Arriving in Beppu at dawn and seeing the steam rising really gives you that Kyushu vibe.
MOL Sunflower (Kansai–Beppu Route) | Review by Chun Liu
Other Reviews by Chun Liu
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MACHI café
LAWSON is a convenience store chain with approximately 14,500 stores across Japan. In addition to selling food and daily necessities, LAWSON also focuses on product development, including freshly brewed in-store coffee and sweets. One of its signature services is MACHI café.
I was pretty surprised that you can still find a bento for under JPY 300 in Japan. The portion isn’t very large, but it’s just right for a simple lunch.
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Tokyo Somei Onsen SAKURA
Located about an eight-minute walk north of either the Toei or JR Sugamo Station, this hidden hot spring retreat features a pure Japanese-style building and garden, with a serene, modern Japanese interior that unfolds within.
I thought this place was super chill! The overall vibe is really relaxing—not like those super touristy spots. It's quieter, clean, and has a nice Japanese feel to it.
They've got outdoor hot springs, spa pools, saunas, and more. There's even a little beauty area for women. My skin felt so smooth after soaking—totally relaxing. The lounge area is comfy too, with spots to grab a drink or a snack.
Getting here is pretty convenient. It's about a 10-minute walk from Sugamo or Komagome Station. I definitely recommend this spot if you're looking for a place to unwind in Tokyo!
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JMSDF Kure Museum
A submarine “Akishio” fulfilled various missions from 1986 to 2004, opens to the public as a museum in JMSDF (Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force) Kure Museum which is called “Iron Whale Museum”. This is the only museum in Japan where you can explore the inside of a submarine used in the past.
The submarine model at the entrance really stands out. Admission to the museum is free, and there are detailed exhibits about torpedoes and underwater mine-clearing operations. You can even go inside the actual submarine to see its interior. It's right next to the Yamato Museum, so you can easily visit both in one trip.
