13 Days in Southern & Central Japan: Travel Itinerary

by Makan Harry | Jun 20, 2023 | Japan 2023 | 0 comments

Autumn is a great time to travel with colors so vivid, cooler temperatures & lesser crowd.

A return to Japan beckons with 6 nights in Kyushu – the southernmost of Japan’s main islands, 3 nights in ancient Takayama to view the natural beauty of the Japanese Alps & 3 nights in futuristic Tokyo to catch a glimpse of the changes that is to come.

Travel Japan Map 2023

6 nights in Kyushu

Miyajima Tori

Day 1 (31-Oct 2023) : Depart Singapore for Kitakyushu in Southern Japan

Arrival at Fukuoka International Airport
Check-in at Daiwa Roynet Hotel Kokura Ekimae
Mojiko Retro & Shimonoseki
Kokura City & Kokura Castle

Weather Forecast

Temperature between 11.1C to 16C
Sunrise at 6:35am, Sunset at 17:24pm
43% chance of rain

Fukuoka International Airport

Arrive Fukuoka International Airport Terminal 1 0810 hrs; collect JR Rail Pass and take public transport to Kokura Station,

Daiwa Roynet Hotel Kokura Ekimae

Daiwa Roynet Hotel Kokura Ekimae is appx 300m south of Kokura Station; Deposit bags and check-in after 3pm.

Mojiko Retro

Mojiko Retro is appx 12km north of Kokura Station or appx 20 mins via Train. Take the Kanmon Ferry to the Karato market at Shimonoseki for lunch.

Karato Market

Karato Market is a must go as just across the straits from Mojiko & is the biggest seafood market in western Japan.

Kokura Castle

Kokura Castle is appx 800m west of Daiwa Roynet Hotel & is adjacent to Riverwalk Kitakyushu Mall.

Recommended Meals

Lunch at Karato Market

Dinner of Ramen at Ichiban Kokura

Day 2 (1-Nov 2023): Day trip to Hiroshima in Western Honshu

Shinkansen to Hiroshima
Miyajima & Itsukushima Jinja
Peace Memorial Park & Hiroshima Castle

Weather Forecast

Temperature between 8.5C to 17.4C
Sunrise at 6:29am, Sunset at 17:17pm
42% chance of rain

Shinkansen Kokura to Hiroshima

Depart 8am from Kokura Station by Tokaido-Sanyo Shinkansen to Hiroshima Station arriving 8,45am. Then take the JR Sanyo Line to Miyajimaguchi Station before taking Ferry to Miyajima.

Miyajima Shopping Street

Happening Street Food just 10 mins walk from the JR Miyahsima Ferry Terminal. Visit the Five-Storey Pagado which is along the street.

Itsukushima Jinja

Just 400m from Miyajima Shopping Street is possibly the best Tori Gates in Japan. Visit the Daisho-in Temple which is just 5 minutes walk away.

Peace Memorial Park

The Peace Memorial Park is next to the Atomic Dome Hall and appx 2.5km west of Hiroshima Station. This was the site of the 1st atomic bond which detonated 600m above the site on 6 Aug 1945 at 8,15am.

Hiroshima Castle

Hiroshima Castle was the HQ of the 2nd Army (Japan) in WW2 which was responsible for the planning of the defense of Southern Japan in 1945.

Recommended Meals

Snack of Oysters at Kakiya

Dinner of Okonomiyaki at Nagataya

Day 3 (2-Nov 2023): Beppu Onsen Town

Collect Rental Car
Check-in at Beppu Hotel Negura
Jigoku Meguri & Sakura-yu Onsen

Weather Forecast

Temperature between 8.5C to 15.6C
Sunrise at 6:31am, Sunset at 17:23pm
34% chance of rain

Kitakyushu Rental Car

The Budget Car Rental is located 700m north of Daiwa Roynet Hotel and next to Aruaru City Mall. Pick up time is 9am.

Beppu Hotel Negura

Beppu Hotel Negura is appx 110 km south of Kokura or 90 mins drive along the coastal roads of Northern Kyushu.

Stopover at ANA Intercontinental Beppu Resort for great views of the Onsen Town before arriving at Beppu Hotel Negura to deposit luggae before proceeding to visit sights.

Jigoku Meguri

To visit Umi Jigoku (Sea Hell), Kamado Jigoku (Cooking Pot Hell) & Chinoike Jigoku (Blood Hell).

Hyotan Onsen

Hyotan Onsen boasts 3 Michelin stars and 2km East of Beppu Hotel Negura (reservations required).

Recommended Meals

Lunch of Fried Chicken at Joyful Beppu

Dinner of Udon at Amamichaya

Day 4 (3-Nov 2023): Day Trip to Yufuin

Kirin Lake & Yufuin Floral Village
Onsen at Takegawara Onsen
Yukemuri Observatory

Weather Forecast

Temperature between 8.5C to 15.6C
Sunrise at 6:31am, Sunset at 17:23pm
34% chance of rain

Kinrin Lake

Kinrin Lake is appx 25km West of Beppu Hotel Negura & is where Tenso-jinja Torri Gate is located.

Yufuin Floral Village

Yufuin Floral Village is just 500m west of Kinrin Lake.

Takegawara Onsen

Takegawara Onsen is 6km south of Beppu Hotel Negura & next to Beppu Bay.

Yukemuri Observatory

Yukemori Observatory has a great view of Beppu.

Recommended Meals

Snacks at Snoopy Cafe

Tea at authentic Japanese Tea House

Day 5 (4-Nov 2023): Fruit Picking & Oysters in Fukuoka

Ryumon Falls
Kyoho Winery & Fruit Picking
Karatomari Ebisu Oyster Hut & Johnny’s Ice Cream
Check-in at JR Kyushu Hotel Blossom Hakata Central
Return Rental Car

Weather Forecast

Temperature between 9.6C to 17.6C
Sunrise at 6:36am, Sunset at 17:27pm
31% chance of rain

Ryumon Falls

Lovely waterfall appx 50km west of Beppu and in the direction of Fukuoka.

Kyoho Winery

Kyoho Winery has a restaurant Hoirige and is set amidst the fruit farms. Figs & Strawberries are available in Autumn.

Karatomari Ebisu Oyster Hut

Karatomari Ebisu Oyster Hut is along the coast line of northern Kyushu and faces the Sea of Japan.

Johnny's Ice Cream

Emjoy the setting sun whilst having an ice cream at the beach then drive down 1km to Couple’s rock at Sakurai Futamigaura.

JR Kyushu Hotel Blossom Hakata Central

Deposit the luggage before returning rental car at nearby Hakata Station.

Budget Car Rental Hakata Station

Budget Rental Hakata Station is next to Dekimachi Park and 500m west of Hakata Station.

Recommended Meals

Lunch at Hoirige

Dinner of Hot Pot at Motsunabe Kobayashi

Day 6 (5-Nov 2023): Fukuoka City

Dazaifu Shrine
Ohori Park Japanese Garden
Canal City

Weather Forecast

Temperature between 9.6C to 17.6C
Sunrise at 6:36am, Sunset at 17:27pm
31% chance of rain

Dazaifu Shrine

Dazaifu Shrine is a hidden gem in Kyushu and just 17km south east of Fukuoka City.

Ohori Park Japanese Garden

Walking distance from Hakata Station is Ohori Park, which was the moat surrounding Fukuoka Castle.

Hakata Canal City

Biggest mall in Fukuoka City.

Recommended Meals

Dinner at Chikae Fukuoka

Supper at Yatai Mamichan

3 nights in Takayama

Kamikochi Kappa Bridge in Autumn

Day 7 (6-Nov 2023): Takayama historic district

Shinkansen to Nagoya
Meet Joel at Nagoya Station
Train to Takayama
Check-in at Wat Hotel & Spa Hida Takayama
Takayama Old Town

Weather Forecast

Temperature between 0.5C to 8.3C
Sunrise at 6:13am, Sunset at 16:56pm
56% chance of rain
Light snow

Shinkansen to Nagoya

Take the 7.15am Shinkansen from Hakata Station to Nagoya Station arriving 10.34am.

Meet Joel at Silver Ckock of Nagoya Station, before taking the 10.48am Hida Express to Takayama Station arriving 1.12pm.

Wat Hotel & Spa Hida Takayama

Wat Hotel & Spa Hida Takayama is appx 500m south of Takayama Station.

Takayama Old Town

Takayama Old Town is appx 1km north east of Wat Hotel & Spa Hida Takayama.

Recommended Meals

Snack at Hida Kotte Ushi

Dinner at Suzuya Restaurant

Day 8 (7-Nov 2023): Day trip to Shinhotaka Ropeway & Kamikochi

Shinhotaka Ropeway
Kamikochi

Weather Forecast

Temperature between 0.5C to 8.3C
Sunrise at 6:13am, Sunset at 16:56pm
56% chance of rain
Light snow

Shinhotaka Ropeway

Shinhotaka Ropeway is 90 mins bus ride from Takayama Bus Terminal. The bus leaves every hour at 40 mins after the hour. From Shinhotaka Ropeway, the bus leaves every hour at 55 mins after the hour.

The views at the Observation Deck is apparently awesome.

Kamikochi

Kamikochi is appx 25 mins bus ride from Hirayu Onsen Bus Terminal. Bus leaves every 30 mins with last bus leaving Kamikochi at 5.55pm.

Kappa Bridge is a must see in mid afternoon.

Recommended Meals

Lunch at Alps Horn

Dinner at Kyoya

Day 9 (8-Nov 2023): Hida Folk Village & Sake Brewing

Sanmichi historical houses preserved area
Takayama Sake Brewery
Hida Folk Village

Weather Forecast

Temperature between 0.5C to 8.3C
Sunrise at 6:13am, Sunset at 16:56pm
56% chance of rain
Light snow

Sanmichi historical houses preserved area

Step back to time and experienced the Edo period at Sanmichi district to see how craftsman, merchants & farmers lived.

Checkout Takayama Jinja where the Governor once lived and was the seat of Government in Takayama.

Takayama Sake Brewery

Harada (Sansha Sake) -> Funasaka -> Hirase (Kusudama Sake) -> Kawashiri -> Niki -> Hirata -> Oita.

Hida Folk Village

Hida Folk Village aka Hida No Sato is just 2km from Takayama Station & a recreation of the village life during Edo times.

Recommended Meals

Lunch at Sakaguchiya

3 nights in Tokyo

Hikarigaoka Park Autumn Leaves

Day 10 (9-Nov 2023): Ginza

Shinkansen to Tokyo
Check-in at Hotel Grand Bach Tokyo Ginza
Meet Hilda & Ian
Ginza Shopping

Weather Forecast

Temperature between 10.9C to 16.5C
Sunrise at 6:02am, Sunset at 16:46pm
35% chance of rain

Shinkansen Takayama to Tokyo

Depart Takayama Station 8am for Nagoya to catch the 10:49am Shinkansen to Higashi-Ginza Station arriving 12:40pm.

Hotel Grand Bach Tokyo Ginza

Hotel Grand Bach Ginza is appx 300m from Higashi-Ginza Station.

Meet Hilda & Ian at Hotel Grand Bach Hotel before going for lunch.

Ginza Shopping

Places to visit include Ginza Mitsukoshi, Ginza Six, Uniglo Ginza & Seiko Museum Ginza,

Recommended Meals

Lunch at Ginza Mitsukoshi Food Hall

Dinner at Yayoiken

Day 11 (10-Nov 2023): Tokyo Highlights 1

Toyosu Market
Meiji Jingsu Shrine & Yoyogi Park
Shopping at Cat Street & Harajuku Omotesandro district

Weather Forecast

Temperature between 10.9C to 16.5C
Sunrise at 6:02am, Sunset at 16:46pm
35% chance of rain

Toyosu Market

Attend Tuna Auction at Toyosu Market & have early breakfast.

Yoyogi Park

Visit the Meiji Jingu Shrine at Yoyogi Park.

Cat Street & Harajuku Omotesandro district

Harajuku is just across the road from Yoyoji Park and visit the happening cafes along Cat Street & atas shops along Omotesandro.

Tokyu Hands at Shinjuku is also a must-go.

Recommended Meals

Breakfast of sushi at Oedo

Lunch at Roast Beef Ohno Harajuku

Dinner at Katsukura Shinjuku Takashiamya

Day 12 (11-Nov 2023): Tokyo Highlights 2

Imperial Palace
Yasukuni Shrine
Senso-ji
Asakusa & Nakamise Shopping Street

Weather Forecast

Temperature between 10.9C to 16.5C
Sunrise at 6:02am, Sunset at 16:46pm
35% chance of rain

Imperial Palace

Visit the Imperial Palace East Gardens before going for early lunch of tempura at Kaneko Hannosuke.

Yasukuni Shrine

Japan honors their war heroes & there is a war museum.

Senso-ji

Senso-ji temple is located in Asasuka and is amongst the most majestic shrines in Japan.

Asakusa & Nakamise Shopping Street

Happening Nakamise Street has food stalls leading to the Senso-ji temple,

Recommended Meals

Lunch of Tempura at Kaneko Hannosuke

Day 13 (12-Nov 2023): Return to Singapore

Depart Haneda Airport Terminal 3 for Singapore

Weather Forecast

Temperature between 23.7C to 30.6C
Sunrise at 6:45am, Sunset at 18:50pm
63% chance of rain

Haneda Airport Terminal 3

Depart Haneda Airport for Singapore 4.40pm arriving Singapore same day 11.20pm.

Recommended Meals

Lunch of ramen at Ippudo Ginza

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