A family road trip on the southwesternmost of the main Japanese islands—the warm and friendly Kyūshū.

Our route, marking our overnight stays on a given day. (This is a draft!)

• 10 Oct. Arriving in Fukuoka via Taipei (Taiwan).
• 11 Oct. Fukuoka. In the morning, visiting Kushida-jinja in Fukuoka, then taking a train to Dazaifu to see Tenman-gū temple and the excellent Kyūshū National Museum. Returning by train to Hakata City for ramen at one of the original locations of the now-famous Ichiran chain, which originated in Fukuoka. Photos.
  
  

  Nanzoin

• 12 Oct. Fukuoka. A short train trip outside the city to visit the impressive Nanzoin Buddhist temple complex, home to a famous newly built reclining Buddha monument. Returning to Fukuoka, visiting Kushida-jinja again, and having dinner at Canal City. Photos.
• 13 Oct. Yufuin. Driving on the expressway from Fukuoka to Usa, then via the Kunisaki Peninsula and Beppu surroundings to Yufuin. Departing late from the car rental in Fukuoka (11:30). In Usa: visiting Usago-jingū (also known as Usa Hachiman-gū). On the Kunisaki Peninsula—no time for the many Rokugo Manzan temples; we manage to see only Fuki-ji and Maki Ōdō, unfortunately missing Futago-ji, Kumano Magaibutsu Buddha images, and later Beppu (mostly known for its “jigoku meguri” hot spring hells circuit). Upon checking in at Yufuin (Sharanoki), we realize that A. has lost the passport, supposedly left at the clinic in Fukuoka, which later proves to be true. Pictures.
• 14 Oct. Mamihara. Driving via Makinoto Pass (Kuju) to the Aso-san area (volcanoes), then to Mamihara. Passing through the Kuju Mountains: Tadewara Marsh, Makinoto Pass. In the Aso-san area: Shiroyama Tembōjō Lookout, Aso-jinja, then up to Aso-san to see Naka-dake Crater and visit the Aso Volcano Museum. Then, descending the southern slopes to Kamishikimi-Kumanoimasu-jinja. In Mamihara (Omusubi GH) it occures that A.’s passport, sent by the clinic, is expected to arrive soon via Japan Post. Photos.
  
  

  Amanoyasukawara

• 15 Oct. Nichinan. A thorough visit to Takachiho, then a direct drive (expressway) to Nichinan. First, visiting the atmospheric Heitate Shrine near Mamihara before reaching the touristy Takachiho: Takachiho-jinja, the famous river gorge with a waterfall, Ama-no-Iwato-jinja, and Ama-no-Yasukawara cave. The passport does not arrive with the afternoon delivery at the Mamihara Post Office—expected tomorrow. We take a direct expressway to Nichinan, where we enjoy dinner with sake! Pictures from this long day.
  
  

  Aoshima

• 16 Oct. Kirishima. Visiting the historical samurai town of Obi, then the northern part of the Nichinan coast with the atmospheric coastal temples of Udo and Aoshima. A detour back to Mamihara to fetch A.’s passport at the Omusibi GH (thank you!), then a long drive via Kumamoto to the Kirishima Mountains, arriving at Amrita Lodge well after 21:00. Photos from this day.
• 17 Oct. Kirishima. Bad visibility in the mountains—clouds and mist, then rain. Visiting the Ebino-Kōgen plateau, omitting the Eco Museum Centre, and taking the short Ikemeguri trail around two lakes, namely Byakushiike and Rokkannonmiike, with a (misty) climb of Mt. Shiratoriyama. Then, by car: Mt. Takachiho surroundings, the temple of Kirishima-jingū, and dinner at Amrita Lodge. Pictures.
• 18 Oct. Kagoshima. Driving to Kagoshima via the Sakurajima volcano area and taking the ferry across the bay. Visiting the Sakurajima volcano area (Yunohira Observatory), the Museum of the Meiji Restoration, and having dinner in the Tenmonkan district. (Omitted the Sengan-en park area.) Pictures from this part of the trip.
  
  

  Michi-no-Eki :: Sakurajima

• 19 Oct. Kagoshima. Exploring the Ibusuki area and Satsuma Peninsula. Visiting the Chiran Peace Museum (kamikaze memorial), Sebira Nature Park, a disappointing somen noodle restaurant in Karafune Ravine, Nishi-Oyama Station, and Nagasakibana Cape. Briefly stopping to observe hot sand onsens in Ibusuki (Saraku). Back in Kagoshima, we enjoy the Jazz Festival on our street. Taking pictures.
• 20 Oct. Nagasaki. A long drive: expressway to Kumamoto Port, then a ferry to Shimabara, and onward to Nagasaki. In Shimabara: visiting Shimabara Castle and samurai houses. (Unfortunately omitting Unzen and Nita Pass surroundings with hot springs there). In Nagasaki: dinner in Chinatown. Pictures.
  
  

  Nagasaki :: Suwa-jinja

• 21 Oct. Nagasaki. A full day in Nagasaki. In Urakami (north): visiting the Nagasaki National Peace Memorial Hall for the Atomic Bomb Victims, the Atomic Bomb Museum, Peace Park, and the Hypocenter. In central Nagasaki: skipping Dejima Island but visiting Suwa-jinja and Sōfuku-ji. Dinner in Chinatown, then back to the hotel via the Dutch Slopes. Pictures.
• 22 Oct. Arita. Spending the morning in Nagasaki. In the south: visiting Glover Garden but skipping Oura Cathedral. Driving from Nagasaki to the ceramic pottery village of Arita in the rain: visiting the Kyūshū Ceramic Museum, two kilns (Kouraku, Kakiemon), and shopping for ceramics in Arita Sera. Dinner at a yakitori restaurant. Pictures.
• 23 Oct. Fukuoka. Driving from Arita via Karatsu to Fukuoka. In Karatsu: visiting Karatsu Castle, Nakazato Tarōemon (family pottery museum, closed), and shopping for ceramics. In Fukuoka: visiting Shōfuku-ji (a strangely abandoned Zen Buddhist temple), returning the rental car, and spending the evening at Canal City—mainly shopping (Alpen, Muji, Muji Café) and having dinner (soba). Packing. Pictures.
• 24 Oct. Flight from Fukuoka to Taipei, Taiwan.
  
  

  Shimabara-jō