Itinerary
Kyushu's Winter Wings — Cranes, Eagles & Coastal Wilds
6 days · 17 stops · ¥80,000–¥140,000
Sun, Jan 10 – Fri, Jan 15
Six days tracking hooded cranes at Izumi, sea eagles along the coast, and quiet Kagoshima hot springs — all by rental car, all off the tourist trail.
Days
Immanuelle / CC BY 4.0
Shika Island
Fukuoka
Schedule
Day 01 of 06🛬
Arrive 11:00 · first activity from 13:30
2.5h customs + airport transit buffer
Land at FUK · Sun, Jan 10 · from JFK · 1 traveler
Renting a car? Check the license rules
Some licenses (FR/DE/CH/BE/TW) need a JAF translation, not an IDP — 5-min guide.
Stay
Fukuoka · 1 night
Sun, Jan 10 → Mon, Jan 11 · 1 guest
13:30
EXPLORE
志賀島
Stay ~1h 30m
Saitozaki Station
A quiet 11 km island loop by car — scan the coast for winter sea eagles and grebes before the crowds find you.
~44 min by car
15:44
EXPLORE
宮地嶽神社
Stay ~1h
A dramatic shrine overlooking the Genkai Sea — winter eagles sometimes circle above the torii gate.
~35 min by car
17:19
EXPLORE
博多伝統工芸館
Stay ~1h
Hakata Station
A calm museum of local crafts — Hakata dolls and textiles — to ease into Japan before tomorrow's long drive south.
~7 min by car
18:26
EXPLORE
渡辺通
Stay ~1h 15m
Yakuin Station
A local shopping street away from the crowds — perfect for last-minute Hakata ramen and a quiet stroll before the airport.
Getting around, region by region
Your route mixes city and countryside — here's the best mode for each leg.
Fukuoka · Day 1
Dense rail network — trains and the metro beat driving here.
Kagoshima (mainland) · Days 2–5
Rural — a rental car reaches spots no train or bus serves.
Fukuoka · Day 6
Dense rail network — trains and the metro beat driving here.
Getting around
🚄
JR Kyushu Rail Pass — All Kyushu Area
Matched to your route — one pass instead of point-to-point tickets on the rail legs.
View JR Kyushu Rail Pass — All Kyushu Area →🚗
Rental car recommended
Several stops on this route are in rural areas with limited rail access. A rental car from the nearest city hub gives you the freedom to reach places no bus serves.
Browse rental cars on Klook →⛴️
Ferry required
At least one destination is accessible only by ferry. Book in advance — island ferries sell out weeks ahead in peak season (Apr–May, Jul–Aug).
Browse ferry options on Klook →01 / 06
Journey map
Trip budget · お見積り
¥25,000–¥45,000 / person / day
¥150,000–¥270,000 total
💴 Carry ~¥5,000/day in cash — many hidden spots are cash-only.
Estimated from 16 travel legs and 5 hotel nights. International flights not included. Typical prices, not quotes.
Before you go
Passes for this trip
✓ Matched to your route
JR Kyushu Rail Pass — All Kyushu Area
Covers the rail legs on this route — one pass instead of point-to-point tickets.
View this pass
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Get Around
Shinkansen, regional rail passes, and city transit — sorted before you land.
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Stay Hidden
Sleep in a centuries-old ryokan. Tatami floors, onsen, and a 7-course kaiseki.
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Travel Light
Ship luggage ahead on the shinkansen route. Explore every day completely hands-free.
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Travel Safe
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