Kinrin Lake | Review by PEIYU

JR KYUSHU RAIL PASS

The JR KYUSHU RAIL PASS is a great-value rail pass offered by JR Kyushu for international visitors. It provides unlimited travel on JR lines throughout Kyushu-including local trains, limited express trains, and even the Kyushu Shinkansen. You can choose from 3-, 5-, or 7-day passes, and select the area that suits your itinerary: Northern Kyushu, Southern Kyushu, or All Kyushu.

• Kyushu Region
• Tickets & Passes

I have a lot to say about this. I originally booked the Aso Boy!, but because of the rain, the streetcar was moving super slowly and I missed it. I got into a huge argument with my friend, and I even squatted on the ground and cried.
I really hate it when things don’t go according to my plan. It was also my first time planning a trip by myself. I know plans can’t always keep up with changes, but when it completely falls through, I just feel like everything is ruined.
Maybe I had also built up too much stress... because some of the earlier parts of the trip had already changed too, so I kind of had a meltdown haha.
But then my friend immediately booked the Yufuin no Mori. I got on the train very unwillingly, though I had already planned to stay in Yufuin for one night.
I mean, I really wanted to go see Beppu, and I wanted to see the decorations on the Aso Boy! too. That dog must have been so cute...

Well, my friend bought me ice cream, so I had no choice but to forgive him.

Namba Yasaka Shrine

”Namba Yasaka Shrine”, located in the Namba area of Minami in Osaka, is a historic shrine said to have been founded during the reign of Emperor Nintoku (313-399).

• Osaka
• Shrines & Temples

I really wanted to come here, and I even kept asking the tour guide along the way. I just happened to run into a tour leader from Taiwan too lol.

By the time I got there, the other gates had already been closed, and I was so sad... My cousin even laughed at me, and my mom told me to just give up.

But!

I wouldn’t give up, so I walked all around and finally managed to get in. There were only three minutes left before closing.

I was just about to take pictures, but there was already an older staff member trying to usher people out.
At that moment, an Indian family asked me to take a photo for them, and right after I finished, the staff member said no more photos...

I really wanted to take pictures too... *sob*
And I really wanted to buy an omamori.

But thankfully, I did get to see it!
And honestly, that already made me really happy at the time lol.

Yokai Art Museum

Located in the "Maze Town" area, with its irregular narrow streets near the popular Shodoshima tourist spot "Angel Road," the Yokai Art Museum is a complex of four galleries that utilize old buildings to exhibit yokai art.

• Kagawa
• Museums

I was actually just passing by, but if you’ve seen that I went to Kitaro, you probably already know I’m really into yokai and that whole genre lol.
I especially love Junji Ito’s art style.
It just feels so weird in the best way. Is that a personal fetish? lol
I think I even got a capsule toy at a nearby shop.
I honestly can’t remember whether I actually went into the merchandise-only section, or maybe it was just a store.
That day I was so worried there wouldn’t be a ferry back to Takamatsu, so I was rushing around and didn’t dare wander too much haha.
What I really liked was that even without going inside, the whole exterior was done so well.
It made me go wow, I really want to check it out.
It definitely has that kind of pull.