Fukuoka

Any suggestion...Plan to visit Fukuoka from 19 Jan to 23 Jan 2012. Looking for a really relax and NO RUSH itinerary.

You are not planning to spend all days in the city or are you? If not, you can visit many places in northern Kyuhsu and along the Kyushu Shinkansen in easy day trips or any place in Kyushu in an overnight trip. I recommend to pick destinations based on personal interest:
http://www.japan-guide.com/list/e1108.html

You could also travel eastwards to Hiroshima;
http://www.japan-guide.com/list/e1106.html

What to see in Fukuoka itself:
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2161.html

Go for a boat ride in the canals of Yanagawa and taste the best unagi ever while there

Hi Uji...intend to stay put at one location and do day trips. Is it convenient to make arrangement on the spot?
Actually, I plan to visit Huis Ten Bosh which would be interesting for my 7yr old but due to late flight arrival, just afraid that I would not be able to find my way. Is there any place near to Fukuoka which is similar to Takayama (Nagoya) which you recommended during my last trip? It's was a well worth trip, love the place.

Hi Uji...how about self drive in Kyushu? Is it easy?

Is it convenient to make arrangement on the spot?

What kind of arrangements? Transportation can be arranged easily on the spot. Car rental is recommended with prior reservation, although often the outlets will be able to accommodate clients without reservation.

Is there any place near to Fukuoka which is similar to Takayama?

I can't easily think of any destination near Fukuoka that is like Takayama. What is it about Takayama that you seek? Mountains? Traditional buildings? Rural atmosphere? Something else?

how about self drive in Kyushu? Is it easy?

Yes, I consider Kyushu an easy place to self drive, especially outside the big cities. But there is a chance of winter conditions in January, especially in the higher elevations. I would not recommend driving then unless you are used to driving in the winter.

Huis Ten Bosch can be done as a long day-trip from Fukuoka as it is just about 1 hr 40 min by train from JR Hakata station.

Another possible day-trip from Fukuoka for kids is Space World near Kokura. It is less than an hour train from JR Hakata station.
http://www.spaceworld.co.jp/english/

Slightly further away is Mojiko which is a lovely compact town best explored on foot. Kids will have fun "driving" a mini train in the rail park of Kyushu Railway History Museum. Again Mojiko can be done as a day-trip from Fukuoka as it is just over an hour by train from JR Hakata station.
http://www.k-rhm.jp/shisetsu_mini.html

Takayama is unique and it is hard to find any similar destination in Kyushu that can compete with it. Not far from Fukuoka are Daizaifu and Yanagawa which hopefully can give you a feel of traditional Japan if you stick to northern Kyushu. There is even a convenient 2-day transport ticket for the 2 places from Fukuoka.
http://www.nishitetsu.co.jp/train/ticket/i_dazayana.htm

Nagasaki can be reached by train from Fukuoka in just under 2 hrs and is another famous Kyushu destination. Nagasaki deserves at least a one-night stay and if you can push back your visit a bit, you can enjoy the popular festive event of the annual Lantern Festival that starts from Jan 23. Together with the celebration of the Chinese New Year, it would be a fun time for a visit to Nagasaki.
http://www.nagasaki-lantern.com/index_2.html

Second only to Hokkaido, we find driving in Kyushu quite enjoyable. Even in cities like Fukuoka and Nagasaki, traffic is not that bad. Indeed you have to weigh in the factor of driving in winter especially if you have no experience in that field. We drove around Kyushu in the month of March and still encountered snow in higher elevation area of Mt. Aso and Takachiho. From the following weather statistic Fukuoka and Nagasaki seemed OK during Jan this year though Nagasaki did have a few days of slight snow.
Fukuoka: http://www.data.jma.go.jp/obd/stats/etrn/view/daily_s1.php?prec_no=82&...
Nagasaki: http://www.data.jma.go.jp/obd/stats/etrn/view/daily_s1.php?prec_no=84&...

A lot really depends on the unpredictable weather these days. Time-wise driving yourself can give you more flexibility without being restricted by infrequent train + bus connections and it allows you to visit some hard-to-reach sites. But if you intend to go for some of the above destinations in a short 4 day visit, public transport is more than adequate.

Options to Huis Ten Bosch direct are two, by train or by bus besides driving.
By more frequent trains, adult 3,570yen o/w by direct Huis Ten Bosch-Go train~100min. Or RT train+entrance fee.
http://www.jrkyushu.co.jp/tabi/kippu_htb/index.jsp
By direct bus for a day RT trip~2hrs o/w, discounted 5,500yen including the entrance fee(no child discount). There are other tickets like the ticket books or buying individual tickets depending on how many adults & children in your party.
http://www.bus.saihigroup.co.jp/fukuokasen.html
See the blue lines on the time tables.

Dear all....just love this website and many thanks for all the valuable informations. It is really useful.