Day 1 – Fukuoka City

 

 

 

 

 

Walking along the Nakasu Food Stalls Street in Fukuoka offers an iconic open-air dining experience right along the scenic banks of the Naka River

 

 

Day 2 – Beppu

Scenic Train to Beppu & A Hidden Dining Gem After breakfast at the Resol Hakata Hotel, we boarded a scenic train to Beppu, passing through the beautiful countryside and bypassing Yufuin. The Grand Mercure Beppu Bay Resort & Spa provided a complimentary shuttle bus from Beppu Station to the hotel at 3:30 PM, making the journey very convenient. For dinner, we wanted something different from the usual hotel dining experience, so we ventured out and discovered a small restaurant tucked away in a quiet alley. We ordered a tempura prawn rice set, and it turned out to be an amazing find. The prawns were crispy, fresh and absolutely delicious—a simple but wonderfully satisfying meal! A hidden gem worth discovering! 🍤

 

 

Originally opened in 1966, it has served for over half a century as the local “kitchen for Beppu citizens,” featuring fresh produce, seafood, and everyday goods.

 

The Grand Mercure Beppu Bay Resort & Spa is a 5-star resort located in Hiji, Oita Prefecture, Japan.

Situated overlooking the scenic Beppu Bay, the hotel is highly regarded for its refreshing seaside atmosphere and relaxing hot spring facilities.

Deciding to avoid the boring hotel buffet, we walked about 15 minutes to the right of our hotel and discovered this unique little restaurant.

Located in a family home, the front of the building looked more like a private residence than a restaurant. Once inside, we were greeted by a warm, homely atmosphere and led to a private room large enough to comfortably seat six people.

Since the standard menu mainly consisted of yakitori dishes, we asked the chef—a young couple—to prepare a special set for us: tempura prawns with rice, octopus, and mixed vegetable tempura.

It was excellent!

 

Day 3 – Beppu – Hells of Beppu

 

 

 

After visiting Lake Kinrin, we noticed a unique, large house right next to the lake. We soon discovered that it was a Japanese-Western restaurant serving beef steaks and pork chops with fries.

The waiter who served us was very clinical and rattled off several recommendations that we didn’t really understand. He did not explain the dishes, their ingredients, or the cooking styles in any detail. It was basically a matter of choosing one dish or another and making a selection.

When the food arrived, it was fairly average, especially considering the price, which was on the high side. The only real highlight was the beautiful view of the lake from where we were seated.

 

A nice little shopping area with about six shops selling tourist souvenirs at typical tourist prices. It’s worth taking a stroll around to browse the shops and see if you can find some unique gifts or keepsakes.

 

A lively and colourful shopping street filled with tempting street-food stalls, souvenir shops, and charming little stores. The aroma of freshly grilled food filled the air, with BBQ king crab legs, Japanese sweets, and other local treats drawing plenty of attention.

We took a leisurely stroll through the street and stopped for a delicious ice cream and coffee break, which was a perfect way to enjoy the lively atmosphere.

We also explored the nearby Floral Village, a charming area packed with colourful themed shops and quirky displays. It was a fun and relaxing place to wander around, browse the unique shops, and soak in the cheerful atmosphere.

 

The Ōita Prefectural Art Museum, also known informally as OpAm, is an art museum and community exhibition venue in Ōita Prefecture, Japan.

The museum is located in the center of the prefectural capital Ōita-shi, a 15-minute walk north-west of Ōita Station

 

Day 4 – Takachiho Gorge / Miyazaki

 

Rather than joining the crowds at the touristy restaurants around Takachiho Gorge, we decided to keep an eye out for somewhere more local. As we made our way along the road, we unexpectedly came across this cosy little family-run restaurant. From the outside, it looked simple and unassuming, but that was exactly what attracted us—it felt like the kind of place where locals would stop for a home-cooked meal.

We ordered the Chicken Nanban Set Meal, a popular local dish. The food was slightly above average—simple, tasty, and satisfying, with generous portions and a very reasonable local price.

What made the experience even better was the excellent service. The warm and attentive hospitality gave the meal a genuinely homely feel, making this unexpected discovery one of the more pleasant dining experiences of the day.

 

Explore Takachiho Gorge

Takachiho Gorge is a narrow, V-shaped volcanic chasm located along the Gokase River in northern Miyazaki Prefecture, Japan.

Basalt Cliffs: Sheer, 80 to 100-meter-high columnar jointed cliffs carved by Mount Aso’s ancient lava flows that resemble dragon scales

 

While driving along the Miyazaki coastline, we unexpectedly came across a place called Stairs of the Sea. At first glance, we thought we had discovered a seafood restaurant, but it turned out to be a large and interesting shopping space filled with all kinds of local Japanese snacks, specialty foods, and souvenirs.

After browsing through the many tempting treats and gifts, we headed towards the back of the shopping area, where we were rewarded with a spectacular view of the Pacific Ocean. The waves were huge and powerful, crashing against the coastline and creating an impressive seaside panorama.

It was an unexpected stop, but definitely worth the visit—not just for the shopping, but also for the beautiful ocean view.

 

While heading towards Miyazaki City and looking for a nice place to stop for dinner, we spotted a simple, homely-looking house with a food banner outside. It didn’t look much like a restaurant, but something about it caught our attention, so we decided to stop and take a look.

To our pleasant surprise, we discovered a cosy little sushi restaurant inside. We ordered four of their best sushi bowls served with rice, and the food was incredibly fresh, beautifully prepared, and delicious.

It turned out to be a fantastic find—an unassuming little place that delivered a wonderful meal. Definitely a place worth trying if you happen to be in the area!

 

Day 5 – Udo Jingu Temple / Kaeda Valley

Udo Shrine is a striking, brightly painted vermilion Shinto shrine set inside a coastal cave on the scenic Nichinan Coast of Miyazaki Prefecture, Japan.

The area is famous for:

• Udo Shrine, built inside a cave overlooking the Hyuga Sea.
• Important sites connected with the Japanese myth of Umisachi and Yamasachi.
• Unique natural formations such as sea caves, wave-cut rocks, Turtle Stone and Milk Rock.
• Oni no Sentakuita (Devil’s Washboard), a distinctive rock formation shaped by waves.

 

A wonderful little restaurant for lunch and one of the highlights of our time in Miyazaki. We ordered the sushi set with crab soup and the pork chop rice set. Everything was incredibly fresh, flavourful, and beautifully prepared.

The crab soup was especially comforting, while the pork chop rice set was hearty and satisfying. The sushi was fresh and delicious, making this one of the best lunches we had during our trip.

Highly recommended for anyone looking for a delicious and satisfying lunch in Miyazaki. Definitely worth a visit!

 

Looking for a quick and simple dinner, we came across this little place near our hotel. The menu featured Japanese fried rice and fried noodles, and we decided to give it a try.

The boss himself cooked the teppanyaki fried noodles right in front of us. Served piping hot on a teppanyaki-style hotplate, the noodles were tasty and full of flavour—definitely better than the fried rice.

It was a simple meal, but freshly cooked, hot, and satisfying. A good find when looking for a casual dinner close to the hotel.

 

Day 6 – Sengan-en Garden / Kagoshima

We had three rounds of Tempura prawns !

 

 

This Japanese restaurant is located near Tenmonkan and offers a selection of traditional Japanese dishes. We ordered the Saga Beef Set and the Pork Chop Rice Set.

The Saga Beef appeared to be thinly sliced and pre-frozen, then cooked on a hot stone at the table. Unfortunately, the beef was only average in taste and quality—about 3/5 in our opinion. The Pork Chop Rice Set was more enjoyable and had better flavour.

One thing to note is that this is a smoking restaurant, so the atmosphere may not be suitable for families with young children or anyone who prefers a smoke-free dining environment.

 

Day 7 – Ferry to Sakurajima Island / Shiroyama Park / Kagoshima

 

Sakurajima is an active composite stratovolcano and iconic symbol of Kagoshima Prefecture in Japan, rising 1,117 meters high in Kinko Bay.

 

As it was an off-peak period, many of the restaurants around the area were closed. This happened to be one of the few places still open—and perhaps the only restaurant we could find at the time—so we decided to give it a try.

We ordered the Japanese curry rice (3/5), fried vegetable noodles (3/5), and fried fish rice set (4/5). The food was decent and satisfying, with the fried fish rice set being the clear favourite.

Overall, it was a comfortable and convenient place for lunch. Nothing particularly outstanding, but when most other restaurants were closed, we were simply happy to find a welcoming place that was open and serving food.

 

Tranquil, seafront park offering a public foot bath, hiking trail with lava fields & a fishing pier

 

Day 8 – Ureshino Onsen

 

 

Siebold-no-Yu is a retro, Gothic-style public bathhouse located in the heart of the Ureshino Onsen hot spring town in Saga Prefecture, Japan.

Name Origin: Named after Philipp Franz von Siebold, a 19th-century German doctor and botanist who visited Ureshino in 1826 and is said to have analyzed the local thermal waters.

Features a striking Taisho-Roman, Gothic-style wooden building with an iconic orange pointed roof and a public gallery. The original structure closed in 1996 and reopened in its current reconstructed building in 2010.

 

 

 

Day 9 – Yanagawa / River Cruise

Need an early breakfast? Head to Joyfull Restaurant in Ureshino, which offers 24-hour service—perfect for early risers or travellers setting off before sunrise.

We ordered toasted bread with ham and a hot dog, as well as tempura prawns with curry rice. Everything was tasty, satisfying, and served at a very reasonable price.

A great option for an early breakfast or late-night meal—good food at a great price!

 

Unagi lunch in Yanagawa, Fukuoka, is famous for Unagi no Seiro-mushi—a local specialty where charcoal-grilled eel and thinly shredded egg are placed over sauce-infused rice and steamed together in a bamboo or wooden box.

 

Suigo Yanagawa Kanko is a traditional 60 to 70-minute river boat tour along the historic Edo-period canals (Horiwari) in Yanagawa, Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan.

Passengers ride in a flat-bottomed wooden vessel called a donko-bune, steered by a local oarsman using a single wooden pole.

The scenic waterway tour navigates through the old castle town’s network of moats, passing historic townscapes, low bridges, and lush foliage.

The oarsman provides Japanese commentary and soothing traditional boat songs during the gentle voyage.

 

Kaiseki is a traditional Japanese multi-course haute cuisine that balances seasonal ingredients, artistic presentation, and refined flavors.

 

Day 10 – Shopping at Fukuoka

 

We were craving Saga Beef for lunch and came across this restaurant, which looked like a good place to give it a try.

We ordered the Saga Beef (4/5), Tempura Rice Set (4/5), and Shabu-Shabu Set (4/5). The Saga Beef was the highlight, grilled on a hot plate and cooked to our preferred level of doneness. It was tender, flavourful, and enjoyable.

The tempura and shabu-shabu were also good, making this a satisfying lunch overall. A good choice if you’re looking to enjoy Saga Beef in the area.

 

 

Music water dance at Canal City Hakata

 

We ordered the ramen with tender slices of pork, and it was delicious—flavourful, comforting, and very satisfying.

The gyoza was small but packed with flavour, with a wonderfully crispy exterior and a juicy, savoury filling inside. It made a great accompaniment to the ramen.

A simple, delicious, and budget-friendly dinner. Definitely a must-try for anyone looking for a tasty meal without spending too much.

 

Our Experience at Minato Onsen Namiha no YuWe recently visited the public onsen at Minato Onsen Namiha no Yu.

The process started with the shoe lockers, which required a 100 yen deposit.

We handed that shoe key over to reception, rented a small towel for an additional 100 yen, and were given a locker key for the changing room.

Once inside the locker room, you strip down completely and secure all your belongings.

Walking into the bath area completely naked can feel a bit vulnerable at first, and it was quite crowded with people of all ages.The indoor baths are fairly simple and on the cooler side.

However, the outdoor area is where the experience really shines.

The very first outdoor pool right outside the main door is the hottest and by far the best bath available.

The rest of the outdoor pools are much tamer and not quite as hot.

 

 

 

Other interesting facts about Japan

Japan historic Periods and timelines

Kyushu relics are primarily traced back to the Yayoi period (c. 300 BC – 300 AD), as the island served as the initial gateway for rice cultivation, metallurgy, and continental influences from Korea.

While inhabitation existed as early as the Jōmon period, the most significant archaeological, agricultural, and structured society remains—such as the Yoshinogari ruins—are from the Yayoi era.

 

Map showing Kyushu on Map of Japan

Kyushu, Japan’s third-largest main island, has a population around 12.5 to 14.3 million, with recent estimates (2024) around 12.77 million, though it’s declining overall due to aging, with Fukuoka prefecture being the most populous and growing, while some areas see migration gains despite natural decline. Key prefectures include Fukuoka, Saga, Nagasaki, Kumamoto, Oita, Miyazaki, and Kagoshima, with Fukuoka being the largest city and economic hub.

 

 

FUKUOKA

Fukuoka Prefecture (福岡県, Fukuoka-ken) is by far the most populous prefecture on the island of Kyushu, and home to the island’s two largest cities, Fukuoka and Kitakyushu. One of its most famous tourist attractions is Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine in Dazaifu.

 

2.00pm : Fukuoka – Hotel Resol Trinity Hakata
Japan, 〒810-0801 Fukuoka, Hakata Ward, Nakasu, 4 Chome−4−10 ホテルリソル博多 1F
Phone: +81 92-282-9269

Top-Floor Public Bath: A quiet, relaxing, and highly rated Japanese-style public hot bath (onsen) is located on the top floor.

 

Fukuoka Nakasu Street food

 

BEPPU
Oita Prefecture (大分県, Ōita-ken) is located on the eastern coast of Kyushu. The prefectural capital is Oita City. The prefecture is famous for its large amount of hot spring waters and popular hot spring resorts, Beppu including and Yufuin.

 

Yufugawa canyon

 

Beppu – Grand Mercure Beppu

 

TAKACHIHO GORGE

The Takachiho Gorge is a narrow gorge formed by the rapid cooling of volcanic basalt columnar rocks after an eruption of the nearby Volcano Mt. Aso many years ago and has been further eroded by the Gokase River.

Together with the beautiful Minainotaki Falls that cascades down 17 meters over the cliffs in the middle of the chasm, it is considered the most beautiful place in Japan. These days you can rent a boat to paddle through the magical chasm yourself.

Beppu to Takachiho Gorge 4 SEPT (THUR.)