一個漸漸喜歡上慢旅的人's Reviews Page 9/21

If you're visiting Mojiko, I highly recommend stopping by the historically significant Kyushu Railway History Museum. It's not only a dream destination for railroad enthusiasts, but also a fascinating attraction that even adults can get deeply absorbed in.

The most impressive highlight is the hands-on miniature train experience. The whole setup feels very authentic and lets you fulfill your dream of driving a train. In addition to displaying a variety of classic retired locomotives and the rich history of railway development in Kyushu, the museum also sells many unique railway-themed items and souvenirs. Whether you're visiting as a family or making a pilgrimage as a railroad enthusiast, you can have a fun and rewarding time here filled with surprises.

After taking the ferry from Mojiko, you can head straight to Shimonoseki’s Kamon Wharf as soon as you arrive, where you’ll find a laid-back resort atmosphere. Not only can you see the large pufferfish art installation that represents the area, but there are also all kinds of great shops offering local food and souvenirs.

Strolling along the comfortable wooden boardwalk in the sea breeze, you can easily walk to the neighboring Karato Market while enjoying the pleasant scenery along the way. I especially recommend buying a Japanese soft-serve ice cream and enjoying it on a bench by the waterfront while taking in the harbor views. Just stay alert while eating so the watchful seagulls nearby don’t snatch it away. This is definitely a great place for a walk and to shop for unique souvenirs.

It takes less than ten minutes by ferry from the Mojiko pier to reach Karato Market in Shimonoseki, a city famous from history textbooks for the Treaty of Shimonoseki. As soon as you disembark, the market right by the harbor greets you with the atmosphere of a local port town.

Travelers who enjoy an in-depth experience of local life definitely shouldn't miss this place. The market is filled with lively vendors calling out and an impressive array of fresh seafood, while all kinds of nigiri sushi and sashimi will make your mouth water (be sure to check the business hours in advance so you don't arrive when it's closed). Besides enjoying freshly caught seafood on the first floor, there are also market restaurants on the second floor serving piping-hot, authentic seafood dishes. When you get tired of walking around, head upstairs for a meal, then finish with a rich, creamy ice cream for a perfectly relaxing afternoon. Shimonoseki has far fewer tourists, so it's very comfortable and ideal for travelers who enjoy wandering around.

Although I still haven’t had a chance to attend the famous Yamakasa Festival, a visit to Kushida Shrine in downtown Hakata lets you see the spectacular festival floats up close. It’s very easy to get there from Hakata Station. The moment you step into the shrine, it feels as though you’ve left the noise behind and entered another world—solemn, peaceful, and serene.

The renowned Hakata Gion Yamakasa, held every July, is one of Kyushu’s major festivals. If, like me, you haven’t had the chance to experience the festival in person, you can still visit the shrine throughout the year and see a huge, magnificent decorative float towering before you. The design changes to a different theme each year, and the intricate craftsmanship is breathtaking.

After visiting Kushida Shrine, I highly recommend walking to the nearby Daitoen yakiniku restaurant to try Hakata’s famous grilled meat cuisine. It serves unforgettable, top-quality Saga beef and is also a well-known restaurant visited by many celebrities when they come to Hakata. Combining a shrine visit and prayers with yakiniku is a classic itinerary in downtown Hakata and well worth it.

For first-time visitors to Fukuoka, I highly recommend staying near JR Hakata Station. Not only is transportation convenient and the trip to the airport incredibly quick, but the area also brings together plenty of places to eat, drink, shop, and have fun, making Hakata travel increasingly popular in recent years.

Inside JR Hakata Station, there is a dedicated souvenir street offering many of Kyushu’s most iconic specialties. My top recommendation is definitely Yumeyume-dori, which can only be enjoyed locally in Japan. It’s served cold, has an addictive texture, and is a real treat with a drink. There’s also Josuian’s Tsukushi Mochi, which has a texture similar to warabi mochi and is sweet without being overwhelming, as well as the popular Kayanoya dashi packets. All kinds of must-buy items are available, satisfying all your shopping needs in one place.

Besides souvenirs, the station’s shopping complex is also connected to the extremely popular Daichi no Udon, a well-loved local restaurant. This simple little place is always packed. If, like me, you enjoy following the locals to try authentic food, you definitely shouldn’t miss this unassuming yet impressive dish!

For this trip to Kyushu, I specifically chose to stay near Hakata Station and happened to catch the annual Hikari no Machi Hakata event, held for a limited time from early November through the end of December. The dazzling sea of lights makes the entire station plaza feel incredibly magical, and together with the lively and welcoming market, it’s perfect for an evening stroll in the cool weather and offers a completely different romantic atmosphere from the daytime. You can also try mulled wine at the Christmas market, which has a very distinctive flavor.

Hakata is full of energy during the day, but this spectacular nighttime display of light and shadow is just as wonderful. It’s definitely a captivating night view that shouldn’t be missed when visiting Hakata.

Over the past year or two, Fukuoka has become a new favorite travel destination, so many well-known restaurants now have long lines. This time, I made a point of visiting Ganso Hakata Mentaiju in the early evening before peak hours. Not only was the dining atmosphere comfortable, but I could also take my time enjoying Hakata's famous mentaiko. Besides the signature rice bowl topped with a whole piece of mentaiko, what impressed me most was the dipping noodles. The rich flavor had me hooked after just one try.

Also, don't miss the lesser-known pudding for dessert. Although not many people mention it, its delicate, silky-smooth texture is unforgettable. After a filling meal, you can take a walk to the nearby Former Fukuoka Prefectural Public Hall Guest House. Since it was late November, the streets were already decorated with dazzling, romantic Christmas lights. Hakata's cityscape was incredibly charming on the slightly chilly evening, making it a perfect experience of food and strolling around.

Before setting out, I thought this was an activity meant for kids, but unexpectedly, the adults in our group were just as captivated. Since we were staying in Beppu, we took a bus from the station for about an hour to reach Kyushu Natural Animal Park. If you’re not driving, like me, I recommend buying a package that includes admission and the bus fare from the tourist information center at the station. It’s both convenient and a good value.

The first thing you should do when you arrive is head straight over to reserve a time slot for the popular Jungle Bus feeding experience. While you wait, you can visit the adorable small animal area or the warm and relaxing cat house in the park.

Once I actually boarded the Jungle Bus and ventured deep into the large animal area, the excitement was beyond description. Watching lions, tigers, and giraffes stride over to be fed, and even getting sprayed with saliva by an elephant up close, were astonishing experiences I’ll never forget. This animal kingdom truly exceeded my expectations, and both adults and children can enjoy it. I recommend that animal lovers come experience it for themselves.

Located at the end of Yunotsubo Street, SNOOPY Chaya is a dream destination that Snoopy fans visiting the area definitely shouldn’t miss.

Not only can you find a dazzling selection of unique souvenirs that are so cute you won’t want to put them down, but best of all, each SNOOPY Chaya location across Japan offers its own exclusive items, making them highly collectible. In addition to shopping, the cafe also serves beautifully presented meals and afternoon tea, making it a great place to sit down and catch your breath when you’re tired from shopping.

It’s not just the items inside that are irresistible. The facade, which blends traditional Japanese architecture with Snoopy elements, is also incredibly photogenic. The moment you step inside, you’re completely surrounded by a soothing atmosphere. If you want to avoid the crowds, I recommend visiting around 3 or 4 p.m. for a more comfortable experience.

Stroll along the lively Yunotsubo Street, and you’ll eventually arrive at Yufuin Floral Village, which feels like a fairytale wonderland. Modeled after the famous traditional villages of England’s Cotswolds, it perfectly recreates the cream-colored stone cottages and lush greenery of the English countryside.

As soon as you reach the entrance, you’ll see adorable red squirrels and owls warmly welcoming visitors from around the world. Although the village is small and charming, as you wander through it, you’ll find one uniquely designed themed shop after another tucked away inside. Whether they sell Japanese-style goods, anime merchandise, or cute, comforting items, every shop is full of surprises, making you want to slow down and carefully explore this fairytale-like English street. It’s a little place for taking photos and enjoying a romantic atmosphere from another country.