This 5-day Kyushu train itinerary combines hot spring towns, historic cities, volcanic landscapes and some of southern Japan’s best food while traveling almost entirely by JR trains.
Starting and finishing in Fukuoka, the route travels through Yufuin, Beppu, Kumamoto and Kagoshima and is designed to make practical use of the 5-Day All Kyushu JR Kyushu Rail Pass.
5-Day Kyushu Route at a Glance
Fukuoka → Yufuin → Beppu → Kumamoto → Kagoshima → Fukuoka
This revised route avoids unnecessary backtracking and gives you more time to enjoy each destination instead of spending most of the trip making long cross-island transfers.
5-Day Kyushu Train Itinerary Overview
| Day | Route | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Fukuoka | Fukuoka |
| Day 2 | Fukuoka → Yufuin → Beppu | Beppu |
| Day 3 | Beppu → Kumamoto | Kumamoto |
| Day 4 | Kumamoto → Kagoshima | Kagoshima |
| Day 5 | Kagoshima → Fukuoka | Fukuoka or departure |
Want to Visit Nagasaki?
Nagasaki is absolutely worth visiting, but adding it to this five-day circuit makes the itinerary considerably more rushed. For a first Kyushu trip, I recommend either adding two or three days or saving Nagasaki for a Northern Kyushu itinerary.
Is the JR All Kyushu Pass Worth It for This Itinerary?
This itinerary includes several substantial rail journeys, so the 5-Day All Kyushu Rail Pass is worth comparing with individual tickets.
Major Rail Journeys
- Fukuoka → Yufuin → Beppu
- Beppu → Kumamoto
- Kumamoto → Kagoshima-Chuo
- Kagoshima-Chuo → Hakata
When Should You Activate the Pass?
Day 1 involves mostly local sightseeing in Fukuoka, so you can wait until Day 2 to activate the pass. The remaining itinerary contains the more expensive intercity journeys where the pass is most useful.
There is no 4-day All Kyushu Rail Pass, so the 5-day pass is the relevant option to compare even though this itinerary uses it mainly from Day 2 through Day 5.
The standard adult price of the 5-Day All Kyushu Rail Pass is currently ¥24,000. JR Kyushu’s official online booking service is currently offering it for ¥23,000 as a limited-time price.
Read our complete JR Kyushu Rail Pass guide →
See our JR Regional Passes Guide for other regional pass options.
Day 1: Fukuoka
Begin your Kyushu trip in Fukuoka and use the first day to settle in, explore the city and enjoy the local food scene before the longer rail journeys begin.
Suggested Fukuoka Highlights
- Hakata Station area
- Canal City Hakata
- Tenjin
- Ohori Park
- Yatai food stalls in the evening
Don’t Activate the Pass Yet
Most of today’s sightseeing is local, so use an IC card or individual fares and save your All Kyushu Rail Pass for the more expensive intercity journeys starting tomorrow.
Fukuoka is a good place to try local specialties such as Hakata ramen, mentaiko and motsunabe.
Overnight: Fukuoka
Day 2: Fukuoka to Yufuin to Beppu
Activate your JR All Kyushu Rail Pass and travel from Fukuoka to Yufuin, one of Kyushu’s best-known hot-spring towns. After exploring Yufuin, continue to Beppu for the night.
Suggested Yufuin Highlights
- Lake Kinrin
- Yunotsubo Kaido shopping street
- Local cafes and craft shops
- Views of Mount Yufu
Consider Yufuin no Mori
If the schedule works for your travel date, the Yufuin no Mori sightseeing train can make the journey from Fukuoka toward Yufuin a highlight of the trip. Seats are reserved only, so book in advance.
Continue to Beppu later in the day. After checking in, enjoy an onsen or spend the evening around central Beppu.
Overnight: Beppu
Day 3: Beppu to Kumamoto
Travel across central Kyushu from Beppu to Kumamoto. One of the most interesting options is the Kyushu Odan Tokkyu limited express, which crosses the island through the Aso region.
Suggested Kumamoto Highlights
- Kumamoto Castle
- Sakura-no-baba Josaien
- Suizenji Jojuen Garden
- Shimotori and Kamitori shopping arcades
- Local specialties such as basashi and Kumamoto ramen
A Scenic Cross-Kyushu Journey
The journey from Beppu toward Kumamoto passes through the mountainous interior of Kyushu and the Aso region, making the train ride itself one of the highlights of this itinerary.
If you want to explore Aso properly rather than simply passing through, I recommend adding an extra day. Trying to combine Beppu, Aso sightseeing and Kumamoto in one day can make the itinerary rushed.
Overnight: Kumamoto
JR Kyushu is operating a temporary Shinkansen timetable through September 30, so travelers should check current departure times before travel.
The conventional Kagoshima Main Line between Uto and Yatsushiro remains suspended, with replacement transportation operating while restoration work continues.
The Shinkansen portion of this itinerary can now be followed again, but always check JR Kyushu’s latest operating information shortly before departure.
Service update last checked: September 20, 2026.
Check JR Kyushu’s latest operating information immediately before travel.