Introduction to Autumn Colours 2024 in Kyushu Region’s Onsen Resorts – with information about the best time to view fall foliage in different regions

Photo: Mount Yufu, Yufuin Onsen

Kyushu Region

Note: 

1. This article introduces the best time to view the foliage in each area’s onsen resorts, as well as a number of selected ryokans in each onsen area.

2. The best time to view fall colours listed here is based on open information published in Japan.（Survey date: November 19, 2024） Influenced by the weather and other natural factors, the actual period when autumnal leaf colouration meets its peak might be a little bit different from our prediction.

Kamado Jinja Shrine（竈門神社）[ Map ]

Best time to view fall foliage

Late November to early December

Access

(1) 20 minutes by Nishitetsu Tenjin Omuta Line from Nishitetsu-Fukuoka (Tenjin) Station to Nishitetsu-Futsukaichi Station, then 5 minutes by Nishitetsu Dazaifu Line to Dazaifu Station and 8-min bus ride to Uchiyama (Kamado Jinja Mae)
(2) Approximately 50 minutes by car from Hakata Onsen
(3) Approximately one hour 20 min by car from Ureshino Onsen
(4) Approximately one hour 30 min by car from Yufuin Onsen

Raizan Sennyoji Taihioin Temple（雷山千如寺大悲王院）[ Map ]

Best time to view fall foliage

Mid to late November

Access

(1) 40 minutes by Fukuoka City Subway Airport Line / JR Chikuhi Line from Hakata Station to Chikuzen-Maebaru Station, then 20 minutes by bus to Raizan Kannon Mae and 7-min walk from there
(2) Approximately one hour 20 min by car from Hakata Onsen
(3) Approximately one hour 20 min by car from Ureshino Onsen

Nomiyama Kannonji Temple（呑山観音寺）[ Map ]

Best time to view fall foliage

Mid to late November

Access

(1) 20 minutes by JR Sasaguri Line from Hakata Station to Sasaguri Station, then 20 minutes by taxi
(2) Approximately 30 minutes by car from Hakata Onsen
(3) Approximately one hour 40 min by car from Ureshino Onsen

Akizuki Castle Ruins（秋月城跡）[ Map ]

Best time to view fall foliage

Late November to early December

Access

(1) 25 minutes by JR Kagoshima Main Line from Hakata Station to Kiyama Station, then 30 minutes by Amagi Railway to Amagi Station and 20-min bus ride to Hakubutsukan-mae (Museum)
(2) Approximately 40 minutes by car from Hakata Onsen
(3) Approximately one hour 20 min by car from Ureshino Onsen

List of Ryokans in Hakata Onsen

Mifuneyama Rakuen（御船山楽園）[ Map ]

Best time to view fall foliage

Late November to early December

Access

(1) One hour by JR Limited Express from Hakata Station to Takeo-Onsen Station, then 10 minutes by taxi
(2) 25 minutes by bus from Ureshino Onsen Bus Center (Ureshino Onsen) to Mifuneyama Rakuen, then right over there

Chimachibo Park（乳待坊公園）[ Map ]

Best time to view fall foliage

Mid-November to early December

Access

(1) 30 minutes by JR Kagoshima Main Line from Hakata Station to Tosu Station, then one hour 15 min by JR Nagasaki Main Line / Sasebo Line to Mimasaka Station and 10-min taxi ride from there
(2) Approximately 30 minutes by car from Ureshino Onsen

List of Ryokans in Karatsu Onsen

List of Ryokans in Ureshino Onsen

Mount Yufu（由布岳）[ Map ]

Best time to view fall foliage

Late October to mid-November

Access

(1) One hour 50 min by bus from Fukuoka Airport to Yufuin Station Bus Center, or
(2) two hours 15 min by JR Limited Express from Hakata Station to Yufuin Station (Yufuin Onsen), then 15 minutes by bus to Yufu Tozanguchi (Trailhead)
(3) 35 minutes by bus from Beppu Station (Beppu Onsen) to Yufu Tozanguchi (Trailhead)

Lake Kinrinko（金鱗湖）[ Map ]

Best time to view fall foliage

Early to mid-November

Access

(1) One hour 50 min by bus from Fukuoka Airport to Yufuin Station Bus Center, or
(2) two hours 15 min by JR Limited Express from Hakata Station to Yufuin Station (Yufuin Onsen), then 20 minutes on foot

Kokonoe Yume Otsuribashi Bridge（九重夢大吊橋）[ Map ]

Best time to view fall foliage

Mid to late November

Access

(1) Two hours 10 min by bus from Tenjin Expressway Bus Terminal (Hakata) to Kokonoe Interchange, or
(2) 20 minutes by bus from Yufuin Station (Yufuin Onsen) to Kokonoe Interchange, then 25 minutes by bus to Otsurihashi Nakamura Kuchi and right over there
(3) Approximately one hour by car from Beppu Onsen

Shinyaba Gorge (Hitome Hakkei)＜深耶馬溪（一目八景）＞[ Map ]

Best time to view fall foliage

Late November

Access

(1) One hour 55 min by JR Limited Express from Hakata Station to Bungo-Mori Station,
(2) 35 minutes by JR Kyudai Main Line from Yufuin Station (Yufuin Onsen) to Bungo-Mori Station, or
(3) one hour 40 min by JR Limited Express from Beppu Station (Beppu Onsen) to Bungo-Mori Station, then 30 minutes by bus to Shinyaba and 5-min walk from there

Hon Yabakei Gorge & Aonodomon (Blue Tunnels)＜本耶馬渓（青の洞門）＞[ Map ]

Best time to view fall foliage

Late November

Access

(1) Approximately one hour by car from Yufuin Onsen
(2) Approximately one hour by car from Beppu Onsen

List of Ryokans in Yufuin Onsen

List of Ryokans in Beppu Onsen

Kuju Mountains (Yamanami Highway & Makinoto Pass)＜九重連山（やまなみハイウェイ・牧の戸峠）＞[ Map ]

Best time to view fall foliage

Late October to mid-November

Access

(1) 40 minutes by bus from Kurokawa Onsen (Aso & Kurokawa Onsen) to Makinoto-toge Pass,
(2) one hour by bus from Yufuin Station Bus Center (Yufuin Onsen) to Makinoto-toge Pass, or
(3) two hours by bus from Beppu Ekimae Honmachi (Beppu Onsen) to Makinoto-toge Pass, then right over there

Soyo Gorge（蘇陽峡）[ Map ]

Best time to view fall foliage

Mid to late November

Access

(1) 40 minutes by JR Kyushu Shinkansen from Hakata Station to Kumamoto Station, then one hour 30 minutes by car
(2) Approximately one hour 30 minutes by car from Aso & Kurokawa Onsen

Takachiho Gorge（高千穂峡）[ Map ]

Best time to view fall foliage

Late November to early December

Access

(1) Three hours 40 min by bus from Tenjin Expressway Bus Terminal (Hakata) to Takachiho Bus Center, then 20 minutes on foot
(2) Approximately one hour 30 min by car from Aso & Kurokawa Onsen
(3) Approximately two hours 30 min by car from Nichinan Onsen

List of Ryokans in Aso & Kurokawa Onsen

Unzen Ropeway & Nita Toge Pass（雲仙ロープウェイ・仁田峠展望台）[ Map ]

Best time to view fall foliage

Mid to late November

Access

(1) One hour 35 min by JR Limited Express from Hakata Station to Isahaya Station, or
(2) 40 minutes by bus from Nagasaki Airport to Isahaya Station, then one hour 20 min by bus to Unzen and 15-min by taxi ride from there

 

List of Ryokans in Unzen Onsen

Kirishima Onsen（霧島温泉郷）[ Map ]

Best time to view fall foliage

Mid to late November

Access

35 minutes by bus from Kagoshima Airport to Maruo (Kirishima Onsen)

Kirishima Jingu Shrine（霧島神宮）[ Map ]

Best time to view fall foliage

Late November

Access

35 minutes by bus from Kagoshima Airport to Maruo (Kirishima Onsen), then 15 minutes by bus to Kirishima Jingu

Sogi Falls（曽木の滝）[ Map ]

Best time to view fall foliage

Late November to early December

Access

(1) One hour 5 min by JR Kyushu Shinkansen from Hakata Station to Shin-Minamata Station, then approximately 40 minutes by car
(2) Approximately one hour by car from Kirishima Onsen

List of Ryokans in Kirishima Onsen

List of Ryokans in Kagoshima Shiroyama Onsen

List of Ryokans in Ibusuki Onsen