Travel to Kyushu Japan – Episode 887

Hear about a 7-day itinerary for the island of Kyushu, Japan as the Amateur Traveler talks to Adeline Kuroki, the owner of Saver and Soak travel company about her adopted home in southern Japan.

Why should you go to Kyushu?

Adeline says, “I think there’s so many things to do there. Also, it’s a great way to get off the beaten path away from a lot of other tourists. Japan. For good reason, it’s definitely very popular. It’s easy to fly into Tokyo and so many people want to go and visit Kyoto, Osaka, and a lot of those really popular areas that are really starting to suffer from a lot of overtourism. There’s so many beautiful places that you can go to in other parts of Japan that are just as beautiful and a lot more off the beaten path. And in a lot of ways, I think it’s a lot more welcoming to visitors because there are a lot fewer visitors.”

Day 1: Arrival in Fukuoka

• Arrive in Fukuoka, either by bullet train or flight.
  
• Explore Yusentei Park and enjoy a traditional bowl of matcha tea at the tea house.
  
• Wander through Nishijin Shotengai, a pedestrian street filled with traditional shops and restaurants.
  
• Sample local dishes such as Tonkotsu ramen and fresh seafood, including the famous twitching squid.
  
• Connect with English speakers at the Cheers Bar
  
• Overnight in Fukuoka.
  

Day 2: Itoshima Peninsula

• Rent a car and drive to the Itoshima Peninsula, approximately an hour west of Fukuoka.
  
• Enjoy scenic coastal views and visit Keya Beach and Futamigaura.
  
• Hike Mount Tateyashi for stunning ocean views.
  
• Explore Raizan Sennyoji Temple and its moss-covered Buddha statues.
  
• Dine at Ito Aguri, a café housed in an old soy sauce factory.
  
• Overnight in Itoshima.
  

Day 3: Arita and Imari, Takeo Onsen

• Drive to Arita and Imari, renowned for their porcelain.
  
• Participate in the Arita Treasure Hunt at an old porcelain factory.
  
• Drive to Takeo Onsen and soak in the famous sodium bicarbonate-rich hot springs.
  
• Explore Takeo’s Sakura-mon Gate and historic town center.
  
• Stay in a traditional ryokan and indulge in a multi-course dinner.
  
• Experience a relaxing onsen bath and wear a yukata provided by the ryokan.
  
• Overnight in Takeo Onsen.
  

Day 4: Yame Tea Region

• Drive to Yame, known for its tea production.
  
• Participate in tea picking during the harvest season.
  
• Sample freshly picked green tea and matcha-flavored treats.
  
• Explore local tea farms and enjoy the scenic countryside.
  
• Overnight in Yame. “For English-language support with tea picking in Yame, I would recommend reaching out to the owner of Sky Tea House. Jiro speaks great English, and in addition to having a small tea farm himself, knows the owners of all of the nearby farms. Sky Tea House is also a great place to stay for those okay with more rustic accommodations.”
  

Day 5: Kurokawa

• Drive to Kurokawa, another onsen town also known for its dairy.
  
• Explore the old town and look for a place to try the local ice cream and yogurt.
  
• Overnight in Kurokawa, “Last time I was in Kurokawa onsen about 6 months ago I stayed at Hozantei. Cannot recommend the property and the food enough! And the owner was super sweet and spoiled my children rotten.”
  

Day 6: Yufuin Onsen

• Drive to Yufuin, a picturesque onsen town.
  
• Relax in the hot springs and stroll along the main street.
  
• Enjoy local snacks and pick up souvenirs from shops.
  
• Overnight in Yufuin. “There are so many great options in Yufuin – I stayed at the Yufuin Baien Garden Resort last year. A bit more modern than what I usually go for, but service, food, and baths were amazing!”
  

Day 7: Dazaifu and Departure

• Drive to Dazaifu and visit Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine.
  
• Try grilled mochi and explore the town’s historic sites.
  
• Visit Kamado Shrine and hike to the summit of Hōmanzan for panoramic views.
  
• Return to Fukuoka and visit local attractions like the Daimyo neighborhood.
  
• Depart from Fukuoka, either by bullet train or flight.

Sponsors

This episode is sponsored by MasterClass. With MasterClass, you can learn from the world’s best minds – anytime, anywhere, and at your own pace. Get 15% off an annual membership. Go to masterclass.com/traveler.

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Show Notes

Savor and Soak Travel Company
Kyushu
Fukuoka
Yusentei Park – Fukuoka
Nishijin Shotengai (Shopping Street) – Fukuoka
Ku Restaurant – Fukuoka
Sakurai Futamigaura Couple Stones
Raizan Sennyoji Daihioin Temple
Itoaguri
Arita Ware Private Walking Tour and Ceramics Treasure Hunt
Takeo Onsen
teamLab and Saga Merry-go-round Exhibition
Yame
Japanese Tea Picking
Kurokawa Onsen
Yufuin Onsen
Dazaifu, Fukuoka
Dazaifu Tenmangū
Mount Tateishi, Fukuokax
Mount Rai
Mt. Kurokami
Kamado Shrine
Cheersfukuoka
5 Foods to try in Fukuoka

Community

Savio Wong on Travel to Tokyo Japan – Episode 880

I was in Tokyo in December so didn’t listen to this episode until after my trip. However, I enjoyed this episode and concur with most of the recommendations. Before my trip, I did listen to an earlier episode on Tokyo.

I spent five days there and stayed at an APA Hotel in Shinjuku. The room was small but great location and reasonably priced (~US$90 a night), and just a few minutes walk from the Shinjuku National Garden. APA is a chain in Tokyo and there are two of them in Shinjuku. The reason I know is because I heard the staff at the front desk telling a couple of poor souls who arrived with several pieces of luggage that they booked the other one. Hotels in Shinjuku are likely more expensive than in other districts, Because the subway system is so efficient and cheap, I think any hotel that near a subway station will be fine.

I used a book called “Tokyo Maze – 42 Walks in and Around the Japanese Capital” as my main guide and just picked a couple of walks each day.

For book lovers, the Jimbocho District definitely worth spending at least half a day to check out all the bookstores. The Printing Museum is also worth a quick stop, particularly if you are interested in some of the historic (or is it historical?) documents about Manchuria before and during WWII.

As your guest and you said, Tokyo is actually affordable for travelers. There are lots of cheap eats. The most expensive meal I had was a sushi breakfast at the Tsukiji Outer Market. I think it was ~US60. A hearty bowl of ramen lunch is often cheaper than a fancy latte. A quick snack at a 7-11 or a Lawson convenience store is an experience that should not be passed up. 

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