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Yufuin: Onsen Town – A Great Weekend Away in Kyushu Region

Monday, June 1st, 2020

Yufuin is located in Oita Prefecture, 10 Kilometres from Beppu, this charming Onsen town is spread across the foot of Mt.Yufu, and the view of this very extinct volcano just takes your breath away. It’s also an amazing place for anyone to visit as there are no tall buildings here, only boutiques, café, and mother nature.

To enjoy your trip further, do catch the Yufuin no Mori Express Train to Yufuin. This particular locomotive has a beautiful green exterior and there is a lounge area with a wooden interior where passengers can avail themselves of this space. Combined with the gigantic glass windows, passengers can’t help but stare at the scenic view as it’s very mesmerizing.

Upon arriving Yufuin station, you have the opportunity to soak their legs in the footbath instantly at platform 1 before they continue on their journey.

Onsen Lovers

If you love a good soak, there’s a total of 12 different public Onsen that’s available for use. Musoen has a beautiful outdoor bath that is 250 sqm wide that’s made exclusively for woman.

When soaking in the hot springs, you get to take in a panoramic view of Mt Yufu. Indulge in their signature Crème Caramel after your bath with a cup of tea. On the other hand, Shitanyu Onsen has a mixed gendered hot spring where you get to soak on the shore of Lake Kinrinko.

Nature Lovers

As Yufuin is surrounded by traditional Japanese houses and snowcapped mountains, Mt.Yufu is visible in the backdrop, a prominent feature of Yufuin’s skyline on a beautiful sunny day.

For nature lovers who love a good scenic walk, please take the forest route and walk for 1.5km. At the end of the path, Lake Kirinko would come into view, and oh boy it is stunning.

The bottom of this lake consists of both Hot Spring and Crystal Water. The flow of the water runs through so frequently that it completely changes twice a day. You can also hike Mt.Yufu and it’ll only take 90 minutes 1 way.

Art Lovers

Another attraction of this town is that it has an abundance of art galleries. One of them being – The Yufuin Kiyoshi Yamashita Museum which showcases eccentric artist work. Yamashita was known as the Japanese “Van Gogh” and is famous for his art that’s made from the cut or torn pieces of paper.

If you’re a big fan of Van Gogh, I do recommend checking his art pieces out. The other being the Sueda Art museum, established by artists Ryusuke and Shiori Sueda. The interior of the museum is also the same architect who designed Kyoto Station – Hiroshi Hara.

Animal Lovers

If you’re wanting to interact with animals, head over to the Yufuin Floral Village. This village looks like it’s been cut out from a children’s fairytale book as everything is just so cute.

Walking through the shop really does feel like you’ve stepped into a different world as it feels so magical. They have an Alice in Wonderland cat café, Owl Forest and petting zoo there as well. You can even buy some food to feed the squirrels.

Food Lovers

A gourmet must-try dish in Yufuin would be the Bongu Beef Mabushi. Bungo Beef is a type of black-haired cow from Bungo, Oita Prefecture. When combining the beef with delicious Yufu rice, it’s a match made in heaven.

Another must-try would be the Yufuin Kinsho Croquettes. The croquettes have a crunchy exterior with beautiful minced Japanese beef on the inside.
Dorayaki lovers would be thrilled as they sell “purindora” here. Dorayaki filled with pudding instead. They not only look amazing, but it tastes heavenly as well. Feel free to grab a couple to satisfy that sweet tooth of yours!

Shopping on Yunotsubo Street

Yunotsubo street is the street connecting Yufuin Station with Kinrin Lake. The pathway is filled with traditional Edo period styled tile buildings that consist of cafes, restaurants, and souvenir shops.

The items that they sell are unique to Yufuin and you could spend hours and hours exploring the shop as it’s so interesting. The handicrafts here are hand made locally using high-quality materials. Do take your time and wander around the beautiful shops!

Summary

In a nutshell, Yufuin is a beautiful onsen town that’s popular with the locals. It not only offers a charming magical atmosphere to anyone who comes to visit but it the experiences made here that are very memorable thanks to its unique gourmet food, art, and its scenic surroundings. So if you happen to be in Kyushu and would like to find a unique destination for the weekend, do stop by Yufuin as it really does give you that little magical spark!

Tags: Destination, Kyushu, Michelle, Onsen Hot Spring
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JR Pass Kyushu Itinerary: 5 Cities to Visit with Your JR Kyushu Pass

Tuesday, May 19th, 2020

The JR Kyushu Passes are a great way to make your way around some of the must-see spots on Japan’s southernmost island, Kyushu! There are seven prefectures located in Kyushu: Fukuoka, Kagoshima, Kumamoto, Miyazaki, Nagasaki, Oita, and Saga.

Kyushu offers a diverse landscape and unrivaled natural beauty in the form of hot springs, volcanoes, forests, mountains, & beaches. If you’ve read some of our other Kyushu-centric posts, you’d have picked up on the fact that the regional cuisine in Kyushu is delicious, and second-to-none in my opinion! Furthermore, the juxtaposition of modern and bustling International cities with traditional Japanese culture; such as Buddhist Temples, Shinto Shrines & Samurai history, is a huge drawcard for those wanting to experience this part of Japan.

For the destinations listed here, I would recommend the 5 days All Area Kyushu Pass. Read on to learn about some of the exciting places that you can visit with your JR Kyushu Pass!

Fukuoka

Fukuoka is the largest city in Kyushu, and one of the most populated in Japan. Fukuoka has been an important gateway to the world thanks to it’s Hakata Port & it’s proximity to South Korea and China. When traveling via air to Fukuoka, you would most likely arrive in Fukuoka International Airport via either domestic hubs, such as Tokyo or Osaka, or International hubs such as Hong Kong, Singapore, Taipei or Seoul. If you were to have the National Japan Rail Pass, as opposed to the Kyushu Rail Pass, then you could access Fukuoka via the Sakura Bullet Train from Hiroshima in only 67 mins (cost without the JR pass is approx. ¥9,100 per adult).

Fukuoka is abundant with interesting things to do. On top of my list, yep you guessed it, food!! Fukuoka is famous for its Yatai, or ‘food stalls’, that line the streets at night and offer a unique atmosphere. You will find them throughout the city center, but I recommend the areas of Nakasu, Nagahama & Tenjin for the best-of-the-best. Food that you will find in these stalls is usually the famous Hakata ramen (pork broth ramen), yakitori (chicken skewers) and oden (hot pot), along with alcoholic beverages of different kinds!

Now onto some daytime activities; there is plenty to do and see in Fukuoka. why not check out Uminonakamichi Seaside Park: a public park made up of an amusement park, playgrounds, flower gardens, a water park, and a zoo with open spaces perfect for bringing a picnic. You can rent bicycles and explore the area, and it is particularly beautiful in spring (late March, early April) as there are cherry trees planted in the parks and along the cycling trails. A beautiful scenic spot to visit for everyone, especially families.

If you’re after a bit of Japanese culture, Shofukuji Temple is another popular attraction in Fukuoka as it is Japan’s first Zen temple, founded in 1195. The Temple buildings have been destroyed and re-built on multiple occasions and they are not accessible to the public, however, the grounds are lovely to walk around. You can access Shofukuji Temple in just a 15-20 minute walk from Hakata Station.

I also recommend Dazaifu city and Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine as a day trip from Fukuoka. Dazaifu is accessible in around 35mins via the JR Kagoshima rapid line from Hakata Station to Futsukaichi Station (with your JR pass), a short walk to Nishitetsufutsukaichi Station to transfer to the Nishitetsu Dazaifu Line to Daizaifu Station (not covered on your JR pass but only ¥160 per person fare). This is a large and attractive shrine of torii gates and a pond with arched bridges and islands representative of the past, present, and future.

For those interested in shopping and entertainment, Canal City Hakata has been coined a city within a city and is accessible by only a 15min walk from Hakata Station. You can get your souvenir shopping done here and also check out the hundreds of International retailers. I suggest having a go at one of the classic Japanese game arcades and tasting the ramen at Ramen Stadium, a collection of eight ramen shops on the fifth floor, showcasing different ramen dishes from across Japan.

Finally, if you find yourself in Fukuoka in November, you may have a chance to see a Sumo tournament. Ask us for the dates and ticket arrangements as this is a not-to-miss tradition if you have the chance!

Nagasaki

Another important port city of Japan, Nagasaki was one of the only ports open to foreign traders during Japan’s period of isolation from 1639 to 1853, therefore playing an important role in foreign trade relations. The influence of other cultures, particularly Dutch, is evident in the European architecture that can be found throughout Nagasaki, particularly in the Dejima district. Access with your JR pass from Hakata Station is only 116mins on the Ltd. Exp Kamome Line to Nagasaki Station.

One of the most popular sightseeing attractions in Nagasaki is, of course, the Nagasaki Peace Park that commemorates the atomic bombing of Nagasaki during the Second World War in 1945. The Peace Park is accessed most easily via the tram in around 10mins from JR Nagasaki Station (the tram is not included on your JR pass).

Another popular attraction is Mount Inasa, which can be reached by ropeway, bus, or car and offers a stunning view of the city, particularly at night! The ropeway can be reached in only 10mins from Nagasaki Station by bus or taxi and costs ¥1250 per adult for the round trip.

For those after something a bit different, I recommend booking a tour to Gunkanjima (Battleship Island). Located around a 50min boat ride from Nagasaki Port, the island used to be a coal mine inhabited mainly by the mineworkers and their families. It takes its name from the image of the built-up buildings resembling a battleship. These days, the island is abandoned after the mine was closed in 1974, and it makes for a very eerie but interesting experience.

Finally, the open-air museum, Glover Garden, is another stop that should be on your Nagasaki itinerary. It exhibits several mansions that belonged to former foreign residents of Nagasaki, particularly the Former Glover House of Thomas Glover which is the oldest Western-style wooden building in Japan and is an important attraction outlining the history of the Meiji Restoration and Japan’s Industrialisation.

As for food, you must try Champon in Nagasaki: a boiled ramen noodle soup dish with fried pork, vegetables, and seafood in a creamy broth, it is one of the most popular specialty dishes in Nagasaki!

For more detail on what to do in Nagasaki, check out our blog –> Nagasaki Travel Guide – 10 Spots You Must Visit in Nagasaki

Kumamoto

Kumamoto is accessible from Nagasaki with your JR Kyushu Pass by taking the Ltd. Exp. Kamome line from Nagasaki Station to Shin-Tosu Station then transfer to the Sakura Bullet Train to Kumamoto Station. The journey takes approx. 120mins.

Kumamoto City is most famous for Kumamoto Castle and it’s Samurai history. Kumamoto Castle is a must-see when in this region as it’s one of Japan’s top three Castles. Unfortunately, the Castle suffered some damage during the earthquakes in 2016, meaning that the inner grounds of the castle cannot be entered at all times. The main keep is expected to be opened again to the public in spring 2021. This shouldn’t discourage a visit though, especially during spring, in late March and early April, as the hundreds of cherry trees turn the outside grounds into a popular cherry blossom viewing spot! The unique reconstruction of the Honmaru Goten Palace on castle grounds is also a beautiful sight and if you want to have a bit of fun, you can dress up in Samurai armour! You can access Kumamoto Castle via a 15min tram ride from JR Kumamoto Station (¥170 per adult – not included on your JR pass) or in approx. 30min walk.

Another popular sightseeing spot in Kumamoto is Suizenji Garden, a stunning Japanese garden built in the 17th century by the Hosokawa family. For a bit of tranquility and zen, take a stroll through the garden, accessible by a 30min tram ride from JR Kumamoto Station to the Suizenji Koen stop (¥170 per adult – not included on your JR pass).

Outside of Kumamoto City, in Kumamoto prefecture, there are plenty of must-see sites also. Notably, Mt. Aso is a great spot to visit on a day trip. Mt. Aso is an active volcano surrounded by wide-open farmland and rolling hills. The main crater is accessible via a day tour, volcanic activity-dependent, and this is currently the easiest way to access the Aso area.

Another notable day trip from Kumamoto is Kurokawa Onsen. For those after a day of relaxation in hot springs, particularly during the winter, Kurokawa Onsen is one of the most attractive hot spring towns in Japan. Kurokawa Onsen maintains a traditional Japanese hot spring town atmosphere with many traditional Ryokan (Japanese Inns) and public bathhouses, shops, and restaurants lining the streets. Perhaps a bit tricky to reach as there is no train line out here, I would recommend hiring a car for the day to get to Kurokawa Onsen.

Finally, what to eat in Kumamoto? Most aren’t going to be game enough, however, I highly recommend trying basashi (raw horse meat). Kumamoto’s specialty is a bit scary at first, but once you’ve tried a bit of the gamey sashimi with sides of soy sauce, ginger, garlic, Japanese horseradish, and/or sliced onion, you’ll understand where I’m coming from. It’s surprisingly light and delectable! For those not so into the idea of raw meat, try Kumamoto’s Red Wagyu Donburi: a rice bowl topped with medium-rare wagyu beef and an egg boiled in hot spring waters, it’s a delicious alternative!

Kagoshima

Kagoshima is located in the South of Kyushu and is accessible from Kumamoto via a 45-55min ride on the Sakura Bullet Train with your JR Kyushu Pass. This Bullet Train line runs through the center of Kyushu all the way from Hakata Station, Fukuoka, to Kagoshima (approx. 97mins).

Kagoshima is well known for Sakurajima; an active volcano just across Kagoshima Bay. Sakurajima smokes constantly and minor eruptions often take place every day, it’s a very impressive sight! After an eruption in 1914, Sakurajima used to be an island in Kagoshima bay, however, the lava flow connected the land to the Osumi Peninsula. Most travelers still access the volcano via ferry, though, as it only takes approx. 15mins from the Kagoshima ferry terminal. There are many things to do on Sakurajima such as hike along the many trails, visit the observation points, have a hot spring at the Magma Onsen, and even sit down to a free foot bath at Nagisa Park Foot Bath!

A popular Japanese garden to visit in Kagoshima is Senganen Garden, which offers a unique experience due to the stunning views of Sakurajima and Kagoshima Bay. A particular type of cherry tree blooms here as early as the end of January, with the usual varieties blooming in early April. You can also see a peaceful bamboo grove, some shrines, and small ponds within the grounds. Senganen can be accessed by the City View Bus from Kagoshima-Chuo Station in around 50mins and tickets can be purchased at the Station for ¥190 per adult per single trip or ¥600 per adult for unlimited daily use – this bus is not included on your JR pass.

Another site that I recommend visiting in Kagoshima is Shiroyama Park. The park sits atop Mount Shiroyama and offers sweeping views of Kagoshima city, Kagoshima Bay & Sakurajima from the Shiroyama Observatory. Spectacular views are also offered at the outdoor hot spring bath of the Castle Park Hotel that is open to the public. The Observatory can be accessed by the City View Bus from Kagoshima Chuo Station in approx. 25mins.

For those after natural scenery, I would highly recommend taking a side trip to Yakushima Island; a subtropical island located approx. 2-3 hours from Kagoshima Ferry Terminal via high-speed boat. This is a beautiful spot for hiking among the ancient cedar trees and taking in the breathtaking forest. There is a bus network on the island that will take you to the main areas for hiking on the island such as Yakusugi Land (National Park area with 1000+-year-old cedars) and Shiratani Unsuikyo (lush green National Park area that was the inspiration for the Ghibli film, Princess Mononoke), or you could even hire a car and take the car ferry which departs each morning.

When it comes to the regional cuisine of Kagoshima, I would recommend trying the mouthwatering kurobuta (black pork) as tonkatsu (breaded and deep-fried pork cutlet usually served with rice and sliced cabbage).

Beppu

Beppu is located north-east of Kagoshima and is accessible in just over 3 hours from Kagoshima-Chuo Station via the Sakura Bullet Train to Kokura Station, transferring to the Ltd. Exp. Sonic Line to Beppu Station (all covered on your JR Kyushu Pass). From Fukuoka, you can easily access Beppu, via Kokura also, within 1.5 hours.

Beppu is well known as being one of the largest hot spring towns in Japan. At the top of your list should be to experience one of the hundreds of public baths here. Relaxing in the warm onsen waters, especially the outdoor ones with spectacular natural views, is something that I love to do in Japan. Most hotels and Ryokan in Beppu will also have hot springs on site. At a lot of these bathhouses, there are restaurants that serve the local cuisine; Jigoku Mushi (steam cooking), where food is steamed over the hot spring pools giving you a healthy and delicious meal!

Beppu is also home to some types of hot spring that aren’t for bathing; Jigoku, or ‘hells’, are seven different, extremely hot, pools of sulphuric water in different environments. They are made up of different colours, some bright blue, some muddy and bubbly and one blood red! I loved visiting some of the hells in Beppu and tasting some of the different foods that steam above the hot spring waters, such as eggs and pudding! The best way to get around to most of the hells is to do a Beppu city tour.

Another notable attraction in Beppu is the Beppu Ropeway, which takes you to the top of Mount Tsurumi where you can see a stunning view of Beppu City, Oita City, and Mount Yufu. There are some nice walking tracks atop the mountain and a small shrine as well. For those more experienced hikers, you can climb the entire mountain in around 2 hours instead of taking the ropeway. To get to the Ropeway, you will need to take a bus from Beppu Station which takes approx. 20mins and costs ¥420 per adult, per way.

For animal lovers, Takasakiyama Monkey Park is another attraction located in between Beppu & Oita. The Park is home to Japanese macaques (the same breed as the famous snow monkeys in Nagano). You can pair this visit with the nearby Umitamago Aquarium. These attractions can be reached by a 10min bus ride from Beppu Station.

Finally, if you haven’t had enough of hot springs, the nearby town of Yufuin is a quaint little town located nearby Mount Yufu. The town is made up of Ryokan, hot springs, art museums, restaurants & cafes, and boutiques, surrounded by farmland and rice paddies, making for beautiful scenery to stroll around. There is also Lake Kinrinko located about 1.5km from the station. You can access Yufuin with your JR Kyushu Pass with a change at Oita Station in approx. 80mins one way.

For more detail on what to do in Beppu, check out our blog here: Beppu, Japan: A Day of Onsen, Nature & Food!

Summary

If you’re wanting to visit Kyushu, the JR Kyushu Pass could be the right option for you. For any inquiries regarding the diverse Kyushu region and how to best make use of your JR pass, contact our knowledgable Japan Specialists or your local Travel Agent and we will tailor-make a special Kyushu itinerary just for you!

JR Kyushu Pass

JR Kyushu offers 3 types of Rail Pass: the All-Area Kyushu Pass (unlimited train travel on JR lines on 3 or 5 consecutive days), North Kyushu Pass (unlimited train travel on JR lines on 3 or 5 consecutive days) and the South Kyushu pass (unlimited train travel on JR lines on 3 consecutive days). The All-Area Kyushu Pass, as the name suggests, offers unlimited JR line travel on all of the Kyushu JR lines. For more information on the specific passes, see our JR Kyushu pass page here↓↓↓

Tags: Carly, Destination, JR Pass, Kyushu
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JR East Tohoku Pass: The 10 Best Places to Visit in Tohoku

Wednesday, May 13th, 2020

Weary of the crowds and looking for somewhere off the beaten track to explore?

Why not escape from the packed streets of the main cities and discover a region overflowing with stunning natural landscapes, samurai history, festivals, delicious food, and warm-hearted locals!
Spreading out just above Tokyo, the Tohoku region features six prefectures all with their own experiences to explore!

I fell in love with the Tohoku region when I had the amazing opportunity to live there for two years. The more I explored the region, the more I felt like I’d found my second home! I wanted to share my favourite places in Tohoku, so without further ado, let’s jump into my top ten places to visit in the deep North of Japan!

1. Hirosaki Castle – Aomori Prefecture

One of Japan’s best spots for Cherry Blossom viewing, Hirosaki Castle is the ideal getaway for a spring holiday in Japan. Although the original castle burned down, it was rebuilt in 1810 making it one of the few castles in Japan rebuilt in the Edo Period and the only one in Tohoku.

The three-story keep of Hirosaki Castle is surrounded by Hirosaki Park, which holds over 2500 cherry trees. This is the main draw of the area as the park is spectacular when the cherry blossoms are blooming, around late April. The paths here turn into tunnels of perfectly pink blossoms and at the end of the full-bloom period, the moat around the castle becomes a carpet of petals. There are boats to float around the moat if you’d like to sit, relax, and enjoy the ambiance.

From April 23 to May 5th each year, the city holds the Cherry Blossom Festival. During this festival, the castle grounds are open at night to enjoy the illuminated cherry blossoms. It’s the perfect place for a nightly stroll and if you feel peckish there are food stalls around the park as well!

A short walk from the park, mosey on through the preserved samurai residences in Hirosaki’s samurai district. The Ito, Umeda, and Iwata residences all belonged to samurai families during the Edo Period, while the Ishiba residence were members of the merchant class. The Ishiba residence is still in active use as a brewery and a home.

How do I get there?

Using your JR East Tohoku Area Pass, take the Hayabusa Bullet Train from Tokyo Station to Aomori Station. Change at Aomori Station for the JR Ou Line for Odate/Hirosaki to Hirosaki Station.
From Hirosaki Station, take the Dotemachi Loop Bus and get off at Shiyakusho-mae bus stop which is the closest to Hirosaki Castle.

Best time of year to visit?
Spring!

2. Aizu Wakamatsu – Fukushima Prefecture

Easily accessed through use of the JR East Tohoku Area Pass, Aizu Wakamatsu is a very old town that was once a battleground in the Boshin War. Nowadays, it’s a great place to visit to see the beautiful Tsuruga Castle, try some fantastic Sake and learn about the Samurai history of the area.

Tsuruga Castle was built in 1384 and has been rebuilt after the castle was destroyed after the Boshin war of 1868. Featuring a unique red roof, the castle also showcases an exhibit to the history of the Tsuruga Castle and the samurai life of the time. The castle is surrounded by the Tsuruga Castle Park and if you’re feeling like a nice cup of green tea, the Rinkaku Teahouse is in the Park grounds.

If tea isn’t your cup of, well, tea, then why not try tasting some delectable sake at the Suehiro Brewery? In addition to sake tasting, they offer guided tours every 30 mins and even have a cafe that features original desserts made with sake!

If the Castle exhibit doesn’t quench your thirst for samurai history, then the Aizu samurai residence just might! The expansive residence was also burnt down during the Boshin War, but has since been reconstructed and furnished to replicate its original appearance dating back to the Edo Period.

How do I get there?

Using your JR East Tohoku Area Pass, take the Yamabiko Bullet Train to Koriyama Station and change there for service to Aizu-Wakamatsu Station.

How do I get around?
Catch the Aizu loop bus, which will take you around the main attractions of the city.

Best time of year to visit?
Any season is beautiful – special mention, of course, goes to Spring as the Castle grounds bloom pink with Cherry Blossoms!

3. Risshakuji Temple – Yamadera, Yamagata Prefecture

Around a twenty-minute train ride from Yamagata Station, the small town of Yamadera is a breath of fresh air away from the hustle and bustle of the cities. Most famous for the mountain temple of the same name, the small town also plays host to museums dedicated to Basho and western art respectively, as well as a few mom-and-pop restaurants and stores.

From Yamadera Station it is about a ten-minute walk to the Temple grounds where the climb begins. The stone path to the top of the temple has around a thousand steps, winding its way up the mountain through the lush cedar forest. Around the half way mark lies the memorial to Matsuo Basho, the site where he wrote his famous poem.

Once at the top of the mountain temple, the Godaido viewing platform will reward you with spectacular views of the surrounding valley and mountainside. Be sure not to miss the rest of the temple though, the paths and small temple areas set high into the mountain walls were amazing to behold.

After working up an appetite climbing up and down the mountain path, I suggest trying Imoni at one of the small shops in the area – Izumiya or the Endo main store. It’s a regional stew that actually has its own festival in Yamagata in mid-September where stew for 30,000 people is cooked in a large pot five metres in diameter!

How do I get there?

Using your JR East Tohoku Area Pass, take the JR Senzan Line from either Yamagata Station or Sendai Station to Yamadera Station.

Best time of year to visit?
Spring, Summer, or Autumn. Although there is a spectacular view in Winter as well, the snow can make the climb a little dangerous.

Please check out the map that the lovely shop ladies of Yamadera drew and put together for tourists;

See more details>Here

Toreiyu Tsubasa – Yamagata with the JR East Tohoku Area Pass

Why not arrive refreshed and relaxed, with the Toreiyu Tsubasa! The Joyful train designed to feel like stepping into a hot spring town featuring an onboard foot spa! It runs between Fukushima and Yamagata Stations and is available for online reservations with the JR East Tohoku Pass!

4. Ginzan Onsen – Yamagata Prefecture

Take a step back in time by visiting the old hot spring town Ginzan Onsen! Said to be one of the inspirations for the Ghibli film Spirited Away, the main draw of the town is the beautiful streets lined with old wooden buildings and illuminated by gas lamps. A beautiful sight all year round, Ginzan Onsen is truly magnificent in winter.

Winter is also best for experiencing the hot springs the town is known for! Although there are a few public hot springs, I do recommend staying here for a night to experience the atmosphere of a Japanese Inn, including their hot springs and of course the scrumptious food!

If you’re not traveling in winter, there is a walking trail up to the old silver mine beyond the 22-meter waterfall at the back of the town. The trail leads up to the mine entrance, a section of which is open to exploring, however both the trail and mine entrance are only open from May 4th until the first snow.

How do I get there?

Take the train from Yamagata Station to Oishida Station, covered by the JR East Tohoku Area Pass. Change at Oishida Station for a local bus to Ginzan Onsen, the local bus costs about 710JPY and operates around every 60-90 minutes.

Alternatively, during January and February, there is a bus that operates out of Tendo (a few stops away from Yamagata Station and also covered by the JR East Tohoku Area Pass) that will take you to Ginzan Onsen for about 4000JPY for a round trip.

Best time of year to visit?
Winter! Autumn is lovely as well, but the winter scenery here is the main draw.

5. Matsushima Bay – Miyagi Prefecture

Considered one of the top three scenic views in Japan, Matsushima Bay is dotted with 260 pine-clad islands. Around a 40-minute trip from Sendai Station, accessible with the Japan Rail Pass, Matsushima makes for a lovely day trip, especially in Spring or Autumn!

Although the main reason to visit is the fantastic view of the islands, often seen by sightseeing cruise, the bay area has a few other places to explore on foot. A short walk from the station, the small island of Oshima is connected to the mainland by a short footbridge. Exploring this quiet island reveals a few small shrines, meditation caves, and viewpoints for the bay which are connected by trails.

Following the bay back towards the station, stop by Karantei – an old tea house originally part of the Fushimi Castle in Kyoto and gifted to Date Masamune, a ruler of Sendai at the time. Presently, you can enjoy a cup of green tea and some Japanese sweets while viewing the beautiful bay and the delightful tea rooms. The tea house does cost a small fee to enter however this also covers the cost into the small Matsushima Museum at the back of the grounds.

Take a stroll through the two temples built by the Date family hundreds of years ago, Entsuin Temple and Zuiganji Temple. Both temples feature beautiful grounds and buildings, with two gardens on the grounds of Entsuin, a Japanese style garden, and a western-style rose garden, while Zuiganji Temple is surrounded by shallow caves and towering cedar trees.

For a gorgeous nature walk, check out Fukuura Island – one of the larger islands connected to the mainland by a long red bridge. This natural botanical garden island has plenty of easy walking trails, which take about an hour to walk at a leisurely pace. It’s a great way to unwind and get a different perspective of the bay!

How do I get there?

From Sendai Station, use your JR East Tohoku Area Pass and take the JR Senseki Line to Matsushima Kaigan Station. This is closer to the main sightseeing areas than Matsushima Station on the Tohoku Line.

Best time of year to visit?
Spring and Autumn!

6. Hiraizumi – Iwate Prefecture

Located in the south of Iwate prefecture, Hiraizumi is an ancient city that once rivaled Kyoto with its beauty and elegance. Once the seat of the powerful Fujiwara clan, much of Hiraizumi was razed by Minamoto Yoritomo, the first shogun of the Kamakura shogunate. Despite so much destruction, Hiraizumi is definitely worth a visit to truly experience a city that contended with the old capital of Japan!

One of the more famous remnants of the ancient city, Chusonji was a temple for the Tendai sect of Buddhism established in 850. Although the temple suffered damage to many of its buildings, two of the original buildings that survived include Konjikido Hall, which is covered in gold similar to Kyoto’s Kinkakuji, and Kyozo Hall where the sutra, or Buddhist scripture, were kept. The grounds of Chusonji also hold a beautiful Noh theatre stage, which is used during the Autumn Fujiwara Festival during November.

Geibikei Gorge, not to be confused with Genbikei Gorge, is a short walk from Geibikei Station which is a little further away from Hiraizumi. This spectacular gorge is best appreciated by boat, which takes roughly 90 mins, with a 15-20 min walk at the turning point in the gorge. The boatman sings a local folk song while you float down the calm river surrounded by the striking scenery.

I would recommend taking a night to stay in Hiraizumi or close by, as the local trains here can run once or twice an hour – it can be hard if you miss a train to fit it all in one day!

How do I get there?

From Tokyo take the Hayabusa Bullet train to Ichinoseki Station and change here for the JR Tohoku Line for Morioka to Hiraizumi Station.

For Hiraizumi to Geibikei, take the JR Tohoku Line for Ichinoseki to Ichinoseki Station and change here for the JR Ofunato Line for Kesennuma to Geibikei Station.

I would recommend getting a rental bicycle in Hiraizumi if able or catching the Hiraizumi “Run Run” Loop Bus.

Best time of year to visit?
Spring and Autumn! There is a lot of Wisteria around too, so May can be a good time to visit to see them in full bloom!

7. Kakunodate – Akita Prefecture

A former castle town and samurai stronghold, Kakunodate has been heralded at the little Kyoto of the North, and rightly so! The town features some of the best examples of samurai architecture in all of Japan.

Walking the samurai district is a stunning experience in Spring, as the streets here are lined with weeping Cherry Blossoms. Most of the samurai properties here are open to the public, although I would definitely recommend the Ishiguro House and the Aoyagi House if you’re on a time limit and not able to visit all of them! These complexes contain museum collections, restaurants, and gift shops. The displays provide information in both English and Japanese on the traditions, lifestyles and the historical context of the town. For anyone interested in samurai history I highly recommend giving these properties and the museums nearby a look!

A little further down the street from the samurai district is the merchant district which also holds some interesting buildings! Among these is the Ando Jozo Miso storehouse and shop, which is a Meiji Period brick storehouse that still sells miso and soya sauce in the same method it has been produced in for 150 years! Some miso or soya makes for a good souvenir, as well as a gift made locally from kabazaiku (cherry-bark woodwork)!

How do I get there?

From Tokyo Station, catch the Komachi Bullet Train to Kakunodate Station.

Best time of year to visit?
Spring!

8. Nyuto Onsen – Akita Prefecture

Deep in the mountains of the Akita prefecture, not too far from the samurai town of Kakunodate, Nyuto Onsen is actually a collection of seven different onsens all set in the same beautiful mountain area. It’s also an area less well known than other onsen towns, so a great place to go if you’re wanting to get away from busy bathhouses!

I highly recommend staying a night and getting the Yumegiri Pass (only available to those staying the night), which includes a one-day bus pass and admission to the seven onsens. Although it’s more than possible to walk if you’re so inclined, I wouldn’t recommend it in the winter thanks to all the snow! The area feels so untouched by the modern era, it’s very easy to get lost in the beauty of the natural world all around you.

The Seven Onsen here all have their own different properties, said to help with a wide range of health problems. The most famous onsen here is Tsurunoyu, with opaque water and a thatched-roof terrace over the outdoor bath. It is also the oldest place in Nyuto Onsen, with roots dating back to the Edo Period, some even with a fireplace set into the floor of the room!

How do I get there?

Using your JR East Tohoku Area Pass, take the Komachi Bullet Train from Tokyo Station to Tazawako Station.

From Tazawako Station, take the bus to Nyuto Onsen which takes around 50 mins and costs around 820 JPY.

Best time of year to visit?
Winter, if you’re wanting to get the full experience of the hot onsen water and the cold snowy conditions!

9. Lake Towada – Aomori Prefecture

A beautiful blue lake surrounded by an untouched natural landscape, Lake Towada is the largest caldera lake on mainland Japan. Part of the Towada-Hachimantai National Park, the lake is on the border of Akita and Aomori prefectures and is most famous for its autumn colours and the Oirase stream.

The peaceful, undeveloped lake has a small town called Yasumiya, which in addition to a few attractions like the Towada Shrine, is one of the two areas the sightseeing cruise docks. These sightseeing cruises are the best way to really appreciate the beauty of the lake. There are two different cruises you can take, a round trip or a one way from Yasumiya to Nenokuchi or vice versa.

If you’re looking to do some hiking in this area I would recommend staying the night in town as it does take a bit of time to get to the lake and back out to Aomori city. The small township does start closing up quite early as well, especially in Autumn.

Another point of interest nearby, perhaps even more well known than the lake itself, is Oirase Stream. This stream is the only outlet for Lake Towada and luckily the bus route goes next to it so it’s quite easy to get the bus there. The rushing water covers the sound of nearby traffic, drawing you into an instagram-worthy world of your own.

How do I get there?

Using your JR East Tohoku Area Pass, take the Hayabusa Bullet Train from Tokyo Station to Aomori Station. Change at Aomori station for the JR Bus bound for Lake Towada.

Best time of year to visit?
Autumn!

10. Resort Shirakami and Furofushi Onsen

Take a leisurely journey along the North-West coast of Japan, experience one of the most picturesque train rides, and take a bath up close and personal with the ocean! The Joyful Train Resort Shirakami will present you with a stunning view of the coast as well as entertain you with performances on board!

Leaving from either Aomori or Akita, the Resort Shirakami can be booked online before you travel with the JR East Tohoku Area Pass! The journey takes around 5 hours from start to finish, although we’ll be stopping partway to get to the ocean baths of Fukaura. The train will slow down when approaching particularly scenic locations so that you have time to snap photos from the larger panoramic style windows. Along the way there are performances from local artists, depending on the day and service, most popular are the musicians who play Shamisen and sing traditional Japanese folk songs!

Disembark at the JR Wespa Tsubakiyama Station and board the free shuttle bus to Koganezaki Furofushi Onsen-Hotel. This has the most amazing outdoor bath set on the peninsula protruding into the Sea of Japan, it really feels like you’re a part of the beach! I recommend staying the night at the hotel here as the outdoor bath closes for day-trip customers at 4 pm and the best part of this outdoor bath is experiencing the sunset over the ocean horizon.

After all this relaxation, why not stretch your legs a little and explore the hiking trails around the Juniko, a series of small lakes and ponds in the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Shirakami-Sanchi. This extensive mountain range stretches over the border of Akita and Aomori prefectures. Among the lakes of Juniko is Aoike, famous for its unnaturally blue water which creates an enchanting atmosphere amidst the verdant forest.

How do I get there?

Using your JR East Tohoku Area Pass, from Aomori or Akita Stations, take the Resort Shirakami to the Wespa Tsubakiyama Station.

Best time of year to visit?
Summer, Spring, Autumn.

Summary

With a wide range of experiences to explore, the Tohoku region is ideal for getting away from the hustle and bustle of Japan’s big cities! I hope that these places have inspired you to visit and fall in love with Tohoku as I have. Why not give us a call and we can put together the best itinerary for you!

Tags: Destination, Emily, JR Pass, Tohoku
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Enoshima – Most Underrated Tokyo Day Trip?

Wednesday, May 13th, 2020

Have a day to spare? Sick of the shoulder-to-shoulder crowds of Tokyo? Want to make the most of your Japan Rail Pass? Let me tell you why Enoshima is one of the most underrated day trips from Tokyo and some of the best places to visit to make the most of your adventure.

Enoshima Shrines

Enoshima is a small offshore island around an hour from the hustle-bustle of Tokyo city. Located in Sagami Bay, Enoshima is linked to the mainland by a 600m bridge over the ocean with views of the closest swimming and surfing beaches to Tokyo and Yokohama. Scattered around the island are three shrines (Hetsumiya, Nakatsumiya, and Okustumiya) that make up the collectively known, Enoshima Shrine. All three are located around ten minutes from one another and can be visited by foot or by the outdoor escalators. The shrines are dedicated to Benzaiten, the goddess of art, music, and good fortune. Visitors can wash money at the designated shrines as Benzaiten is said to multiply it!

Local Food

Enoshima is famous for its shirasu, or whitebait. Specifically, shirasu-don, shirasu served over rice. Benzaiten Nakamise – the main street leading up towards the shrines and further into the island – is lined with small businesses selling local delicacies. Including tako senbai, octopus crackers that are very hard to miss due to their massive size. Ice cream monaka, or green tea ice-cream sandwiched between two crispy wafer shells with red bean paste is perfect for sustaining visitors for the short hike through the island, or even as a recuperation snack on the way back down.

Caves

On the furthest side of Enoshima lies a rocky coastline called Chigogafuchi plateau. The view overlooks the ocean and is said to be one of the most romantic scenic views in Kanagawa. Just a little further along the coast are the Iwaya caves, which visitors can enter for 500JYP. Inside is a shrine, built 1500 years ago, once a site visited by monks and influential samurai after long pilgrimages.

Enoshima Views

Everywhere you look on Enoshima are picturesque views over the ocean, narrow, moss-lined stairways and local flora. Standing in the centre of the island is the Enoshima Sea Candle, an observation tower with an indoor and outdoor observation deck. A 360 view of the surrounding beaches and the entire island is visible from the top. Visitors might even spot Mt. Fuji on a clear day. The Sea Candle sits within the Samuel Cocking Garden, a botanical garden full of flowers and plants from all seasons.

Enoshima Cats

Before heading back to the mainland, it’s worth taking the ten-minute walk out to the lighthouse and boardwalk. Back down Benzaiten Nakamise-Dori and past the sea-front food stores boasting buckets and buckets of live fish, crabs, octopus, and other weird sea-dwelling creatures ready to be cooked on request. During the walk, you may see cats lounging in the sun near the yacht port, Enoshima is known for its feline inhabitants and it’s not uncommon to see locals putting down food and taking care of their furry guests. However, sadly, Enoshima’s cat population has dwindled in the last few years due to the island’s growing popularity. The white lighthouse stands on the end of the long boardwalk. Be careful not to get wet as the waves crash against the rocks and splash up through the dock. (They can get dangerously large!) Watch as the yachts arrive and depart and fishermen do their best to reel in something big on the port below.

Summary

Japan Rail Pass holders can take the JR Tokaido Line from Tokyo station, changing to the locally operated Enoshima Electric Railway line to Enoshima Station. The Enoshima Electric Railway (or Enoden) is not covered by the Japan Rail Pass however a trip on this old-timey train is worth it for the experience and views alone. Why not join a tour? Our Kamakura & Enoshima Bay Drive 1-Day Tour also visit Kamakura, home of the Great Buddha, and is only half an hour from Enoshima. Tick off two must-see destinations in one day without having to navigate public transport and maps!

Tags: Destination, Enoshima, Near Tokyo
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Travelling Gluten Free in Japan – It Is Possible!

Tuesday, May 12th, 2020

Travel preparations can be stressful and difficult at the best of times but this is exacerbated even further for people traveling to Japan with gluten intolerance or Coeliac Disease. Food is an integral part of a country’s cultural identity and a necessity to experience if you want to fully submerse yourself in local life. Someone with gluten intolerance must contend with unfamiliar ingredients and a language barrier when traveling which can cause a great deal of stress.
Do not be discouraged, I hope to provide you with some useful tips on how to experience the beauty of Japan whilst enjoying a rich gluten-free diet! On the surface, Japan can seem like a gluten-free haven as the staple grain is rice and not wheat. The problem lies within a lot of the sauces used in Japanese cooking as they contain soy and wheat. Coeliac Disease and gluten intolerance are not common in Japan so there is no real demand for gluten-free food. Japanese diners do not usually ask for a meal to be modified at a restaurant, so it unsurprising that a chef, who would have worked for years perfecting a dish, would consider it rude to make such a request and refuse. But there are some ways to make this easier:

Use Translation Cards

The language barrier can be difficult in Japan as English is not widely spoken. These useful phrases will make eating out at a restaurant a lot easier:

私は、グルテンの摂取によって発症する「セアリック病」という深刻な病気をもっています。そのため、小麦・大麦・ライ麦が使われている食品は食べられません。小麦を原料としている醤油や味噌もいっさい口にできません。
I have a serious disease called Coeliac Disease, so I cannot eat food that contains gluten. I cannot eat anything made with wheat, rye, or barley. That means that I cannot eat soy sauce that contains wheat or miso that contains wheat.

私はグルテンを含む食品が食べられません。小麦・大麦・ライ麦が使われているものは全部です。そのため、小麦を原料としている醤油や味噌もいっさい口にできません。
I cannot eat food that contains gluten. So, I cannot eat anything made with wheat, rye, or barley. That means that I cannot eat soy sauce that contains wheat or miso that contains wheat.

Click here to download r a more comprehensive translation card. This can be printed or saved on your phone for easy use.

Know Your Kanji!

I recommend staying at a hotel with its own little kitchenette so that you can prepare gluten-free food and snacks. It can be a little daunting going grocery shopping and trying to decipher a list of ingredients in a foreign language. Below is a list of kanji to look for when grocery shopping:

グルテン (Guruten) – Gluten 無グルテンの (Mu Guruten No) – Gluten Free
醬油 (Shoyu) – Soy Sauce 小麦 (Komugi) – Wheat
大麦 (Oomugi) – Barley ライ麦 (Raimugi) – Rye
オーツ麦 (Otsumugi) – Oats 味噌 (Miso) – Miso

There are so many convenience stores in Japan and they are quite different from what we are used to in Australia – the food is of a higher standard and affordable. They sell onigiri rice balls and while not all the flavours are gluten-free, the salmon and plain ones are. The pain onigiri is actually my favorite and I would eat them for breakfast or for a quick snack!

Bring Your Own Soy Sauce

Soy sauce is used in the vast majority of Japanese dishes. It is definitely worth bringing your own bottle of soy sauce to ensure that it is gluten-free while also not being contaminated with other gluten products. Avoid buying tamari in Japan as not all tamari is gluten-free!

Safest Authentic Japanese Food

If you really want to experience some local Japanese cuisine then I highly recommend going to yakiniku (Japanese BBQ) restaurants. Here you can ask for the food to be made with salt (shio) instead of soy sauce (shoyu). At yakiniku restaurants, you are seated at your own clean grill so there is no risk of cross-contamination while also having an authentic Japanese experience. Sashimi is another famous Japanese dish that can be gluten-free. It is thinly sliced raw food, mainly fish (but can also be other meats and tofu), available at many types of restaurants and izakaya. Sashimi is seasoned with soy sauce but this is done by the diner’s discretion, just use your bottle of gluten-free tamari!

A Hidden Gem in Tokyo

Little Bird Café is a wonderful café in Tokyo that focuses on gluten-free versions of Japanese and Western food! The chef is a Coeliac and has taken care to provide delicious gluten-free dishes to other gluten intolerant people. Just a 6-minute walk from Yoyogi Hachiman Station, you can try some gluten-free versions of classic Japanese dishes like ramen, gyoza, and chicken karaage. The menu is in English and you can finish off your amazing meal with some incredible gluten-free pancakes or waffles!

Summary

Japan can be a pretty tough country to navigate without the troubles associated with gluten intolerance. Do not let this deter you from visiting this stunning and unique country. I hope that this has provided you with some useful information to enjoy a gluten-free adventure in Japan! Please do not hesitate to contact us at JTB or your local Travel Agent and we can assist with making your travel plans as stress-free as possible!

Tags: Food, Gluten-free, JTB Author
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5 Specialty Coffee Shops to Try in Fukuoka

Friday, May 1st, 2020

Japan’s specialty coffee scene has grown a lot over the last 5-10 years, with the country grooming some of the world’s most acclaimed baristas. Fukuoka, in Kyushu prefecture, has been one of the most active cities. Some of its gourmet coffee shops have been open ahead of the wave, in the early 2000s. This makes for a great exploration if you are, like me, very much into the coffee.

REC COFFEE

Rec Coffee is a specialty coffee shop and roastery, believing that exceptional coffee is achieved by mastering the chain, from the producer to the cup. First opening shop in 2010, Rec Coffee is the brainchild of 2-time Japan Barista Champion Yoshikazu Iwase.
Dedication, excellence, and trust in amazing coffee have paid off, with 5 shops around Fukuoka city, and now 2 locations in Tokyo.

COFFEE KENCHÔ YAKUIN STATION SHOP薬院駅前店
Address: Shirogane, 1 Chome−1−26, Chuo Ward, 810-0012 Fukuoka
REC COFFEE Website—>>Here

MANLY COFFEE

Manly Coffee’s adventure started with the passion of bean origins, process, and service quality; all delivered in a cup of coffee. The shop opened back in 2008, and the team behind Manly Coffee has been involved in organising the Japan Aeropress Championships since 2012. Taking trips to Nicaragua or Costa Rica, and participating in roasting retreats in various countries, Manly embodies the dedication of their motto ‘from seed to cup’.

Address: 2 Chome-14-21 Hirao, Chuo Ward, Fukuoka, 810-0014

Manly Coffee Website—>>Here

NO COFFEE

The Coffee County adventure started in 2013 in the Southern part of Fukuoka prefecture, in Kurume city, where Takaki Mori established his roastery. Three years later, the Fukuoka city coffee bar was open. The Fukuoka shop offers espresso-based drinks, as well as Aeropress or pour-over filter. Freshness and quality are applied to each step to create a cup that will make you quiver, according to Mori.

Address: 1 Chome-21-21 Takasago, Chuo Ward, Fukuoka, 810-0011

NO COFFEE Website—>>Here

ETOILE COFFEE

Minako Yamaguchi worked for 4 years in the specialty coffee industry before opening Etoile Coffee. Her goal is to make exceptional coffee available to everyone, including people that are not yet coffee enthusiasts. Both espresso and French press brews are available, and with Yamaguchi acting as a jury for the Japanese Barista Championship, you’re in for a treat. Along with coffee, Etoile offers Japanese seasonal sweets for a very local experience.

Address: 2 Chome-2-22 Hirao, Chuo Ward, Fukuoka, 810-0014

Website—>> Here

Coffee hoping during your trip

The coffee scene of Fukuoka has been thriving and there is something for everyone. Japanese coffee is famous for being delicate and very flavorsome, so make sure to try local brewers during your trip. Coffee beans are also a great souvenir to take home.

**Some of these locations have been recommended to me by Kantaro, co-owner of 279 Victoria Street in Melbourne, where guest beans from Japan are often featured, along with their specialty onigiri and high-grade Japanese tea. See details here

Tags: Aude, Destination, Food, Fukuoka, Travel tips
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Kyushu: Onsen Paradise – Unique Hot Springs You Can Enjoy

Wednesday, April 29th, 2020

Onsen (hot springs) are my favourite places to visit whenever I am in Japan. I make a point of going to one or more and if I can combine this with a stay in a Japanese ryokan then that is even better. Kyushu is known for its volcanoes and with the volcanic activity comes a huge variety of wonderful onsen that you can visit and appreciate. If you have never been to an onsen before you may not be aware of the etiquette around onsen use. Kumamon is the mascot of Kumamoto prefecture in Kyushu, this adorable bear-like character has a following around the world. To learn about onsen etiquette check out this video where Kumamon will show you the rules. I cannot recommend highly enough trying every onsen possible on your next Japan trip and in this blog post I would like to tell you about some of the more unusual onsens in Kyushu.

This video teaches you how to enjoy Onsen in the right manner!

Onsen Hopping in Kurokawa

Kurokawa is a 300-year-old hot spring town in Aso, Kumamoto which is home to 29 ryokans (traditional Japanese hotels) and onsen. Walking through the main streets of Kurokawa Onsen is like stepping back in time to Edo Period Japan. It’s grand wooden buildings and restaurants surrounded by lush bamboo and evergreen tree forests make the hustle and bustle of Tokyo and Kumamoto City fade away, providing the best form of relaxation in Japan. A much-loved Japanese pastime is onsen hopping, and Kurokawa Onsen takes it one step further by featuring their many open-aired baths (Rotenburo) in their suggested onsen hopping course. Ryokan guests and day trip visitors alike can purchase an Onsen Hopping Pass for 1,300 JPY per person to enjoy three out of 24 of the participating open-aired baths in Kurokawa Onsen. Once you’ve visited your three onsen (or more, you can purchase multiple passes) don’t forget to write your name on your wodden pass (tegata) and then hang it on one of the main streets’ display frames to leave your mark on Kumamoto’s top onsen town.

The Tea Bath

Saga prefecture is known for green tea and in the onsen town of Ureshino one ryokan has taken this local ingredient to create an unusual hot spring bath. Warakuen, is a ryokan where you can enjoy a traditional stay, sleep on futons on tatami mats, wear yukata, and eat a special Japanese dinner. The hot springs at this ryokan are known for their skin-care properties and to further enhance this experience one of the baths is a tea bath. Local tea is soaked in the bath and you can enjoy bathing in this outdoor hot spring. If you are staying at a different property in Ureshino, you can still visit Waruken as a day visitor to try this unique hot spring and take advantage of the beautifying effects of the water.

Sand Baths of Ibusuki

While immersing yourself in the relaxing hot springs of the Ibusuki area in Kagoshima is very enjoyable, you can also try a different sort of relaxation experience. The unique natural steam sand baths on the geothermally heated beaches of this region attract visitors from around Japan and the world. Lay down in the warm black sand while an attendant covers you with more sand. Listen to the ocean sounds while being enveloped in what feels like a warm heavy blanket. I recommend the hot spring property Hakusuikan as place to stay where you can visit the hot springs and sand baths at the property. Also enjoy a delicious meal and ocean views. This is an escape from the busy cities of Japan.

A Very Long Footbath

Obama is a seaside town in Nagasaki with a mountainous backdrop. The name Obama means little beach in Japanese. The locals of this town have embraced the fact the town shares a name with a US President and around the town you may find statues or signs depicting the former President. However long before President Obama was even born, visitors have been attracted to this area to enjoy onsen. The hot springs in this area are extremely hot and the steam from the vents can be seen throughout the town. But perhaps the most famous attraction is the footbath, Hot Foot 105. It is 105 meters long and considered the longest in Japan. You can soak your feet while looking out over the bay and contemplate world politics or something more relaxing, up to you!

The Hells of Beppu and Unzen

Hells (Jigoku) are hot springs for viewing rather than bathing. They are found in a variety of colours, different types of bubbling mud, sulphur, steam and boiling water. Truly what you might imagine a hell landscape would look like. Carly’s blog post on Beppu covers the interesting hells found in that region and my previous post on Kyushu food talks about the healthy and delicious steamed food (Jigoku Mushi) you can eat here. Unzen in Nagasaki Prefecture is another area where hells can be found. This hot spring town is on a mountain and has a slightly gruesome history. From 1639 until the mid1800s Japan was closed off to foreigners, prior to this seclusion foreign missionaries had been converting locals to Christianity. After the closing of the country and expulsion of all missionaries, local Christians were persecuted by authorities. Those who were found continuing to practice the religion were put to death. One of the methods in the Unzen area was to throw them alive into the boiling hells. Today through the steam you can see a cross perched over the hells to remember the martyrs of this time. Despite this macabre history Unzen today is an escape from the busy cities and a chance to enjoy a stay in one of the many ryokans in the area. I would recommend Fukudaya with hot springs and delicious kaiseki cuisine, at night you can also take a walking tour with a local guide to see the stars and the hells in a different light.

Onsen by the Sea

Yakushima is a large island off the coast of Kagoshima. It is definitely worth visiting for hikes into mystical forests where you can discover trees that are more than 1000 years old or to have a relaxing time at a hot spring hotel near the sea. There is plenty of onsen with sea views at resorts in Kyushu but there are a few seaside onsens in Yakushima that are a bit different. These onsens are natural pools on rocky beaches right next to the ocean. In fact, at high tide, you may not be able to access the pools as they are covered in seawater. A donation of 200yen is required to use the pools and there are no changing rooms so you need to bring a bag to keep your clothes. The smaller pools are used to rinse off before entering the bigger pools. This is truly an onsen experience out in nature and a wonderful way to relax at the end of a day hiking and exploring Yakushima.

Summary

There are so many beautiful, relaxing onsen in Kyushu for you to try. Do you think you will try one on your next Japan trip? If you have already been what is your favourite? If you get the chance to travel to Kyushu and visit one of these unique onsens, you will not be disappointed. A definite lovely addition to any Japan itinerary.

Tags: Beth, Culture, Destination, Kyushu, Onsen Hot Spring
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Saga Prefecture: Porcelain Paradise

Wednesday, April 29th, 2020

Japan is known for its traditional arts and crafts, including origami, bonsai, and ikebana flower arranging. While pottery has a shorter history in Japan, its cups, bowls, and other products are renowned worldwide. If you have a particular interest in these products, Saga prefecture in Kyushu, Japan is a must-visit! We will introduce the three main centres of pottery in the prefecture: Arita, Imari, and Karatsu.

Arita

Arita is widely known as the birthplace of pottery in Japan, the first wares appearing in the early 1600s with the discovery of kaolin stone in the area. it is unsurprising that pottery is the main tourist attraction in Arita, with a large number of shops and museums trading in the town.
Arita ware exhibits more delicacy in creation and decoration and is generally restricted to blue and white colouring. This approach is heavily influenced by Chinese-style porcelains. It is said that Yi Sam-Pyeong was the first creator of porcelain in Arita, and it is to Yi that the Sueyama Shrine is dedicated. This shrine is also known as the porcelain shrine after its porcelain toori gate (shrine entrance gate). Kaolin stone was first discovered at Izumiyama Quarry, which can be visited. The pottery festival during late April – early May is perhaps the largest event on Arita’s calendar, bring around 1 million visitors to shop at over 100 different stalls. Arita is approximately 85 minutes from Hakata Station by limited express train which is covered by the Japan Rail Pass. Arita is one of the first destinations on JTB’s exciting new fully escorted eight-day tour of Kyushu. For more information, please visit https://www.jtbtravel.com.au/japan-tours/escorted/kyushu-land-of-fire/ Day tours are also available in Arita, including pottery experiences and kiln visits. For more information about the above products, please inquire with JTB or your local travel agent.

Imari

Japanese ceramics became popular around the world and was particularly exported to China and Europe for sale. Imari became the main shipping point for pottery from Arita but naturally developed its own products and style, exhibiting much more intricate and vibrant designs and adding more bright colours. This style was of particular interest to European consumers. The main area to visit in Imari is the Okawachiyama village. Artisan potters, many brought to Japan from Korea during the Imjin War, lived here creating their wares. The town was closed to outside visitors for many years, but now visitors can enjoy a throwback to traditional Japan while appreciating the ceramic accents around the town, including a ceramic bridge. The Imari Arita Ware Traditional Crafts Centre situated next to the Okawachiyama bus stop is worth a visit to learn about the development of the Imari style of pottery. The local train from Arita Station to Imari Station takes about 25 minutes. A bus from here will take you to Okawachiyama village. This is not covered by the rail pass, so tickets will need to be purchased locally.

Karatsu

Karatsu is a coastal town in proximity to Arita and Imari. It was a major trading port with Korea and China. Karatsu ware is known for its more earthy colours that are created from the coarser clay that is used, the products of which are often used in tea ceremonies. Pottery has been produced at the Nakazato Toraemon kiln for generations and is still active today. The compound includes a museum and visitors can watch pottery being created. Like in Arima, the Karatsu Kunchi Festival at the start of November brings many visitors to view and purchase local pottery. Ichibankan is a great option for a store to purchase local wares, including those of Nakazato Toraemon. In addition to pottery, Karatsu is known for its castle and its natural beauty. The view of the Nijinomatsubara pine grove from Mt Kagami is particularly stunning! Karatsu is accessible from Hakata Station with a Limited Express train to Saga Station, followed by the JR Karatsu Line to Karatsu Station. It takes about 120 minutes and is covered by the Japan Rail Pass.

Summary

For lovers of arts, crafts, and pottery, Kyushu is a must-see destination. With a long history of pottery production Arita, Imari, and Karatsu all have a lot to offer historically and also in natural beauty. If you have been inspired to visit these lesser-known destinations, please contact JTB or your local travel agent to start planning your dream trip!

Tags: Culture, Destination, JTB Author, Kyushu, Saga
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Chasing the 20 best waterfalls of Kyushu – Japan’s Hidden Gems

Tuesday, April 28th, 2020

Kyushu is famous for being one of the most volcanic areas of Japan. Hot springs, mountains, gorges, breathtaking beaches, Kyushu has it all. Hiring a car is probably the best option, however, some locations are accessible by public transportation. Here is a selection of the best waterfalls Kyushu has to offer and turn your trip to Japan into a real adventure!

Find the waterfall track>>

Waterfalls in Kagoshima

Kagoshima is the most Southern prefecture of Kyushu.
Kagoshima city is famous for the volcano standing in its bay – Sakurajima. With great natural wonders – such as Yakushima island’s virgin forest – and unique landscapes, Kagoshima is a destination not to be missed. Yakushima itself has dozens of amazing waterfalls and will deserve a separate article, stay tuned.

Ryumon falls 龍門滝

Located in the upper stream of Amikake River Ryumon falls have 46-meter height and 43-meter width.

5266-1 Kida, Kajiki-cho, Aira-shi, Kagoshima-ken
鹿児島県姶良市加治木町木田5266-1

Sogi no taki 曽木の滝

Sogi no taki certainly lives up to its name, Niagara of the East. At 210m wide and 12m tall, the waterfall is a stunning sight and the noise as it thunders over Senjoiwa rock is incredible.

鹿児島県伊佐市大口宮人628-41
628-41 ŌkuchimiyahitoIsa, Kagoshima

Ohko no taki大川の滝

With an 88m-drop, Oko no taki Falls has been ranked in the Top 100 Best Waterfalls in Japan.

鹿児島県熊毛郡屋久島町栗生
Kurio, Yakushima, Kumage District, Kagoshima

Ogawa falls 雄川の滝

Ogawa falls is a 60-meter-wide cascade that runs into an emerald green basin, offering a strong contrast with the rough rock face above.
Swimming in the basin is prohibited, but the feel of cool valley air is well worth the experience.

12222 Nejime Kawa kita, minami osumi, Kimotski-gun, Kagoshima prefecture
鹿児島県南大隅町根占川北12222

Waterfalls in Kumamoto

Kumamoto is located in the Western part of Kyushu. It’s mascot character, Kumamon, is popular everywhere in the world, and Mount Aso is the tallest volcano in Kyushu.

Kikuchi gorge – Yonjusanman taki 四十三万滝

Kikuchi gorge and the greater Kikuchi area are famous for hot springs and breath-taking scenery.

熊本県菊池市原
Haru, Kikuchi, Kumamoto

Unokodaki 鵜の子滝

This waterfall is mostly recommended for enjoying Autumn colours. Be careful as the access can be narrow.

熊本県上益城郡山都町
Yamato, Kamimashiki District, Kumamoto

Nabegataki falls 鍋ヶ滝

Nabegataki is the most famous waterfall in Kumamoto, and in the 100 waterfalls of Japan list.
particularly high at 10 meters it makes up for it with a width of around 20 m across. The area behind the waterfall is surprisingly spacious, the beautiful views through the cascade making it an ideal spot for keen photographers.

熊本県阿蘇郡小国町大字黒渕
Kurobuchi, Oguni, Aso District, Kumamoto

Waterfalls in Miyazaki

Miyazaki prefecture is famous for Shochu distilleries, and great coastal drives. Further inland, it is home to Takachiho Gorge, one of the most beautiful sites in Japan.

Manai no taki – Takachiho gorge 真名井の滝

This famous waterfall is located in the gorge, and boat rental is available on site to explore the area closer.

宮崎県西臼杵郡高千穂町大字三田井
Mitai, Takachiho, Nishiusuki District, Miyazaki

Download Takachiho map>>

Yatogi no taki

These 73-meters-tall falls are located inside Osuzu Nature Park, a great spot for hikers, about one and a half hours by car from Miyazaki city.

宮崎県児湯郡都農町大字川北
Kawakita, Tsuno, Koyu District, Miyazaki

Mukabaki no taki 行縢の滝

The waterfall is approximately 77 meters high, and roughly 30 metre wide. The magnificent view of the waterfall, can be reached after approx. 60 min of hiking.

宮崎県延岡市行縢町
Mukabakimachi, Nobeoka, Miyazaki

Waterfalls in Oita

Komori no taki 蝙蝠の滝

Komori falls have been registered as National cultural heritage by the Japanese culture ministry in 2007. The falls stand 10m high, and 120m wide. The name Komori (meaning bat) has been chosen for the shape of the rock formations viewed from above.

大分県豊後大野市

Bungoono, Oita

Ryumon no taki 竜門の滝

The waterfall is made up of two drops. The first one is 26m high and falls into a 40m wide deep basin. The second drop is 70m tall with a natural water slide formed at its feet. This is a very popular spot for families in summer to come and play on the waterslide.

大分県玖珠郡九重町大字松木

Matsugi, Kokonoe, Kusu District, Oita

Harajiri falls 原尻の滝

This waterfall was formed with the eruption of Mt Aso about 90 000 years ago. With 20m high and a typical arc shape, it has been nicknamed “Oriental Niagara”. A suspension bridge gives a great viewing point of the falls.

大分県豊後大野市緒方町原尻410

410 Harajiri, Bungoono, Oita, Japan

Waterfalls in Nagasaki

Tonosumi Falls 戸丿隅の滝

Tonosumi falls are 402 steps up from the parking lot. Put on your hiking shoes and climb up for an amazing view and lush greenery.

Nagano-3809 Nishiariecho, Minamishimabara, Nagasaki

長崎県南島原市西有家町長野３８０９

Senryu ga taki 潜竜ヶ滝

The “hidden dragon waterfall” is divided between the man and the woman side. The fall stands at 20m high, with a 6m deep basin. It is a very popular place to enjoy autumn leaves viewing.

659-1 Emukae-cho Tanomoto, Sasebo, Nagasaki

長崎県佐世保市江迎町田の元659-1

Waterfalls in Saga

Kiyomizu falls 清水滝

Kiyomizu falls are 13m wide and 75m high. They are famous for the Buddhist statues standing at its feet, and nearby specialty carp restaurants.

Ogimachi Matsuo, Ogi, Saga
佐賀県小城市小城町松尾

Mikaeri falls

Mikaeri No Taki Falls on the Ikisa River is divided into a male and a female waterfall, which are selected as one of the best 100 falls in Japan. In June, 400 thousand hydrangeas in 50 kinds bloom around the falls and along the lower stream of the river.

Ikisa, Ouchi-cho, Karatsu City, Saga Prefecture
佐賀県唐津市相知町伊岐佐

Todoroki gorge 轟き滝

Todoroki gorge offers lush greenery scenery and the streams create over 30 waterfalls along the gorge. Todoroki fall is the most notable and is named after the roaring sound of the water.

Hei-163-1 Ureshinomachi Oaza Shimojuku, Ureshino, Saga
佐賀県嬉野市嬉野町大字下宿丙163-1

Waterfalls in Fukuoka

Nanshoga falls 難所ヶ滝

Nanshoga falls are a winter favourite when the 20m high roaring water turns into shiny icicles. Crampons and proper hiking equipment are recommended during the winter months to access the waterfall safely.

Umi, Kasuya District, Fukuoka
福岡県糟屋郡宇美町大字宇美

Shiraitono falls 白糸ノ滝

Shiraitono falls are located about an hour’s drive from Fukuoka city. In early June, a festival opening the falls takes place, and you can enjoy Nagashi Somen, cold noodles flowing down through hollow bamboo halfpipes. Yamame fish catching is also organised, with the freshly caught fish grilled on a stick at a nearby restaurant.

Agano, Fukuchi, Tagawa District, Fukuoka
福岡県田川郡福智町上野

Senjuin falls 千寿院の滝

Located in Sefuri Raizan Natural Park, the Senjuin falls are famously connected to the Heike clan (also known as Taira clan), one of the most influential samurai clan of the Heian period (794-1185). The epic war between the Taira clan and Minamoto clan during the 12th century is told in The Tale of the Heike, considered the masterpiece piece of medieval literature in Japan.

Nijoikisan, Itoshima, Fukuoka
二丈一貴山糸島市福岡県

With many natural wonders to explore, take your next adventure to Kyushu!

Tags: Aude, Destination, Kyushu, Nature, Waterfalls
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A Delicious Journey Through Kyushu

Wednesday, April 22nd, 2020

For those of you who have traveled to Japan before, you might have noticed that each region has local food products that they are famous for. Domestic and international tourists alike will sometimes travel to a specific region just to sample a scrumptious specialty. When traveling around the island of Kyushu there are many wonderful sites including onsen, volcanoes and country scenery, in-between enjoying site-seeing I would highly recommend sampling some of the delicious and varied cuisines in this region. I would like to share with you my recommendations for what to eat in each of Kyushu’s seven prefectures.

Hakata Ramen and More

Fukuoka is home to Hakata ramen. This tonkotsu style ramen is a favorite among many people and many visitors travel to Fukuoka purely to sample this. Some of you will be aware that I am not a fan of ramen. To read more about my opinion on Japan’s most famous noodle dish please check out my previous blog post here. However I would be remiss not to mention this dish when talking about food in Fukuoka, you can find it in many restaurants across the city and at yatai (outdoor food stalls) near the river. Ok, I have mentioned it, try it if you like but now I want to talk about a slightly more interesting local food. Mentaiko (pollock roe) are crunchy, salty, tiny, spicy delicious fish eggs. The variety found in Fukuoka is of particularly high quality and freshness. You can buy a variety of snacks flavoured with mentaiko and it is a popular filling for Japanese rice balls. However, my favourite way to eat it is with pasta. Mentaiko pasta is so delicious, you can find it at Italian style restaurants at Hakata Station and throughout Fukuoka. Give it a try!

Saga Beef

This prefecture is often overlooked as a place to visit, although it shouldn’t be. There are some interesting pottery towns where you can see and buy Arita porcelain, as well as relaxing hot springs at Ureshino Onsen. A favourite memory of my last trip to Kyushu was visiting Mifuneyama Rakuen Hotel where they have a digital teamLab installation at the café there. Sitting amongst ever-changing colored lanterns while sipping a delicious cup of hojicha tea was a peaceful experience that I would urge everyone to try. Getting around Saga is easiest by car so this is a great area to experience self-drive in Japan. But getting back to food, Saga beef is what you want to try. There is a lot of good wagyu beef in Japan and Saga’s is definitely right up there in quality with some of the more well-known, such as Kobe beef and Hida beef and as a bonus, it is cheaper as well. The best way to eat the beef is yakiniku style where you grill it yourself at the table in front of you. It can be hard to patiently wait for the meat to cook as the delicious smell wafts up, but each piece cooks quickly and before long you will be enjoying a very delicious meal.

Nagasaki Food Specialities

There are so many wonderful dishes in Nagasaki to talk about, many of them are influenced by traders who came to Nagasaki when it was a port including the Chinese, Dutch and Portuguese. I would recommend checking out my previous post here for a recommendation for a delicious noodle dish to try. This time I want to tell you about castella. This Portuguese influenced sweet yellow cake originates from Nagasaki although you can now find it in other parts of Japan. It is similar to a Madeira cake and is traditionally sold in long rectangular boxes. The plain original variety is nice to eat alongside a cup of green tea, the sweet cake and slightly bitter tea go very well together. You can also find other flavours including brown sugar and matcha if you want to stray from the traditional, as well as a unique peach-shaped (although not peach flavoured) version found only in Nagasaki. It is worth visiting a castella shop when exploring the interesting historical sites of Nagasaki as you are eating the result of the foreign trade history of this area. Also who can pass up on cake?

Kumamoto Sashimi

The dish I want to recommend for Kumamoto definitely won’t be to everyone’s taste, although I find it very delicious. It is called basashi, in English raw horse meat. It is accompanied by sliced onions, grated ginger and garlic and you dip it into a sweet soy sauce, yum! During the Meiji era Japanese people began to eat meat and this eventually included horse meat with basashi becoming a popular dish which has endured to this day, because as I said before it is great! You can try it at many izakayas (Japanese style pubs) around Kumamoto. While on the topic of izakaya, drinking sometimes feels like only the lesser purpose of visiting these establishments with food often taking centre stage. There is normally a huge variety of small dishes you can order, often written on the wall. Of course there is normally a nomihodai (all you can drink) package available and a large variety of beverages to accompany your choice of dishes. Shochu (a type of Japanese spirit), is said to pair particularly well with basashi although I am quite content to eat it on its own, no need for liquid courage.

The Food of Beppu’s Hot Springs

From the “hells” of Beppu to the farmland and mountains of Yufuin, along with the scenery comes a wide variety of local foods and methods of cooking. Special mention to dangojiru a delicious miso based soup with flat thick noodles. Great, especially on a cold day. The most unique dish in Beppu though is jigoku mushi, this refers to a method of cooking rather than one dish, the food is steamed in the steam from the hot springs. Extremely healthy and delicious, you can steam everything from seafood, meat and vegetables to a pizza. There are two main places to do this in Beppu, at either one they allow you to put the food into the steam yourself or someone will assist if you would prefer. The first is called the Jigokumushi Kobo Steam Cooking Center near some of the main hells (hot springs for viewing) and the second is Geothermal Tourism Lab Enma. This is my favourite! You can enjoy some delicious food while soaking your feet in a foot bath. Which definitely is a blessing if you have been walking around looking at hells all day. After eating why not try another way to relax, a sand bath, where you are covered in hot sand warmed by the hot springs or if you are lucky enough to be staying one of the seaside resorts you can have a hot spring while looking out at the ocean.

Self-Drive and Eating in Miyazaki

Miyazaki is another prefecture where hiring a car for self-drive is convenient and by far the best way to explore this prefecture. You can make your way down the coast visiting shrines and admiring the scenery or drive inland to Takachiho to explore one of the spiritual hearts of Japan. But what to eat along the way? Due to Miyazaki’s mild climate mangos are able to be grown, so a must while out exploring is a mango soft serve ice cream. Come to think of it, whenever you are traveling in Japan you should try the local soft-serve ice cream flavour. There are some unique and delicious ones available, wasabi ice cream anyone? Back to the food of Miyazaki, a local dish on the must-eat list is chicken Nanban. When first trying this dish I thought it was going to be like a chicken schnitzel covered in tartare sauce (well that is what it looks like) and it turned out to be pretty close to that. The chicken is closer to tempura batter than schnitzel and placed on top of shredded cabbage with the vinegary sauce on top, it is quite tasty and worth stopping for.

Local Foods of Kagoshima

The last but certainly not least prefecture to mention is Kagoshima. The active volcanic island of Sakurajima is a stunning backdrop for Kagoshima city. You can visit Senganen Garden and take amazing photos of a very nice Japanese garden with a volcano in the background. While in Kagoshima I recommend you try the satsuma-imo (sweet potato). This versatile vegetable with many varieties can be baked, fried and of course made into soft-serve ice cream. But the most unique product produced from Kagoshima sweet potatoes is a type of shochu (Japanese spirit), IMO shochu. Normally this spirit is distilled from potatoes and wheat but in Kagoshima they make it with sweet potato instead. What to eat with the shochu? Well Kagoshima is also known for kurobuta, black pig. This refers to the colour of the skin not the meat which is tender and delicious. I tried this shabu shabu style. You hold a thin piece of pork in your chopsticks and submerge it in boiling broth for a short time until cooked. Dunk it in sauce or egg and eat. So good! You can add vegetables and tofu to the pot as well. The name comes from the sound omitted by the boiling ingredients in the pot. This is a dish to share, so bring your traveling companions and enjoy local pork in Kagoshima.

Summary

If asked to choose my favourite food from Kyushu I don’t think I could. There are just so many delicious things to try. Whether you are on a self-drive holiday, on a tour or exploring Kyushu by train don’t forget to make time to stop and sample some of the local foods. You won’t be disappointed!

Tags: Beth, Food, Kyushu, Self-drive
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Beppu, Japan: A Day of Onsen, Nature & Food!- Kyushu

Tuesday, April 21st, 2020

Recently, I spent a day in Beppu, in Oita prefecture, Kyushu, and I loved it so much, I had to write about it! Beppu Onsen, as the name suggests, is well known for being one of the largest onsen towns in Japan! The hot spring water of hundreds of public baths is sourced from eight different springs! The eight springs are named Beppu Onsen, Kannawa Onsen, Myoban Onsen, Kankaiji Onsen, Hamawaki Onsen, Kamegawa Onsen, Horita Onsen & Shibaseki Onsen and offer a wide range of baths including sand baths, steam baths, and mud baths! There is also beautiful natural scenery to take in around the city, exquisite regional cuisine to try and some interesting sightseeing places to visit! When you first arrive in Beppu, there is a wonderful and informative visitor information centre right out front of the station (you can’t miss it!), where you receive friendly advice about what to do and how to get around the city. But let me give you a few tips on what I did during my day in Beppu!

Beppu Ropeway: Mt. Tsurumi

My first stop in Beppu was to take the Beppu Ropeway up Mt. Tsurumi. Mt. Tsurumi is an active volcano and the source of Beppu Hot Spring. From the top of the Ropeway, you can get a stunning view of the Beppu region, Mt. Yufu, the Kuju Mountains, and even Shikoku across the ocean! You can take a short hike of around 40 minutes at the top of the mountain to visit the small shrines that are there. The view is particularly beautiful up here during spring and autumn due to cherry blossoms and autumn leaves!

Beppu Jigoku: 7 Hells

Beppu is home to seven “Jigoku”, or “hells”, which are unique hot springs for viewing, not bathing! While somewhat “touristy”, I enjoyed checking out the Hells of Beppu as they are certainly an interesting sight to behold! Probably my favorite out of the seven was the Kamado Jigoku, or “cooking pot hell”, as they have a demon cook as their mascot and put on performances in multiple languages throughout the day; they make it fun!! They steam eggs and pudding over the hot spring waters and these were delicious! Another notable Jigoku is the Umi Jigoku “sea hell”, which is a pretty blue boiling pond with some smaller orange ones, and the Oniishibozu Jigoku “shaven head hell”, bubbling mud baths named after the bubbles that represent shaven heads of monks! An easy way to get around to all 7 hells is to take a bus that takes you around to all of them!

Beppu Public Hot Spring Recommendation: Hyotan Onsen

Now, there are SO MANY public baths to choose from in Beppu, so I took a local’s advice and headed to Hyotan Onsen in the Kannawa Onsen area, that had recently undergone renovations. The hot springs are gender-segregated and Hyotan Onsen is one of many local bathhouses to say that they will allow guests with tattoos! There were a huge variety of baths to choose from: indoor and outdoor public baths of varying temperatures, sand baths, foot baths, waterfall baths, steam baths and even a family bath for private reservation! I particularly loved the outdoor open-air baths as you can relax in nature! After a relaxing bathing experience, you can then try your hand at Jigokumushi cooking: steaming food over the hot spring waters! A super healthy and delicious meal, you can choose between a variety of meat, seafood and vegetables.

Beppu Local Cuisine

There is an impressive variety of local cuisine in Oita prefecture, and Beppu is certainly famous for Jigokumushi which I’ve just mentioned, but I would recommend trying the following dishes as well! I’m sure you’ve heard of tempura, it’s usually a staple at Japanese restaurants globally; Oita is well known for its Toriten. Toriten is chicken tempura: chicken seasoned with sake, garlic powder and ginger and fried in the tempura style. Served with a salad, side of rice and citrus and soy-based dipping sauce, it makes for a delicious meal! Another local specialty is Beppu Reimen (cold) and Onmen (hot): a delectable noodle dish made from buckwheat flour noodles (soba) and a clear broth topped with slices of beef, Korean-style kimchi, soft boiled egg, spring onions, and sesame seeds.

Beppu Accommodation: Oedo Onsen Monogatari

There are many different hotels to choose from in Beppu, so my main criteria were an ocean view and an outdoor onsen. Oedo Onsen Monogatari fulfilled both of these criteria, plus many more, and has all the trimmings of a classic Japanese Ryokan Onsen Resort! Upon arrival, you can select from one of the many patterned yukata to wear around the property; it’s common to wear these traditional “sleepwear” (for lack of a better translation) to all of the facilities in the Ryokan. Speaking of the facilities, they’re wonderful! Equipped with private karaoke rooms, a manga (comic book) corner, a game arcade, souvenir shop and on-site onsen, there’s something for everyone! The property is in a wonderful location – only a 10 minute walk from Beppu JR Station and it’s located on the oceanfront. Many of the rooms have wonderful ocean views! As for food, there’s a buffet restaurant serving a range of yummy cuisine and you will have breakfast and dinner included in your room rate. The hot springs are pretty amazing here too: Beppu Onsen is one of the largest hot spring towns in Japan, so you need a Ryokan to live up to the hype! At Oedo Onsen Monogatari, you can’t beat the rooftop onsen with an ocean-view at sunrise or sunset!

Summary

I highly recommend adding Beppu to your Japan itinerary if you will be heading to the Kyushu area! To add Beppu to your Japan trip today, please don’t hesitate to contact us at JTB or your local Travel Agent and we can assist with any of the above arrangements!

Tags: Beppu, Carly, Kyushu, Onsen Hot Spring
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Top 5 Regions for Tea in Japan – Learn the Authentic Japanese Culture

Tuesday, March 31st, 2020

Japan is renowned for its tea and has had a proud tea tradition for the past 1500 years. The country produces hundreds of unique varieties and grades of tea throughout its regions. Tea is considered the most commonly drunk beverage in Japan and it is integrated heavily in Japanese culture. It is often served with or at the end of the meal for free. It is also a central element of the traditional Japanese Tea Ceremony.

The Major Tea Growing Regions in Japan are:

Shizuoka (40.3%)
Kagoshima (19%)
Mie (6.9%)
Kyoto (3.48%)
Fukuoka (3.46%)

Shizuoka, Kagoshima and Mie are the 3 largest producing prefectures and constitute about 70% of the total tea-growing acreage in Japan. A wise tea man has once said: “Kagoshima is the earliest, Shizuoka makes the most and Uji makes the best-tasting tea”.

The production of tea in Japan

Tea undergoes the following processes before being sold on the market:

Harvesting fresh tea leaf
Processing fresh tea leaf into crude tea in tea-growing regions
Blending crude tea into final processed tea (refined tea) in allocated tea consumption regions

The Types of Tea

Tea is produced in a number of different regions in Japan, generally limited by climate. Japan’s climate is humid and ranges from cool and temperate in the north to subtropical in the south. Therefore, Japanese tea is generally classified according to their type of cultivation, processing method and regional origins. In other words, the same green tea has different names based on how it is made. Please see the “tea index” for explanations of the different kinds in the below paragraph!

Shizuoka Prefecture

Shizuoka Prefecture is the largest tea producing region and they are responsible for producing 40% of tea in the whole country. This is due to the fact that this prefecture is surrounded by very rich volcanic soil and an abundance of freshwater. The tea here has a very distinct flavor but it varies in taste depending on where you purchase it from due to the differences in temperature. Some of the tea leaves are exposed to more sunlight while others are covered in a mist until early afternoon. As the plantations are neighboring Mt Fuji, a stunning view of Mt Fuji can be witnessed in the backdrop on a beautiful sunny day. A lot of people would usually go to this spot for a photography session during Spring when the sky is blue. The tea masters there, AKA ”cha-shi”, have been using a leaf picking technique that will help them sort out the price of tea based on the characteristic of the teas that they harvest. The leaves are steamed over vapor, helping to maintain their freshness before they get sold into the market. While you are there, you can also participate in this process and learn about the process of tea leaves.

Kagoshima Prefecture

Kagoshima is the second-largest producer after Shizuoka, producing 19% of unprocessed tea. Some of the best Sencha (roasted tea) and Bancha (a lower grade form of sencha but harvested at a later period, making the flavor more intense) are grown here. The soil here is very fertile as Kagoshima is surrounded by volcanic and ocean surroundings, an excellent area to produce tea leaves that are rich in taste. Sencha and Bancha taste can be enjoyed hot or cold, boosting someone when in need without keeping them up all night.

Mie Prefecture

Mie is located on Honshu, the largest island of Japan. Kabuse-Cha (tea that is covered with a black sheet for 7-10 days before harvest) is produced heavily in Mie prefecture. The flavors of the tea are very unique. The black sheet gives a pleasant umami taste, and the tea stems are a beautiful green color. It is unique as it is slightly more savory than usual tea. When drinking the first cup, you can somehow taste dashi like flavor. However, with the second cup, the tea gives you a refreshing taste that goes hand-in-hand with Japanese confectionary.

Kyoto Prefecture

In Uji City, matcha products are produced and they are considered as one of the highest quality teas in Japan as it is rich in flavour. Though, it doesn’t just stop there with matcha as you can frequently see it in other products too, from desserts, soba noodles, bread and even beer! It is very versatile, resulting in a very unique experience for those matcha lovers!

Matcha

Matcha is the central element for a traditional Japanese Tea Ceremony. Green tea enthusiasts would love this, as the tea is served in a tranquil tatami matt (bamboo flooring) room that is surrounded by beautiful scenery. You get to acquire “zen” while you are served with matcha (green tea that is grounded into a fine powder then whisked with a small bamboo whisk and hot water, resulting in a bitter rich tea), and are taught how to sip it the Japanese way. As one drinks it, you get to counterbalance the bitterness of the tea with the sweetness of the Japanese sweets that are often provided. The leaf is fully consumed upon drinking, making it a drink filled with antioxidants.

Kyushu

Fukuoka is the main production region for Gyokuro Tea in Japan, accounting for half of the volume nationwide. Even if the prices are steep, tea lovers would always appreciate a good cup of Gyokuro anytime! Yamecha is also produced here as the tea plantations are produced in the basins of Yabe and Hoshino Rivers.

On the other hand, Saga prefecture is famous for its Ureshino tea. Depending on individual preferences, the tea is either pan-fried to bring out its rich flavor, or steamed to bring out its full aroma. The tea here is so fragrant that the locals would use the tea extract as a part of their ingredient for their pork-filled hotpots, known as “Cha-Shabu”. The reason being, due to the high levels of Vitamin C in tea, when it’s infused in the hotpot, it would help to eliminate odors and break down the fats, resulting in one feeling refreshed after consuming the broth.

Our 8 Day fully escorted tour of Kyushu visits Ureshino and you can learn about the process of tea making.
See Kyushu Escorted tour>>

I hope you’ll enjoy a wonderful tea experience when you’re in Japan.

Tea Index

Sencha (Japanese Green Tea)

The most common first flush (also known as shincha) and a second flush of green tea that is grown in full sunlight. The quality of sencha varies on origin, time of harvest and leaf processing technique. It is steam pressed for a pleasantly bitter taste with mild grassy fragrance.

Fukamushi Sencha

A deep steamed sencha that requires a long time in the steaming process rather than normal for processing green tea.

Bancha (Mature version of Sencha)

A lower grade form of sencha but harvested at a later period, making the flavorless aromatic but Japanese people still love it due to its robust flavor.

Hojicha (Roasted Green Tea)

It is a form of Bancha. It is roasted over charcoal at a high temperature of 200 degrees C and immediately cooled, giving rise to a rich toasty flavor. Through roasting, caffeine is sublimated and it becomes less bitter, resulting in a suitable drink for all ages.

Genmaicha (Brown rice Green Tea)

Made with either rustic Bancha or superior Sencha with soaked and steam brown rice that is roasted and popped. It is often mixed with a small dose of Macha to make the tea look more appealing. It is very popular due to its nutty “popcorn” flavor.

Tencha (Grown mainly to make matcha)

The tea leaves are covered up in the tea plantation to prevent them from exposing directly to the sun for a certain period of time (this is done to reduce bitterness). After steaming the leaves (without being rolled), it will be grounded by traditional granite stone wheels that result in a smoother creamy matcha powder that’s rich in umami.

Matcha (Powdered Green Tea)

Primarily used in tea ceremonies. It has its unique way of preparation and taste. It is used extensively in the making of Japanese tea and other savory dishes. Really high in antioxidant as you consume the whole leaf when whisking the matcha into hot water.

Gyokuro (The highest grade of Japanese green tea)

It is made only with the first flush leaves and due to its early budding period and being grown under the shade for a 3 week period, the leaves tend to be bright green as the chlorophyll content has been increased, giving the tea a really fresh smooth grassy flavor with floral and sweet elements complimenting it. If you like the taste of seaweed, you would really enjoy the taste of Gyokuro.

Kamairi (Pan Fried Tea)

In Saga Prefecture, the Kamairi tea has been a popular hit. Unlike most Japanese teas, they are not steamed, but roasted and rolled instead, pan-frying it so it results in a less astringent, refreshing and mild taste.

Tags: Culture, Food, Michelle, Travel tips
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Nagasaki Travel Guide – 10 Spots You Must Visit in Nagasaki – Kyushu

Friday, March 27th, 2020

Nagasaki Facts

Nagasaki is a cute and historical port city on the northwest of Kyushu island. It takes about 2 ½ hours to get to Nagasaki from Fukuoka Station by JR Train. Nagasaki has been a well-known tourist spot for domestic Japanese tourists. On the other hand, Nagasaki is still a hidden jewel among foreign tourists. It is worth it to take the time to explore there!

Little History of Nagasaki

When I traveled to Nagasaki, I personally loved the atmosphere of Nagasaki because of its cultural diversity. Although I am Japanese, I felt as if I was somewhere else in some ways. I think this interesting feeling was coming from the history of Nagasaki as a gateway to international trade. Nagasaki played a very important role as an international trading port for many centuries. Back in the 16^th century, Japan restricted international relationships with other nations except for Portuguese, Dutch at Dejima Wharf in Nagasaki. Dejima was the only port to connect the outside of Japan. Portuguese and Dutch gave great cultural influence to Nagasaki such as the city architectures, food and religion. Surprisingly, the famous Japanese Food “Tempura” is originated in Portuguese words “Quatuor Anni Tempora”!! In addition, since opening the international trade with Portuguese, Nagasaki has been the centre of Japanese Catholicism. Catholicism in Japan is about 0.35% of the population, but about 4.4% of the population in Nagasaki believe in Catholicism. Interesting!

The academic part is done now. Ok! Let’s go through 10 Spots You Must Visit in Nagasaki!

1. Battleship Island (Gunkanjima Island)

Battleship Island is a small island (480m x 160m) that is listed in UNESCO World Heritage that located approximately 17 km from Nagasaki Port. The island used to serve as a coal mine, and had approximately 5300 people on it! The density of the population on the island was highest in human history… But these facts don’t tell us why is it called “Battleship Island”, right? The name came from the fact that this tiny island was built taller and taller to hold that much population, and looked like a battleship “Tosa” served for WW1st. That is interesting!

It used to be banned to travel to this historical ruin, but now it is open for the public. There are guided tours that you can join with an English guide.

Contact us for further information>>

2. Mt Inasa

Mt Inase is a great lookout to overview the entire Nagasaki Habour and City. This mountain is only 333m that you can access the summit by ropeway, bus or on foot. There are plenty of resting spots and cafés on the way to the summit. It will take only 1 hour to get there for hikers. So, it may be a great idea to go for hiking on the way up and coming down by ropeway.

Ropeway admission

	Adult	Student	Children
One way	730 Yen	520 Yen	410 Yen
Return	1250 Yen	940 Yen	620 Yen

Nagasaki Ropeway Information
Download PDF>>

3. Nagasaki Peace Park

Nagasaki was atomic-bombed on the 9^th of August, 1945 that killed 73,884 people and caused 74,909 injuries. The Nagasaki Peace Park was established in 1955 to commemorate the atomic bombing of Nagasaki. The centre of the park is hypocentre where you only see a simple black monolith. I am not a spiritual person normally, but the silence, space and the simple monolith made me feel something with the wind blowing behind me. This is definitely the must-go place in Nagasaki.
Admission Fees: 200 Yen

4. Glover Garden

This is the old mansion built for Thomas Blake Glover who is a Scottish merchant who contributed to modernise Japan’s shipbuilding and coal mining industries. Glover Garden is the oldest western building in Japan. The epic part of this site is the garden. It offers you the great overlooking of the Nagasaki harbour, and western and Japanese styles mixed garden. So, grab Bento (lunch box) from a convenience store and enjoy the picnic there!

Admission fees: 620 Yen

5. Dejima

Dejima in Japanese means of “Exit Island”. This artificial island was established as a special district for the trades with Dutch and Portuguese. Dejima was the only place that opened to the rest of the world during Japan’s two centuries of isolation. Now, Dejima has been restored to demonstrate old Dejima. So, once you step in Dejima, you will be able to timeslip to Edo Era. It is a really cool spot!

Admission fees:
General: 520 Yen
High School Student: 200 Yen
Primary Student: 100 Yen

6. Sofuku-ji Temple

This is another interesting part of Nagasaki! This temple was built in 1629 by Chinese traders from Fujian Province. As the Chinese Temple, the Sofuku-ji temple is the oldest in Japan. The gate in the image was themed to demonstrate the gate to heaven. There are so many Buddhist accessories that were created by sophisticated Chinese Buddhist sculptors. When you enter the complex, you would notice a big difference from other temples in Japan.

Admission Fees: 300 Yen

7. Urakami Cathedral

Urakami Cathedral is located within a short walk distance from Nagasaki Peace Park. This is one of the largest Cathedrals in Japan. Of course, Japan is super well-known for Buddhist temples and Shinto Shrines, however, there is also some history for Catholicism. Have a visit to Urakami Cathedral and learn the history of how local Nagasaki residents were hiding to believe Catholicism under the religious restriction of the government in the past. It stands as one of the most iconic places of Nagasaki.

Admission Fees: Free

8. Shimabara Castle

In 2006, the Shimabara Castle was listed as one of the 100 best castles in Japan by the Japan Castle Foundation. The Fun thing about this castle is you can try Ninja & Samurai Cosplay! (Dressing Ninja and Samurai armours) It is great fun for adults too as there are not many places that offer dressing armors. The inside of the castle is a museum that exhibits the history of Christian Samurai in Nagasaki.

Admission Fees;
Adult: 540 Yen
Kids: 270 Yen

9. Confucius Shrine

The Confucius Shrine was built in 1893 by the Chinese society of Nagasaki. This is called the shrine, so people expect just another normal shrine. Bun it is much more than a normal shrine! It is the shrine with a well-designed museum. In addition, I liked the little garden with a bridge over the pound as it looks similar to our culture but I can see the difference between us. The Chinese also have the beautiful garden culture and the Confucius Shrine in Nagasaki is well-maintained from the 19^th century. So, it is worth it to explore!

Admission fee;
660 Yen (Including admission to the museum)

10. Kujuku Islands (99 Islands)

Kujuku in Japanese means of ninety-nine islands. But the fact is that there are 208 small islands in this area. These islands are located near Sasebo which is about 1 hour and a half from Nagasaki Station by JR train or private bus. There is an observation tower where tourists can enjoy a stunning view. There are also several boat tours operating frequently. You would have to take another 1 hour and a half to get there from the Nagasaki CBD, but the breathtaking experience is guaranteed!

Dive into Kyushu

Tags: Culture, Kyushu, Nagasaki, Parks, Tak
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The 8 Packing List Tips for an Unforgettable Japan Trip

Friday, March 27th, 2020

When going on any trips anywhere, travel preparation can be a little stressful and overwhelming especially when it comes to packing. Things that you would need to consider when it comes to packing are things like the type of clothing items to bring, whether it will be suitable for the weather, essential items to personal items, travel guidance, medications and a few things to be cautious and make sure the items are not prohibited or restricted items when entering through custom on to your holiday destination.

Japan is a great travel destination for anyone and everyone. One of the few places you must travel to if you needed to pick somewhere. Written below is an 8 packing list tips for you to consider when packing for your travel to Japan.

1. Japan Travel Essentials

Remember all your basic everyday items, such as your travel documents, ID, wallet, and money.
• Passport (be sure it has 6 months or more left before it expires)
• Visa (if required – see Ministry of Foreign Affairs for more information)
• Proof of airline tickets/reservations/boarding passes
• Customs forms and documents
• Verification of hotel reservations
• Transportation information and tickets (JR Passes, Suica, etc)
• Credit cards, cash, traveler’s checks, and other currency
• Identification documents, such as your driver’s license (International License)
• Maps and guide books
• Translation guide and/or travel apps on your smartphone
• Travel Insurance

2. Luggage and Bags

Lightweight luggage, the portable bag would be good to have as your checked or carry-on luggage for the trip. This can save you cost, space and weight when traveling between places or uses of public transport. A comfortable backpack is ideal for quick day trips around in Japan while storing your luggage’s behind. There are a few other services which can assist with travelers who have much luggage with them especially when traveling on transport such as in a shinkansen, bus, trains, etc., you might want to consider a service called ‘Luggage Forwarding’ or place them in ‘Coin Lockers’.
• Checked suitcase (if needed)
• Smaller carry-on luggage
• Purse, backpack, or day bag
• Garment bag for nicer clothes
• A laptop bag or briefcase
• ID tags for all your bags, with your name, home address, and hotel address listed

3. Clothing

Packing your outfit can be difficult as we can never know what to expect of the weather which is always a good idea to do some background research on the time period you are traveling to Japan or anywhere in the world.

Pack as minimum as possible and bring only basic items as you can layer and change up your outfit during the trip. Have about a week’s worth of clothes as that should suffice for trips lasting a week or more, as you can re-wear your clothing or just go around and shop for new clothes which allow you to bring new items back from a holiday. Most of the populated areas and cities in Japan have laundry services in hotels or coin-operated laundry in town that tourists can use so there is nothing to worry about.
Japanese style is modern and unique compared to other countries. But do avoid highly revealing clothing as it will seem unappropriated to Japanese custom especially being a tourist going to visit the shrines and temples.
• Undergarments x 8
• Socks x 8
• T-shirts
• Sturdy pair of walking shoes
• Dressy shoes
• Jacket
• Glasses/sunglasses
• Jeans, khakis, or light/dark pants x 2
• Shorts or a light dress or skirt x 2
• Long-sleeve and short-sleeve shirts x 7
• PJ’s or sleepwear
• Formal/business wear (if there is any special occasion you are expected to attend e.g fine dining, wedding or business conference)
• Mittens, scarf, hat (if visiting in winter or colder destinations)
• Jewelry as desired/required by the type of trip – avoid bringing if you can (You can find nice and cute accessories in Japan)
• A hat or visor for when it’s sunny
• Swimwear

4. Toiletries and Personal Care

Make sure when packing your toiletries in your checked baggage that it to comply with airline regulations and customs to your travel destination. Don’t sweat toiletries too much – they are easy to pick up at convenience stores or hotels and especially in Japan, you can find anything and everything in Japan.
• Toothbrush and toothpaste
• Dental floss
• Eye drops
• Contact lens solution/contacts/glasses
• Comb/brush
• Nail clipper/file/tweezers kit
• Razor(s) and shaving needs
• Cosmetics
• Feminine care needs
• Cologne/perfume
• Creams and ointments, you might need
• Hair ties, bobby pins, or headbands

5. Medical and First Aid

You can easily purchase key first-aid items at convenience stores in Japan. However, basic wound-care items are always good to have with you while you travel. Check to make sure your prescription and over-the-counter medications are permitted in Japan and carry them with you.
• Bandages, gauze, and wound-care items
• Over-the-counter medications like painkillers, cough medicine, motion sickness pills, and vitamins
• Prescription medications – you may have to pre-certify the medication a month or more before your travel
• Any medical equipment or devices you may require (g., hearing aids)
• Copy of your medical history and medication information, either on your smartphone app or on a sheet of paper in your wallet/purse in case of emergency
• Emergency contact information

6. Electronics

Bring your smartphone and associated chargers, plugs, and gadgets for your trip to Japan, and keep in mind whether you’ll want to access them during the flight.
• Smartphone and charger
• Portable music player
• Headphones
• Portable power bank
• International adapter(s) for plug-in devices (Japan uses the 100V standard vs. the U.S. 120V standard, though the plugs look similar and many devices will work without issue)
• SIM card(s) to use your smartphone for calling and data while traveling (check with your wireless provider and plan)
• Camera and accessories
• Laptop/tablet/e-reader/other computer devices and associated cords, adapters, and accessories

7. Miscellaneous

Pack a few of these extra items to have with you “just in case”.It is always handy to have them with you or if not purchase them while on your trip.
• Stain remover pen
• Wrinkle release spray for clothes
• Portable sewing kit
• Glasses repair kit
• Tissues
• Pens and paper/notebook
• Deck of playing cards
• Spare batteries for electronics

8. Travel Items for Plane/Other Transit

Some flights to and back from Japan can be very long. Consider packing the following items to help with the plane ride and other long travel transit times once you land.
• Earplugs or noise-canceling headphones
• Sleep mask
• Antibacterial wipes and/or hand sanitizer
• Travel/neck pillow
• Sleeping pills or motion sickness pills
• Updated airline apps
• Updated media content on your devices
• Book(s)/magazines/reading material or e-reader and associated cords

Summary

I recommend that from the lists above, write down the things you really do need and make a list of your own so when it comes to packing you can just tick them off as you go.
I hope the lists made things easier for you when packing to Japan or anywhere else on your travel itinerary. Especially those who are last-minute packers, it will surely help a lot.

Make Your Journey Easier

Tags: Jacquie, Travel tips
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Get Your Kyushu Basics covered – Land of Fire

Friday, March 27th, 2020

Beyond Japan’s Golden Route
Kyushu may be lower on travelers’ radar going to Japan, but this volcanic island abounds with century-old temples, natural hot-springs and gourmet treasures. It’s time to put it back on the map!

Accessing Kyushu

Kyushu is the 3rd largest island of the Japanese archipelago and is located south of the main island of Honshu. It is extensively connected to the main island by rail and air.

The bullet train goes as far south as Kagoshima city, and Kyushu is an area well serviced by the rail network. It is included in the Japan National rail pass, and in several regional passes to fit your travel needs best!

See Japan Rail Pass Page>>

By rail

By air
Most airports in Kyushu are serviced from Korea. Fukuoka International airport is the major hub of the island. It is 1,5 hr flight from Tokyo.
All airports are accessible with domestic flights.

By boat

From Yawatahama or Usuki cities in Shikoku, ferries travel to Beppu daily. A great way to see Japan from a different angle! Yawatahama and Usuki are both historical picturesque small towns.
See Details>>

From Osaka, you can take a ferry from to Beppu city, while Oita city is accessible from Kobe.
Kitakyushu is also accessible from Osaka or Kobe by ferry.
Information about Ferry>>

Ferries from Busan also connect Kyushu to South Korea.

Kyushu Facts

Kyushu has been part of Japan since as early as the 3rd century and is one of the most volcanic regions of the country. Mt Aso, located in the central Kyushu region is the most active volcano, creating breath-taking sceneries – think Takachiho gorge- and giving birth to many hot springs.
Beppu city, located on the East short is famous for its “hells”, hot springs of various colours spread throughout the city, while Ibusuki in the South offers volcanic sand baths.

Saga prefecture is famous for its beef and world-renowned Arita pottery art, while Kagoshima prefecture is believed to be the most ancient location for Jômon era artifacts. Kagoshima prefecture is also home to Sakurajima, an amazing volcano standing in the bay of Kagoshima city.

Being the closest point of Japan to the rest of Asia, Kyushu has always been the entry point for many foreign trades and has a rich history of crossed influences. Nagasaki was once a Dutch trading harbor, and much Dutch-influenced architecture can still be found In the city. Hui Ten Bosch, a theme park located in Nagasaki prefecture close to Sasebo city, celebrates the ties between the two countries with life-sized copies of old Dutch buildings.

Travel to Kyushu with JTB in a small group and discover its secrets!

Tags: Aude, Kyushu, transport
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