How can we fit Nagasaki into our itinerary?

Hello everyone,

We have about 15 days of travel in Kyushu, 2-17 Nov. While we understand that autumn peaks are mostly in mid to late Nov, we decided to arrive earlier so we can attend Kunchi Festival & the Saga Balloon Fiesta, 2-5 Nov. But we are still hoping we could see a few nice koyo spots across the island despite the early timing.

To that end, can you please help with these questions:

1. Is Mt Unzen a good koyo spot during early November, we will be there around 7 or 8 Nov?

2. Is Shimabara worth exploring? I do love Japanese feudal history, castles and landscape.

3. We are unsure how or when we should visit Nagasaki, since it's located off to the Southwest area (see question 4). We will mostly rely on public transport, but could rent a car if needed.

4. We have a number of places we want to explore cross Kyushu, but based on koyo condition, would it be best to go clockwise or counter-clockwise direction? It seems most of the koyo spots we listed here are only peaking in mid-late Nov. Are they still worth visiting if the leaves are still green?

Please see the rough itinerary map here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ZG1vbmK8Pc9o8xI9tdGSMIsAsxyrmu4D/view...

5. Lastly, we are thinking of stopping at Kurashiki and/or Kinosaki Onsen on the way back to Tokyo to depart Japan. Is the Yanagawa canals comparable to Kurashiki canals, thus we can skip Kurashiki?

6. Should we skip Kinosaki Onsen, so we could stay longer in Kyushu for the koyo sightseeing?

Please kindly share your tips and experiences =)

Higher altitude zone such as Unzen Nita Pass, Mt Tsurumi, has autumn color from late Oct to early Nov. Actual peak depends on the weather of the year. Clockwise or counter clockwise doesn't matter. It just goes from high to low.

You can easily go to Nagasaki after visiting Mt Unzen and Shimabara, especially if you hire a car.

Skip Kinosaki Onsen for Kurokawa Onsen in Kyushu.
The Karatsu Kunchi festival is spectacular, I only went on the first night but it's mesmerising, unforgettable.
Do your research on the balloon festival timing, we ended up missing them in the air.

1. Yes, though you'd be near the end of it, not the peak.
2. Yes, though the Hara Castle ruins are more the actual rebellion spot, not Shimabara Castle.
3. It's simple to get there from Fukuoka & Saga by ltd express and bullet train. The city streetcar is a good way to get around Nagasaki. For the Unzen area, a rental car is ideal.
4. Altitude is more important than direction.

The Kurashiki canals are very short, almost insignificant, compared to those of Yanagawa. Kinosaki is a popular, and good hot spring area, but is a very significant detour to the Sea of Japan side. You could go to the hot springs at Unzen, or Kurokawa, as mentioned, or Beppu/Yufuin, etc. Kyushu is a Mecca for hot springs.

Kinosaki onsen is a long way to go for a pleasant but not particularly memorable town. I had the impression it was more fun for the locals who were onsen hopping in groups.

I would go to Yufuin in Kyushu instead which has a very nice feel about it.

Awesome, and thank you for all the replies folks!

We will rent a car. Based on your suggestions, we have also removed Kurashiki and Kinosaki Onsen from the itinerary to fit in Yanagawa Canals and spend two nights in Kurokawa for onsen hopping.

We will fit Yufuin if we can, but at the moment we will be exploring Yabakei > Kokonoe Yume bridge > Kurokawa Onsen. So Yufuin will be a bit of a detour if we include it after Yabakei.