Kyushu Spring 2014 九州春季之旅 - Hotel Okura JR Huis Ten Bosch ホテルオークラJRハウステンボス

Stayed 18.03.2014 (1 night)
Booked thru' Japanican.

Staying near Huis Ten Bosch was already part of the initial plan because I foresee we would be spending the entire day in the theme park. The lead option was to stay within the theme park, and there are three hotels to choose from - Hotel Amsterdam, Hotel Europe and Hotel ForestVilla. Gave up the idea almost immediately after knowing the room rates (~40,000 yen for a twin room in Hotel Amsterdam and ~50,000 yen for a twin room in Hotel Europe & Hotel ForestVilla). The cheaper options were Hotel Okura and Hotel Nikko, and both of them were located near the entrance of the theme park. Chose the former because it was the closest to the train station.

Highlights:

- Design of this building was inspired by Amsterdam Central Railway Station. The exterior looks very elegant and majestic, and felt like it was part of the theme park. Personally I haven't been to Amsterdam before, but it does bear high resemblances to the pictures found online.

View of Huis Ten Bosch from hotel room.

- Booked the twin room (facing train station, inclusive of breakfast) at 20,000 yen (~125 SGD). Not too sure whether it was due to low occupancy rate that day, our rooms were upgraded to the side facing the theme park. A good view of Huis Ten Bosch and European style cottages/houses can be seen from our room, which made this upgrade pretty worthwhile. Room was very spacious (>30 m2) and cosy, more than enough for a good night rest after spending the entire day & evening in the park.

Theme park beautifully lit up as the sky darkened.

- Hotel also has its own hot spring communal baths, and apparently this is the only one you can find around the area. Hot spring source contains sodium and calcium chlorides, and water is slightly brownish in colour due to the presence of iron and manganese. Public bath facilities are closed between 0000 to 0600 hrs, and tend to get crowded after the theme park is closed for the day (everyone flocking back to take a bath before bedtime). Visited the public bath early in the morning (~ 0615 hrs) and was surprised to see quite a decent group of people enjoying their first soak of the day. There is a Family Mart (but not operating around the clock, till 2300 hrs), souvenir shop (where you can grab Huis Ten Bosch's related merchandises, till 2200 hrs) and even a bakery (till 1900 hrs) are operated within the hotel.

Bottom: Breakfast facing the houses and dock in Camellia restaurant.

- Breakfast was held in Camellia (カメリア). Selected a seat near the tall glass windows overlooking beautiful European style houses and their own dock. Meal was buffet style with a good selection of both Western and Japanese cuisine. Was targeting the Western section for that morning. Excited to see a omelette station where you can choose your favourite fillings and have your food cooked on the spot by the chef. There were also various types of bread to choose from, however still not as impressive as what I have experienced before in Hokkaido (Kushiro Royal Inn).

- In short, Hotel Okura has a lot to offer: convenient location to the biggest theme park in Nagasaki, cosy rooms, hot spring facilities and various restaurants all housed within this majestic looking building.

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Hotel Okura JR Huis Ten Bosch ホテルオークラJRハウステンボス
 〒859-3296 長崎県佐世保市ハウステンボス町10番
http://www.jrhtb.hotelokura.co.jp/
< 5 mins walk from Huis Ten Bosch JR Station.

Kyushu Spring 2014 九州春季之旅 - Huis Ten Bosch JR Station ハウステンボス駅, Ltd Express Huis Ten Bosch Train

Huis Ten Bosch JR Station, along Omura line.
A European themed train station, has the same name and design as the adjacent theme park.

Ltd Express Huis Ten Bosch train

Following trains serve the station:

(1) Ltd Express Huis Ten Bosch (HTB) train commutes between Hakata and Huis Ten Bosch, and train journey takes approx 100 mins. This train makes a total of 10 round trips per day. 

* Do note that Ltd Exp HTB train carriages are connected to Ltd Exp Midori train. Therefore, don't be surprised if you see train carriages with different design being pulled together into the station. 

Though this is a special train, there is no particular outstanding feature when compared to other trains - except being more colourful.

(2) Seaside Liner (local train) commutes between Sasebo and Nagasaki, makes a stop at this station.

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What's nearby? 

(1) HTB, a European themed park. About 7 mins walk from the train station.

The majestic looking Okura Hotel in the background

(2) Hotels 

HTB is a huge theme park that require at least one day to cover completely. Moreover, Kingdom of Lights, the most anticipated highlight in their calendar of events, is held every night from Oct to Apr annually. Therefore, we decided to stay one night near the park to participate in the annual event.

Though there are several hotels, such as Hotel Amsterdam, Hotel Europe, Watermark Hotel, conveniently located within the theme park itself, most of them are quite pricey. There are slightly cheaper options which are located at the peripherals of the theme park - Hotel Okura JR HTB and Hotel Nikko, to choose from.

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Commemorative stamp:

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 - Warakuen 和楽園

Stayed 17.03.2014 (1 night)
Booked thru' Japanican.

Highlights: 

- Ureshino is well known for its skin enhancing hot spring waters and high quality green tea production. Warakuen, a traditional Japanese style hotel, combines these two traits together, offering guests a unque experience. Hotel offers complimentary pick up service to/fro Ureshino Bus Center. If you plan to use this service, you can give them a call in advance or get help from the staffs in Tourist Information Center (I did the latter).

- Booked a Japanese style twin room, with half board included (dinner and breakfast), at 27,000 yen (~170 SGD). Was given a room which overlooked the scenic Ureshino River and onsen town. A small cafe and souvenir shop are located on the ground floor; local products such like green tea and Arita's well known porcelain tableware can be found here.

- Soak yourself in a green tea onsen. There are two communal bathhouses, separated for men and women usage. Both bathhouses are closed from 0000 - 0600 hrs and swapped for the opposite gender usage after that. In the outdoor pool, there is a "tea pot" which adds hot spring water into the pool continuously. Bags containing Ureshino's tea leaves are actually stuffed inside the tea pot, which makes the water source light brown in colour. There are also tea bags placed on the sides for you to rub them on your body; extracting the goodness of green tea into your skin through this process. Spring water in Ureshino is rich in sodium bicarbonate and sodium chloride, whereas green tea contains catechin (antioxidant), Vitamin C, caffeine, bringing about anti-bacterial and skin whitening effects.

- Green tea in Japanese cuisine. Japanese style multi course meal was served during dinner. The sumptuous meal started off with a small glass of umeshu, followed by appetiser, fresh sashimi, mushrooms and vegetables boiled in asari clams soup, steamed wagyu beef, sakura glutinous rice dumpling, tempura (bamboo shoot and eggplant), rice with pickles and miso soup, and lastly green tea tofu pudding to cleanse the palette. Green tea was also provided in a bowl in which leaves can be grinded and sprinkled onto the food. Overall, dinner was exceptional.

Sumptuous Japanese style dinner

- Was excited to see Ureshino Onsen's famous yudofu served during breakfast - silky and smooth texture like what we had for lunch in Soan Yokocho the day before. Green tea porridge was also surprisingly delicious and aromatic. Overall dining experience on both days have been pleasant and secluded since we were given a room to ourselves. Such moments to enjoy meals together as a family have become increasingly precious to me because dinner/breakfast time is always different for every family member (as we return home from work at different timings).

Yudofu and green tea porridge served for breakfast

Conclusion: Ureshino Onsen is still one of my favourite hot spring towns to date (despite writing this review one year later). The therapeutic ambience and smooth hot spring waters have left a deep impression in my mind. There are times when I think of visiting this area again on my next Japan trip. Its tranquility makes one feel at ease and relaxed, far from the hustle and bustle of city life - an element that will attract city dwellers to this place.

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Warakuen 和楽園
〒843-0302 佐賀県嬉野市嬉野町下野甲33
http://www.warakuen.co.jp/

Kyushu Spring 2014 九州春季之旅 - Todoroki no taki 轟の淹 (Ureshino Onsen 嬉野温泉)

Visited 17.03.2014

Visited the second attraction in the afternoon - Todoroki no taki, a 11 m tall, three stages waterfall. From the bus center, we made our way to the waterfall by following Ureshino River (嬉野川) and the entire journey took about 20 - 30 mins. The peripherals of the waterfall was developed into a park and the best spot to capture a panoramic view of waterfall is from Takimi bridge (滝見橋).

Takimi Bridge - best spot to see Todoroki no taki

Was looking forward to visit the park after knowing that there were about 200 cherry blossom trees planted there. Sad to say, we were slightly early for the cherry blossom full bloom season and managed to see only a few early bloomers. Most of the trees were still bare, but full of pink buds awaiting to reveal their beautiful flowers in about 1 to 2 weeks time. Foresee that it will be picture perfect if the waterfall and flowers are captured together under the lenses.

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Todoroki no taki 轟の淹
佐賀县嬉野町大字下宿丙163-1
http://kankou.spa-u.net/sightseeing.html
~20 - 30 mins walk from Ureshino Onsen Bus Center.

Kyushu Spring 2014 九州春季之旅 - Toyotamahime Shrine 豐玉姬神社 (Ureshino Onsen 嬉野温泉)

Visited 17.03.2014

Though Ureshino Onsen town seemed secluded and quiet, there are ample markers on the streets to direct visitors to its attractions. Decided to visit two places in Ureshino Onsen after lunch - Toyotamahime Shrine and Todoroki no taki. Toyotamahime (Princess Toyotama) Shrine is located in the center of the Ureshino Onsen town. Approx. 5 mins walk from Ureshino Onsen Bus Center, just follow the signage and keep a look out for a narrow slip road with torii, which will eventually lead to the shrine.

Legend?

Toyotamahine, who is the god of sea's daughter, is being worshipped in this shrine. Because of her alluring appearance and beautiful skin, she was also referred to as the "goddess of beauty skin". A smaller shrine that contains a 1 m long, white porcelain catfish statue, is dedicated to Toyotamahime's catfish servant. Apart from the natural therapeutic effects of Ureshino's hot spring water to the skin, it is believed that praying in this shrine can also bring along healthy and beautiful skin. First scoop some water from the side and pour it over the entire length of the catfish body. Next, touch the catfish statue gently and wish for healthy and beautiful skin.

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Toyotamahime Shrine 豐玉姬神社
佐賀县嬉野市嬉野町大字下宿乙2231-2
http://kankou.spa-u.net/lang/en/sightseeing.html
~5 mins walk from Ureshino Onsen Bus Center.

Kyushu Spring 2014 九州春季之旅 - Ureshino Onsen 嬉野温泉 (Bus Center, Onsen Park, Siebold no Yu, Footbaths)

Visited 17.03.2014 - 18.03.2014

Background: 

Ureshino Onsen in Saga Prefecture is named as the top three hot spring for beautiful skin in Japan by Satoshi Fujita, an expert on hot spring, alongside Hinokami Onsen in Shimane Prefecture and Kitsuregawa Onsen in Tochigi Prefecture. Colourless and silky hot spring waters contains sodium bicarbonate which removes hardened skin, washes away skin oils and secretions, and leaves a smooth sensation on skin. Not too commercialised at this point in time, one will feel that time has turned back when strolling along the streets in Ureshino Onsen town - the tranquility which I cherished a lot these days.

Apart from Toyotamahime Shrine and Todori no taki, below are some other spots that you will come across while exploring this little hot spring town.

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Other highlights:

(1) Bus Center & Tourist Information Center

Left: Bus Center & Tourist Information Center; Right: Mascot of Ureshino Onsen

Gateway to Ureshino Onsen, this is the first place you will visit if commuting via Ureshino line JR Bus. In the Tourist Information Center, housed in the bus center, you are collect useful brochures and maps from the staff. Was glad to speak to a English/Mandarin speaking staff who was on duty that day. Got their help to arrange for hotel pick up service from the bus terminal. Also utilised the lockers to safe keep our luggage while we toured the hot spring town in the afternoon.



(2) Onsen Park

Managed to slip in some time to visit this park opposite Warakuen in the morning. Spotted this Olle marker in the park.
Originated from Jeju, Olle are designated trekking trails enabling hikers to come closer to nature, rich history and culture of a place while going through this activity. In 2014, a collaboration with Jeju brought this concept to several places in Kyushu and currently there are about 15 courses to choose from. Ureshino course is about 12.5 km long, requiring approx 4 - 5 hours to complete. The course covers green tea fields (Ureshino being one of the best green tea producers in Japan), Todoroki no taki, Onsen Park and Siebold's Public Bath.  
Ureshino course (in Japanese): http://www.welcomekyushu.jp/kyushuolle/?mode=detail&id=16


(3) Siebold no Yu シーボルトの湯 (Public Bathhouse)

Named after Dr Siebold (a German physician and botanist who stayed in Nagasaki), this Gothic style building has been around since 19th century and has become an important focal point for locals in Ureshino city. Didn't get to utilitse the public bath house during this trip.
Opening hrs: 0600 - 2300 hrs




(4) Footbaths 

Siebold's Footbath

There are two free hot spring footbaths open to public. One of them is located near Siebold no Yu, named as Siebold footbath (シーボルトの足湯) and the other beside Soan Yokocho restaurant.



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Commemorative stamp:

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Video: Ureshino Onsen was featured in one of the episodes of 遇约九州, a travelogue promoting Kyushu.