Chugoku or Kyushu for 5 days in Nov-Dec?

Hi,

We have 5 spare days in late November / early December. I'm wondering which might be more enjoyable - Kinosaki Onsen-Matsue-Hagi or Fukuoka-Nagasaki-Kagoshima. We have been to major tourist destinations such as Kyoto, Osaka, Hiroshima, etc.

It utterly depends on your personal interests. I recommend to look up details about these places and then make a decision based on what seems more interesting to you.

Very basically speaking, Kinosaki Onsen-Matsue-Hagi will get you to some rather rural, off-the-beaten-path locations. Fukuoka-Nagasaki-Kagoshima is a much more traveled part of the country. If you refer to three cities, then you will obviously see nothing but large cities. If you refer to the prefectures, you have a wide variety of rural and urban attractions.

As said, it really is up to what you want. Kinosaki, Hagi and Matsue are all far more slow paced and laid back. They also have a lot less tourists going through, so if you want to unwind, that may be the place.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wjw577xBinI
There are some other good places nearby as well, including Izumo, plus Tsuwano in Shimane and the Akiyoshido Cave in Yamaguchi.
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL7LcPcmoSg-hHZAeJ3e7tgZ92cbsxUf...
https://youtu.be/DqIKC9S8TFQ

That said, Fukuoka, Nagasaki and Kagoshima have a lot more convenience in travel and it's only 90 minutes between Hakata Stn and Kagoshima-chuo. You will get a lot more variety there - Nagasaki is a unique place in Japan with its history of western contact going back centuries.
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL7LcPcmoSg-gbw2yXNLK92siHyNqSNx...
Kagoshima has its big elephant in the living room - the live Sakurajima volcano, and there are not too many places like that you can go to. The Senganen Garden and Shiroyama Park are good as well.
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL7LcPcmoSg-irtXXB8IJMdkB9mF0qjn...
Fukuoka is an often overlooked place with some great food, beautiful parks and excellent temples.
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL7LcPcmoSg-j4RLa6iC7ayvBAbOn8-0...

Personally I'd say Kyushu has more variety and new/different places to see. But again, up to what you like.

I'll probably repeat what the others have said already. But your two proposed options offer two very different experiences. Both experiences are already explained well.

I'd go the Kyushu option, cos it you wish to go rural, you can also quite easily. ie- Hitoyoshi, Hita etc.

If you go off-the-beaten-track, you cannot just go modern with on short train trip etc.

Kyushu gets my vote, but that's because I wish to go to Takachiho in November, to see the sea of clouds.

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

I would also include Beppu, and go to the Hells.

We have 5 spare days in late November / early December. I'm wondering which might be more enjoyable - Kinosaki Onsen-Matsue-Hagi or Fukuoka-Nagasaki-Kagoshima.

They both look like decent trips.

Traveling along the San-in Coast can provide some really beautiful views. There are also a lot of good onsen if you are interested in more than just Kinosaki. I don't think this is necessarily a laid-back trip (or at least it doesn't have to be) as there are plenty of things to see/do in and around Matsue, in Hagi, and between all of the destinations, but just like anywhere, it definitely can be less busy if you want it to be. This trip, with the three places you've chosen, has a nostalgic feel, which is nice.

Fukuoka, Nagasaki, and Kagoshima is not a bad option either. It is more city-based (although you could plan your days so that you spend a little time outside of the cities, too). Fukuoka has a nice atmosphere, although the sites are not particularly noteworthy.

I think it's just about personal preference or just what you happen to be thinking right now for this particular trip.

Thanks very much for helping clarify my thinking! I wish we had more timel