BobbyJenny's Reviews Page 33/76

While traveling around central Sapporo, the Sapporo Streetcar is a very distinctive way to get around the city. Unlike the subway, it travels slowly along the streets, letting you experience the rhythm of daily life in Sapporo up close.

Once aboard, you can watch the scenery outside the window gradually change, from the lively shopping districts downtown to the quieter atmosphere of residential neighborhoods. The streetcar doesn't move very fast, but that gives you time to really take in the city.

For this trip to Mount Fuji, I chose to take a highway bus from Shinjuku Expressway Bus Terminal (BUSTA Shinjuku), and it was really convenient for independent travelers! BUSTA Shinjuku is right next to Shinjuku Station, so before boarding, you can buy drinks and snacks nearby and then enjoy an easy ride to Mount Fuji.

It was my first time taking this route, and what I looked forward to most was gradually leaving central Tokyo behind and heading toward Mount Fuji. Along the way, the scenery changes from high-rise buildings to more open suburban landscapes. When the weather is good, you may even get to see Mount Fuji from the window. The bus ride itself really feels like part of the trip.

Compared with making multiple train transfers, the highway bus takes you directly to the Mount Fuji area, saving you the trouble of carrying luggage and changing trains. It's very convenient for independent travelers. It's an especially useful transportation option if your itinerary includes places such as Lake Kawaguchi and Fuji-Q Highland.

At Osaka Port, I took a sightseeing cruise aboard the sailboat-style Santa Maria. Seeing Osaka from the water really felt different! The ship was designed after a sailing vessel from the time of Columbus, and its appearance is very striking. It looks impressive even when you're just standing on shore looking at it.

After boarding, you can go out on deck to enjoy the sea breeze as the ship slowly cruises around Osaka Port, with views of the cityscape surrounding the harbor along the way. Instead of constantly walking from one attraction to another, the cruise gives you some time to slow down, sit and enjoy the scenery, and take photos. It feels very relaxing.

The last stop on my Kyushu trip was Fukuoka Airport, and before flying home, I couldn't resist doing a little more shopping! Fukuoka Airport is very close to the city, so getting here from downtown is extremely convenient. You don't have to spend much time in transit, which is a real plus for independent travelers.

Besides the boarding areas and duty-free shops, the airport also has plenty of restaurants, souvenirs, and local Kyushu products. While waiting to board, you can pick up any souvenirs you haven't bought yet. Mentaiko, Hakata ramen, and sweets are all great to take home.

On this trip, I visited Fukuoka, Mojiko, Yufuin, Aso, Beppu, and other places. It wasn't until I was sorting through everything I'd bought at the airport that I realized I'd somehow ended up with another huge pile 😂. Ending the trip by exploring the airport and buying souvenirs also feels like a little travel ritual.

While shopping along Yufuin's Yunotsubo Kaido, I came across KUKUCHI, a shop with a very traditional Japanese atmosphere. The shop itself has a lot of character, and inside you'll find plenty of Yufuin-style sweets and souvenirs. Just browsing the store made it feel like I was really traveling.

I spent my time in Yufuin walking around and trying different foods, and when I saw KUKUCHI's sweets, I couldn't resist stopping to take a look. Everything feels very refined, making it a good choice whether you're buying something for yourself or picking out souvenirs.

We drove to Aso and planned a break at Michi-no-Eki Aso along the way. I didn't expect there to be so much to browse here! Besides being a rest stop, the roadside station sells plenty of local Aso produce, souvenirs, and specialty foods, making it a great place to stock up during a trip.

The simplest thing I picked up this time was a bottle of Aso milk 🥛! Of course, when visiting Aso, you have to try the local milk. It had a rich, milky flavor, went down smoothly, and was especially refreshing cold. It was just right for the drive.

I really like the feel of these roadside stations in Japan. They're not just places to park and rest—you can also browse local products and get a sense of everyday life in the area. The natural scenery around Aso is especially beautiful, and stopping to recharge along the way really adds to the travel experience.

In the Mojiko Retro area, besides the familiar historic buildings, I also came across the distinctive Dalian Friendship Memorial Hall, formerly known as the International Friendship Memorial Library. With its red-brick exterior and pointed roof, the entire building has an international feel and really stands out in the Mojiko neighborhood.

This building was constructed to commemorate the friendly relationship between Kitakyushu and Dalian, China. Its exterior was modeled after Dalian's historic architecture, so alongside the surrounding Western-style buildings, it creates a very distinctive cityscape.

Mojiko Retro in Kitakyushu is definitely worth adding to your itinerary! As soon as you get off the train, you can feel the strong atmosphere of a nostalgic port town. Many historic buildings from the Taisho and Showa periods have been preserved, and walking through the neighborhood feels like stepping back in time.

Strolling slowly along the harbor, you can see distinctive buildings such as Mojiko Station, the Former Osaka Shosen Building, and the Former Moji Mitsui Club, each with its own history. The historic architecture paired with the harbor views looks charming in every photo. You don't even need to search for a special angle to get a good shot 📸

It's also a great place to snack as you walk, browse specialty shops, pick up some souvenirs, and then sit down for a break at a café. Compared with the lively shopping streets of central Fukuoka, Mojiko has a more relaxed and romantic atmosphere.

If you're planning a trip to Kitakyushu, I highly recommend setting aside half a day to explore Mojiko Retro at a leisurely pace! There's no need to rush from one attraction to another. Walking along the harbor, admiring the old buildings, and taking in the historic atmosphere of this port city is truly relaxing.

While in Fukuoka, I stopped by the Fukuoka Art Museum during a walk through Ohori Park. The museum is located inside the park and surrounded by greenery. The walk there through the park was very pleasant, and it felt quite different from a typical museum in the middle of the city.

The museum has a very rich collection, ranging from Japanese to Western art, and the exhibitions change over time. I took my time looking around this visit. Besides enjoying the artwork, I also really liked the museum's simple and comfortable overall design.

After visiting the museum, you can head straight out for a walk in Ohori Park. The lake, trees, and city scenery blend together, making it a very relaxing place for a stroll. If the weather happens to be nice, the entire park is truly beautiful.

In Beppu, I made a special trip to walk around Myoban Onsen, which feels very different from a typical hot spring town. Before even getting close, you can smell a faint sulfur scent, and white steam rises here and there from the hillside. The entire landscape really captures the distinctive character of Beppu's hot springs.

The most distinctive feature of Myoban Onsen is its traditional yunohana huts. These thatched-roof huts are scattered across the hillside, and hot spring steam is used inside to produce yunohana bath salts. With white steam filling the surroundings, it looks like a secluded hot spring retreat from a movie and has a very atmospheric feel.

Walking around this area, you can really feel the character of a hot spring town, with the air full of the smell of sulfur. It's completely different from Yufuin's laid-back, artsy atmosphere. Taking photos and watching the hot spring steam along the way made for a very unique travel experience.