Kyushu has many beautiful attractions during the wintertime, and travelers wanting to see as many sites as possible on the island should consider renting a car or driving their own during a visit. Plan a five-day Kyushu winter itinerary that starts and ends in Fukuoka and includes plenty of onsen towns and winter activities along the way!
Exploring Kyushu by car during winter is one of the best ways to fully experience the island’s unique blend of natural beauty, traditional culture, and cozy hot spring escapes. The roads are generally well-maintained and easy to navigate, especially around major cities and popular sightseeing routes. Plus, having a car means you’ll have the freedom to stop by scenic viewpoints, small countryside villages, and hidden outdoor onsen baths that are off the beaten track.
Winter in Kyushu is relatively mild compared to northern Japan, making it a great destination for travelers who want to enjoy seasonal landscapes without extreme cold. Expect to see picturesque mountains, steamy onsen towns nestled in valleys, and crisp winter air perfect for long soaks in thermal waters. Local food specialties like hotpot dishes, grilled sweet potatoes, and fresh seafood also take center stage during the colder months, making every meal part of the experience.
Whether you’re looking to relax, take photos, or explore cultural spots at your own pace, this Kyushu winter driving itinerary is a fantastic way to enjoy Japan’s southernmost main island. Be sure to map out your route in advance, check weather conditions, and give yourself time to enjoy the slower pace of rural Japan. With thoughtful planning and a spirit of adventure, your winter road trip through Kyushu can be one of the most memorable parts of your journey in Japan.
Tips for Wintertime Travel in Kyushu
- Wintertime is generally mild in Kyushu. Travelers should pack warm, water-resistant clothing, good walking shoes, and an umbrella. A pair of gloves and a hat are good to have, too!
- Winter temperatures on Kyushu don’t often fall below freezing, but breezes along the coastline can get chilly.
- Visitors shouldn’t encounter snow during most of their drive in Kyushu. However, drivers should take care in higher elevations and be aware that conditions may be slick. Extra caution while driving is always wise.
Day 1 – Sightseeing in Fukuoka City
For the first day of your Kyushu winter itinerary, start in Fukuoka, the capital city of Fukuoka Prefecture, and make a visit to Maizuru Park, featuring the 17th-century Fukuoka Castle Ruins.
The ruins date to 1601 and once claimed close to 50 observation towers. Visitors can tour four preserved towers and gaze at the Wild Cyperus ohwii Kukenth, which grows wild in the moat surrounding the castle. The gorgeous vegetation is designated a Natural Treasure of Japan, and the remaining observation towers are Important Cultural Properties.
Fukuoka Castle Ruins are connected to Ohori Park, one of Fukuoka’s most popular places to see. The park, a registered Place of Scenic Beauty, contains scenic walking paths around a lake that once was part of the castle moat. Visitors can rent boats and cruise around on the water or walk out to three islands on the lake to take photos of the enchanting surroundings. Ohori Park, considered one of the best and most beautiful water parks in all of Japan, also is where visitors will find Fukuoka Art Museum and Ohori Park Japanese Garden. The park contains a children’s playground and a performing arts theater as well, making it a great place for families to spend the day in Fukuoka.
Day 2 – Travel to Kokonoe & Enjoy the Outdoors
On day two, travelers can drive to Kokonoe in Oita Prefecture, two hours southeast of Fukuoka. In Kokonoe, adventurists enjoy the outdoors at Kujyu Forest Park Skiing Ground where they can ski, snowboard and sled in the Kuju Mountains.
The park is open seasonally between December and March, and hours of operation during the week are from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The park is open from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on weekends. Visitors who don’t have their own equipment can rent skis and clothing on the grounds.
Later in the day, travelers should experience a relaxing visit to Sujiyu Hot Spring, also known as Sujiyu Onsen, a village where visitors can enjoy a traditional Japanese onsen (hot spring) from one of four public bath houses. Located in a gorge at the bottom of Mt. Waita, this hot spring town has been captivating visitors for centuries with its natural beauty and bath houses and is a great place to spend a night after a day of skiing in the Kuju Mountains.
Day 3 – Enjoy a Visit to Kumamoto City
Get an early start on day three of your Kyushu winter itinerary and drive from Kokonoe to Kumamoto. The trip takes a little more than two hours, and by mid-morning adventurists can be lacing up their ice skates at Aqua Dome Kumamoto. This sports complex is popular for sports activities and swimming in the summer months, but from late December to March, it is converted into an ice rink. Experienced ice skaters can slide and twirl on a large rink, and beginner skaters can practice on a smaller rink that tends to be less crowded.
Aqua Dome Kumamoto is typically closed Wednesdays and open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on all other days. Admission to the skating rink is 1,400 yen for adults, 1,000 yen for middle and high school students, and 800 yen for elementary students. Aqua Dome Kumamoto also offers package deals for guests who want to use other facilities throughout the year.
After skating, head from Kumamoto to Aso, where you’ll spend the night in Uchinomaki Hot Spring town. This quaint onsen village features more than 30 hot spring hotels and ryokans, as well as stunning views of Mount Aso in Aso-Kuju National Park.
Uchinomaki is about an hour and a half northeast of Aqua Dome Kumamoto, and an evening soak in an open-air bath is a great way to rest up before embarking on day four of your Kyushu winter itinerary.
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Day 4 – Visit Aso Cuddly Dominion
While in Aso, visitors can explore Aso Cuddly Dominion. This park lets attendees get up close to the residents and some animals can even be fed by visitors. With live shows daily and hundreds of individual animals to see, Aso Cuddly Dominion is a great stop for animal lovers.
Aso Cuddly Dominion is popular for its Bear Valley attraction which is home to about 160 bears, including grizzly bears, brown bears, and Japanese black bears. There is even a glass bridge where visitors can enjoy an aerial view of Bear Valley or, guests can choose to feed the bears, which should earn guests a “beckoning pose” trick from the animals.
There are more than bears at Aso Cuddly Dominion and the park has many different attractions, including Penguin Falls, Capybara Pond and Chimpanzee Learning Forest. Guests can choose their favorite animals and spend some the morning exploring this unique park.
Winter hours for Aso Cuddly Dominion are from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. from December to February. The park is closed on Wednesdays (except for winter and public holidays).
After a visit with the animals, travelers can enter Aso-Kuju National Park to see the amazing sights on Mount Aso. The Mt. Aso Nakadake Crater is one of the most popular attractions on the mountain. The caldera, often brimming with natural rainwater, is sometimes called “Blue Lake” because of its stunning color and natural beauty. Visitors can drive up the mountain or ride a ropeway to view the volcanic mountainside and make stops at attractions like Aso Volcano Museum and Kusasenri, a spot famous for its double crater and rural landscape where cattle and horses graze. Tourists can get a better view of the region from Kusasenri Observatory.
After exploring Mount Aso, travelers can head back toward Fukuoka and stop for the night at Harazuru Hot Spring to prepare for the final day of their Kyushu winter itinerary.
Day 5 – Explore Harazuru Hot Spring
Harazuru Hot Spring, also called Harazuru Onsen, is one of the largest hot spring villages in the area. Located on the banks of the Chikugo River, the hot springs in the village are particularly popular because the water has a reputation for promoting beautiful skin. With more than 14 hot springs facilities drawing water from the 34 natural springs in the area, there are plenty of places to enjoy an open-air bath.
Fees for day use of the hot springs generally start at 500 yen. Most onsens open by mid-morning and don’t close until 10 or 11 at night.
After enjoying the Harazuru Onsen experience, travelers can finish their Kyushu winter itinerary back in Fukuoka, which is just an hour northwest by car.
If timed just right, travelers will have enough time in the afternoon to visit Fukuoka City Museum and Canal City Hakata. The shopping mall is as popular for its international shops and restaurants as it is for the beautiful canal that runs through the entire length of it.
And finally, an evening trip to Fukuoka Tower is the perfect way to wrap up a Kyushu winter itinerary. The observation deck features unforgettable views of Hakata Bay and Momochi Seaside Park and is a beautiful place to snap a few last-minute souvenir shots of the Fukuoka skyline.
Fukuoka Tower is open from 9:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily, with last entry at 9:30 p.m. Admission is 800 yen for adults; 500 yen for students; and 200 yen for children.
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