First published on TripZilla, in collaboration with Klook.

Read Parts 1 and 2 before continuing.

=

On this trip, we wanted to discover the hidden gems of Japan, to explore places that are more off-the-beaten-path. We hence decided to travel to Fukuoka, which is closer to the Southern region of Japan. We loved how close Fukuoka Airport is to the city centre; it took us only 5 minutes and 2 subway stops to get there!

We spent the morning on the Hakata Alleyway tour, where we were brought on a tour of the intricate patchwork of small alleys and streets that line the city. Afterwards, we spent the rest of the day exploring Canal City, Kawabata Shopping Arcade and Ohori Park (where you can rent a paddleboat and the like). 

We dropped by the 'anti-loneliness' Moomin Café at Canal City - where travellers can choose to have a giant Moomin stuffed toy as a dining companion. How's that for novelty!

If you're into animal cafés, there's an Owl Café nearby where you can get up close and and personal with these curious creatures. Do be warned - some might even perch atop your head!

 For dinner, we headed to the nearby Naka River which was lined with many yatai (street stalls) that started coming to life in the evening. Each stall is cosy and can typically seat seven to eight people, serving fare such as yakitori (grilled skewers) and onden (hot pot).

Day 1 of JR Pass: Hakata – Yanagawa – Hakata

We activated our JR Pass at Hakata station and set off towards Yanagawa! Known as the Venice of Fukuoka, Yanagawa is a nostalgic town interlaced with a maze of canals. We went on a 70-minute river punting cruise, which had us floating gently under overlapping canopies of weeping willows. 

For lunch, try the local specialty of bamboo steamed eel with egg and rice.

How to get there: 80-minute journey (one-way) from Hakata station to Nishitetsu-Yanagawa station via JR Kagoshima Line

Day 2 of JR Pass: Hakata – Okayama – Kurashiki – Okayama – Hakata

Having visited Kenroku-en Garden in Kanazawa during our previous trip to Japan, we were delighted to find out that another of Japan’s three most beautiful landscaped gardens – Koraku-en Garden in Okayama – could be easily visited on a day trip from Fukuoka! The garden didn’t disappoint, and was a magnificent flourish of flora and fauna. 

It’s recommended to take the tram whilst in Okayama; it passes by all of the city’s major attractions, such as the garden and Okayama Castle.

We combined our Okayama trip with Kurashiki, a little city located just 16 minutes away. The highlight of the city is the Bikan Historic District, which consists of antique shophouses that line a canal. It was rare to witness how laidback life was here; punters slowly drifted along the canal and shopkeepers stared idly out of windows. 

We decided to go on a rickshaw sightseeing tour of the area; our guide not only manually pulled us behind him as he ran along the streets, he also gave a running commentary of Kurashiki’s culture and history.

How to get there:

• Hakata – Okayama: 106-minute journey (one-way) via shinkansen
• Okayama – Kurashiki: 16-minute journey via JR Sanyo Line

Day 3 of JR Pass: Hakata – Kumamoto – Hakata

Image credit: (top) teledelart1855; (bottom) teledelart1855

One thing that we realised about Japan was that there were castles everywhere! One of the largest and most complete lies in Kumamoto, which is less than an hour away from Fukuoka. There’s lots to do in Kumamoto besides the castle – soak in Kurokawa Onsen, have a picnic in Suizenji Park and even try raw horse sashimi (if you dare!).

How to get there: 38-minute journey (one-way) from Hakata station to Kumamoto station via Ltd Exp Train

Day 4 of JR Pass: Hakata – Nagasaki – Hakata

Image credit: kntrty

Nagasaki was one of the two Japanese cities hit by the atomic bombs back in World War II, drawing hordes of history buffs to its shores. We visited the Nagasaki Peace Park and also took a cruise to Gunkanjima, an abandoned island off the shores of Nagasaki.

Image credit: Jordy Meow

We took a 2pm tour with the Gunkanjima Concierge Company (travellers aren’t permitted to visit the island by themselves) and had a 1-hour long tour of the island. It was incredibly fascinating to wander among the ruins and see firsthand the level of urban decay that has consumed the buildings on the island.

How to get there: 113-minute journey from Hakata station to Nagasaki station via Ltd Exp Train

Day 5, 6 & 7 of JR Pass: Hakata – Yefuin – Beppu – Hakata (overnight at Yefuin & Beppu)

Image credit: Takasunrise0921

We decided to pamper ourselves with a three-day spa holiday and hopped onboard the Yufuin no Mori train, a luxurious express sightseeing train that brought us to Yufuin and Beppu. The Yufuin no Mori is an experience in itself; it stops at various stations along the way and even has a special sightseeing lounge car fitted with spotless floor-to-ceiling windows. The train’s interior is decked out in warm shades of brown and green which, together with the surrounding forest scenery, aims to give passengers a calming and soothing experience.

Image credit: そらみみ; (bottom) Yasuhiro from Tokyo, Japan

We then spent the night at a ryokan in Yufuin, a hot spring onsen resort.

Image credit: 663highland 

In the morning, we took a languid stroll along Yufuin’s main walking route which led to the scenic Lake Kirinko. After spending some time at the lake as well as in the shops along the way, we journeyed onward to Beppu in the afternoon where more hot springs awaited.

Image credit: Thilo Hilberer

A super cool (yet, also slightly alarming) sight awaited us when we arrived at Beppu’s Chinoike-Jigoku hot spring – the waters were a stark orange-red in colour! This particular onsen is colloquially known as the ‘Hells of Beppu’ and is claimed to be Japan’s oldest natural hot spring. It was great to just relax and unwind in the various onsens sand baths before heading back to Hakata the next day.

How to get there:

• 132-minute journey from Hakata station to Yefuin station via Yufuin no Mori
• 61-minute journey from Yefuin station to Beppu station via Ltd Exp Train
• 114-minute journey from Beppu station to Hakata station via Ltd Exp Train

If you wish to extend your trip in Fukuoka, there’s plenty more to see! If you’re more of a nature-lover, consider taking a Takachiho Gorge day tour that departs from Kumamoto. 

Breakdown of costs for above itinerary: 

7-Day JR Pass VS point-to-point tickets

• 7-Day JR Pass: USD243 (~S$344)
• Point-to-point tickets:
  • Hakata – Yanagawa – Hakata: [2 x ¥1,630 (~S$20)] = ¥3,260 (~S$40)
  • Hakata – Okayama – Hakata: [2 x ¥12,710 (~S$157)] = ¥25,420 (~S$314)
  • Okayama – Kurashiki – Okayama: [2 x ¥320 (~S$4)] = ¥640 (~S$8)
  • Hakata – Kumamoto – Hakata: 2 x ¥5,130 (~S$63) = ¥10,260 (~S$126)
  • Hakata – Nagasaki – Hakata: [2 x ¥4,710 (~S$58)] = ¥9,420 (~S$116)
  • Hakata – Yufuin: ¥4,550 (~S$56)
  • Yufuin – Beppu: ¥2,450 (~S$30)
  • Beppu – Hakata: ¥5,570 (~S$69)
    • Total: ¥61,570 (~S$759)

Total cost savings : S$759 – S$344 = S$415 with the JR Pass

=

Continue reading Part 4.