Fukuoka, Beppu, and Yufuin 3 Nights 4 Days — Kyushu Hot Spring Course

From a Korean traveler's perspective, departing from Seoul/ICN.

Kyushu is the most cost-effective travel destination in Japan, with the closest proximity from Incheon and the top hot spring attractions all in one area. A direct flight from Incheon to Fukuoka (FUK) takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes, and from Fukuoka, you can reach the modern culinary mega city (Fukuoka), Japan's top-ranked ryokan village (Yufuin), and the hot spring capital of the 8 Hells (Beppu) all within 2 hours by Limited Express train. To sum it up — it’s most convenient to stay in one place for 3 nights in Fukuoka (Hakata Station or Tenjin) and take day trips to Yufuin on the second day and Beppu on the third day, avoiding the stress of moving luggage. Day 1 includes arrival, Hakata ramen, Canal City, and Tenjin night views; Day 2 is a full day in Yufuin (Kinrin Lake, Yunosubo Street, Kinana-yu); Day 3 is a full day in Beppu (8 Hell Pilgrimage, Takegawara sand bath); and Day 4 wraps up with a final ramen in Fukuoka and an option to visit Dazaifu before heading to the airport. I’ve put together an honest overview of 2026 prices, comparisons of Limited Express Yufuin no Mori vs. buses vs. JR Kyushu Rail Pass, and the best seasons for autumn and winter.

Overview

• Base City: I recommend staying fixed in Fukuoka for 3 nights. You can easily take day trips to Yufuin (2 hours 10 minutes by Limited Express) and Beppu (2 hours by Limited Express) without moving your luggage. Spending one night in a ryokan in Yufuin is also an attractive option — if you want to experience a ryokan stay, I recommend splitting one night there (though this will reduce your time for food and shopping in Fukuoka).
• Accommodation Areas: Hakata Station — a transportation hub that is 5 minutes from the airport subway, with Shinkansen, Yufuin no Mori, and Beppu Limited Express all passing through. Highly recommended for first-time travelers. / Tenjin (天神) — a shopping and nightlife district with yatai (street food stalls), a bit of a transfer for day trippers but has a great evening atmosphere. / Canal City Area — a 15-minute walk from Hakata Station, directly connected to a shopping mall with many mid-range hotels. For first-time travelers, Hakata Station or Tenjin is highly recommended.
• Airport to City: FUK (Fukuoka Airport) is the best accessible airport in Japan — about 5 minutes to Hakata Station and 11 minutes to Tenjin Station via the subway airport line, both costing ¥260. It’s very easy even with luggage, so there’s almost no need to call a taxi (which costs around ¥1,200–2,000 to the city).
• Budget for 3 Nights 4 Days per Person: Excluding flights, around ¥550,000–950,000 (mid-range accommodation ¥10,000–18,000 per night + food ¥6,000–10,000 per day + entrance fees and transportation + JR Kyushu Rail Pass). Food and accommodation are on average 10–15% cheaper than in the Tokyo and Osaka regions — it’s one of the best value areas in Japan.
• Key Transportation Pass: JR Kyushu Rail Pass Northern Kyushu 3-day pass for ¥12,000 — unlimited travel to Fukuoka, Yufuin, Beppu, Dazaifu, and parts of Kumamoto, making it perfect for this itinerary. The round trip from Fukuoka to Yufuin costs ¥5,000 and from Fukuoka to Beppu costs ¥5,940, totaling over ¥21,000, so you’ll definitely get your money's worth. The full Kyushu 3-day pass for ¥17,000 is only worth it if you plan to go to Kagoshima or Miyazaki.
• Comparison of Fukuoka to Yufuin:
  • Limited Express Yufuin no Mori (ゆふいんの森) takes about 2 hours 10 minutes for ¥5,000 — 3 trains a day, the interior is a masterpiece, making it a tourist attraction in itself. Reservations are recommended (seat reservations are mandatory for JR Pass users, available 1 week in advance from Korea).
  • Highway bus takes about 2 hours 30 minutes for ¥3,250 — more frequent with 1–2 buses per hour, great value. If you don’t get motion sickness, it’s a reasonable option.
  • Regular Limited Express Yufu takes about 2 hours 20 minutes for ¥4,660 — an alternative if Yufuin no Mori is sold out.
• Comparison of Fukuoka to Beppu:
  • Limited Express Sonic (ソニック) takes about 2 hours for ¥5,940 — 1–2 trains per hour, essential for getting your money's worth from the JR Pass. Seat reservations are recommended.
  • Regular Nippo Main Line local train takes about 4 hours — not recommended due to time loss.
• Visa and Currency: South Korean passport holders can stay visa-free for 90 days (recommended to check the official Ministry of Foreign Affairs page). Currency is JPY, with 100 JPY ≈ 900–950 KRW, and IC cards (Suica, Nimoca) are standard for city transportation.
• Seasons: Autumn foliage in October to November (the stunning scenery of Yufuin's Kinrin Lake and Beppu's Myoban), winter outdoor baths from December to February (the beauty of snow and outdoor hot springs at the peak of the hot spring season), spring flowers from March to May, rainy season from June to July, and hot weather from July to September (28–33°C). The appeal of hot springs is overwhelmingly strong in autumn and winter — if it’s your first time in Kyushu, I highly recommend visiting between November and February.
• You can check examples of Fukuoka Hakata Station and Tenjin hotels and real-time prices at the bottom of this article. Reservations for Yufuin ryokans, Beppu Hell Pilgrimage, and Takegawara sand baths can be made via the activity card.

Day 1 — Arrival in Fukuoka · Hakata Ramen · Canal City · Tenjin Night Views

If you catch a morning flight from Incheon, you’ll arrive in Fukuoka around local morning to lunchtime. With a flight time of 1 hour and 30 minutes and no time difference, there’s hardly any burden on your condition. Fukuoka Airport is right in the city center, so you can fully utilize your schedule from the first day, which is a major difference from other Japanese cities.

Airport to Hotel Transfer

• From Fukuoka Airport International Terminal → about 10 minutes by free shuttle bus → Domestic Terminal subway station → 5 minutes to Hakata Station for ¥260 via the airport subway line, 11 minutes to Tenjin Station for ¥260. Very convenient even for larger groups with luggage, as there is only one transfer.
• If your luggage is heavy, taking a taxi (around ¥1,200–2,000 to the city) is also a low burden.

Hotel Check-in: Usually, check-in is at 3 PM, but it’s common to just leave your luggage and head out immediately. Business hotels in Hakata and Tenjin are accustomed to luggage storage.

Lunch is a must-try Hakata Ramen. Fukuoka is the birthplace of Tonkotsu (豚骨) ramen, and the standard course is to go to the Hakata Ramen Street (博多麺街道) in the basement of Hakata Station for your first meal. Ippudo (一風堂), Ichiran (一蘭), and Shin Shin Ramen (神神) have their main stores and first branches all in one place. A bowl costs ¥700–1,200, and I recommend the kashikata (かたい, firm noodles) option — the rich tonkotsu broth keeps the noodles firm and intact until the end. Ichiran has branches in Korea, but the first branch is the Nakasu location, which is great to combine with a night visit to the yatai.

Afternoon — Canal City Hakata

A 10-minute walk from Hakata Station or one stop away. This complex shopping mall is built around an artificial canal in the city center, and the Dancing Water Show that takes place every hour is surprisingly worth seeing. The ramen stadium on the 1st and 2nd floors features famous ramen shops from all over Japan, so if you had Hakata ramen for lunch, you can try different regional ramen (Sapporo miso, Tokyo shoyu, Kitakata) for dinner. There are standard Japanese stores like Muji, Uniqlo, and Loft, as well as many character stores like One Piece and cat cafes, making it perfect for spending 1–2 hours shopping.

Evening — Tenjin Night Views + Yatai

Take the subway to Tenjin (5 minutes from Hakata Station, ¥210). Tenjin is Fukuoka’s shopping and nightlife district, similar to Shinjuku and Shibuya. Shop in the Tenjin underground mall, Daimaru, and Iwataya department stores, and for dinner, enjoy the famous yatai (street food stalls) — over 50 yatai are lined up along the Nakasu River. Many operate only from April to October, but riverside yatai are open year-round.

• Menu: Yakitori (¥150–300 per skewer), ramen (¥700–1,000), motsunabe mini (¥1,500–2,500), mentaiko omelette (¥800–1,200), draft beer (¥500–700)
• Atmosphere: Small counters for 1–2 people with 8–10 seats. Many places don’t have Korean menus, but pointing at pictures or Japanese menus is usually enough.
• Tip: There’s no seating fee, but it’s an unspoken rule to order at least one drink and one menu item per person. Staying at one place for 30 minutes to 1 hour before moving on is the norm.

Returning to the hotel can be done by catching the last subway train (around midnight from Tenjin Station) or by walking or taking a taxi. You’ll find it much less burdensome than ending your day in Tokyo or Osaka, where there’s no time difference.

Day 2 — Full Day in Yufuin (Limited Express Yufuin no Mori · Kinrin Lake · Yunosubo Street · Kinana-yu Outdoor Bath)

This is the highlight of the Kyushu course. Yufuin is a hot spring town that consistently ranks in the top 3 for popular ryokans in Japan, and its charm lies in the atmosphere of a small mountain village filled with small ryokans, galleries, and dessert shops rather than large resort hotels.

Morning Departure — Limited Express Yufuin no Mori (ゆふいんの森)

• I recommend taking a train departing between 7:30 AM and 10 AM from Hakata Station (3 trains a day). For JR Kyushu Rail Pass users, seat reservations are mandatory, so be sure to pick them up in advance from the Midori no Madoguchi at Hakata Station either a week or the day before your trip.
• About 2 hours 10 minutes, ¥5,000 (one way, including reserved seat).
• The train’s interior is a masterpiece — with a deep green exterior and warm wooden decor, the lounge car, souvenir counter, and scenic views from the windows are all photo spots. The train itself is a tourist attraction, and I find this 2-hour 10-minute ride even more exciting than the 1 hour and 30 minutes flight.

Upon arrival at Yufuin Station: The station is small and charming. There’s a free foot bath (ashiyu) in the square in front of the station. You can store your luggage in a coin locker (¥400–700) or at the station’s luggage storage (¥500) before starting your day.

Yunosubo Street (湯の坪街道) — the main shopping street that stretches about 1.5 km from Yufuin Station to Kinrin Lake. It takes about 25–30 minutes on foot, but if you stop by dessert shops, souvenir stores, and galleries, you’ll easily spend 1.5 to 2 hours.

• B-Speak Roll Cake — Yufuin’s top dessert. It often sells out in the morning, so I recommend visiting first upon arrival. 1 roll costs ¥1,500 (serves 4–5 people; storing it in the hotel fridge to share the next day in Fukuoka is also a good idea).
• Yufuin Floral Village — a mini theme street modeled after a village in the Cotswolds, England. It’s small but great for photos. Free entry.
• Kinsan Korokke, Minwa Museum, Glass Workshop, Cat Cafe, and over 100 small shops line both sides.

Kinrin Lake (金鱗湖) — a small lake at the end of Yunosubo Street. The sight of morning mist rising from the lake is Yufuin’s signature (the best views are in the mornings from 7 to 9 AM in autumn and winter; if you arrive in the afternoon, you may miss the mist, but the autumn foliage and clear lake surface are still beautiful). Walking around the lake takes about 15 minutes, and there’s no entrance fee. I recommend enjoying matcha and wagashi for ¥800–1,200 at the small lakeside cafe Yunosubo Chaya next to Tensojin Shrine.

Lunch is Yufuin’s famous Toyokeda — Bungo beef (豊後牛, a premium beef from Oita Prefecture) steak or shabu-shabu set for ¥3,000–6,000, or Japanese-style curry or soba for ¥1,500–2,500. Notable restaurants near the lake include Yufuin Toyoda (豊田) and Sansou Murata.

Afternoon — Kinana-yu (下ん湯) or Musen (夢前) Outdoor Bath

For those not staying overnight in Yufuin, public outdoor bath options are the key highlight.

• Kinana-yu (下ん湯) — a 100-year-old thatched-roof outdoor bath by Kinrin Lake. Entrance fee is ¥200 (as of 2026, pay in the unmanned box with coins). It’s a mixed bath, which can be a hit or miss, but the atmosphere is overwhelming.
• Musen (夢前) Outdoor Bath — if Kinana-yu feels too daunting, you can enjoy the outdoor bath at a ryokan like Yufuin Musen (夢前) (external guests ¥700–1,500, available for day use from 11 AM to 3 PM).
• Saya Garden offers day-use bathing for ¥1,000–2,000 — perfect if you want to experience the ryokan atmosphere for just 1–2 hours.

Evening — Return to Fukuoka

• Take the Limited Express Yufuin no Mori or regular Limited Express Yufu from Yufuin Station between 5 PM and 7 PM, arriving at Hakata Station in about 2 hours 10 minutes.
• If you have time and want to stay overnight in a ryokan — I highly recommend spending a night in Yufuin. A ryokan stay costs ¥25,000–80,000 (including dinner and breakfast kaiseki). Notable places like Kaisho-in, Sansou Murata, and Yunotakean require reservations 3–6 months in advance from Korea.
• If you return to Fukuoka, you can casually wrap up your day at a nearby izakaya.

Day 3 — Full Day in Beppu (8 Hell Pilgrimage · Takegawara Sand Bath · Myoban Onsen Town)

While Yufuin is a small and charming ryokan town, Beppu is Japan’s largest hot spring city, producing 100 million tons of hot spring water annually. The atmosphere is completely different — it’s large, slightly old-fashioned, and intense. The Hell Pilgrimage (地獄めぐり), which combines different colored hot spring vents and geysers, is the main course.

Morning Departure — Limited Express Sonic (ソニック)

• I recommend taking a train departing between 7:30 AM and 9 AM from Hakata Station. There are 1–2 trains per hour.
• About 2 hours, ¥5,940 (including reserved seat). Covered by the JR Kyushu Rail Pass.
• There is also a regular Nippo Main Line local train (about 4 hours), but it’s not recommended due to the time loss. I highly recommend the Limited Express Sonic.

Upon Arrival at Beppu Station

• Store your luggage for ¥500 → purchase the Beppu Hell Pilgrimage common ticket for ¥2,200 (includes entry to all 8 locations, individual tickets are ¥450). You can buy it at the Beppu Station tourist information center or at the first hell.
• Take a bus from Beppu Station to Kamado Hell (2, 5, or 24) for about 25 minutes for ¥350, or if you have a group of 4 or more, a taxi (¥1,500–2,000) is faster.

Key 8 Hell Pilgrimage Locations (Morning to Lunch)

1. Umijigoku (海地獄, Sea Hell) — cobalt blue 90°C hot spring vent. The most beautiful of the 8 and a top photo spot.
2. Shiraikejigoku (白池地獄, White Pond Hell) — a milky blue-gray pond. The atmosphere is mysterious, and the color changes depending on the time of day.
3. Oniishi Bozu Jigoku (鬼石坊主地獄, Bald Demon Hell) — a small but impressive vent bubbling with gray mud that resembles a bald head.
4. Kamado Jigoku (かまど地獄, Cooking Stove Hell) — a package of 6 different colored and shaped mini hells. Best value, with a foot bath and hot spring steamed eggs (¥100) recommended.
5. Tatsumaki Jigoku (龍巻地獄, Whirlwind Hell) — a geyser that erupts for 5 minutes every 30–40 minutes. You need to time your arrival to see it.
6. Chinoike Jigoku (血の池地獄, Blood Pond Hell) — a red pond due to oxidized iron. The most intense of the 8 and the oldest natural hell in Japan.
7. Yamajigoku (山地獄, Mountain Hell) — a variant with a small zoo. It can be hit or miss (can skip if short on time).
8. Oniyamajigoku (鬼山地獄, Demon Mountain Hell) — combines a crocodile farm with over 100 crocodiles. Also hit or miss.

Tip: It takes about 3–4 hours to visit all 8 hells. Tatsumaki Jigoku and Chinoike Jigoku are located on the outskirts of the city, so it’s efficient to visit 7 locations (6 around Kamado + Umijigoku) and shuttle to the outer 2 by taxi. A 1-day unlimited ride ticket for ¥1,200 for all hell shuttle buses and regular city buses is also a good choice.

Lunch — Jigoku Mushi (Hell Steamed)

In between hells or for lunch, you can enjoy the Hell Steamed Workshop Kamado (地獄蒸し工房 鉄輪), where you can steam vegetables, eggs, and seafood using 90°C hot spring steam for ¥1,500–3,000. It’s a fun experience where you get to use the steamer yourself.

Afternoon — Takegawara Sand Bath or Myoban Onsen Town

Option A: Takegawara Ryokan (竹瓦温泉) — established in 1879 and Michelin recommended. The sand bath (砂湯) costs ¥1,500 — you change into a yukata and experience being buried in warm sand heated by natural hot spring water for 10–15 minutes. The yellow ceiling and traditional Japanese bath are beautifully preserved. Regular bathing is only ¥300.

Option B: Myoban Onsen Town (明礬温泉) — a mountain town on the outskirts of Beppu. Yunohana Goya (湯の花小屋) — a small hut made of straw where they collect alkaline hot spring water to crystallize. Alkaline hot spring outdoor bathing costs ¥600–1,500 (depending on each ryokan). It’s a great spot for Instagram photos from the Myoban Bridge.

Evening — Arrive in Beppu or Return to Fukuoka

• Take the Limited Express Sonic back to Fukuoka between 6 PM and 8 PM, arriving at Hakata Station in about 2 hours.
• Alternatively, you can add an overnight option in Beppu (large ryokans like Suginoi Hotel cost ¥20,000–50,000 for one night) — if you want to experience the ryokan atmosphere at a lower cost.

When you arrive at the hotel, you can have a late dinner at Nakasu Yatai or enjoy a bowl of ramen nearby to wrap up your day.

Day 4 — Final Ramen in Fukuoka · Dazaifu Option · Airport

On the last day, it’s standard to have a light schedule in the morning + lunch + airport based on your flight time.

Option A — Half Day at Dazaifu Tenmangu (太宰府天満宮)

Dazaifu is about a 30-minute ride from Fukuoka on the Nishitetsu train, a shrine dedicated to the god of learning, Sugawara no Michizane. The cherry blossoms (late March to early April), plum blossoms (late February to early March), and New Year visits (January) are breathtaking.

• Take the Nishitetsu train from Tenjin Station to Dazaifu Station for about 30 minutes for ¥420 (transfer at Nishitetsu Futsukaichi Station).
• A visit to the shrine + a stroll through the main shopping street takes about 1.5 to 2 hours.
• The famous Umegae Mochi (梅ヶ枝餅) — a plum blossom-shaped rice cake for ¥150 each, freshly baked and overwhelming. Kasano-ya and Teraya, both over 100 years old, line the main shopping street.
• There are no direct trains from Dazaifu Station to Fukuoka Airport — you’ll need to return to Tenjin Station and then take the subway to the airport.
• Downside: Time is tight, and carrying luggage can be burdensome. You should aim for a flight departing after 4 PM.

Option B — Last Shopping and Ramen at Canal City or Hakata Station

• Organize your luggage and check out from the hotel (usually by 11 AM) → store your luggage at the hotel or in a coin locker at Hakata Station.
• Enjoy your last ramen, udon, or sushi at Hakata Ramen Street in Hakata Station basement or at the Hakata Deitos food court for ¥1,000–2,500.
• Alternatively, you can try regional ramen (Sapporo miso, Tokyo shoyu, etc.) at the Canal City ramen stadium that you didn’t have on the first day.
• Shop for Fukuoka specialties like mentaiko, Hakata Dorimon (博多通りもん), and rest candy at the Hakata Station Maining (マイング) souvenir street.

Airport Transfer: About 5 minutes to Hakata Station via the subway airport line for ¥260. It’s recommended to arrive at the airport 2 hours before check-in closes (FUK international flights have a smaller duty-free shopping area, so 1 hour and 30 minutes is also possible).

Where to Stay in Fukuoka (Hakata Station · Tenjin · Canal City)

Fukuoka hotel areas can be narrowed down to exactly 3 candidates.

Hakata Station (博多駅) — the top choice for first-time travelers. A transportation hub that is 5 minutes from the airport subway, with Shinkansen, Yufuin no Mori, and Sonic Limited Express all passing through. There are the most types of hotels — JR Kyushu Hotel, Hakata Tokyu, and Miyako Hotel Tokyo, with business hotels costing ¥10,000–18,000 per night and 5-star hotels costing ¥25,000–50,000. The downside is a relatively business-like atmosphere, so the nightlife and izakaya vibe are a bit lacking (though it’s only a 5-minute subway ride to Tenjin, so it’s not a major downside).

Tenjin (天神) — highly recommended if you enjoy shopping and nightlife. Within walking distance of Daimaru, Iwataya department stores, Tenjin underground shopping street, and the yatai along the river. Hotels cost ¥10,000–18,000 per night. The downside is that it takes 10 minutes to the airport via subway (5 minutes longer than Hakata Station), and you need to travel 5 minutes to Hakata Station for the Limited Express (not a big burden).

Canal City and Gion (祇園) Area — located between the two areas. Within a 5-minute walk to Canal City, Kushida Shrine, and the old Hakata streets, with many large hotels like Grand Hyatt and Solaria Nishitetsu. Prices range from ¥12,000–22,000 per night. It’s relatively quiet, making it suitable for families and couples.

If you want to experience a ryokan, I highly recommend splitting a night between Yufuin or Beppu. If you only stay in Fukuoka business hotels, you won’t be able to experience the full package of ryokan kaiseki and outdoor hot spring rooms. A ryokan stay costs ¥25,000–80,000 (including dinner and breakfast kaiseki + outdoor hot spring room).

You can check real-time prices for Fukuoka Hakata Station and Tenjin hotels at the hotel card at the bottom of this article, along with comparisons of various affiliates (마이리얼트립, 트립닷컴). The activity card includes key activities like reservations for Yufuin ryokans, Beppu Hell Pilgrimage common tickets, Takegawara sand baths, and Limited Express Yufuin no Mori seat reservations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. Is it really possible to see Fukuoka, Beppu, and Yufuin in 3 nights and 4 days? Isn’t it too much?

A. It’s definitely possible in 3 nights and 4 days — provided you stay in one base city (Fukuoka) and follow a day trip approach. The Limited Express from Fukuoka to Yufuin takes 2 hours 10 minutes, and from Fukuoka to Beppu takes 2 hours, so it’s all within 2 hours one way, and one JR Kyushu Rail Pass for ¥12,000 (3-day pass) covers all round-trip transportation. Day 1 is for Fukuoka city, Day 2 is a full day in Yufuin, Day 3 is a full day in Beppu, and Day 4 is a final wrap-up in Fukuoka = 0 luggage transfers, making it the least stressful route. However, if you want to experience a ryokan stay, I strongly recommend the option of splitting one night in Yufuin (though this will reduce your time for food and shopping in Fukuoka).

Q2. JR Kyushu Rail Pass vs. individual tickets, which is more advantageous?

A. For this course (Fukuoka, Yufuin, Beppu), the JR Kyushu Rail Pass Northern Kyushu 3-day pass for ¥12,000 is definitely the best value. If you calculate it — the round trip for Yufuin no Mori is ¥10,000 + the round trip for Sonic to Beppu is ¥11,880 = already ¥21,880, and if you add in JR for Fukuoka city + Dazaifu, it becomes ¥24,000+. Compared to the pass for ¥12,000, you save about ¥12,000. If you’re not planning to go to Kagoshima or Miyazaki, there’s no need to buy the full Kyushu 3-day pass for ¥17,000. Buying in advance from Korea (KKday, Klook, etc.) is about ¥1,000–2,000 cheaper than buying locally in Japan.

Q3. Is it true that hot spring etiquette is strict? Can I not enter if I have tattoos?

A. As long as you follow 3 basic manners, you’ll be welcomed without discrimination as a foreigner — ① Always wash your body before entering the bath (shower + soap, rinse your hair), ② never dip your towel in the bath (place it on your head or beside you), ③ tie up long hair before entering (to keep it from touching the water). Many public outdoor baths and traditional ryokans refuse entry for tattoos — some unmanned outdoor baths like Kinana-yu are okay, and many ryokans like Takegawara allow small tattoos, but it’s best to check in advance for larger tattoos. Ryokan rooms with outdoor baths (private baths) have no restrictions on tattoos, so it’s safe. If you have large tattoos, I recommend staying in a ryokan room with an outdoor bath for one night — you can enjoy it without worrying about others.