In April this year, we planned a two-week self-drive trip to Kyushu. Our travel period coincided with the Spring period, and the Sakura season was ending.
After countless weekends watching YouTube and scouring the internet for reviews of places and things to eat, we got a travel plan all set and ready to go.
Tip: if you want to research this area, it’s best to type in the Chinese name (福冈,九州). You will find much more exciting information as Kyushu, Fukuoka is a popular travel destination for the Taiwanese and Hongkongers.
Here’s how I planned my route >> Kumamoto >> Beppu >> Nagasaki >> Fukuoka.
I will blog about my trip in chronological order and highlight the places of interest I think you can consider going to.
***
We arrived at Fukuoka Airport and immediately picked up our car at the airport shop. This is not my first time doing self-drive in Japan. It is right-hand drive, and all the cars have an English GPS system. The roads are easy to navigate, and honestly, I find self-drive trips a lot more enjoyable as I can stop and go as I please.
I would always go for Toyota because they have the most outlets, and I can return the car to a different outlet. (which I planned to)
First stop: Fruit picking @ Fruitelier Nakamura Fruit Farm
It’s the strawberry season. It is the best time of the year to visit a fruit farm and have a buffet of strawberries.
For a fee, you gain access to their farm (which is shaded). Pick up a pair of scissors and eat away! All you can eat within 90 minutes. The strawberries are big and juicy. For this quality, you probably have to pay S$15 for a small pack in Donki, Singapore.
I picked Fruitelier Nakamura as it was on our way to the hotel and was highly rated online. Their website is in Japanese and might be challenging to navigate. It will be prudent to contact them and book in advance, as slots are limited.
Try messaging them on Facebook.
Second Stop: Awesome viewpoint from a green tea farm
The next place, en route to our hotel, is a scenic spot in the area of Yame. Green tea (matcha) is one of their specialities. To get to this little hilltop where we found a lovely little cafe, you will need to do a short drive up.
I highly recommend you put this place as one of the pit stops if you are in the area. The view is lovely, and it is not too crowded.
Check in to Hotel
The sunset, and we arrived at our hotel for our Matsumoto’s leg. The Blossom Kumamoto. It’s conveniently located next to the train station with a mall.
There is also a dedicated parking area for hotel guests.
I did not manage to take too many photos of the hotel, but I can assure you it was a very pleasant stay for me.
View from my hotel room. Not too shabby.
I like the hotel lobby. Has a very zen feel to it.
Dinner: Must try Tonkatsu in Kumamoto
If you are in Kumamoto and love a good Tonkatsu, check out Katsuretsu Tei Shinshigai.
I think I waited in line for about 30 minutes. The restaurant is located very near to the main shopping street.
The Tonkatsu was juicy, and the batter was fragrant.
If I am not wrong, this outlet is Michelin-rated. I saw other branches, but none was as crowded as this particular outlet.
You will not regret coming here.
***
After dinner, we decided to rest early. Headed back to the hotel, went to their onsen to relax for a little and went to bed.
***
PS: if you want a copy of my entire itinerary, leave a comment below with your email, and we will send it to your inbox!
Hi, Kevin, thanks for sharing the Kyushu itinerary. Could you email a copy of your itinerary to me please?
Thank you!
Hello there! sure. to the email indicated?
Hi Kevin, can share your itinerary ? thanks !
Sure! Do look out for it in your email ?
Hi Kelvin,
Found your website on google and am interested in a copy of your itinerary. Appreciate it if you can email in a copy to the email indicated. Thanks!!
ok! will send a copy over
Hi! Fellow Singaporean here. I’m keen in your itinerary. Appreciate if you can email it to me. Thanks!!
ok sure. do look out for it
Hi Kevin
I encountered your travel blog while I’m searching for a road trip plan in Fukuoka. May I have a copy of your itinerary? Thanks a lot
ok sure Ryan. pls check inbox
Hi kevin. I’m interested with your itinerary in Kyushu. Appreciate if you can email it to me. Thanx before…
hi Arif, sure thing. please check inbox
Hi Kevin, appreciate if you can share you itinerary!
hi hazel. sure. please check inbox
Hi Kevin, thank you for sharing your travel experience in Kyushu! We are also planning a self drive trip to Kyushu this October. Would appreciate if you could email me a copy of your itinerary please, to the email indicated. Thank you!
hi Sheryl, please check inbox
Received, thank you!
Hihi Kevin, would u mind sharing your itinerary with me too☺️ Thanks much in advance
Hi Linda, please check inbox
Hi Nipau, please check inbox
Hi Kevin, can share your itineary as planning my first road trip. Thanks in advance
hi ok! will send over.
Hi Kevin, please share your itinerary. Thank you.
hi Javen, sure! please look out for it.
Hi kevin. I’m interested with your itinerary in Kyushu. Appreciate if you can email it to me. Thanks
hi Ernie, definitely.
Received. thank you so much.
Hi Kevin,
Please ahare your itinerary! Thank you v much!
hi! definitely! enjoy!
Hi could you please share your itinerary? First time to Kyushu area. Thank you!
hello sure! please look out for it. have fun!
Hi Kevin, can share your itineary as planning my first trip in Kyushu. Thanks in advance!
hi. sure. will send over. enjoy !!
Received! Thank you so much 🙂
Hi Kevin, great post 🙂 could you share your itinerary please? Thanks!
hihi. sure! please look out for it.
Hi Kevin, could you share your wonderful itinerary please? Thanks plenty in advance!
hihi. sure! please look out for it.
Hi Kevin! Enjoyed reading all your posts on kyshu! I am planning for one in Nov 24 – still on the fence if I should be driving or go via trains :p (can’t drive long 🙁 ) ….can you please share your itinerary?
Thank you! Bob
hihi. sure! please look out for it.
hi bob, the way I usually plan for drive is nothing more than 1 hour from my base. it’s manageable and you can always opt for the scenic route. you can don’t do Nagasaki if you do not want a long drive. just cover the eastern side for this time should be fun also!
Hi Kevin, Thank you for sharing your itinerary in Kyushu. Can you email your itinerary to me ? Thanks.
yes sure.!
hi Kevin, appreciate you share your full Kyushu itinerary too. many thanks in advance
ok sure!!!
hi Kevin, appreciate you share your full Kyushu itinerary with me as im in midst of planning a road trip in June. tks in advance
ok! will send over. please look out for it!
hi Kevin, can you share your full Kyushu itinerary with me , am planning a road trip in May . Thank you
hi Mei, ok!
Hi Kevin, thanks for the insightful sharing, simple and meaningful! ! Pleasee do share your itinerary! ?? ??
ok!! thank you for supporting!
Hi Kevin, appreciate if you could share your full Kyushu itinerary with me. thanks
hi Michelle, okay!!
Hi,
May i request for an itinerary too!!
Love your sharing, simple yet meaningful!!
THANKS!
hello! will send to inbox. pls look out for it!
HI Kevin! Would you be so kind to share your itinerary with me? Thank you!
hi! yes okay! pls look out for it
Hi Kevin,
Appreciate if you could share your itinerary with me.
Thanks Much!
sure!!
Hello! Please kindly send me a copy of your itinerary pls! I am going in nov! Thanks!
Hi, I am doing a 14 day self-drive in Kyushu this November. Could you share your itinerary with me. Thanks
ok! sure
I will be doing 14 days self-drive in Kyushu. in Nov. Would appreciate if you can share your itinerary? Thank you.
happy to share. pls look out for it
Thanks for sharing! nice self drive road trip. Appreciate you can share your itinerary.
ok! sure
Please share your itinerary. Thank you very much.
Hi Kevin
Will be doing a self drive in Kyushu for 8 days, can share your itinerary with me ? Thanks ?
Sure! Do look out for it in your email 🙂
Sounds like you had a great time. We are planning our 2nd trip to Japan and something like this would be great. Next Feb/March. Not ideal but it’s the only time we could free up. Our 1st trip was based around the major cities – Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto.
Please could you send over you itinerary to my email as indicated. Thanks so much.
yes sure! please look out for it. I think this period you are planning for could very well coincide with the sakura bloom in the southern parts of Japan.
Hi Kevin, grateful if you could share your itinerary with me too! Thanks!
Sure! Do look out for it in your email ?
Hi Kevin,
We are also planning a self=drive in Kyushu. Kindly share your itinerary. Thanks!
Sure! Do look out for it in your email ?
Hello Kevin, i’m planning a 14-day trip in Kyushu and chance upon your travel log is very informative. Appreciate that you could share your itinerary which will help in my planning. Thank you.
Sure! Do look out for it in your email ?
Hi Kevin, I am planning for a trip in autumn, would be great if u can share a copy of your itinerary. Your blog is great, thanks for sharing!
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HI Kevin,
I am planning for a trip in Kyushu this autumn. Kindly share your full Kyushu itinerary with me. Thanks in advance.
Sure! Do look out for it in your email ?
Hello! I would love to receive a copy of your itinerary! Thanks for the detailed sharing 🙂
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Hi there! Would love to read your itinerary, would appreciate if you could share it with me. Thank you!!
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Hi Kevin,
I am interested in your itinerary as I will be planning to go next year April. Please send me a copy of the itinerary. Thank you in advance.
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Hi kelvin,
I would love to receive a copy of your itinerary.
Thanks for your generous sharing
rgds,
Mike
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Hi Kevin, thanks for taking time and making great effort to compile and sharing your travel experience. I’m planning for self drive this end Oct, trouble you to share your itinerary, thanks : )
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Hi Kevin, I am planning a 2 weeks holiday next year. Possible to share your itinerary? Thanks
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Hi Kevin, thanks for sharing, Would you be able to share the full itinerary?
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Hi Kevin, I would like to have a copy of your Itinerary In Kyushu Japan, appreciate if you could share it with me. Thank you in advance.
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Hello Kevin, thanks for sharing your trip! Can I trouble you to send me your itinerary? Thank you! 🙂
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Hi Kevin, could you kindly share your Kyushu itinerary with me please? Thanks!
definitely! please check your inbox
Hey Kevin, well documented itinerary! Would you be able to share across, will be great help to our 10-day Kyushu ride! Thks in advance 🙂
ok sure! please check inbox.
To this email?
To this email?
hi Dia yes. if you did not receive could you kindly email [email protected]. thanks!
Hello! Thanks for your detailed posts on your Kyushu itinerary! Could you kindly share your itinerary to the email registered? Thank you!
Sure! Do look out for it in your email ?
Hello! Thanks for the detailed posts on your Kyushu trip! Could you kindly share your itinerary to the email registered? Thank you!
Sure! Do look out for it in your email ?
Hello! thanks for the post. Would appreciate it if you can send us your itinerary for this trip.
Thanks in advance
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Hello ! I am planning a trip in October 24, appreciate if you can kindly share your itinerary ! Thank you in advance ! 🙂
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Hi could you please share your itinerary with me. thanks.
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Hi please share your full itinerary with me. thanks.
Hi there, appreciate if you could share your itinerary with me. Thanks!
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Hi ! I am planning a trip in Dec 24 for 2 weeks. appreciate if you can kindly share with me your itinerary ! Many Thanks ! ?
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Hi, possible to share your itinerary as I am going on Dec. Thank you very much
Hi Kevin.. I’m interested with your itinerary in Kyushu. Appreciate if you can email it to me. Thanks
Sure! Do look out for it in your email ?
Hi Kevin! I’m interested with your itinerary in Kyushu. Appreciate if you can email it to me. Thanks
Sure! Do look out for it in your email ?
Hi, Kevin! I’m interested with your itinerary in Kyushu. Appreciate if you could email it to me. Thanks!
Sure! Do look out for it in your email ?
Hi! Your description of food and sites in Kyushu sound interesting. May I have a copy of the rest of your itinerary.
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Hi Kevin.. I’m interested with your itinerary in Kyushu. Appreciate if you can email it to me. Thanks
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Hi Kevin. Could you share with me your itinerary as well? Much appreciated and thank you in advance!
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Hi Kevin, may i please have a copy of your Kyushu itinerary? Much appreciated.
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Hi, possible to share your itinerary please? Thank you.
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Greetings from Sydney! Kindly email me your itinerary, it looks great. ? Thanks, George
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Hi, would appreciate it greatly if I could have a copy of your itinarary. Thanks!
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Hi Kevin, would love to have a copy of your itinerary in Kyushu!
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Hi Kevin, do you mind sending the full itinerary of your travel? Appreciate your response! Keep safe!
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Hi Kevin, do you mind sending the full itinerary of your travel? Appreciate your response!
I hope you’re doing well. Could you please share the full itinerary for your upcoming travel? I would really appreciate it.
Thank you in advance!
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Interesting! I’m planning to do a family driving tour in Nov, would appreciate if you could share yr full itinerary, hotels and all yr pitstops…Cheers
Many Tks
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Hi Kevin, thanks for sharing! Could you kindly share tour full itinerary? Do you have the Mapcode for the places you visited? I understand the Mapcode is crucial for self drive in Japan. We are planning our first self-drive in Kyushu, therefore much help needed.
Thank you!
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for most places, having the telephone number is good enough. the in-car gps system is able to handle that. for the map code, i should have it in the excel too.
Hi, Kevin, thanks for sharing the Kyushu itinerary. Could you email a copy of your itinerary to me please?
Sure! Do look out for it in your email ?
Love to read your travel blog. Could you pls share the itinerary? Thank you so mucb
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Love to read your travel blog. Could you pls share the itinerary? Thank you so mucb
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Hi Kevin,
Really enjoyed reading your website. We are off to Kyushu next spring for two weeks and would really appreciate a copy of the full itinerary? Thanks – Matthew
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Hi Kevin,
Do you mind sending me a copy of your itinerary please? i would love to visit all the places too. thank you
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Hi Kevin, stumbled across your website and would love to visit the places you mentioned in your posts. Leaving for Fukuoka in 2 wks time and would really appreciate having a copy of your itinerary pls. Thanks so much in advance! 🙂
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Hi Kevin, appreciate if you could send me a copy of your 14 days full itineraries
Many thanks
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Hi Kevin, can you send me a copy of your Kyushu itinerary please? Thank you!
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Hi Kevin, interesting travel blog with beautiful photos. Please share you itinerary. Thank you.
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Hi Kevin! Really appreciate the time taken to put up this blog! Could I please request for a copy of your itinerary as I am looking to travel there soon! Thank you in advance~
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Hi, Kevin, thanks for sharing the Kyushu itinerary. Could you email a copy of your itinerary to me please?
Great pics. Can you send me the itinerary by email please.
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Hi Kevin, can I have a copy of your itinerary since I am travelling to Fukuoka this Dec24. Thanks.
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Hi Kevin, can i have copy of your itinerary please? thank you.
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Hi Kevin,
Can you share a copy of your itinerary. Thanks.
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Hi Kevin
Please send me a copy of your itinerary.
Thank you very much
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Hi Kevin please share your 14 days Kyushu itinerary. Thanks
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Hey Kevin, can you please share your Kyushu itineary. Much appreciate.
Sure! Do look out for it in your email.