26/12/2014
The Smell of Kyushu is August
When some people think of Kyushu they think “Nagasaki Peace Park,” “Hakata Ramen,” “Kurokawa Onsen,” or “Mt. Aso and Sakurajima.” Of course, those are all wonderful experiences, but when I think of Kyushu, I think “nature.” I think long country roads, gushing waterfalls, rice-fields among forested mountains, and power spots.
I took a solo-road trip once through Kagoshima and Kumamoto. I had nothing by time, a car with a broken air-conditioner in the middle of a hot summer, and list of places I wanted to go, mostly a variety of waterfalls with a few other spots thrown in. I've been all over the world, but this trip holds a special place in my heart. Never in my life have I felt so at peace and happy. Nature brings happiness. Kyushu brings happiness.
I started out my tour with the beautiful Ryumontaki, a waterfall only about an hour drive away, hidden under the expressway and around a few tight corners. I reached it eventually and was so glad I did. It was summer vacation, but early enough in the day that the local kids hadn’t come out to play, or maybe they actually heeded the signs warning against swimming. I followed a gentle river to the bottom of the biggest waterfall I’d seen in Japan yet, and I love waterfalls, so I’ve seen a lot. The water gushed out from an alcove of giant rocks, forming a deep and enticing pool. Did I mention it was hot? I mean, really hot. It was easily 100F (38C) and more humid than any human should have to withstand and the air-conditioner in my little car didn’t work. With sweat dripping down my face just sitting in my car, relaxing next to a raging waterfall felt like heaven on Earth. Being alone, I heeded the warning signs and only went so far as to climb barefoot around the rocks and dip my feet into the cool, clear water; I wouldn’t want to be pulled into the depths with no one around to call to for help. After my refreshing half-dip, I followed a map to a path that I assumed would take me to the top of the waterfall, so I could gain a new perspective of the height and grandeur of the scene. Instead it led me through a forest filled with mosquitoes that sucked more of my blood than when I donated to the Red Cross a few years back. Spider webs crossed the path to the extent that if I was in any other country, I would think the path had been abandoned for months, but summer on Kyushu just has so many spiders that the webs are endless. The top of the path was confusing and overgrown. I could hear the waterfall clearly, but it remained hidden and out of reach. It was too hot for this, so I headed back down, hopped rocks back over the river and took my car up the mountain where other signs promised more waterfalls.
25/12/2014
Nakagawa Seiryu Onsen, Fukuoka
Before going to Kyushu, Japan, there were friends telling me the scenery of Kyushu is unique, it’s different to Hokkaido and Tokyo (Japan Mainland). I have been to Hokkaido before, I love it, and hence I was very much looking forward to visit Kyushu, just to experience the different scenery of Japan.
23/12/2014
Ceramics, Hikes, and Local Stories
KAMI-ARITA
Arita is a picturesque old town, surrounded by mountains, known for its ceramic kilns and pottery shops. The Kami-Arita train station is in the midst of the historic old section of Arita, where you can see tombei walls, made of bits of pottery and bricks from abandoned kilns. The main road between the Kami-Arita train station and the Arita train station is lined with pottery shops in historic buildings.
22/12/2014
Kyushu, What led me live here: Friends,…
First of all, I want to introduce myself. I am “typicaltomato”. Now I am an exchange student at Kumamoto University. Turn back to a year before I am here, I had to make many decisions for example where I would spend my time of exchange student, How the weather is, What are fascinating places around place I would go. Finally, I decided to come to Kumamoto, a prefecture in Kyushu.
Why did I choose here? There are three factors that led me here. First, my Japanese friends in Fukuoka we’ve met in other previous exchange program. That time I knew a lot about Japan and Japanese culture from them. Second is Kumamon, my bear friend who always tells me about Kumamoto and other prefectures in Kyushu and Third is JR Kyushu train, especially limited train designed by Mitooka Eji.
20/12/2014
First Time in Kyushu
For koyo (red leaves) hunters, it’s impossible for them to miss Japan as there are so many beautiful places that we can see Koyo. I’m one of these hunters so I’ve visited Japan every year. However, this is my first time in Kyushu.
I was a solo traveler who explored some parts of North Kyushu during 30 November to 5 December 2014. Although it was autumn, Fukuoka welcomed me with shower. Dazaifu Shrine was my first destination. The rain could not stop me from looking for red leaves.
18/12/2014
Sweet Memories of Kyushu
Me and my sister are no strangers to Japan. Both of us have been to Japan many times visiting Tokyo, Osaka, Hiroshima etc But this is our first time travelling to Kyushu in November 2014. Hence, we planned for a 2 weeks trip to give us enough time to take in all the sights and attractions that we have researched on. In this article, we will give some highlights and insights on those that left a deep impression on us as we travelled through Fukuoka, Nagasaki, Kagoshima, Kumamoto, and Oita, Miyazaki.
First up is an idyllic getaway on Nokonoshima Island (Fukuoka).
Nokonoshima Island is about 10-15 minutes by ferry from Meinohama. It's a very small, tranquil and scenic island to explore. You can rent a bicycle to cycle around the island, like what we did. There's hourly rental and full day rental. We rented 2 bikes for 2 hours. It's very cheap and convenient to rent a bike. The bike rental kiosk is right in front of the Noko Ferry Passenger Terminal.
04/12/2014
Discovering Kyushu
Before visiting Kyushu you should decide what your interests are and what kind o travel adapts to your own personality. Kyushu has so many things to offer! Astounding landcapes, vibrating cities, delicious cooking, arts and crafts, festivals and traditions... and a kind people that will receive you with open arms.
But let me tell you my own story. I travelled to Kyushu last summer. It is very easy to get to the southernmost big island of Japan. You can get there by plane, ferry or by using the shinkansen, the punctual and rapid japanese high speed trains. And it was a sunny day of August that I got to Fukuoka by train.
It is a modern city that has preserved its traditions and culture and looks forward to the future. It got into my heart immediately. You can visit its old temples, have a shopping afternoon in Tenjin, get the ferry to the islands on the bay, have dinner in the open-air street stalls called yatai, or jogging at Ohori Park.
24/11/2014
Kyushu : Our love at first sight.
My love at first sight started from here...
This is my first time that I travelled abroad so the first place I chosen is Kyushu.
It’s not because of I reserved low cost airplane ticket but this place made me feel great.
I always dreamed about visiting Kyushu. Finally I’m here. I can’t believe it.
I’d made my dreams come true. It’s such a NICE and warmth when you touched.
Good people, Great nature, Fabulous scenery and Extraordinary Food.
I really really impressed everything and everyone here.
I traveled to Kyushu with my close friend and she loves Kyushu too.