Kyushu Spring 2014 九州春季之旅 - Day 12 & 13 Itinerary: Kagoshima 鹿児島, Kumamoto 熊本, Fukuoka 福岡

Day 12: 26.03.2014
* Day 5 of 5 Day JR Kyushu Rail Pass

Ohori Park

Breakfast: Tsukimiso 旅館月見荘

Tsukimiso 旅館月見荘 > Ibusuki JR Station 指宿駅
by hotel free shuttle service.

Ibusuki JR Station 指宿駅 (0901 hrs) > Kagoshima Chuo JR Station 鹿児島中央駅 (1020 hrs)
by local train.

Visited Kotsuri River 甲突川.

Kagoshima chuo JR Station 鹿児島中央駅 (1110 hrs) > Kumamoto JR Station 熊本駅 (1206 hrs)
by Sakura 552.

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Kumamoto ekimae 熊本駅前 > Torichosuji 通町筋
by Kumamoto City Tram, via A line. Fee = 150 yen.

Lunch: Kourantei 紅蘭亭, at Shimo Tori.

Visited Kumamon Square くまモンスクエア, at Tsuruya.
Watched Kumamon's performance @ 1500 hrs.

Suidocho 水道町 > Karashimacho 辛島町,
by Kumamoto City Tram, via A line. Fee = 150 yen.

Collect luggage from Mitsui Garden Hotel.

Mitsui Green Hotel > Kumamoto JR Station 熊本駅
by taxi.

Kumamoto JR Station 熊本駅 (1559 hrs) > Hakata JR Station 博多駅 (1637 hrs)
by Sakura 562.

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Check in: JR Kyushu Hotel Blossom Hakata Chuo JR九州ホテル ブラッサム博多中央

Bought 1 day Fukuoka City Subway Pass. Fee = 600 yen.
* 500 yen on weekends & Public Holidays, 600 yen on weekdays.[520 yen & 620 yen from Apr 2014 onwards] 


Hakata 博多 > Ohori Park 大濠公園
by Fukuoka City Subway, via Kuko line (orange line).

Visited Maizuru Park 舞鶴公園.

Ohori Park 大濠公園 > Tenjin 天神
by Fukuoka City Subway, via Kuko line.

Shopping @ Daimaru.

Tenjin 天神 > Hakata 博多
by Fukuoka City Subway, via Kuko line.

Shopping @ Tokyu Hands.

Dinner: Yoshinoya, branch @ Hakata JR Chikusi Exit.

- End of Day 12 -

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Day 13: 27.03.2014

Breakfast: Dotour Coffee, branch @ Hakata subway station.

Hakata > Fukuoka Airport
by Fukuoka City Subway, via Kuko line. Fee = 250 yen.

Fukuoka Domestic Airport > FUK
by free airport shuttle bus.

FUK (1000 hrs) > SIN T2 (1535 hrs)
by SQ 655

- End of Kyushu Spring 2014 Trip -

Kyushu Spring 2014 九州春季之旅 - Day 11 Itinerary: Sakurajima 桜島, Ibusuki 指宿

Day 11: 25.03.2014
* Day 4 of 5 Day JR Kyushu Rail Pass

Mt Uomi

Breakfast: Hotel Urbic Kagoshima ホテルアービック鹿児島

Hotel Urbic Kagoshima ホテルアービック鹿児島 > Kagoshima Port
by taxi. Fee = 700 yen.

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Kagoshima Port > Sakurajima Port
by Sakurajima Ferry 桜島フェリー. Fee = 150 yen/one way.
* 160 yen/trip from 1 Apr 2014 onwards.

Visited
(1) Sakurajima Dinosaur Park 桜島自然恐竜公園
(2) Yogan Nagisa Park & Footbath 溶岩なぎさ公園&足湯
(3) Michi no eki Sarakujima Hinoshima Megumikan 道の駅桜島日の島めぐみ館

Lunch: Udon, on board Sakurajima Ferry 桜島フェリー back to mainland.

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Suizokukanguchi 水族館口 > Kagoshima chuo ekimae 鹿児島中央駅前
by Kagoshima City Tram, via line 2. Fee = 160 yen.

Kagoshima chuo JR Station 鹿児島中央駅 (1157 hrs) > Ibusuki JR Station 指宿駅 (1248 hrs)
by Ibusuki no Tamatebako 指宿の玉手箱

Check in: Tsukimiso 旅館月見荘

Hired sightseeing taxi for 3 hours. Fee = 13,000 yen.
Visited
(1) Uomidake 魚見岳
(2) Lake Ikeda 池田湖
(3) Nishi Oyama JR Station 西大山駅
(4) Nagasakibana 長崎鼻

Visited Natural Sand Bath Center 'Saraku' 砂むし会館 砂楽.

Dinner: Tsukimiso 旅館月見荘

- End of Day 11 -

Kyushu Spring 2014 九州春季之旅 - Day 10 Itinerary: Kumamoto 熊本, Kagoshima 鹿児島

Day 10: 24.03.2014
* Day 3 of 5 Day JR Kyushu Rail Pass

Breakfast: Mitsui Green Hotel Kumamoto 三井ガーデ ンホテル熊本

Karashi machi 辛島町 > Kumamoto ekimae 熊本駅前
by Kumamoto City Tram, via A line. Fee = 150 yen.

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Kumamoto JR Station 熊本駅 (0944 hrs) > Hitoyoshi JR Station 人吉駅 (1219 hrs)
by SL Hitoyoshi SL人吉, with stopover @ Yatsushiro 八代駅, Shiroishi 白石駅, Isshouchi 一勝地駅.

Visited Aoi Aso Shrine 青井阿蘇神社.

Hitoyoshi JR Station 人吉駅 (1321 hrs) > Yoshimatsu JR Station 吉松駅 (1434 hrs)
by Isaburo 伊三郎, with stopover @ Okoba 大畑駅, Yatake 矢岳駅 and Masaki 真幸駅.

Lunch: Chestnut rice ekiben, bought at Hitoyoshi JR Station.

Yoshimatsu JR Station 吉松駅 (1503 hrs) > Kagoshima Chuo JR Station 鹿児島中央駅 (1632 hrs)
by Hayato no kaze 隼人の風, with stopover @ Osumi Yokogawa 大隅横河駅 and Kareigawa 嘉例川駅.

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Check in: Hotel Urbic Kagoshima ホテルアービック鹿児島

Kagoshima Chuo Ekimae 鹿児島中央駅前 > Tenmonkan 天文館
by Kagoshima City Tram via Route 2 (heading towards Kagoshima Ekimae). Fee = 160 yen.

Dinner: Kurobuta shabu shabu @ Ichi Nii San Tenmonkan Branch いちにいさん天文館店.

Dessert: Polar bear shaved ice @ Tenmonkan Mujaki むじゃき.

Tenmonkan 天文館 > Kagoshima Chuo Ekimae 鹿児島中央駅前
by Kagoshima City Tram via Route 2. Fee = 160 yen.

Shopping @ AMU Plaza Kagoshima.

- End of Day 10 -

Kyushu Spring 2014 九州春季之旅 - Day 9 Itinerary: Beppu 别府

Day 9: 23.03.2014
* Day 2 of 5 Days JR Kyushu Rail Pass

Chinoike Jigoku

Breakfast: Gettouan 月燈庵

Gettouan > Yufuin JR Station 由布院駅
by hotel free shuttle service.

Collected P roll from B-Speak.

Yufuin Bus Terminal (1015 hrs) > Beppu JR Station 別府駅 (1105 hrs)
by Bus 36. Fee = 900 yen.

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Bought 1 Day Mini Free Passport from tourist information center @ Beppu JR Station. Fee = 900 yen.

Beppu JR Station 別府駅 (1155 hrs) > Umi Jigoku mae 海地獄前
by Bus 41.

Bought Beppu Jigoku Meguri (別府地獄巡り) admission ticket, covering all eight "hells".
Fee = 1,800 yen (200 yen discount with 1 Day Passport).
* 2,100 yen effective from 1st April 2014 onwards.

(1) Yama Jigoku 山地獄
(2) Umi Jigoku 海地獄
(3) Oniishi bozu Jigoku鬼石坊地獄
(4) Oniyama Jigoku 鬼山地獄
(5) Kamado Jigoku かもど地獄
(6) Shiraike Jigoku 白池地獄

Kannawa Bus Terminal 鉄輪 > Chinoike Jigoku mae 血の池地獄前
by taxi (missed bus). Fee = ~800 yen.

(7) Chinoike Jigoku 血の池地獄
(8) Tatsumaki Jigoku 龍卷地獄

Chinoike Jigoku mae 血の池地獄前 (1419 hrs) > Beppu JR Station 別府駅
by Bus 16.

Beppu JR Station 別府駅 > Yufuin JR Station 由布院駅
by taxi (missed 1505 hrs bus to Yufuin bus terminal). Fee = 6,000 yen.

Mt Yufu from Sagiridai Overlook.

Stopover @ Sagiridai Overlook 狭霧台.

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Yufuin JR Station 由布院駅 (1707 hrs) > Kurume JR Station 久留米駅 (1846 hrs)
by Yufuin no mori 6.

Dinner: Ekiben, on board Yufuin no mori.

Kurume JR Station 久留米駅 (1854 hrs) > Kumamoto JR Station 熊本駅 (1914 hrs)
by Sakura 565.

Check in: Mitsui Garden Hotel Kumamoto 三井ガーデ ンホテル熊本

Supper: MacDonalds @ Shimo Tori

- End of Day 9 -

Kyushu Spring 2014 九州春季之旅 - Day 8 Itinerary: Oita 大分, Yufuin 由布院

Day 8: 22.03.2014
* Day 1 of 5 Days JR Kyushu Rail Pass

Yufuin

Breakfast: Ryokan Wakaba わかば

Explored Kurokawa Onsen 黒川温泉.

Kurokawa Onsen 黒川温泉 (1126 hrs) > Yufuin Bus Center ゆふいんバスセンター (1301 hrs) 
by Sanko Bus 九州横断バス. Fee = 1,700 yen. 

Explored Yufuin: 
(1) Walked along ekimae dori 駅前通り, yufumi dori 由布見通り, yu no tsubo road 湯の坪街道. 
(2) Kinrinko 金鱗湖

Tea break: Tenjo Sajiki 天井桟敷

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Yufuin JR Station 由布院駅 > Gettouan 月燈庵
by taxi. Fee = 1,000 yen.

Check in: Gettouan 月燈庵

Dinner: Gettouan 月燈庵

- End of Day 8 -

Kyushu Spring 2014 九州春季之旅 - Day 7 Itinerary: Aso 阿蘇, Kurokawa Onsen 黒川温泉

Day 7: 21.03.2014
* Day 5 of 5 Days JR Kyushu Rail Pass (Northern Area)

Kurokawa Onsen

Breakfast: Mitsui Garden Hotel 三井ガーデ ンホテル熊本

Karashi machi 辛島町 > Kumamoto ekimae 熊本駅前
by Kumamoto City Tram, via A line. Fee = 150 yen.

Kumamoto JR Station 熊本駅 (1026 hrs) > Aso JR Station 阿蘇駅 (1149 hrs)
by Aso Boy 101.

Lunch: Ekiben on board Aso Boy train

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Aso JR Station 阿蘇駅 > Asosan Nishi eki 阿蘇山西駅
by Sanko Bus 阿蘇火口線. Fee = 540 yen. (650 yen from 1 Apr 2014 onwards)

Asosan Nishi eki 阿蘇山西駅 > Kako Nishi eki 火口西駅
by bus (ropeway not in operation). Fee = 1,200 yen (round trip).

Visited Mt Aso 阿蘇山.

Asosan Nishi eki 阿蘇山西駅 (1440 hrs) > Kurokawa Onsen 黒川温泉 (1531 hrs)
by Sanko Bus 九州横断バス. Fee = 1,600 yen

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Check in: Ryokan Wakaba わかば

Tea break: Glutinous rice balls at Shirotamakko 白玉っ子

Dinner: Ryokan Wakaba わかば

- End of Day 7 -

Kyushu Spring 2014 九州春季之旅 - Day 6 Itinerary: Nagasaki 長崎, Kumamoto 熊本

Day 6: 20.03.2014
* Day 4 of 5 Day JR Kyushu Rail Pass (Northern Area)

Kumamoto Castle

Breakfast: Dormy Inn Nagasaki 出島の湯 ドーミーイン長崎

Bought 1 day Streetcar Pass from Washington Hotel Nagasaki.
Fee = 500 yen.

Tsuki machi 築町 > Nigiwai bashi 賑橋
by Nagasaki Streetcar, via line 5.

Visited Megane bashi 眼鏡橋.

Kokaidomae 公会堂前 > Hamaguchi machi 浜口町
by Nagasaki Streetcar, via line 3.

Visited
(1) Hypocenter Park 原爆中心地公園
(2) Peace Park 平和公園

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Matsuyama machi 松山町 > Dejima 出島
by Nagasaki Streetcar, via line 1.

Lunch: Delicious Restaurant Attic アティック

Dejima 出島 > Tsuki machi 築町
by Nagasaki Streetcar, via line 1.

Dormy Inn Nagasaki > Nagasaki JR Station
by taxi. Fee = ~900 yen.

Tea break: Bunmeido Castella

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Nagasaki JR Station 長崎駅 (1320 hrs) > Shintosu JR Station 新鳥栖駅 (1447 hrs)
by Kamone かもね 24

On board Tsubame: from Shintosu to Kumamoto.

Shintosu JR Station 新鳥栖駅 (1500 hrs) > Kumamoto JR Station 熊本駅 (1534 hrs)
by Tsubame つばめ 329

Kumamoto ekimae 熊本駅前 > Karashi machi 辛島町
by Kumamoto City Tram, via line A. Fee = 150 yen.

Check in: Mitsui Garden Hotel Kumamoto 三井ガーデ ンホテル熊本

Visited Kumamoto Castle 熊本城. Fee = 500 yen.

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Dinner: Keika Ramen 桂花ラーメン, main branch @ Hanabatacho.

Shopping @ Parco

Desserts: Okada Coffee 岡田珈琲, main branch @ Kami Tori.

- End of Day 6 -

Kyushu Spring 2014 九州春季之旅 - Day 5 Itinerary: Nagasaki 長崎, Sasebo 佐世保

Day 5: 19.03.2014
* Day 3 of 5 Days JR Kyushu Rail Pass (Northern Area)

Kujukushima, viewed from Funakoshi Observatory

Breakfast: Hotel Okura JR Huis Ten Bosch ホテルオークラJRハウステンボス

Huis Ten Bosch JR Station ハウステンボス駅 (0852 hrs) > Sasebo JR Station 佐世保駅 (0919 hrs)
by local train.

Sasebo JR Station 佐世保駅  > Saikai National Park, Kujukushima Zoological & Botanical Garden
by taxi. Fee = 1,850 yen (*missed bus heading same destination).

Walked to Funakoshi Observatory 船越展望所.

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Walked to Kujukushima Pearl Sea Resort 九十九島パールシー リゾート.
Boarded Kaiou, Kujukushima Sightseeing Ship @ 1130 hrs.

Lunch: Lucky's Burger ラッキーズ鹿子前店, at Kujukushima Pearl Sea Resort.

Kujukushima Pearl Sea Resort > Sasebo JR Station
by local bus. Fee = 230 yen.

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Sasebo JR Station 佐世保駅 (1427 hrs) > Nagasaki JR Station 長崎駅 (1558 hrs)
by JR Seaside Liner

Nagasaki JR Station 長崎駅 > Dormy Inn Nagasaki 出島の湯 ドーミーイン長崎
by taxi. Fee = ~900 yen.

Check in: Dormy Inn Nagasaki 出島の湯 ドーミーイン長崎

Tsukimachi > Oura Tenshudoshita
by streetcar, via line 5. Fee = 120 yen.

Dinner: Champon noodles @ Shikairou 四海楼

Oura Tenshudoshita > Tsukimachi
by streetcar, via line 5. Fee = 120 yen.

Walked thru' Shinchi Chinatown street.

Shinchimachi > Nagasaki Ropeway Front Bus Stop
by Bus 4. Fee = 150 yen.

Fuchi Shrine Station > Inasadake Station
by Ropeway. Fee = 1,200 yen (round trip)

Visited Inasayama Observatory 稲佐山山頂展望台.

Nagasaki Ropeway Front Bus Stop > Nagasaki Ekimae
by Bus 20. Fee = 150 yen.

Supper #1: Mister Donuts @ AMU Plaza

Nagasaki ekimae > Tsukimachi
by streetcar, via line 1. Fee = 120 yen.

Supper #2: Complimentary yakisoba in Dormy Inn Nagasaki.

- End of Day 5 -

Kyushu Spring 2014 九州春季之旅 - Day 4 Itinerary: Nagasaki 長崎, Huis Ten Bosch 豪斯登堡

Day 4: 18.03.2014
* Day 2 of 5 Days JR Kyushu Rail Pass (Northern Area)

View of Huis Ten Bosch from Domtoren

Morning stroll to Onsen Park, Siebold no Yu and Siebold's Footbath.

Breakfast: Warakuen 和楽園

Warakuen 和楽園 > Ureshino Onsen Bus Center 嬉野温泉バスセンター
by free hotel shuttle service.

Ureshino Onsen Bus Center 嬉野温泉バスセンター (0912 hrs) > Takeo Onsen JR Station 武雄温泉駅 (0945 hrs)
by JR Kyushu Bus Ureshino line. Fee = 640 yen

Lunch #1: Saga Beef Sukiyaki Bento, from Kairo-do cafe

Takeo Onsen JR Station 武雄温泉駅 (1041 hrs) > Huis Ten Bosch JR Station ハウステンボス駅(1119 hrs)
by Limited Express Huis Ten Bosch.

Check in: Hotel Okura JR Huis Ten Bosch ホテルオークラJRハウステンボス

Visited Huis Ten Bosch (HTB).
1 day Adult Passport: 5,900 yen

Lunch #2: One Piece Restaurant @ HTB.

Dinner: Pinoccio @ HTB

- End of Day 4 -

Kyushu Spring 2014 九州春季之旅 - Day 3 Itinerary: Saga 佐賀, Ureshino Onsen 嬉野温泉

Day 3: 17.03.2014
* Day 1 of 5 Days JR Kyushu Rail Pass (Northern Area)

Todoroki no taki

Breakfast: MOS Burger @ Hakata JR Station Chikusi Exit

Hakata JR Station 博多駅 (1032 hrs) > Takeo Onsen JR Station 武雄温泉駅 (1141 hrs)
by Midori Express 7.

Takeo Onsen > Ureshino Onsen Bus Center 嬉野温泉バスセンター
by JR Kyushu Bus Ureshino line. Fee = 640 yen.

Lunch: Tofu soup @ Soan Yokocho 宗庵 よこ長

Visited:
(1) Toyotamahime Shrine 豐玉姬神社
(2) Todoroki no taki 轟の淹

Check in: Warakuen 和楽園

Dinner: Warakuen 和楽園

- End of Day 3 -

Kyushu Spring 2014 九州春季之旅 - Day 2 Itinerary: Fukuoka 福岡 (Yanagawa 柳川, Dazaifu 太宰府)

Day 2: 16.03.2014

Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine

Breakfast: Ueshima Coffee 上島珈琲 @ Hakata JR Station

Hakata 博多> Tenjin 天神
by subway, via Kuko line. Fee = 250 yen.

Walked to Nishitetsu Tenjin Station.

Bought Nishitetsu Dazaifu & Yanagawa Sightseeing Pack 太宰府.柳川観光きっぷ.
Fee = 2,800 yen. [2,930 yen from 1 Apr 2014 onwards]

Nishitetsu Tenjin > Nishitetsu Yanagawa 西鉄柳川駅
by limited express train via Omuta line.

Nishitetsu Yanagawa > Shogetsu Dock 松月乗船場　
by free shuttle bus.

River Punting from Shogetsu Dock > Okihata

Tea break: 红茶の店 River Flow

Lunch: Unagi no seiro mushi at Motoyoshiya 吉本屋

Nishitetsu Yanagawa > Futsukuchi > Dazaifu 太宰府駅
transfer from Omuta line to Dazaifu line.

Visited Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine 太宰府天満宮.

Tea break: Dazaifu Starbucks スターバックス太宰府天満宮店　

Dazaifu > Futsukuchi > Nishitetsu Tenjin
transfer from Dazaifu line to Omuta line.

Dinner: Tetsunabe 鉄なべ @ Tenjin Parco

Tenjin > Hakata
by subway, via Kuko Line. Fee = 250 yen.

- End of Day 2 -

Kyushu Spring 2014 九州春季之旅 - Day 1 Itinerary: Fukuoka 福岡

Day 1 - 15.03.2014

SIN T3 (0110 hrs) > FUK (0825 hrs) by SQ 656

Fukuoka Airport > Hakata JR Station Chikusi Exit
by Nishitetsu Bus (for Hakata & Tenjin). Fee = 250 yen.

Check in: Hakata Miyako Hotel

Bought JR Kyushu Rail Passes and made seats reservation at Hakata JR Station.
- 5 days JR Kyushu Pass for northern area only (17.03.2014 - 21.03.2014): 9,000 yen
- 5 days JR Kyushu Pass (22.03.2014 - 26.03.2014): 17,000 yen

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Bought 1 day Fukuoka City Subway Pass. Fee = 500 yen.
* 500 yen on weekends & Public Holidays, 600 yen on weekdays.
[520 yen & 620 yen from Apr 2014 onwards] 

Hakata > Nakasu Kawabata
by subway, via Kuko Line.

Lunch: Ichiran Ramen (一蘭) @ Nakasu head shop & office

Shopping @ Canal City

Nakasu Kawabata 中州川端 > Ohori Park 大濠公園
by Fukuoka City Subway, via Kuko Line.

Visited Maizuru Park 舞鶴公園.

Ohori Park 大濠公園 > Hakata 博多
by Fukuoka City Subway, via Kuko Line.

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Dinner: Hakata Hanamidori 博多華味鳥, branch @ Hakata JR Station Chikusi Exit.

Shopping @ AMU, Hankyu, Yodobashi

- End of Day 1 -