
Shimabara Ferry Terminal島原港
Shimabara Port
The Shimabara port (島原港) isn’t a place to visit itself but is a step of paramount importance for your trip across the Kyushu Island. Once you have visited the prefecture of Nagasaki (長崎), the rest of your trip keeps going through Kumamoto (熊本) or Aso (阿蘇), which are at the opposite side of the bay. That’s why, in order to reach these places in a more convenient way, travellers will use the Kyusho ferry from Shimabara to Kumamoto. By doing so, it will facilitate and shorten the transition by a couple of hours as the cruise lasts only one hour. You can find below a map explaining the different steps. Once you entered in the harbour, leave your car in the parking and walk to the main office in front of you to purchase the tickets. Once you have your tickets, you need to be back in your car 30 min before departure where the staff will bring you further indications. Two companies offer the same service. The first one is “Kyusho Ferry” and the second one is “Kumamoto ferry”.
Advice:
-Please note that the map is presented below this article. However, it changes with other pictures so make sure not to miss it.
-Regarding the ships size and the schedule proposed, we recommend taking a “Kyusho Ferry” which might be handier for travellers.
-Except for the Golden week (End of April - Beginning of May) and around the New-Year period (End of December - Beginning of January), reservation is not required.
-Taking this ferry is a crucial step for our travelers so we advise them to go to the port in advance. If you spend the night at Kumamoto, please reach the port by 15:30 to take the 16:25 ferry. If you spend the night at Aso, please reach the port by 14:00 to take the 14:50 ferry.
Drive Route which include this spot
4D3N Routes
If you have 4days and 3 nights, you can travel from Fukuoka and explore the northern part of Kyushu unhurriedly. The route proposed includes famous Onsen town such as Yufuin/Beppu as well as the captivating Aso area. It might be proving but it is possible to reach Takachiho gorge as it is on our list of the most beautiful and most recommended spots in Kyushu. There is also the possibility to join Kumamoto and Nagasaki using a car ferry if you have 4 days. If you prefer more relaxing places or would like to travel to the southern side of Kyushu like Miyazaki and Kagoshima, please choose the 5 Days and 4 Nights route or a longer one.
Route number | Start city | Goal city | Way | Travel Pace | Distance | Rank | Highway fee | Detail |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
712 | Fukuoka | Fukuoka | return_trip | busy | 620 km | ¥ 5,200 | check |
5D4N Routes
If you have 5 days and 4 nights, you can travel from Fukuoka and explore the northern part of Kyushu island unhurriedly. Some routes propose two consecutive stay at the same location and is suggested for visitors looking for a relaxing way of travelling. Another route covers the entire northern part of Kyushu, including Nagasaki, and is recommended for dynamic travelers willing to explore most of the destinations presented. Furthermore, there is a one-way route that enables to reach both Miyazaki and Kagoshima in the southern part of Kyushu. However, you can expect the travel pace to be intense which mean that you will need to skip many spots. It is then advised to save a longer period if you would like to travel to the southern part of Kyushu.
6D5N Routes
If you have 6 days and 5 nights, it is possible to consider travelling around most parts of Kyushu. However, the travel pace is intensed and the westside with Nagasaki can hardly be included. If you would like to travel around Kyushu, please consider the 8 Days and 7 Nights or a longer one. If you are willing to opt for a one-way route going from Fukuoka to Kumamoto, you have two options, one route via the eastern part of Kyushu or one route via the western part of Kyushu which includes Nagasaki. If you have enough time be informed that there is also the possibility to travel through the west side and the center region, which enable you to rely both Nagasaki and Aso.
7D6N Routes
If you have 7days and 6 nights, you can travel on both the western and middle sides of Kyushu, including Nagasaki and Aso, with a relaxing travel pace. The 7 Days and 6 Nights option presents 3 one-way routes from Fukuoka to Kagoshima in the southern part of Kyushu. One of the routes pass by Kirishima and Ibusuki, two highly popular onsen towns, nationally famous for their sand-bathes. Unfortunately, there is no whole Kyushu round trip route for a 7 Days and 6 Nights trip. If you want to do it, please consider the 8 Days and 7 Nights proposition.
8D7N Routes
If you have 8 days and 7 nights, you can travel around Kyushu through Nagasaki and the east side. However, the route doesn't include 2 consecutive nights at the same accommodation which makes this journey quite intense. If you prefer a relaxing rhythm, we recommend considering a 9 Days and 8 Nights route or longer. 8 Days and 7 Nights has 3 one-way routes from Fukuoka to Kagoshima in the southern part of Kyushu. Each way presents a main asset to be sure at least one can suit your preferences. You can choose between the west side of Kyushu with Nagasaki or popular onsen towns such as Kirishima and Ibusuki which are famous in Japan for their unique sand-bathes.
9D8N Routes
If you have 9 days and 8 nights, you can expect to travel in most of the places in Kyushu. If you choose a round trip, you can opt for routes not only passing by main highlights like Yufuin/Beppu, Aso and Kagoshima but also Nagasaki or Kitakyushu/Shimonoseki. It also includes 2 consecutive nights in one city where you can take a well-deserved rest from driving. If you choose the one-way route relying Fukuoka and Kagoshima, you have pleasant options such as a route through the eastern part of Kyushu or a route via the western part of Kyushu that includes Nagasaki. Both routes comprise at least 3 nights in onsen towns and has been designed especially for onsen enthusiasts.
10D9N Routes
If you have 10 days and 9 nights, you have the possibility between a one-way route and three round-trip routes. The one-way route starts from Fukuoka and ends in Kumamoto, which consists of spending 2 consecutive nights in 2 different cities, allowing you adopt a more relaxing pace. If you opt for the round trip, all routes do not include only main highlights like Yufuin/Beppu, Aso, Kagoshima and Nagasaki but also Kitakyushu/Shimonoseki, or even the famous onsen towns Kirishima and Ibusuki, nationally reputed for their sand-bathes. The last route covers almost all the Kyushu island, except for Kitakyushu/Shimonoseki, but doesn't comprise 2 nights in a row at the same place which can be challenging for some traveler.
11D10N Routes
All the routes for 11 days and 10 nights offer a complete tour around Kyushu. One of the routes permit to stay 2 consecutive nights in 3 cities and is recommended for travelers preferring a relaxing pace. Other routes enable you to visit Kitakyushu/Shimonoseki, famous onsen towns such as Kirishima or Ibusuki sand-bath at a more dynamic rhythm. Another route covers most of Kyushu island. However, it is the most tiring one with various spots and different locations to visit.
12D11N Routes
All the routes for 12 days and 11 nights offer a complete tour around Kyushu. The first one includes 2 consecutive nights in 4 cities and is recommended for travelers preferring a relaxing pace. Thanks to other routes, you can visit Kitakyushu/Shimonoseki, famous onsen towns such as Kirishima or Ibusuki sand-bath but with a more dynamic rhythm. Another route covers most of Kyushu island. Thanks to that extensive approach you will be able to visit and stay in every city listed previously, plus having a break by spending two nights in a row in Kagoshina. Once you travelled on this route you will become a genuine expert of Kyushu!