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Three nights between Beijing and Fukuoka

Posted by (Ajijic, Jalisco, Mexico) on

I have a tour of China that ends in Beijing. Three days later, I join a Road Scholar walking tour on the island of Kyushu, starting in Fukuoka. The tour spends just one night and one morning in Fukuoka.

I'm looking for suggestions on how to spend those three days. One option is to fly to Fukuoka early and have a few extra days there. But I'm considering whether it's worthwhile to go somewhere else for a couple of days.

Other than Tokyo, Toba, Kyoto, and Hiroshima (which I am visiting on an earlier tour in Japan), and northern Kyushu, is there somewhere else you'd suggest spending those three nights?

This is in mid to late November.

Posted by
629 posts

When in Kyushu make sure to try basashi, horse meat sashimi. A local delicacy that is quite tasty.

Posted by
181 posts

What will you be visiting on your Road Scholar tour? I'm assuming Nagasaki will be part of that? If not, that's what I would recommend.

More in the central part of Kyushu, there's Kumamoto and Mt. Aso. I spent 2 nights there, one day dedicated to Kumamoto and another to Aso/surrounding area. There's a lot of nature/hiking stuff you could do if that's your thing. You might have to rent a car though, again depending on what you want to do.

I wanted to visit Kagoshima in the south, but didn't have time. I don't know if 3 days would be too much though. Again depends on what you want to do. But's it's conveniently connected on the Shinkansen line with Fukuoka.

Posted by
2304 posts

Thanks for the tips, James.

The Road Scholar tour doesn't go anywhere close to Nagasaki. It really just covers the northern part of the island and the focus is nature and smaller towns and villages. So I will definitely give Nagasaki some serious consideration.

The tour is hiking every day, so I'm probably not looking for more hiking in those free days.

And Slate, thanks for the advice. I'll make note of basashi; however, even though I consider myself an adventurous eater, I'm struggling with the thought of eating horse.

Posted by
2922 posts

Well, Lane, I don’t have any advice but I’m following this as I will also be in Fukuoka on a Road Scholar tour - but we end our tour there. I think I’m missing you by a couple of weeks…we get to Fukuoka on the 15th of December.

Posted by
443 posts

I second the recommendation of Nagasaki. Kagoshima would be another outstanding choice (depending on your interests). Both are an easy train ride up to Fukuoka.

Posted by
355 posts

You could visit SHINKAMIGOTO in the Goto Islands. Ferry to/from Nagasaki (which we took) or Sasebo; one can also fly there. As mentioned already by others, Nagasaki would also be a good option. Details of our Dec 2024 visit to both locations is in my trip report: https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/trip-reports/trip-report-japan-nagasaki-and-the-goto-islands-dec-2024

There is also Jeju Island, South Korea, midway between Beijing and Kyushu, with direct flights to Beijing and Fukuoka. (I visited once years ago, but don't remember much. Vacation area for South Koreans.)

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