So! In!cred!i!bly! beautiful!
When the weather is nice, every photo turns out great. The scenery along the way is lovely, and when you pass through the tunnel, there’s even a little LED light show on the ceiling.
The classic stop in the middle of the high railway bridge goes without saying. Looking down over the gorge is spectacular, and the staff even blow bubbles so everyone can take photos. It feels totally dreamy!
Since it’s designed to let passengers enjoy the views better, it’s completely open-air with no roof. The direct sun can be a bit hot, so be sure to bring sun protection. But honestly, if you’re lucky enough to see this amazing scenery in good weather, a little sun along the way is totally worth it.
Amaterasu Railway | Review by Wen
Other Reviews by Wen
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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 location is incredibly convenient! After dropping off our luggage, we could head straight out to shop in the Tenjin area. Almost everything we wanted was within walking distance, including clothes, glasses, and cosmetics.
The room wasn’t very large since the hotel is downtown, but it was comfortable enough for a good night’s rest. The breakfast buffet had a fantastic selection, and the floor-to-ceiling windows offered beautiful views of the lush garden, making breakfast even more relaxing and enjoyable. -
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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.
The streets and buildings are gorgeous! The charming old-fashioned atmosphere also has a cute touch ❤️ Walking around here is so peaceful and relaxing. Whether you’re by a wall, next to a vintage window frame, or just standing along the street, it’s easy to take beautiful, atmospheric photos. It’s truly a lovely place.
There are also some Attack on Titan collaborations here. I love the anime, so spotting Captain Levi around town and inside the shops was such a fun surprise〜 -
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Mizuki Spring Tour and Strolling the Shrine Town
Aso Shrine has a history of about 2,300 years and is known for Aso’s agricultural rituals, designated as an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Japan. In the shrine town, the Aso Ichinomiya Monzenmachi Shopping Street offers excellent food, including takeout items, sweets, and lunches featuring Akaushi beef, a local Aso specialty, and is bustling every day with worshippers and visitors. As you stroll through the shrine town, you will come across spring water spots called mizuki.
Although we only had limited time on this visit and just took a quick look around, we still saw two or three mizuki spring water spots.
The streets were really pleasant and perfect for a leisurely stroll, coffee, or a snack.
If you have time after visiting Aso Shrine, setting aside some time for the full mizuki spring tour would make for a great travel plan! -
