Kyushu with Northern Kyushu 3 days pass

Hi all,
I’m so happy to finally able to come back to japan but only for a 5 days and 5 nights to Fukuoka. I will travel in a group of 5 touching down on the 15th March morning. Still in the midst of searching but will most probably buying the 3 days northern Kyushu pass. Still searching for hotels near Hakata Station but mostly are sold out.

I would love to visit these places but unsure on how to arrange them. Seeking advice on this. We will be reaching on 15th morning and leaving on the 20th morning.

Dazaifu
Nanzion
Yufuin/ Beppu
Nagasaki
Aso? Or Saga?
Fukuoka city- food hunting and shopping

We actually prefer natural scenery kinda itinerary. Hope we get to be able to catch the early Sakura season.

Thank you.

Asosan would be quite difficult to access from Fukuoka as a day trip using public transport. All other have direct trains.

What/Where is Nanzion?

You may be able to just catch the beginning of the cherry blossoms, but they will be a far cry from their beauty at their peak.
The plans look doable - you can see Dazaifu and Nanzoin in one day. For Dazaifu, don't miss the shrine garden just to the right of the shrine. Nanzoin is about 20 minutes by train from Hakata Station in Sasaguri and is one of Japan's finest secret jewels.
https://goo.gl/X3LDaE
http://www.thejapanfaq.com/fukpic.html

Beppu and Yufuin can also be done in a day; at least Beppu has some sight beyond just the hot springs - you can take the Hells Tour (takes a few hours), as well as see the Takasakiyama Monkey Park/Aquarium nearby as well as the ropeway up Mt Tsurumi if you like.
https://goo.gl/LtuSW8

Nagasaki may very well be the highlight of your trip. Along the way, seeing the Yutoku Inari Shrine is also a magnificent gem.
https://goo.gl/hZVjBi
https://goo.gl/dnqT25
Be sure to try the chanpon and saraudon for lunch or dinner. Absolutely marvelous.
Normally I would say there are a lot better sights around Aso - if you are driving. But it would be very trying and inconvenient to get around by buses and trains. Currently, the Aso crater is closed again, and it is doubtful it will be open by the time you go to Japan.
http://www.aso.ne.jp/~volcano/info/
If none in your group is able or willing to drive, I suggest you see more of Saga or Nagasaki. In Saga, the Arita Porcelain Park is like walking right into Germany (though not sure if the mobs of Chinese tourists are in Germany too) and the Daikozenji Temple is very nice (better for the April azaleas and autumn colors, but still nice). In Nagasaki you could also see Unzen (volcanic scenery and hot springs - you could go even after Beppu for a different experience) or the Nagasaki Biopark and Huis Ten Bosch.
https://youtu.be/JIKAjc5MfPs
or Sasebo for some great ocean island scenery if the weather is good.
http://travel.sasebo99.com/en/99islands.php

Thanks Ken for your great insight. I can’t wait to be there. We may probably get ourselves a SUNQ 3 days Northern Kyushu pass. Doing a few day trips out of Fukuoka will making Fukuoka our base.

Day 1, reaching Fukuoka in the morning. Collect our SUNQ pass at the airport. Can we activate it in day 2? If yes, we will be checking in to our hotel and drop out luggages and proceed to Dazaifu and then to Nomzoin. Travel by purchasing bus tickets and train tickets individually.

Day 2. Activate the SUNQ pass. Day trip to Yufuin. Evening back to Fukuoka. Canal city or Nakasu Island for Yatai experience.

Day 3. SUNQ day 2. Day trip to Nagasaki.

Day 4. SUNQ day 3. Day trip to Kumamoto. Tenjin for dinner and shopping.

Day 5. Last day in Kyushu. Tour Fukuoka ie. Fukuoka castle ruin, Ohori Park and etc. Travel by purchasing bus and train ticket individually.

Is this itinerary ok?

Buses are not a very good idea when you have limited time...

Buses are not a very good idea when you have limited time... ―-> Oh no! Do you mean with this itinerary, it will be better if I buy the Jr Northern Kyushu pass?

Actually, it's a bit more complicated. Hakata to Yufuin is faster by bus than by train, and to Nagasaki it is just a bit slower. To Kumamoto, however, there's the Shinkansen, so the train is much faster.

Up to you...

How about my 5 days itinerary? Is it ok to arrange this way?

The bus for Yufuin is about 30min quicker than train.

To Nagasaki is about even.

Bus to Kumamoto is about 2hrs versus 1hr on shinkansen.

Is some cases to save time. Some you loose.

Bus pass it cheaper. But I prefer train due to being able to walk around. But none of the trip are more than 2hrs, so maybe not that important.

Itinerary is fine.

Thanks Hakata14 and guest. I will proceed with this itinerary then.

About SUNQ pass, if I were to buy through online, I need to collect exchange the pass with my voucher at Fukuoka intl airport. Any idea what time do they open? And can I straight away call and make a seat reservation once I bought the pass online? Cause I’ve read somewhere that I would need to reserve 30 days in advance and my trip is in 3 weeks time. I need to reserve for my Nagasaki and Kumamoto trip.

Thanks all.
Kelly