Ten days in Kyushu, for two
Japan's southernmost main island offers newlyweds romantic hot springs, volcanic landscapes, pottery towns and some of the country's best food, with far fewer crowds than Tokyo or Kyoto.
Full 10-day trip for two, door to door from the USA
Where the money goes
Estimated budget for two over 10 days, in US dollars. Accommodation is the biggest lever: choosing ryokans at the lower or upper end moves the total by more than $3,500.
| Category | Estimated cost |
|---|---|
| International flightsUSA ⇄ Fukuoka, 2 people. Round-trip economy from major US hubs; prices rise from the West Coast in peak seasons. | $2,200 – $3,800 |
| Accommodation (9 nights)About $400–$800 a night, mixing hotels and ryokans with private onsen. | $3,600 – $7,200 |
| Meals and diningIncludes yatai food tours and private or kaiseki dining. | $1,200 – $2,000 |
| Activities and experiencesPottery workshop, Takachiho Gorge boat, onsen access, guided tours. | $600 – $1,000 |
| Domestic transportRental car plus tolls and gas, or JR trains. A car is recommended for Takachiho, Aso and Kurokawa. | $500 – $800 |
| Ground totalAll costs in Japan, excluding international flights | $5,900 – $11,000 |
| Grand totalFull 10-day trip for two, door to door from the USA | $8,100 – $14,800 |
Estimates only. Prices vary by season, departure city and availability.
Option 1: suggested 10-day Kyushu itinerary
A loop from Fukuoka by rental car. Each stop shows the estimated cost of your stay there, based on $400–$800 a night for two.
Fukuoka
Urban charm and night markets
- Arrive at Fukuoka Airport. Spend your first evening at the Nakasu Yatai (open-air food stalls) along the river, with local ramen and grilled skewers in an intimate setting.
- Visit Ohori Park for a peaceful lakeside walk.
- Explore Canal City for shopping and entertainment.
- Optional: catch a Sumo Basho match if visiting in November.
Arita and Imari
Pottery towns and craftsmanship
- Rent a car and drive scenic routes to Arita and Imari, famous for their porcelain heritage.
- Tour traditional kilns and try a hands-on pottery workshop.
- Enjoy a quiet lunch in a machiya (traditional townhouse) café.
Nagasaki
History and night views
- Arrive in Nagasaki, a city of poignant history and breathtaking views.
- Ride the Mt. Inasa Ropeway for one of Japan's best night views.
- Stroll through Glover Garden and Dejima Wharf.
- Enjoy fresh seafood in the Shianbashi district.
Kumamoto
Castle town and hot springs
- Drive to Kumamoto, home to one of Japan's most impressive castles.
- Explore Kumamoto Castle and the surrounding samurai district.
- Relax in nearby Kurokawa Onsen, a picturesque hot spring village perfect for couples.
Takachiho Gorge and Mt. Aso
Mythical landscapes
- Venture into the heart of Kyushu's volcanic region.
- Boat through the dramatic Takachiho Gorge.
- Visit Mt. Aso, one of the world's largest calderas.
- Stay overnight in a mountain ryokan with a private onsen.
Beppu and Yufuin
Onsen paradise
- Head to Beppu, famous for its “Hells” (jigoku) hot springs, then unwind in the charming town of Yufuin.
- Tour Beppu's unique thermal attractions.
- Stay in a luxury ryokan in Yufuin with mountain views and kaiseki dining.
- Walk Yufuin's main street for boutique shopping and cafés.
Return to Fukuoka
Souvenirs and departure
- Drive back to Fukuoka, stopping at Karato Fish Market in Shimonoseki for a fresh fugu (blowfish) lunch.
- Shop for souvenirs at Don Quijote or Hakata Station.
- Depart from Fukuoka Airport.
Option 2: the 16-day north-to-south grand tour
From snowy Hokkaido to tropical Okinawa, covering Japan's diverse climates and cultures. Tap a region to jump to it.
Sapporo and Niseko
Hokkaido: nature, seafood, onsen
Start your honeymoon in the north with fresh air and world-class nature. Fly into New Chitose Airport (CTS).
- Day 1
- Arrive in Sapporo. Visit Odori Park and the Sapporo Beer Museum. Enjoy a romantic dinner of fresh crab and miso ramen in Ramen Yokocho. Stay in central Sapporo.
- Day 2
- Travel to Niseko (about 2 hours by bus or train). In winter, enjoy world-class skiing; in summer, hike Mount Yotei or explore lavender fields. Stay in a luxury resort or ryokan with an onsen (hot spring).
- Day 3
- Morning relaxation in Niseko. In the afternoon, return to New Chitose Airport and fly directly to Osaka (KIX), about 2 hours. Direct flights connect Hokkaido and Kansai efficiently.
Osaka and Kyoto
Kansai: food, temples, tradition
Arrive in the Kansai region, the cultural and culinary heart of Japan.
- Day 4
- Arrive in Osaka. Drop bags at your hotel in Namba or Umeda. Explore Osaka Castle and eat your way through Dotonbori at night; the neon lights and street food make an energetic start to this leg.
- Day 5
- Take a short train ride (30–50 minutes) to Kyoto. Visit Fushimi Inari Taisha with its thousands of red gates and the bamboo grove in Arashiyama. Stay in a traditional ryokan in the Gion district for a private kaiseki dinner.
- Day 6
- Morning visit to the golden Kinkaku-ji. Spend the afternoon in the historic Higashiyama district. In the late afternoon, take the Shinkansen (bullet train) from Kyoto Station to Tokyo Station, about 2 hours 15 minutes.
Tokyo
Kanto: urban energy, shopping, tech
Experience the modern capital before heading further south.
- Day 7
- Explore Shibuya and Harajuku. Visit Meiji Shrine for a peaceful walk. Evening dinner in Shinjuku or the view from Shibuya Sky.
- Day 8
- Visit Asakusa (Senso-ji Temple) and take a river cruise to Odaiba. Or visit the digital art museum teamLab Planets.
- Day 9
- Morning shopping in Ginza or a visit to Tsukiji Outer Market. In the afternoon, fly from Haneda (HND) to Fukuoka (FUK) in Kyushu, about 2 hours.
Kyushu
Southwest: volcanoes, hot springs, history
A slower pace, dramatic volcanoes and some of Japan's best hot springs. Fukuoka is the main gateway, but Beppu, Yufuin or Kumamoto make excellent romantic bases.
- Day 10
- Arrive in Fukuoka. Visit Canal City and enjoy Hakata ramen. If you prefer nature, take a train or bus straight to Yufuin or Kurokawa Onsen (about 2 hours) for a secluded ryokan stay.
- Day 11
- Explore Kumamoto Castle or the active volcanoes of Aso. If staying in Beppu, enjoy the “Hells of Beppu” hot spring tour and a sand bath. This region is ideal for couples seeking relaxation.
- Day 12
- Morning visit to Nagasaki (optional day trip from Fukuoka by train, about 2 hours) for its historic harbor and Peace Park, or relax in a Kyushu onsen. Evening flight from Fukuoka (FUK) to Naha, Okinawa (OKA), about 1 hour 45 minutes.
Okinawa
Ryukyu Islands: tropical beaches, relaxation
Conclude your honeymoon in the tropical south.
- Day 13
- Arrive in Naha. Visit Shuri Castle and the local market. Transfer to a beach resort in Onna Village or Zanpa (about 1 hour by bus or car).
- Day 14
- A full day of relaxation. Snorkel in the Kerama Islands on a day trip or enjoy the resort's private beach; the water here is emerald green, unlike mainland Japan.
- Day 15
- Enjoy a spa treatment or a private beach dinner. Explore the Churaumi Aquarium if you love marine life, or simply soak up the sun.
- Day 16
- Final morning swim. Fly from Naha (OKA) to Tokyo Haneda for your international departure, or fly out directly if your airline offers international connections from Okinawa.
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Kyushu honeymoon destinations
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Fukuoka Yatai food tour
Open-air food stalls along the river with ramen and grilled skewers.
Arita and Imari pottery towns
Traditional kilns and hands-on pottery workshops.
Nagasaki night views
Mt. Inasa Ropeway for one of Japan's best night views.
Kumamoto Castle and Kurokawa Onsen
An impressive castle town near a picturesque hot spring village.
Takachiho Gorge and Mt. Aso
Dramatic gorge boat rides and one of the world's largest calderas.
Beppu and Yufuin onsen paradise
Unique thermal “Hells” and charming mountain-view ryokans.
Special notes for an intimate escape
Private rooms, private baths and quiet islands. The last two ideas are in Okinawa, for couples extending the trip south.
Private dining
Several high-end restaurants offer completely private rooms (koshitsu) where a chef prepares a multi-course meal for two. Look for places in the Nakasu district that advertise private dining, away from the noise of the typical izakaya. Expect Kyushu specialties such as tonkotsu ramen elevated to fine dining, or fresh seafood from the Genkai Sea.
Choose “kashikiri” onsens
When booking ryokans (as in Kurokawa Onsen), look for the term kashikiri: the hot spring is reserved for your party for a set time. Or book a room with a rotenburo, a private outdoor bath.
Chartered yacht dinner
In Naha or Ishigaki, couples can charter a private yacht for a sunset dinner cruise, often with a private chef and a discreet crew. Charters can anchor in secluded coves that larger tour boats can't reach, for a swim and dinner under the stars.
Visit remote islands
Skip the main tourist hubs of Naha and head to Taketomi, Kume or Zamami. These islands have fewer hotels and far fewer people.
Logistics and travel tips
Written for the 16-day grand tour; the luggage and timing advice applies to both options.
Transport strategy
Flights are essential: the grand tour covers too much distance for rail alone. Book domestic flights for:
- Sapporo (CTS) to Osaka (KIX)
- Kyoto to Tokyo by Shinkansen
- Tokyo (HND) to Fukuoka (FUK)
- Fukuoka (FUK) to Okinawa (OKA)
- Okinawa (OKA) to Tokyo (HND) for departure
Rail pass
A nationwide JR Pass is likely not cost-effective for a one-way route like this. Buy individual Shinkansen tickets (Kyoto–Tokyo, Fukuoka–Kyushu local trains) and flights separately.
Luggage
Use Takkyubin (luggage forwarding) to send large bags between major stops, such as Sapporo to Osaka or Tokyo to Fukuoka. Carry only a small overnight bag for the Niseko and Kyushu onsen portions.
Best time to go
May or October: the best balance. Pleasant in Hokkaido and Kyushu, and Okinawa is warm enough to swim (especially late May or early October).
Winter (Dec–Feb): great for Sapporo and Niseko skiing, too cold for Okinawa beaches.
Summer (Jul–Aug): hot and humid in Tokyo, Kyushu and Okinawa, with typhoon risk in Okinawa.
Takkyubin luggage forwarding
Takkyubin (宅急便), often styled Ta-Q-Bin, is Japan's nationwide overnight luggage forwarding service; Yamato Transport, with its black cat logo, is the market leader. Ship suitcases between hotels, airports and convenience stores and travel hands-free on crowded trains and Shinkansen.
How it works
- Booking: no reservation needed. Drop bags at hotel front desks, airport counters or convenience stores; hotel staff usually handle the paperwork and payment.
- Delivery: next day to most places. Remote areas like Hokkaido or Okinawa may take longer.
- Airport returns: send luggage 2–3 days ahead and include your flight number and terminal on the form.
Costs and limits
- Price: ¥2,000–3,000 ($13–$20) per bag on standard routes such as Tokyo to Kyoto.
- Size and weight: graded by length + width + height; most services allow 160–200 cm total and 30 kg.
- Keep with you: passports, cash and laptops stay in your day pack.
Key tips
- Shinkansen rules: bags over 160 cm total need a reserved oversized-baggage seat on some lines.
- Tracking: the number on your receipt lets you follow your bag on the carrier's website.
- Airbnb: many hosts can't arrange takkyubin, so you may need to drop bags at a convenience store or service center.
Plan the Kyushu trip at $405 – $740 per person a day
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