Fukuoka to Kagoshima by Campervan: 5-Day Road Trip Itinerary

The Fukuoka to Kagoshima route is Kyushu's most epic campervan road trip — spanning volcanic craters, castle towns, hidden onsen villages, and the dramatic Sakurajima volcano. Here is the ideal 5-day itinerary.

Day 1: Fukuoka → Kumamoto (2 hours)

• Pick up campervan at VanTripJapan Hakozaki base
• Drive to Kumamoto Castle — one of Japan's most impressive castles
• Evening: Explore Shimotori shopping arcade, eat basashi (horse sashimi)
• Sleep: Michi-no-Eki Ozu or Kumamoto area campground

Day 2: Kumamoto → Mount Aso (1.5 hours)

• Drive to Mount Aso — the world's largest active volcano caldera
• Visit the crater (if alert level permits), Kusasenri grasslands
• Afternoon: Detour to Kurokawa Onsen for a rotenburo bath
• Sleep: Aso area campground with volcano views

Day 3: Aso → Kirishima (2.5 hours)

• Scenic drive through rural southern Kumamoto
• Kirishima hot springs area — volcanic landscape and sulfur springs
• Visit Kirishima Shrine (one of Japan's oldest Shinto shrines)
• Sleep: Kirishima area campground or Michi-no-Eki

Day 4: Kirishima → Kagoshima (1.5 hours)

• Drive to Kagoshima — the Naples of Japan
• Take the ferry to Sakurajima volcano (15 min, drive on with your van!)
• Drive around Sakurajima, visit the lava trails
• Evening: Kagoshima kurobuta tonkatsu dinner
• Sleep: Sakurajima campground or Kagoshima city parking

Day 5: Kagoshima → Fukuoka (3.5 hours expressway)

• Morning: Sengan-en garden with Sakurajima views
• Return drive via expressway to Fukuoka
• Return campervan at Hakozaki base