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Two-Week Japan Itinerary that Maximises the JR Pass During Sakura Season - Incl. Osaka & Fukuoka

First published on TripZilla, in collaboration with Klook.

Read Part 1 before continuing.

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Alternative Sakura Route: Fukuoka – Osaka

Note that the Osaka route remains the same, and the following Fukuoka route will replace the above Tokyo route.

Day 1-2: Fukuoka

Start off your sakura escapade in Fukuoka, one of Japan’s hidden gems. Sakura blooms earlier in Fukuoka, so starting your trip towards the end of March gives you a good buffer should the season be delayed. Fukuoka is also a good base to explore the surrounding region! However, don’t activate your Japan Rail Pass until Day 3 – you won’t need it for travelling around Fukuoka itself. For a unique perspective, head to the Fukuoka Castle Ruins at Maizaru Park. Fukuoka Castle was once Kyushu’s largest castle, but now comprise a couple of walls and turrets as an echo of its former glory.

Tip: Make your way to the top of Fukuoka Castle’s main citadel for a bird’s eye view of the sakura trees!

During sakura season, multiple festivals erupt across the nation; these comprise an eclectic range of food stalls peddling snacks of every variety, a cluster of which are set up in most public parks. One of the best things to do during sakura season is to have a picnic below the willowy pink canopy; either purchase your food from the festival stalls or do a takeaway from a department/convenience store and stretch out alongside locals. A great place to do this in Fukuoka is at Ohori Park, which also offers water sports (think: paddling across the lake on a water tricycle!) for those looking for a more diversified experience. We easily spent an entire day here!

What else to do at Fukuoka: Canal City, Moomin "anti-loneliness café"

Day 3: Fukuoka – Okayama – Kurashiki – Okayama – Fukuoka

Image credit: takeokahp

On your third day, activate your Japan Rail Pass and head out of Fukuoka on a day trip to Okayama and Kurashiki. Do remember to make seat reservations before your journey – these are free and complimentary with the Japan Rail Pass.

Tip: For outbound journeys from Fukuoka, do take note that the main station is called ‘Hakata’, and not ‘Fukuoka’.

Image credit: zengame

Okayama is home to Koraku-en Garden, which is one of Japan’s three most beautiful gardens. Needless to say, Koraku-en is one of the prefecture’s top Sakura viewing spots! Other fantastic sakura spots at Okayama include the Asahi River Cherry Road, located along the banks of the Asahi River, as well as Handayama Botanical Garden.

Image credit: Rob White

After lunch, head over to Kurashiki, which is home to a preserved heritage area called ‘Bikan-chiku’. Known for rows of traditional houses flanking a river, the streets of Bikan-chiku are filled with dozens of antique shops, candy stores, and establishments offering traditional Japanese souvenirs.

How to get there: 114-minute journey (one-way) from Hakata station to Okayama station via Shinkansen; 17-minute journey (one-way) from Okayama Station to Kurashiki Station via JR Sanyo line

What else to do at Okayama: Sega Joypolis, Okayama Digital Museum

What else to do at Kurashiki: Boat ride along Kurashiki Canal, Kumano Shrine, Ivy Square

Day 4: Fukuoka- Yanagawa – Fukuoka

Known as the ‘Venice of Kyushu’, Yanagawa consists of a criss-cross labyrinth of canals that are best explored via a gondola ride. Hop on board an hour-long gondola tour of the town’s canals, and be paddled around by your own private guide. Your guide will bring you along narrow canals and under bridges, all whilst serenading you with traditional Japanese songs. Pass by, or under, arching sakura trees as you explore this little town in the most unique way possible.

After the gondola ride, fill up on “Unagi Seiro Mushi”, Yanagawa’s speciality dish. The dish contains grilled Unagi (eel), thinly-sliced egg and rice – steamed together in a bamboo steamer. The dish is usually served in a lacquer wooden steamer, which is said to help better preserve the flavour.

How to get there: 50-minute journey (one-way) from Nishitetsu-Fukuoka (Tenjin) station to Nishitetsu-Yanagawa station via Limited Express train

What else to do at Yanagawa: Yanagawa Castle, Yanagawa Historic District

Day 5: Fukuoka – Nagasaki – Fukuoka

Image credit: Maru Fish

Together with Hiroshima, Nagasaki was one of the two cities hit by a nuclear bomb during World War II. Tateyama Park and Nagasaki Peace Park are two of the city’s top sakura spots, drawing hordes of history buffs and nature lovers to its shores.

One interesting place to visit is Gunkanjima, an abandoned island off the shores of Nagasaki. Gunkanjima is also known as ‘Battleship Island’, as it resembles a battleship from an aerial view. Travellers aren’t allowed to visit the island by themselves and have to join a tour.

How to get there: 131-minute journey (one-way) from Hakata station to Nagasaki station via Limited Express train

What else to do at Nagasaki: Huis Ten Bosch theme park, Chinatown, Penguin Aquarium

Day 6: Fukuoka – Beppu – Osaka

Image credit: (top) Melanie Ko; (bottom) Hans Johnson

Many flock to Beppu for their hot springs – which can be a real treat during the cool spring weather! Home to over 100 onsen (Japanese hot springs), Beppu has more hot springs than anywhere else in Japan. 

Image credit: Chris Gladis

Another highlight of Beppu, however, is the ‘Hells of Beppu’ – a collection of hot springs that are so called due to their hellish colour. Indeed, some come in hues of bright orange or red!

Tip: Some onsens also offer sand baths, so be sure to check those out for a unique experience.

Other than enjoying the hot springs, Beppu is also home to multiple sakura spots! Head to Beppu Park, Lake Shikada, Sakai River, or embark on the Beppu Cableway up Mount Tsurumi, which is a volcano located on Beppu’s outskirts.

How to get there: 95-minute journey (one-way) from Hakata station to Beppu station via Shinkansen and Limited Express train

What else to do at Beppu: Kimono rental, Kijima Kogen Park, African Safari Park

Day 7: Fukuoka – Kagoshima – Fukuoka

Image credit: Hans Johnson

Kagoshima is home to a variety of sakura spots – Yoshino Park, Senganen Garden, Kotsukigawa Riverside, Hirakawa Zoo – but the most interesting of the lot has to be Sakurajima’s Dinosaur Park. Sakurajima is an active volcano and is located right in the middle of Kagoshima Bay. The volcano is accessible via ferry and boasts many attractions around the ferry terminal, with the Dinosaur Park being one of them!

The Dinosaur Park is home to 7 large dinosaurs, each of which are equipped with stairs and tunnels for visitors to explore! There is even a long slide, that’s 10 metres high and a whopping 50 metres long! The park is fantastic for a family holiday and sees many families arriving with picnic baskets in hand. This is even more so during sakura season when the multiple cherry trees burst into full bloom.

How to get there: 97-minute journey (one-way) from Hakata station to Kagoshima station via Shinkansen and Limited Express train

What else to do at Kagoshima: Shiroyama Lookout, Kirishima, Yurigahama Beach, Yakushima Island

Day 8: Fukuoka – Kumamoto – Fukuoka

Image credit: Tanaka Juuyoh

The most iconic thing about Kumamoto is its castle, which is only befitting of the castle being one of the city’s most prominent sakura spots as well! Kumamoto Castle is one of Japan’s largest and most complete castles, the grounds of which are home to over a thousand sakura trees. Another fun thing to do in Kumamoto would be to try finding the miniature replica of Mount Fuji hidden in Suizenji Ko-en, a garden that’s another of the city’s sakura spots.

Tip: Don’t miss out on trying raw horse sashimi, which is one of Kumamoto’s signature dishes!

How to get there: 49-minute journey (one-way) from Hakata station to Kumamoto station via Shinkansen

What else to do at Kumamoto: Contemporary Art Museum, Kumamoto Zoo and Botanical Gardens

Day 9: Fukuoka – Osaka

And it’s time to explore the Kansai region! The Osaka itinerary follows the above as stated in the conventional (Tokyo-Osaka) route.

How to get there: 163-minute journey (one-way) from Hakata station to Shin-Osaka station via Shinkansen

Breakdown of costs for above itinerary: 

14-Day Japan Rail Pass VS point-to-point tickets

  • 14-Day Japan Rail Pass: S$534
  • Point-to-point tickets:
    • Fukuoka – Okayama – Fukuoka: ¥7,340 x 2 = ¥14,680 (~S$175)
    • Okayama – Kurashiki – Okayama: ¥320 x 2 = ¥640 (~S$8)
    • Fukuoka – Yanagawa – Fukuoka:¥ 850 x 2 = ¥1,700 (~S$20)
    • Fukuoka – Nagasaki – Fukuoka: ¥4,710 x 2 = ¥9,420 (~S$112)
    • Fukuoka – Beppu – Fukuoka: ¥7,340 x 2 = ¥14,680 (~S$176)
    • Fukuoka – Kagoshima – Fukuoka: ¥11,070 yen x 2 = ¥22,140 (~S$265)
    • Fukuoka – Kumamoto – Fukuoka: ¥4,930 x 2 = ¥9,860 (~S$118)
    • Fukuoka – Osaka: ¥9,610 (~S$115)
    • Osaka – Hiroshima – Osaka: ¥5620 x 2 = ¥11,240 (~S$134)
    • Hiroshima – Miyajima – Hiroshima: ¥180 x 2 = ¥360 (~S$4)
    • Osaka – Himeji – Osaka: ¥1,490 x 2 = ¥2,980 (~S$36)
    • Osaka – Kyoto – Osaka: ¥560 x 2 = ¥1,120 (~S$13)
    • Kyoto – Arashiyama – Kyoto: ¥240 x 2 = ¥480 (~S$6)
      • Total: ¥98,910 (~S$1,183)

Total cost savings : S$1,183 – S$534 = S$649 with the Japan Rail Pass

Whichever route you pick, the Japan Rail Pass is bound to bring you massive savings! Besides being valid for both intercity and intracity travel (for certain locations), the Japan Rail Pass also allows you to make seat reservations for free (don’t underestimate the importance of these for long journeys!). 

In addition, you can also do away with physical tickets; all you have to do is to flash your pass at the station gantries to gain entry! If you miss a train, you also have the flexibility to make another seat reservation and hop onto another one – entirely free of charge.

Take your pick from 7-Day, 14-Day or 21-Day Rail Passes – whichever suits your schedule. And during a time where everything in the country goes up in price due to the popularity of the sakura season, the Japan Rail Pass is one way to guarantee savings! We recommend buying your Japan Rail Passes from Klook – all you have to do is book yours online, collect your exchange order from Klook’s CBD office, and exchange the voucher at either a) any international airport in Japan, or b) any JR office in Japan. Each voucher is valid for a period of 90 days, so don’t worry about buying yours in advance!

Experience the beauty of the sakura season for yourself – words simply don’t do it justice – and trust us when we say you won’t want to leave home without the Japan Rail Pass.

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