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.
JR KYUSHU RAIL PASS | Review by PEIYU
Other Reviews by PEIYU
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Kinrin Lake
Kinrin Lake is one of many popular tourist spots in the hot springs town of Yufuin. The lake sits under Mt. Yufu and as such was called takemoto-no-ike (lit. “lake under the mountain”) for years. However, it was renamed to Kinrin, or “golden scales”, by Mori Kuso in 1884 when he saw the golden glimmering scales of fish as they swam at sunset.
I was supposed to happily welcome my 22nd birthday here, but I was really unhappy.
There was morning mist, but it honestly didn’t look good at all.
It’s just a lake. I really don’t know why it’s so popular.
I was so upset. I hadn’t slept all night and was super excited for it, so being this disappointed first thing in the morning really got to me... I even stayed here for a night on purpose, and it took almost half an hour to walk here in the freezing cold...
Maybe I just came at the wrong time. -
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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).
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. -
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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.
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. -
