kyushu trip plan

2 weeks itinerary Fukuoka Nagasaki Kumamoto Beppu please help plan

For inspiration:
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2403_7.html

We are not a travel agent. We can answer specific questions, but you have to do your homework first.

We are not a travel agent. We can answer specific questions, but you have to do your homework first.

Yes, head to Nagasaki - it is a nice town and has an interesting layout, especially with its tram system. Their museum noting the atomic bomb drop is very different to Hiroshima, and in my opinion more stark/raw, but well worth visiting (and I'll revisit because it has some interesting displays.

Train across to Beppu for a night or two. If you stay at the main resort, they have a great banquet buffet and onsen - it's designed for the local market, so makes for an interesting stay - they have staff from all over so you can manage with english ok.

Go south to Kagoshima and visit the volcano, and get the local train to the hot sand baths - food is great and accommodation pretty cheap.

When are you going? Sumo in Fukuoka is in November. But, it depends on what you want to do . . . . .

A lot depends on your interests!!

There is a lot of time though, so visiting Yakushima would be well worth it. It rains a lot, but there's nowhere in Japan like it.
Nagasaki is really the most interesting city on the island in terms of history and varied points of interest. It is worth a couple days to see the city, and another day to see areas nearby like Shimabara/Unzen or whatever interests you. Gunkanjima, while it takes 3 hours, will blow your mind.
http://www.ngs-kenkanren.com/eng/
http://www.at-nagasaki.jp/foreign/english/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QdWRyHGW3rk
Be sure to see Mt. Inasa at night if the weather is clear, and try the Nagasaki chanpon and saraudon. Also the Koshibyo temple is an often overlooked shrine that is quite unique in Japan:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mu_JnkVInTU
For Fukuoka, there are many open parks, shopping, seaside historical areas, and urban neon. Here is one site that's a good guide:
http://www.thejapanfaq.com/fukpic.html
There are also many useful videos to give you a preview:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL7LcPcmoSg-j4RLa6iC7ayvBAbOn8-0...
Be sure not to miss the Nanzoin Temple with its Great Buddha - it's a hidden jewel that few even know of:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lT4VQFmHFyM
Kitakyushu has a few sights of interest also. It's Kokura Castle is one of the better ones, the view from its Moji wharf and preserved buildings are quite historical, and the view from atop Sarakurayama is one of Japan's best and rarely mentioned:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hl1pCW9Ibbk
Oita has some nice sites too. Beppu is famous for its hot springs, Hells Tour, plus monkey park & aquarium. See:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K2NNi8MLcXM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zepPfkuqhok
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cBnZneDsKqQ
Kumamoto is famous for its castle, Suizenji Garden (a must-see), Mt. Aso and Kurokawa hot springs.
http://www.visitkumamoto.com/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tyh_nKrv5tY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K9xyXmU8U1g
Note that you can't get to Kurokawa by rail.
Kagoshima is great to see the live Sakurajima volcano, hiking, and hot sand baths such as on Ibusuki. Plus the Senganen garden has a superb backdrop view of the bay and the volcano. See:
http://www.kagoshima-kankou.com/for/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LxDmLuq6ssI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lpnDK_Wux9Q
Plus Miyazaki has some very pleasant beaches, and its Takachiho Gorge is remarkable (but you can't get there by rail).
http://www.miyazaki-city.tourism.or.jp/en/
http://www.kanko-miyazaki.jp/english/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H49x41ViFJk
For comprehensive info on Kyushu, see:
http://www.visitkyushu.org