 7–8: Hiroshima (2 nights)

Day 7

• Travel from Oita to Hiroshima
• Simose Art Museum
• Travel to Miyajima
• Ride the Miyajima Ropeway up Mt. Misen
• Dinner featuring Hiroshima oysters

Additional recommendations available in the seasonal itineraries

 

 

 

Day 8

• Itsukushima-jinja Shrine on Miyajima
• Sea kayaking around  the iconic floating torii gate of Itsukushima Shrine
• Miyajima Omotesando Shopping Street
• Enjoy anago meshi, grilled conger eel served over rice

 

 

 

Days 9–10: Okayama (2 nights)

Day 9

• Travel to Okayama via the Sanyo Main Line or Sanyo Shinkansen
• Okayama Korakuen Garden
• Take in the cherry blossoms at Okayama Castle
• Try an Okayama fruit parfait

Additional recommendations available in the seasonal itineraries

 

 

 

Day 10

• Take a stroll through the Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter
• Ohara Museum of Art
• Walk through the white-walled historic streets
• Visit cafes around Kurashiki

 

 

 

Days 11–12: Kyoto (2 nights)

Day 11

• Travel to Kyoto by Shinkansen
• Stroll through Gion and Hanamikoji Street
• Yasaka-jinja Shrine
• Dinner featuring traditional Kyoto cuisine

Additional recommendations available in the seasonal itineraries

 

 

 

Day 12

• Explore Philosopher’s Path
• Nanzenji Temple
• Heian-jingu Shrine
• Enjoy matcha and traditional Japanese sweets

 

 

 

Days 13–14: Osaka (1 night)

Day 13

• Travel to Osaka by JR train
• Nakanoshima Museum of Art, Osaka
• Rose garden in Nakanoshima Park
• Explore the Nakanoshima area
• Osaka river cruise
• Enjoy street food in Dotonbori

Additional recommendations available in the seasonal itineraries

 

 

 

Day 14

• Kuromon Market
• Cherry blossom picnic at Osaka Castle Park
• Departure from Kansai International Airport

 

 

 

Transportation Tips

• When traveling from northern Kyushu to the Chugoku and Kansai regions, the Sanyo Shinkansen from Kokura Station is convenient. The Kyushu Shinkansen is also useful for travel within Kyushu.
• Simose Art Museum changes its exhibitions periodically and may be closed on certain days. Check its opening calendar before visiting.