Kyushu visit in November worth it?

Good day
I was wondering if it is worth visiting Kyushu in mid or late November? Is it really cold? A lot of tourists and so? I assume there is an autumn season there by then so hence the question.

Is it possible to climb or hike the Mountains or would it be freezing and snow?

As the most southern of the four main islands, it doesn't get as cold. Also, Kyushu is well outside the main tourist areas (Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto). I understand that there are some mountains worth climbing in the area

Okiday.

Thanks for replying to me.

What about the island Yakushima? Would it be worth to make a visit there as well?

It depends on the year, but only wearing a medium coat and a hat I've hiked to the top of Nakadake on Mt. Aso in December, and hiked around areas of Yakushima over New Years, only as high as Yakusugi-lando. There, I only used a gore-tex overcoat. It was too cold for swimming, but you could still go into the seaside hot spring on the south of the island.

You should still be able to find some fall colors in the beginning of November, although in the mountains the peak is usually at the end of October (Kuju, Aso, Gokanosho, Kirishima). The date varies by altitude and proximity to the sea, the high areas peaking sooner and the areas near the water slowing it down.

I recently got back from a two-month driving trip to Kyushu and back, and would recommend it to anybody at ANY time of the year - Kyushu is extremely pretty, there is piles to see and do, and the people are outstandingly friendly...

I'm currently uploading the diary of my trip into a blog, if you are interested...might give you some ideas of things to see/do...

https://myjapantravels.wordpress.com/

Looking at the info on "When do trees turn color" it looks like the south part of Kyushu turns color in late November, not early November.

I'll stay in Kyushu for aprox 9 days as it seems.

However, I heard from another guy who claims it is colder in Kyushu than Honshu in later November. I don't know what he defines as cold though...

I might be able to visit south Kyushu in late October also but only for a few days. I suppose the chance of typhoon and rain lowers if going in November than October though. In case of bad weather I would have to skip the October visit.

But I also hear it might be snowing. Really, I don't know which to believe.

hi lovefood i read some of your blog was interesting you seem knowledgeable but alone in japan from what i read japan sometimes is like us and them place meaning the japanese are just "different" and do different things that only the japanese would do like you are still an outsider? i guess you live there ? or just travelling ?

I am planning to visit Southern Kyushu in late October or early November. I have been to Kyushu in April, and want to re-visit them in the fall. I don't think you will have any problems with Yakushima Island, and I would recommend also going to Miyazaki and Beppu. One of my main reasons would be to return in the fall would be to go to Takachiho again. I would love to see the "Sea of Clouds", which only happens in late October to early November. Here is a link:

http://www.takachiho-shinsen.co.jp/english/sightseeing/

I hope this helps.

Colder in Kyushu than Honshu? Nonsense.

The colours in Kyushu during the fall are some of the most beautiful anywhere. One especially popular place is Akizuki, sometimes referred to as a "Little Kyoto" because of its colours and popularity.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S0-YxwfD340
Another spot that is gorgeous but far lesser known is Miyama, with its Kiyomizudera temple (not to be confused with the more famous one in Kyoto).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jKAMjJ4VrTo

There is far more to see and do than just look at the trees though. If you like hot springs, you've found the right place. There are many, including Beppu, Yufuin, Kurokawa, Takeo, Unzen and Futsukaichi.
For Fukuoka, there are many open parks, shopping, seaside historical areas and urban neon. See this site as 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...
Don't miss the Nanzoin Temple which is one of Japan's finest yet almost totally unknown to the outside world and it's *FREE*!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lT4VQFmHFyM
Be sure to try the tonkotsu ramen at least once, and see the wooden Great Buddha:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hug3tCMvu28
Dazaifu is also famous for its large Tenmangu shrine:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BwxGPZxPlNw

Nagasaki is really the most interesting city on the island. It's 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, is stunning.
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL7LcPcmoSg-gbw2yXNLK92siHyNqSNx...
Oita has some nice sites too. Beppu is famous for its hot springs, Hells Tour, plus monkey park & aquarium.
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL7LcPcmoSg-hOggZamc2lUNTr46ApKX...
Kumamoto is famous for its castle, Suizenji Garden (a must-see), Mt. Aso and Kurokawa hot springs.
http://kumanago.jp/en/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K9xyXmU8U1g
Note that you can't get to Kurokawa by rail, and the area near the Aso crater is currently closed off.
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