Fukuoka Airport
Fukuoka Airport is located in Hakata Ward, Fukuoka City, and is known for its exceptional access to the city center-just about 5 minutes by subway to Hakata Station and around 11 minutes to Tenjin. Its convenience makes it a major gateway for both tourism and business travel.
After the renovation, Fukuoka Airport has become quite nice, with many more restaurants, shops, and souvenir stores. Travelers can enjoy food and browse around while waiting for their flights.
Nishitetsu Grand Hotel
Nishitetsu Grand Hotel has been representing Fukuoka City since its foundation in 1969. It is located on the corner of Meiji dori and Tenjin Nishi dori, very close to the Tenjin subway station. A door man welcomes guests at the entrance and the hotel has a sophisticated and dignified atmosphere.
The hotel is located in the bustling Tenjin area, so you can return to the hotel to rest when you're tired from shopping. The room was more spacious than I expected and very comfortable. There were also many breakfast options, including distinctive Japanese dishes, which were really great. This really is my first choice for a hotel when visiting central Fukuoka.
Canal City Hakata
On the vast 43,500m² premises, a shopping mall, movie complex, theater, amusement park and two hotels cluster. Its symbol, a 180m-long canal, crosses along the center of the space lined with colorful buildings.
Canal City Hakata is really great for exploring! It's huge inside and brings together shopping, dining, and entertainment, so you won't get bored even if you spend the whole day there.
My favorite part was the canal design in the center. There are also light and fountain shows at night, and the atmosphere is great.
Mameda Town
Hita City, neighboring Fukuoka and Kumamoto, was a prosperous “Tenryo (directly ruled by the Shogunate)” merchant town in Edo Period. The city is still dotted by classic buildings and earthen walls, which earned the nickname “Little Kyoto in Kyushu.” Roughly a 15-minute walk from Hita train station will take you to Mameda Town, where houses of merchants still remain who were providing goods to the Shogunate during the Tenryo Era.
It has a charming old-fashioned feel, and walking down the streets, you can really feel the atmosphere of the Edo period. The old houses, traditional shops, and streetscapes are all well preserved, making it pleasant to stroll around and take photos at a leisurely pace.
It's not as crowded as major tourist areas, and the pace is very relaxed. You can browse the small shops, buy some souvenirs, and get a feel for local life. Although the area isn't large, it's very
Nabegataki Park
With a drop of Approx. 10 m and a width of Approx. 20 m, this wide waterfall captivates visitors with its enveloping sound of water and its beautiful, transparent veil-like appearance.
Nabegataki Falls is really unique. I was impressed the first time I saw it! Unlike typical waterfalls that drop from a great height, the water flows like a curtain over the rock face, creating beautiful patterns of light and shadow when the sun shines on it. As you approach the waterfall, you can feel the mist and cool breeze. The whole setting is very comfortable and soothing.
Tsuetate Onsen
Tsuetate Onsen, nestled along the Tsuetate River in Aso District, Kumamoto Prefecture, is known as Kyushu's inner parlor. Its history dates back 1,800 years, with legends tracing its origin to being the first bath for the child who would become Emperor Ojin. The waters here are a mix of weak alkaline simple springs and chloride springs. They are also rich in metasilicic acid, which enhances the therapeutic effects of the hot springs, leaving the skin smooth and moisturized after bathing.
Tsuetate Onsen is a hot spring town with a lot of character. It doesn't have much of the commercialized hustle and bustle, and walking through the streets, you can really feel the old-town atmosphere. Strolling along the river, seeing the traditional inns on both sides and the hot spring steam rising, it truly feels like a Japanese hot spring town. The pace here is very relaxed, making it perfect for slowing down, exploring, soaking in the hot springs, and enjoying the tranquility of the mountains. Although the area isn't large, every corner has its own character. It's a relaxing little place that's worth spending time at.
Takachiho Gorge
Takachiho Gorge is a narrow v-shaped chasm made over thousands of years by the Gokase River’s erosion of Mt. Aso’s volcanic rock. This spectacular place is surrounded by cliffs that average 80 meters in height (reaching up to 100 meters) and extend along for 7 kilometers. Takachiho Gorge has been designated as a National Place of Scenic Beauty.
The first time I saw Takachiho Gorge, I was amazed by the scenery. The rock walls on both sides, clear stream, and waterfall come together to showcase the beauty of nature.
Walking slowly along the trail with the mountain breeze blowing felt very pleasant, and the whole setting was quiet and relaxing. Although it's a bit far, seeing the beautiful scenery in person made it feel well worth the trip. It's a highly recommended spot on a trip to Miyazaki.
AMU PLAZA Kumamoto
A large multi-purpose complex directly connected to JR Kumamoto Station, this 9-story building stands out as a landmark worthy of Kumamoto’s gateway.
It's right next to Kumamoto Station, so it's very convenient to get to. There are lots of clothing stores, variety shops, restaurants, and souvenir shops inside. It's comfortable to walk around and doesn't feel as overwhelming as a large department store.
When you get tired of shopping, you can stop at one of the many restaurants for a meal. I especially like browsing here along with Kumamoto Station. It's convenient for shopping, eating, and waiting for your train. If you're traveling to Kumamoto and passing through the station, I highly recommend setting aside some time to walk around and browse.
Nagabeta Kaishoro
The row of utility poles standing in the sea creates a mysterious and almost otherworldly sight, making it one of Kumamoto Prefecture’s most famous photo spots on social media today.
It's a small but distinctive attraction. It was my first time seeing a row of utility poles in the sea, and it really felt special, like a scene from a movie.
The views at low tide and high tide are completely different. It's especially beautiful in the evening when the sunset reflects on the water, making it a great place to take memorable photos.
Dolphin Watching Reservation Center (Amakusa City, Kumamoto)
A dolphin-watching tour set in the waters of Amakusa Itsuwa, home to around 150 wild Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins.
The activity I was looking forward to most was dolphin watching, and after experiencing it, I really thought it was worth it! Not long after heading out by boat, we saw several groups of dolphins. They would occasionally leap out of the water and swim alongside the boat, much closer than I expected. Seeing them in person was incredibly exciting—the impact is something photos and videos just can't capture. The captain was also very experienced and would slow down so everyone could take their time watching. The boat didn't keep chasing the dolphins, which made me feel that they really respected the dolphins' natural habitat.
