TheExplorer

Hi readers!
It has been a while I did not update this website.
How are you? Have you considered your trip to Japan?

As you already realized, Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto are the cities that is quite popular by international tourists.

Flight tickets from abroad to this area is quite expensive.

In that situation, I would like to recommend you to explore another destination in Japan.

Have you heard about Kagoshima?

Kagoshima is a prefecture that is located in southern Kyushu.

The prefecture is popular with their fresh and delicious food and alcohol.

In the past, James Bond -007 movies “you only live twice” recorded some scene in one of the city in this prefecture.

The problem is how to reach this area?

To enjoy Kyushu, I recommend you to book tickets flight by using Singapore airlines.

Ticket to Kyushu Island via Fukuoka is quite affordable (around 600 dollar).

After you arrived at Fukuoka international airport, you can continue your Journey by using Bus or Shinkansen (using JR Kyushu Pass) to various prefectures in Kyushu.

Since in this post I mentioned about Kagoshima, in case you have JR pass Kyushu, you can ride Shinkansen for around one half hours from Hakata station to Kagoshima Chuo station. Once you arrived at that station, you will see the beautiful Sakurajima.

Okay then, you have been in Kagoshima, then what you can do?

Various list you can do depending on which season you come. Generally you can enjoy

1. Kagoshima aquarium

2. Eating Shirakuma Kakigori

3. Enjoying Swirling Somen Nagasi

4. Sand bath Sauna / Onsen

5. Enjoying Mud Onsen

6. Enjoying spectacular Onsen with beautiful views

And many more. Things to be noted, this prefecture is not over crowded like Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto. If you like the to know Japan hidden gems this is the good place.

I will write part 2 article about some activities in Kagoshima.

While waiting my post, you can enjoy to check my social media reporting about interesting place in the world.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by The explorer (@theexplorerjp)

//www.instagram.com/embed.js

Hi everyone, Happy new year 2024.

have you purchased the ticket for traveling in Japan?

I heard that the end of 2023 and the beginning of 2024 is a good time to visit Japan because the value of Japanese yen toward USD is still low.

So if you get bored to just traveling around Tokyo, why dont to try to have a trip to Kyushu Island?

I am not sure it is easy to fine Unagi or eel in your origin country.

or have you try to eat unagi in your life?

if you never eat Unagi in your life, or if you are an Unagi Lover, I recommend you to visit this restaurant.

Sueyoshi is a shop that located in the down town of Kagoshima. To be précised it is around Tenmonkan.

But things I need to remind you, if you want to come here, please dont come in empty stomach, because probably there will be along line in front of the shop.

But trust me the taste of the eel in this shop is realy really delicious.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/t94kWz6JCZsFPJzt5

So, I just did exploration to the west Fukuoka.
There is a popular tourist attraction, called Futamigaura (or Sakurai Futamigaura or Chikuzen Futamigaura).

Sakurai Futamigaura in Itoshima City (Fukuoka perfecture), has been selected as one of Japan’s top 100 sunset views and Japan’s top 100 beaches, is famous for its two huge married couple rocks that connected by shimenawa ropes and the torii gate that stands above them.

To access this place, from Tenjin or Hakata, you need to take subway/train to Kyudaigakentoshi station (budget 530 yen (from Hakata)) .
After that you need to take Showa bus from Kyudaigakkentoshi to Futamigaura bus stop (budget 730 yen).
From 3 to 4 bus stops before futamigaura, there are some food stalls.
If you are interested with those foods, you can stop there and continue to go to Futamigaura by walking.

If you are interested to visit this place, I recommend you to come with your parner and close to sunset time. You gonna feel romantic ambiance.

Don’t forget to try the ice cream that available at the shop nearby.

enjoy..

for other exploration, you can follow my SNS at

https://www.instagram.com/theexplorerjp/

Since Fukuoka is located in the north area of Kyushu Island, traveling to the south will give an interesting sensation.

You can grab your bag and pay for the bus ticket for 4500 yen to arrive at Kagoshima, where the southern part of Kyushu prefecture is located.

Book the ticket from https://www.highwaybus.com/gp/index

The Journey from Fukuoka to Kagoshima is approximately 4 hours, so enjoy ur trip and buy some souvenirs in every resting area.

The most southern part of Kyushu Island, Cape Sata.

The one with red pin is where the location of Cape Sata, Japan

Breathtaking scenery of Cape Sata, Japan

You can see Kaimondake from Cape Sata

Hi!

If this is the first time for you to purchase your train ticket via internet,

and your Japanese is so awful, maybe this post can help you.

Lets say you would like to print your booked ticket (shinkansen) in Hakata station.

What you need to do is just go find the ticket machine in Hakata.

Don’t go to the ticket counter, because there is a long queue there.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by The explorer (@theexplorerjp)

Also, don’t forget to bring the credit card/debit card that you used when you purchase this ticket.

put your card into the machine, press the english button, press reserve button and some steps.. after waiting for awhile, you can get your ticket.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by The explorer (@theexplorerjp)

Dear readers!

if you read my previous article on the summer holiday, there is one thing I would like to tell you.

JR Kyushu pass can not be used by residents anymore.

Only a person with a tourist visa can use this ticket.

So, don’t forget to keep doing hard work for accommodating your desire to travel anywhere.

https://www.jrkyushu.co.jp/english/railpass/index.html

What makes us who we are? let’s explore it.

Finally, after almost 2 years, Japan is opening its border.

Bunches of people start to consider having a trip to Japan.

Some of you maybe already booked a flight ticket to Japan, but still not booked the hotel yet.

After this pandemic, maybe the traveling references inside this country gonna be different.

So, what should you prepare?

I hope this article can be the answer to your worry.

This is the summary of my experience guiding 2 visitors to Japan after this pandemic.

First question: Where/ what is the recommended accommodation?

You can use Airbnb apps if you visit Japan with more than 2 people (e.g Family trips) or book a hotel from booking.com if you travel solo to Japan.

Let’s say that you are going to have 2 week’s trip to Japan.

Average the accommodation that you can book in a day is around 7000 yen. (well, maybe there are some cheaper accommodations, but you should consider that the covid19 is still not finished yet. considering an accommodation that supports covid prevention will be good for your own shake. I think backpacker tips are not a good idea for the current situation.

How about the food? is it better to find a hotel that provides breakfast or not?

Based on my experience, in the current situation, the hotel needs to follow covid rules. even if u try to wake up in the morning, u gonna have to wait in the queue because a lot of people also wanna eat but need to follow covid rules. So, I suggest you buy your own food in a convenience store. or if you choose to use Airbnb, cooking your own food is highly recommended.

How much does the meal cost in Japan?

You can prepare a budget for 1000 yen/meal.

How much does transportation cost in Japan?

Wow if u decide to use an UBER taxi, it’s quite pricey, but convenient, especially if you do a family trip (because it is not based on per person but based on distance). Let’s say a trip from Fukuoka international airport to Hakata, you gonna spend 1470 yen for this trip. But if you ride Subway, it will be priced at 300 yen per person.

So that is the basic cost per person that you need if you want to travel to Japan.

Hotel = 7000 yen

Meal = 3000 Yen

Transportation = 600 yen(return, if you use train)

One-day budget : total = 10600 yen

For two weeks, you need: 148,400 yen

This calculation can be applied all over Japan, and of course, u can adjust this budget template based on your own pocket.

So, during this obon holiday, I decided to explore around Kyushu.

Still, by using JR kyushu pass, I have a chance to ride on the legendary Yufuin no mori train.

Before I ride this train, I was hopeless, because I did not reserve the ticket by online. But in Tosu station, I decided to ask the staff, is it possible for me to ride on Yufuin no mori? and they said yes. So, I reserve the ticket, by using the privilege of Jr kyushu pass without any additional payment. yeay!!

Yufuin no mori is a limited express train that is usually used from Hakata to Oita. Unlike other trains, on this train, we need to reserve a seat first, and then we can buy and eat on the train. They sell special menus that are only available on board.

Because I was curious, about how the food on board tastes, so I ordered short of the vegetarian menu and Yufuin cider. The total price I spent eating on this train is around 920 yen (bento +cider).

To be honest, this train is the most elegant train that I have ever ridden in Japan. You can see what inside the train feels like by clicking the link below :

After almost 3 hours, I finally arrive at Yufuin station. Yeah, the journey is that far!

I did not spend time for a long time there, because there were too many people and I don’t have any idea where to go. Actually, Yufuin is popular with its onsen. But due to a lot of people coming, and the price of onsen being quite expensive (for me, one hour is 2000 yen!), I did not enjoy their onsen for this time.

I bought their popular karaage (chicken plus chili and chicken with short of lemon) and the total price is 1100 yen for two pieces of karaage.

After feeling satisfied looking at the surrounding Yufuin station, I decided to go back. But before going back, I also buy some omiyage. This time I bought Oita oolong tea. The price of this Oita oolong tea is around 550 yen (a little forget the exact price).

Anyway, if you are interested to visit Yufuin, I would like you to consider bringing your friend who understands Japanese. Because to be honest, not many English translation or English-speaking staff in this area.