Tsushima 2-Day Itinerary 2026: Hitakatsu & Rental Car Adventure
Planning a short getaway? Discover Tsushima Island with our 2-day Hitakatsu rental car itinerary for an authentic Japanese island escape.
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Planning a short getaway? Discover Tsushima Island with our 2-day Hitakatsu rental car itinerary for an authentic Japanese island escape.
Chuseok Holiday Overseas Travel Recommendation: Tsushima 1-Night, 2-Day Itinerary Hitakatsu In & Out Car Rental Trip © Text & Photos / Ms. Ohrai |
Many of you have chosen Tsushima as your overseas travel destination
for the Chuseok holiday, haven't you?
Just because it's a long holiday doesn't mean you *have* to fly
somewhere far away.
If you choose Tsushima, which you can reach by ferry from Busan,
you can lessen the burden of travel while still
fully immersing yourself in the Japanese travel atmosphere,
making it absolutely perfect as an overseas travel destination for the Chuseok holiday!
I went there last year with my sibling's family during the Chuseok holiday,
and it was incredibly satisfying! ^^
We didn't plan a long trip,
just a light 1-night, 2-day itinerary to Tsushima,
but because the trip was short, we rented a car
and made the most of every moment.
Even though it's just 1 night and 2 days,
for those who want a truly fulfilling Tsushima trip,
I'll share a 1-night, 2-day Tsushima itinerary using a rental car,
along with my extensive experience using various rental cars,
and even recommend rental car companies
with well-maintained vehicles.
Table of Contents
01. Why Tsushima is Recommended as an Overseas Destination for the Chuseok Holiday
02. A Quick Look at the Tsushima 1-Night, 2-Day Itinerary
03. Day 1 | From Hitakatsu Port to Yukata Experience
04. Day 2 | From Saiki to Miuda Beach and Hot Springs
05. You'll Need a Rental Car to Travel Like This in Tsushima
06. Why Car Condition is More Important Than Price for Rental Cars
07. What to Check Before Booking a Rental Car in Tsushima
08. If You're Traveling for the Chuseok Holiday, Book in Advance
01. Why I Chose Tsushima for an Overseas Trip During the Chuseok Holiday
The reason I recommend Tsushima as an overseas travel destination
for the Chuseok holiday is that
you can truly get a taste of an international trip
even with a short itinerary,
and the unique tranquil scenery of Japan
combined with stunning ocean views is absolutely captivating.
That's why so many people visit!
However, because it's a short trip,
the quality of your experience can vary wildly
depending on how you plan your itinerary.
02. Tsushima 1-Night, 2-Day Travel Itinerary by Rental Car
Here's how we planned this trip's itinerary:
DAY 1 | DAY 2 |
Depart Busan ↓ Arrive at Hitakatsu Port ↓ Lunch near Hitakatsu Port ↓ Pick up Rental Car ↓ Tsushima Family Park ↓ Mine Direct Shopping ↓ Akashima Ohashi Bridge ↓ Hotel Check-in ↓ Yukata Experience ↓ Dinner | Hotel Breakfast ↓ Saiki Shopping ↓ Miuda Beach ↓ Nagisanoyu Onsen ↓ Return Rental Car ↓ Sightseeing around Hitakatsu Port ↓ Depart for Busan |
Looking at it like this, it seems like quite a packed itinerary, doesn't it?
Since everything is strategically located along the route
from Hitakatsu to Izuhara,
you won't have any trouble fitting it all in.
However, this itinerary is only possible with a rental car.
03. Day 1 | Starting Your Trip at Hitakatsu Port
When you arrive at Hitakatsu Port by ferry from Busan,
the very first thing you should do is grab lunch.
Since you won't be using the car while eating,
it's more economical to have your meal first and then pick up your rental car
if you're renting for 24 hours.
After lunch,
your real adventure begins!
Pick up your rental car and head to Tsushima Family Park.
This is the only place in Tsushima
where you can ride go-karts.
The prices are incredibly affordable too!
After enjoying the go-karts and the thrilling roller slide from the mountaintop,
make your way to Mine Direct for some shopping.
Mine Direct is actually
the most affordable shopping mall in Tsushima.
Especially for those who collect or simply enjoy alcoholic beverages,
this is a must-visit,
꼭 들려보세요.
Since you have a rental car, you don't need to worry about carrying heavy shopping bags
around to your next sightseeing spot,
so you can shop to your heart's content.
Afterward, take a brief look at the Akashima Ohashi Bridge,
located on the way to Izuhara, and then head to your hotel.
While exploring Tsushima's tourist attractions is wonderful,
I personally find that driving a rental car
The journey itself was so beautiful, which I absolutely loved.
There were stretches where we drove right alongside the ocean, and we also got to experience the serene charm of a quiet Japanese island village.
After checking into the hotel,
we tried on yukatas, an experience that only cost ~$7,
and then wrapped up our first day with a delicious dinner.
04. Day 2 | From Shopping to Beaches and Hot Springs
Day two kicks off with a delightful hotel breakfast.
We needed a hearty breakfast before heading over to Hitakatsu,
so an early start was definitely in order.
After a quick stop for some affordable shopping at Saiki, which offers a great variety, we moved directly on to Miuda Beach without delay.
After all, we've come all the way to Tsushima,
and you can't just pass by the beautiful ocean, can you?
At Miuda Beach, we took in the stunning sea views,
and if you love snorkeling, it's a great spot to enjoy it for a bit.
The sea in Tsushima was surprisingly warm in September!
Afterward, we headed to Nagisanoyu Onsen
for a relaxing hot spring bath.
There's a good reason why we included an onsen experience at the very end of our trip.
After a full day of sightseeing and driving,
your body can get quite tired.
Taking a moment to relax at the hot springs before heading back
is such a wonderful way to melt away the travel fatigue.
After indulging in the hot springs, we returned our rental car
and explored the area around Hitakatsu Port
while enjoying our final meal.
If you have any time left, popping into a cafe is also a lovely idea.
Then, taking the ferry from Hitakatsu Port back to Busan,
our 2-day, 1-night Tsushima adventure comes to a delightful end.
05. A Rental Car is Essential for a Packed 2-Day, 1-Night Tsushima Trip
Two days and one night is surprisingly short, isn't it?
If you plan to travel round trip from Hitakatsu to Izuhara,
you'll need to minimize your travel time as much as possible.
That's why relying on public transportation just isn't feasible.
If you use public transport, you'll be tied to bus schedules,
limiting your flexibility,
and if you end up staying longer than planned at one spot,
it could easily impact your entire itinerary.
However, with a rental car in Tsushima,
the whole situation changes dramatically.
"Should we stay and explore a bit longer here?"
"How about we do a little more shopping before we head off?"
"Since we have some time, why not make a quick stop at the beach?"
These kinds of spontaneous decisions become totally possible.
And most importantly, for family trips,
if someone gets tired,
you can easily take a short break in the car before continuing,
and your shopping bags can be conveniently stored in the vehicle.
So, if your itinerary involves arriving and departing from Hitakatsu
and exploring various spots,
renting a car in Tsushima is an absolute must.
This is especially true if you want to make the most of a short trip, like during a holiday weekend.
06. Which Rental Company Should You Choose?
Honestly, when I first started looking, I only compared rental car prices in Tsushima.
Naturally, I wanted to book the cheapest option available.
However, after traveling to Tsushima multiple times
and personally trying out vehicles from various companies,
my perspective completely changed.
Some places had older vehicles, and there were times when I was disappointed with the vehicle's maintenance or available options.
In Japan, the driving direction is opposite to what many are used to (they drive on the left), and Tsushima has narrow, winding roads.
That's why it's crucial to have a vehicle in excellent condition.
So now, I always check the vehicle's age and maintenance status,
essential options like rear sensors or Bluetooth,
and comprehensive insurance to cover any potential accidents,
all together.
You can find a breakdown of companies and their details in the link below.
Check it out!
The booking page I usually go with lets you
compare preferred dates, times, vehicles, and insurance options
and book them, which totally
saved me the hassle of checking multiple companies
individually.
Book your Tsushima rental car and check vehicle availability ↓↓↓↓
Always make sure to check if there are cars available
on your preferred dates in advance.
07. Plan Your Tsushima Trip for Chuseok Holidays in Advance
Tsushima isn't a region overflowing with rental cars
for travelers, so
securing your preferred vehicle during peak season
can be quite a challenge.
If you're considering Tsushima as your international travel destination
for the Chuseok holidays,
it's wise to arrange your rental car booking in advance.
Once your travel dates are set,
if you think, "I'll just book about a month beforehand,"
and then can't find a rental car,
you might end up scrambling.
Even now, it's not really an early booking, so you'll want to hustle!
08. Tsushima is a Great International Trip for Short Holidays, Being So Close!
So, what do you think of the 1-night, 2-day Tsushima itinerary
I've shared with you?
You'll probably find places in here that you wouldn't typically
come across in Naver blogs or influencer posts.
Having traveled to Tsushima countless times over the years,
these tips come straight from a wealth of experience.
For Tsushima, rather than trying to see absolutely everything
in one go,
it's crucial to plan your route based on your travel purpose.
And if you have a short itinerary, like just a 1-night, 2-day trip,
prioritizing reduced travel time over adding another tourist spot
will give you more relaxed travel.
Even with a short 1-night, 2-day Tsushima itinerary,
if you plan your route well and use a rental car,
you can fully enjoy everything from shopping and sightseeing
to the beautiful sea and relaxing hot springs.
Once your travel dates are set,
the first thing to do is check for rental cars.
Securing your preferred vehicle in advance will make
your travel preparations so much smoother.
Get 10% off Tsushima Data Roaming ↓↓↓↓
The yukata experience, as introduced in the article's 2-day, 1-night Tsushima itinerary, is available for just ~$7. It is designed as an activity to enjoy after hotel check-in and before dinner.
Minedai Rex is known as the most affordable shopping mall on Tsushima Island. It is especially recommended for those who collect or enjoy alcoholic beverages, as it is the only specialized liquor store on Tsushima.
It is most efficient to have lunch first and then pick up your rental car after arriving at Hitakatsu Port. Since you won't be using the car during your meal, you can make economical use of a 24-hour rental.
Tsushima Family Park is the only place on Tsushima where you can ride go-karts. In addition to go-karts, you can also enjoy the roller slide from the mountaintop at an affordable price.
Nagisa-no-Yu Onsen is included as the last stop of the trip because it's a great place to relieve the physical fatigue accumulated from a full day of sightseeing and driving before heading back.
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