TR - 8D Kyushu Nov

[limweeli]

Hi,

It's been awhile. Just did a 8D Fukuoka/Oita family trip last month in Kyushu and here's the TR

We've not been to Kyushu before. This trip was supposed to be relaxing so I planned to hit the onsen towns/hotels for half of the trip. Besides that, we are hoping to see some autumn colours and get some good food.

The trip is rather challenging with cranky kids in Day 1 due to the red-eye flight and having to handle a baby. It got much easier when we get the car in Day 2. Next trip, NO RED-EYE FLIGHT for me

[Flickr album]

Day 1 (Fri)
- Red-eye flight into Fukuoka Airport
- Hang out at Canal City Hakata キャナルシティ博多
- Dinner at Nakagawa Yatai

Day 2 (Sat)
- Collect the car and drive to Kitakyushu 北九州市
- Drive to Uminonakamichi Seaside Park 海の中道海浜公園
- Dinner around Mojiko Retro 門司港レトロ

Day 3 (Sun)
- Trip to Beppu 別府
- Head to a nearby flea market at Mojiko Retro 門司港レトロ
- Drive to Shiranoe botanical garden 白野江植物公園
- Dinner and onsen at Suginoi Hotel 杉乃井ホテル

Day 4 (Mon)
- Drive to Showa no machi 昭和の町
- Drive to Jigoku Mushi Kobo Kannawa 地獄蒸し工房 鉄輪
- Dinner and brought kids to Aqua Garden in Suginoi Hotel 杉乃井ホテル

Day 5 (Tue)
- Trip to Yufuin 由布院
- Drive to Kokonoe “Yume” Otsurihashi 九重夢大吊橋
- Drive to Yunotsubo Street 湯の坪街道
- Dinner and onsen at the roykan

Day 6 (Wed)
- Trip to Kurokawa Onsen 黒川温泉
- Drive to Harajiri no taki 原尻の滝
- Drive to Kuju Flower Park くじゅう花公園
- Late lunch at Restaurant Ishigama Kobo レストラン石釜工房
- Dinner at the ryokan

Day 7 (Thu)
- Drive to Mount Aso 阿蘇山
- Onsen hopping in Kurokawa Onsen 黒川温泉

Day 8 (Fri)
- Drive to Nanzoin 南蔵院
- Drive to Sasaguri Forest of Kyushu University 篠栗九大の森
- Returned car
- Head to JR Hakata City Square JR博多駅前広場

Day 9 (Sat)
- Flight back to Singapore

Other Japan TR
- 7D Osaka/Kyoto Apr
- 11D Hokkaido/Tokyo Aug/Sep
- 17D Eastern/Central Hokkaido May
- 9D Osaka/Kyoto Apr

 

[limweeli]

Day 1

We landed in the morning at Fukuoka International Airport. To take a train, we will need to transit to the domestic airport so we chose to cab to our hotel instead. Our hotel for the night is Candeo The Hakata Terrace, just south of Canal City Hakata. As we had 6 people + 1 baby, we have split into 2 cabs. The one my Sis and Mom went got lost and we had to get the hotel to communicate with the driver 2 times before they finally got to the hotel.

The temperature for the day is about 10-15 degrees with light wind. Luckily, we brought the winter wear for the kids. It got a bit warming as we approach afternoon but the wind is still a killer. We expect the rest of the trip to be warmer except for the last 2-3 days.

I didn't have much chance to take pics as I had to wrestle and carry the 2 kids


We went to the nearby Nakagawa Yatai for dinner. It's just a 10 mins walk from the hotel.


We decided on this stall that sells Hakata Ramen.


The ramen is thin and broth is light. Char siew is soft too!


And we also ordered yakitori and charred grill chicken as sides.

 

[limweeli]

Day 2

We are collecting the car for our round-trip today!


The hotel provided bento for breakfast.


I walked 15 mins to the Nippon Rent-a-car outlet while the rest of them pack and checkout. It's a nice sunny morning. Temperature is slightly warmer at 12 degrees and with little wind. It's a nice solo walk to the outlet.


After picking them up at the hotel, we head to Uminonakamichi Seaside Park 海の中道海浜公園. There is an entrance fee, think it was 500 yen per adult and cheaper for the children. It's quite a big park with various places to visit. We decide to visit the children and rose garden sections.








Caught some super heroes at the park too!


And here's our ride for the next 7 days - Toyota Alphard. It's comfortable for 7 of us, including baby , child and junior seats.

 

[limweeli]

Day 2 contiuned


We reached the Premier Hotel Mojiko プレミアホテル門司港 in the evening. It looks good but I find the service mediocre. We had some issues with the aircon, reported to the concierge but nothing seems to be done. So we left the window ajar for the rest of the night to get some fresh air. The temperature at night is close to 10 degrees, it's like aircon for us.


For dinner, we asked the hotel for recommendation on a place to get the baked curry rice that this region is famous for. We were directed to a restaurant 10 mins walkaway that looks good but needed reservation. So we had to walk back and chanced upon this one near the hotel. It's quite authentic.


It was crowded initially but we managed to get a seat after waiting for 10 mins.






After dinner, we walked to the nearby mall at the Mojiko Retro 門司港レトロ.


The walk and shopping along the river-side is good.


Shops are closed by 9pm very early though. We found out when we tried to buy the cakes here at 8:55pm. Luckily, they still entertained us.

 

[limweeli]

Day 3

We could not move out this morning due to the marathon around the area. The hotel didn't tell us about this when we check-in 1 day with our carpark coupon.


We didn't get breakfast from the hotel. Instead, we chose this cafe nearby.


It has a pastry section that sells good donuts.


The front pack ...


Minion participated in the marathon!


We killed out time at the flea market nearby.


Once the driving ban is lifted, we head to Shiranoe botanical garden 白野江植物公園 where we hope to get some autumn colours.

 

[limweeli]

Day 3 continued


There is performance in the park.


As well as some food stalls to satisfy our stomach.


Got a good shot of the autumn colours.


On the drive down to Beppu 別府, we stopped by a Uniqlo outlet to stock up on warmer clothes and discounted items. We also took the chance to lunch this soba/ubon place. They didn't speak much English so we had to use Google Translate on the menu.


Finally, we arrived at the hotel I was waiting for the entire trip. Suginoi Hotel 杉乃井ホテル with it's Tanyu Onsen 大展望露天風呂 棚湯 and Aqua Garden (outdoor onsen playground). We got the corner family and it's BIG!


Dinner is at the hotel's Ceada Palace restaurant. Sadly, there is no snow crab. But they have 1000 yen add-on options of wagyu beef and sashimis which are really good.


There are live performance in during dinner too.


We stayed in the newer Hanakan build of the hotel as it's newer and nearer to the facilities. There is also the Honkan building to the right which has it's onsen and buffet restaurant too - we didn't have time to visit those. Outside the hotel, the whole place is illuminated at night so it's good for an after dinner walk prior to hitting the onsen.

 

[limweeli]

Day 4

We had buffet breakfast in the same restaurant and head out for our day trip.


We went to this town that has showa era streets. Some of the shops here are still selling those retro sweets and toys.


I haven't seen this type of shop for ages!


There's a playground here to let the kids run. One of the slide is very long, i swear it's at least 40-50m.


Some autumn colours here too


Next, we drove back to Beppu for Jigoku Mushi Kobo Kannawa 地獄蒸し工房 鉄輪. It's a place where you can cook food using the onsen steam.




We bought the food and DIY the cooking on the staff instruction.


Onsen water is available for drinking here too.

We back to the hotel as we are bringing the kids to the Aqua Garden after dinner for the light show.

 

[limweeli]

Day 5


We bid Suginoi Hotel 杉乃井ホテル farewell today. Gonna miss the room, facilities and view Today, we are heading to Yufuin 由布院 .





On the way, we dropped by the suspension bridge Kokonoe “Yume” Otsurihashi 九重夢大吊橋. We braved the light rain and made it to the opposite and back. There are supposed to be 3 waterfalls here but one of them has dried up.


We got fog warning in our mobile phone and from one of the observation point 蛇越展望台, we could see thick clouds at Yufuin town.


We checked in to the Yufuin hotel, sent our laundry for wash at a coin laundry opposite the hotel and hit the Yunotsubo Shopping Street 湯の坪街道.


First stop is at Milch for some pudding and cheesecake.

 

[limweeli]

Day 5 continued




Next, we got some mochi and grilled squid.


The fog approaching the town.


We are having Japanese dinner tonight. Its served in a private room in the hotel's restaurant.






I've been to Japan a few times but never got to try Fugu. This is my first time trying and I am a bit worried too. I liked the taste and texture though.

 

[limweeli]

Day 6

We checked out after breakfast and head to Kurokawa Onsen 黒川温泉.


First stop is Harajiri no taki 原尻の滝.


Next, we went Kuju Flower Park くじゅう花公園 but it's super foggy. In addition, most of the flowers have withered and the place is set to close for winter in a few days. We skipped this and head for lunch nearby.


We found this place called Restaurant Ishigama Kobo レストラン石釜工房 in Google with good reviews.


The atmosphere is cosy and good.




So is the food. As it's next to a winery, we order their house wine too.


Vineyard that is approaching winter.


We reached Kurokawa Onsen 黒川温泉in the late afternoon and checked in to our roykan Ryokan Yamanoyu やまの湯.

 

[limweeli]

Day 6 continued


Got a slight river view from the room. Opening the windows, we could hear the flowing water very clearly.


We got our onsen passes and set off to do some onsen hopping. This town boast of 20-ish roykan onsens that you could visit with these passes. There are 3 stickers per pass. Each visit will remove one. Once all are removed, you will have to purchase another to continue visiting.


I like the atmosphere here. It's a rustic onsen town bustling with visitors checking out the various onsens here. This is the first one we went to.


Most of the shops are closed by 6pm. The visitors have cleared too.


Before heading for dinner, we dropped by this convenience shop for supplies. It's the only one in town and it closes a bit later.


We had yakiniku for our dinner.


And it's the first time I tried horse meat sashimi. It seems to be a delicacy around this region.


After my kids went to sleep, I sneak out to the balcony to take some night shots. You could see the stars here.

 

[limweeli]

Day 7

Between our onsen hop, we are doing a day trip to Mount Aso 阿蘇山.




We took a stroll around the town before heading out. It's below 10 degrees this moring ... brrr ....


The second onsen we hopped to is Ryokan Yamamizuki 山あいの宿 山みず木/


Love the riverside onsen






The drive to Mount Aso 阿蘇山 has nice scenery.

 

[limweeli]

Day 7 continued


We stopped at New Kusasenri ニュー草千里 for lunch.


You could do horse riding here.


Mount Aso 阿蘇山


We head back to Kurokawa and did our last onsen at Roykan Hozantei 源流の宿 帆山亭.


A different river side onsen!


We got back a bit early so we went to a mochi shop in town for some dessert. I had this delicious fried mochi in red bean soup.


Tonight, it's Japanese dinner. We prefer the yakiniku one though

 

[limweeli]

Day 8

It's the second last day of our trip. We left Kurokawa for Fukuoka today to return the car.






Before returning the car, we went Nanzoin 南蔵院.


Lunch is at this gift shop cum restaurant.


I have the basic homemade curry rice.


Next, we head to Sasaguri Forest of Kyushu University 篠栗九大の森. The full course around the lake would take an hour plus, we just walked a quarter of it and left. This is one of the attractions here according to my wife. These trees were supposed to be submerged in waters but the lake has dried up considerably.


Before returning, I am supposed to top up the tank. The whole trip took us 785km.

 

[limweeli]

Day 8 continued


We returned the car and walked to the hotel which is just a street away. The trees had turned yellow in Fukuoka.


For dinner, we head to JR Hakata City Square JR博多駅前広場.


We had ramen at Shin Shin, an economical choice.


And head for coffee and desserts at Honolulu Coffee. We had this very nice Hawai Kona coffee during our dinner in Suginoi Hotel and wanted to have that again. However, their blended Kona coffee isn't quite what we were looking for. Maybe we should try their 100% Kona beans dripped coffee instead.


Their french toast is very good though.


Outside the station, there is a big X'mas festival with live band and food. X'mas feeling in Japan is so much better.


Their decos are much better too.

/end

 

[purpleberry]

Excellent TR! My kind of trip!

How's the tourist crowd there?

 

[AndreFLo]

Nice TR! Thanks TS for sharing

Next time TS can consider visiting the other parts of Kyushu like Kagoshima, or Nagasaki as well.

 

[limweeli]

How's the tourist crowd there?

Outside Fukuoka city, the tourist crowd is quite ok. Then again, I've only been to the touristy spots in Fukuoka so that could be the reason.

Next time TS can consider visiting the other parts of Kyushu like Kagoshima, or Nagasaki as well.

Original plan was to head to Nagasaki too. In the end, we decided to go for a relaxing one. Kagoshima is a bit too far IMO. If it's a longer trip, I would have driven down.

 

[martin]

Would like to know more indepth review about your hotel at Yufuin. Dinner looked good. Any onsen? Name of hotel/ryokan and price?

Also Yamanoyu at Kurokawa. Was it good?

 

[limweeli]

Would like to know more indepth review about your hotel at Yufuin. Dinner looked good. Any onsen? Name of hotel/ryokan and price?

I think it's because I remembered to take a pic of all the food. Usually, it's quite chaotic with kids at the dining table Food is good but it didn't leave a deep impression with the exception of the fried fugu. IMO, it's hard to find bad food served at dinners provided by ryokans, or in Japan in general.

The hotel is Yufuin Kotobuki Hananosho. I chose it due to price (I think it's about S$200ish per head) and proximity to the train station/shopping street as I intended to walk there.

Also Yamanoyu at Kurokawa. Was it good?

Yamanoyu is not bad. I have stayed in a few of these traditional ryokans before and this one has a lift! Food-wise, I like the yakiniku dinner due to the amount of meat they serve. The Japanese dinner on the 2nd day isn't that great - I felt that the Yufuin one is better.

I chose this ryokan due to price and location too. Being in the center of the town means it'll be easy to walk around. If you want something unique, I recommend Yamamizuki (the 2nd place I onsen hop to). Their service looks very good and the outdoor onsen I went to is very good. Downside is that it's way off and u need a car to get to the town.