Kyushu Spring 2014 九州春季之旅 - JR Kyushu Hotel Blossom Hakata Chuo JR九州ホテル ブラッサム博多中央

Stayed 26.03.2014 (Wed)
Reserved thru' Booking.com
- Twin Room = 12,000 yen (exclusive of breakfast)

This is the 2nd hotel we stayed in Hakata. Compared to Miyako Hotel, JR Kyushu Hotel Blossom Hakata Chuo is newer in almost all aspects but the former has the classy flair. In terms of price, Blossom is cheaper than Miyako as well. There are two JR Kyushu hotels in Hakata, both strategically rooted near the train station - Blossom Hakata Chuo is located on the Hakata Exit, whereas Blossom Fukuoka is located on Chikusi Exit. Booked the twin room which are larger at 25 m2, with adequate walking space and could even occupy a side table with chairs. Modern design, business hotel concept, equipped with all the things one need for a good one night stay.

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What's nearby?

(1) Hakata JR Station, the busiest train station and gateway to other parts of Kyushu.

(2) Fukuoka city subway: Hakata Station (K11), on Kuko line (orange line)

• 3 stops away from Tenjin Station (K08). Transfer to Nishitetsu train to Dazaifu and Yanagawa. 
• 2 stops away from Fukuoka Domestic Terminal (K13).

Right: Delicious Hakata no Ishidatami from Chocolate Shop; Top left: Hakata JR Station signboard key chain from Tokyu Hands; Bottom left: Visited Doutor for breakfast before we departed from Hakata.

(3) JR Hakata City

• Houses two shopping mall: AMU Plaza and Hankyu.
• Tokyu Hands occupies five storeys here. On the first floor, a space is dedicated to the sale of Kyushu souvenirs and JR Kyushu merchandise. If you miss out on some of the merchandises sold on board the train, you may be able to find it here again. Bought a key chain with Hakata JR Station sign board here. 
• Chocolate Shop, located on the first floor just opposite to Tokyu Hands, is a famous confectionery and sweets shop which originated in 1942 in Hataka. One of their signature cake is Hakata no Ishidatami (博多の石畳), made up of layers of chocolate sponge cake and chocolate mousse, sandwiched with fresh cream and covered with chocolate powder. The rich chocolate mousse melts and fills up the pores in the light and fluffy sponge cake, leaving a satisfying chocolaty sensation in the mouth.   

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JR Kysuhu Hotel Blossom Hakata Chuo JR九州ホテル ブラッサム博多中央
〒812-0011 福岡県福岡市博多区博多駅前2-2-11
http://www.jrk-hotels.co.jp/en/Hakatachuo/

Kyushu Spring 2014 九州春季之旅 - Kumamon Square くまモンスクエア

Visited 26.03.2014

Meet him in person! Have introduced this adorable mascot of Kumamoto in an earlier post - how popular he has become since he came into the scene in 2011. Had the chance to stay in a Kumamon themed room for two nights (in Mitsui Green Hotel) but nothing beats meeting Kumamon in person! Touted as the most successful ambassador of Kumamoto, his popularity has earned him an "office" in the heart of Kumamoto city. Kumamon Square acts as both a tourist visitor center and local community hall where the goodness of Kumamoto are being promoted here. Kumamon returns to his office occasionally to interact with his supporters and show off his amazingly agile dance movements! 

Also last minute. Slotted this attraction in last minute. Found out that Kumamon will be in his office on the day (at 1500 hrs) when we return to Kumamoto to collect our luggage before heading northwards to Hakata. Gave up the intention to visit Kumamoto Castle again to witness the blooming cherry blossom flowers (was not full bloom a few days ago) and decided to made our way to Kumamon Square shortly after lunch to finally meet this cuddly bear in person. 

Mini theme park. Kumamon Square is situated on the first floor of Tsuruya Departmental Store. Reached ahead of the performance timing by about 15 mins to secure a good spot. A decent crowd started to swarm in to occupy the entire hall as the time drew closer and staffs stopped more visitors from coming in when it was almost full house. Could only scan through the entire compound since we were unable to move around freely among the crowd. Kumamon Square is like a mini Kumamon theme park. His office door was closed and a window blind, which has a picture of him sleeping, was drawn down. Was expecting Kumamon to swing open the door and appear from his office; eventually he entered from main entrance of Kumamon Square. A black letter box (with Kumamon's face on it) was placed outside his office for visitors to drop him notes or letters. A section was dedicated to the sale of Kumamon's merchandises - postcards, stationery, plushies, snacks and tableware, which were created exclusively for Kumamon Square. Did notice that there is a snack counter selling soft serves and drinks too. 

Kumamoto Idol. When Kumamon appeared punctually at 1500 hrs, all the audience of all ages were exhilarated. Kumamon couldn't speak and had to rely on his co host to convey his thoughts; but he was a natural performer - every action he made never fails to tickle everyone on the ground. Every now and then, he will come down from the stage to shake hands with the audience and hug the children seated on the front row. During one segment, his co host asked where the audience came from to see him and I was surprised to see most came from other parts of Japan, some as far as Hokkaido! We were the only foreigners in the group. Raised my hand frantically and exclaimed I came from Singapore to meet him. And of course Kumamon gave a shocked look by means of action and bowed to us to express his gratitude. Had to leave in the middle of the performance to collect our luggage from the hotel and head for the train station. A short yet memorable encounter with the idol of Kumamoto! 

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Kumamon Square くまモンスクエア
〒860-0808 熊本市中央区手取本町8番2号 テトリアくまもとビル 1階
Opening hrs: 1000 - 1900 hrs
Fee admission.
Note: To meet Kumamon in person, do check out his schedule on the official website. 

http://www.kumamon-sq.jp/en/

How to get there? 
Take Kumamoto City Tram (A line from Kumamoto JR Station towards Kengunmachi 健軍町) and alight at Suidocho 水道町. Kumamon Square is located on the first level of Tsuruya Departmental Store East Building (東館).

Kyushu Spring 2014 九州春季之旅 - Kourantei 紅蘭亭 下通本店

Visited 26.03.2014 

What is Taipien? A modified version of Nagasaki's famous Champon noodles, known as Taipien (太平燕), is found in Kumamoto. Origin of this local gourmet food can be trace back to a century ago - a soup dish brought to Kumamoto by Chinese immigrants from Fujian Province in China. Similar to Champon, the rich broth is cooked using both chicken and pork bone but is less milky in comparison. Yellow noodles is replaced with vermicelli, topped with a fried boiled egg, plenty of vegetables, shrimps, squids and sliced pork. I prefer Taipien to Champon because it is lighter in flavour and I like vermicelli more than noodles. Rushed to have a bowl of Taipien just before I left Kumamoto at Kourantei (紅蘭亭), an established Chinese restaurant founded in 1934. Came to their flagship store at Shimo Tori (下通). 

Excellent Chinese food. During this trip in Kyushu, I patronised two Chinese restaurants without high expectations of the food quality delivered. The delicious stewed pork belly buns I had in Shihairou (四海楼) changed my impression of Chinese food in Japan. This pleasant experience gave me the assurance that Chinese food in Japan isn't as bad as I thought. At Kourantei, we decided to try out a 6 course meal (円卓料理) inclusive of Taipien. It was impressive and some of the dishes were even better than what I have eaten before in my life! The 6 course meal includes meat dumplings (quite similar to siew mai), a hearty bowl of Taipien, prawns cooked in chili sauce, sweet and sour pork, fried rice and Annin tofu (杏仁豆腐) as dessert. Apart from Taipien, I felt that there were two dishes which stood out from the rest - sweet and sour pork and almond pudding.   

- Sweet and sour pork. We were all stunned by how good this dish turned out to be. Meat was fried to perfection - crispy on the outside while retaining the moisture in the meat. Every piece of meat was well coated with the savory and appetising sauce, accompanied with "wok hei" fragrance! All agreed that this dish was the highlight of the entire course.

- Annin tofu. I have to say this was an excellent finale to complete the meal. Kourantei's version of apricot kernel pudding was very smooth in texture and melt in the mouth - a sensation I have never experienced before with this traditional Chinese dessert!

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Kourantei 紅蘭亭 下通本店
熊本市中央区安政町5-26 2F
Opening hrs: 1130 - 2130 hrs
http://www.kourantei.com/

How to get there?
Take Kumamoto City Tram (A line from Kumamoto JR Station towards Kengunmachi 健軍町) and alight at Torichosuji 通町筋. Walk for another 3 - 4 minutes along Shimo Tori covered walkway.



Note: Kourantei has another branch located along Kami Tori (上通).
Kourantei Kami Tori Pavilion 紅蘭亭上通パビリオン店
熊本市中央区上通町1-15
Opening hrs: 1130 - 2130 hrs

Kyushu Spring 2014 九州春季之旅 - Kotsuki River 甲突川

Visited 26.03.2014

Last minute. As the full bloom period only took place on the last few days of our trip in Kyushu, was hoping to witness the short lived beauty of Sakura again before we depart from Japan. Did a last minute search online and found this cherry blossom viewing spot which is within walking distance from Kagoshima Chuo JR Station. After alighting from the train, we had to quicken our walking pace to get to the park situated alongside Kotsuki River as we had only an hour to spare before boarding the next train to Kumamoto.

The walk from the train station took about 10 minutes. Kotsuki River runs through the city center of Kagoshima. There are about 500 cherry blossom trees planted along the river bank, therefore making this a popular hanami spot during spring, between late Mar to mid Apr. The river bank has started to turn pink on the day of our visit and should be at its best a few days later. Did not walk too far down the river bank because of time constraint. Perform a quick stroll with my head tilted upwards to look at the trees, tapping my camera phone occasionally to capture the different faces of cherry blossom flowers. Mesmerised by the beautiful flowers, we almost forgot about the time and had to rush back to catch the northbound train. Though it was a short encounter, seeing these delicate flowers again was a great way to end my short stay in Kagoshima Prefecture!

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Kotsuki River 甲突川
Cherry blossom blooming period: late Mar to mid Apr

How to get there? 
Approx 10 minutes walk from Kagoshima Chuo JR Station. Turn left from the East exit. Along the way, you will see Kagommafurusato Yataimura (かごっまふるさと屋台村).

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 - Natural Sand Bath Center "Saraku" 砂むし会館 砂楽

Visited 25.03.2014

Sand bath comes into mind almost immediately when you mention Ibusuki to most people. One of items on my "must do" list during this trip to Kyushu was to transfer southwards to experience the therapeutic effects from burying the body under the sand. Currently, Hakusuikan (白水館) is the only hotel/ryokan that has its own sand bath facility, which also explains why it is one of the high end accommodation in Ibusuki, most people will make their way to Saraku to participate in this activity. We stayed in Tsukimiso for a night and came to Saraku, located just opposite the ryokan, after checking in our luggage.

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Steps:

(1) Buy a ticket and receive a yukata from the reception located on the second floor. Do note that you can buy a head towel for 120 yen and rent a towel for 200 yen as well. Otherwise, please bring along your own towels or those provided by the accommodation you are staying in.

(2) Change into the yukata in the dressing room (separated by gender) located on the first floor and proceed to the outdoor sand bath area. Wait for your turn until the attendant signals/directs you to any empty spots in the sand field. After lying down, he/she will place the head towel over the neck and around the head. Next, sand will be scooped onto your body to cover the entire body under sand. Brought along my phone as I was hoping to take some photos. Fortunately, the staff was eager to help capture a shot after "burying" me under the sand. After the photo is taken, he put my phone into a plastic bag and placed it at a nearby aisle within my sight.

(3) Duration of sand bath is approx 10 minutes. Halfway through the course, I was already perspiring and the heat from the sand helped to ease my backache as well. To end the session, just wriggle your limbs to loosen the sand and sit upright. Try to sweep off some the sand and return to the main building. Deposit your soiled yukata at a collection counter and head down to the public bathroom equipped with hot spring facilities. Change back into your clothes at the dressing room.

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Natural Sand Bath Center "Saraku" 砂むし会館 砂楽
〒891-0406　鹿児島県指宿市湯の浜五丁目25番18号
Opening hrs: 0830 - 2030 hrs
http://sa-raku.sakura.ne.jp/saraku00.htm

Bottom left: Visitors can also enjoy footbath here. 

How to get there?
(1) By bus. From Ibusuki JR Station (指宿駅), board the bus heading for Iwasaki Hotel (いわさきホテル) or Higashi Ogawa (東大川) and alight at Suna Mushi Kaikan mae (砂むし会館前). Bus journey takes approx 4 mins.
Bus schedule (in Japanese): http://www.city.ibusuki.lg.jp/modules/xfsection/cache/uploaded/basubasu.pdf

(2) By foot. Approx 20 minutes walk from Ibusuki JR Station.

Kyushu Spring 2014 九州春季之旅 - Tsukimisho 旅館月見荘

Stayed 25.03.2014
Reserved thru' email.
- Half board (dinner & breakfast), twin sharing Japanese style room: 14,850 yen/person

View of Tsukimisho from Saraku.

Spent some time searching for a hotel/ryokan in Ibusuki and decided to go with Tsukimisho, a family operated ryokan located just opposite Saraku, the public sand bath facility. Most of the accommodation here are located near the coastal area, about 20 - 30 minutes walk away from Ibusuki JR Station. Wanted to avoid large scale hotels which are normally crowded with tour groups such as Shusuien (秀水園) and Ginsyou (吟松), yet stay close to Saraku, and Tsukimiso fulfilled both criteria aptly.

Hospitality. Tsukimisho is a small scale, half century old (founded in 1957) ryokan operated by a family. Currently the business is managed by the third generation. With only seven rooms available, do make sure room reservation is arranged as early as possible especially during peak holiday seasons. Sent my enquires and reservations through email and the owner was prompt in reply. Upon request, he also helped to arrange a sightseeing taxi for us to visit several attractions in Ibusuki. Majority of the staffs here are not proficient in English, but they are patient in their explanation, coupled with hand gestures and always seen to be full of smiles and energy. Met the family - the owner's parents, his wife and adorable children on the next morning, who greeted us warmly and gathered the reassurance that our stay had been pleasant so far. Tsukimisho also provides shuttle service to/from Ibusuki JR Station - just need to inform them beforehand to enjoy this complimentary service (service is available after 3 pm, departing from Ibusuki JR Station and before 10 am, departing from the ryokan). 

Facilities. During our 3 hours long sightseeing journey in Ibusuki, our driver stopped by a coastal road and explained to us that several of laydown pipings seen here were used to transfer hot spring waters from the source to hotels/ryokans in Ibusuki, including Tsukimisho. Frankly speaking, hot spring facilities in Tsukimiso is not at its best. There are two communal public bathroom, separated by gender, each having an indoor and an outdoor section. The outdoor pool is actually a sheltered extension of the main building to the road and is totally covered, therefore you won't get to see the nearby beach despite the close proximity. Room was typical Japanese style with tatami mats. As this ryokan is only two storey tall and is separated from the nearby coastal area by Saraku, we could not get enjoy a sea view from the rooms.

Food. A good spread of food was served during dinner, and this included some dishes which I have not eaten before. Like their signature pork spare ribs which were stewed in shochu, brown sugar and miso - well-caramelized on the outside, tender and moist in the inside. Had my first taste of banded blue sprat sashimi (きびなご) as well; though it looked slimy, the sashimi was fresh without any tint of fishy smell. Other dishes served include an appetizer platter, chicken tataki, sashimi, tempura, kurobuta (black pig) hot pot, etc. Breakfast was much simpler - rice accompanied with salad, pickled vegetables, soft boiled egg, meat balls, grilled fish and miso soup.

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Tsukimisho 旅館月見荘
〒891-0406 鹿児島県指宿市湯の浜5-24-8天然砂むし温泉「砂楽」前
http://www.tsukimi.jp/

How to get there?
(1) By taxi. Approx 4 mins from Ibusuki JR Station.
(2) By foot. Approx 25 mins from Ibusuki JR Station.