Whenever friends come to Fukuoka to visit me, they rent a car to drive to Yufuin—and the first thing they do is set the GPS to the Oita Expressway .When I see that, I usually say: “You’re missing the real treasure.” As someone who’s settled in Fukuoka, I spend my days off exploring the prefectural borders. And honestly, compared to a predictable expressway drive, National Route 210 , stretching across Fukuoka and Oita, is where Kyushu’s scenery really shines. I’ve “conquered”

I used to think the Huis Ten Bosch “Kyushu’s Biggest Fireworks Festival” (九州一 大花火まつり) was simple: buy a ticket, sit down, wait for the show, go home. After actually doing it, I realized the experience gap isn’t about how much you spend—it’s about whether you can control friction costs : crowd pressure, walking distance, time spent holding a spot, exit flow, and energy loss. If any one of those goes wrong, “dreamy” turns into “endurance mode.” The good news: make the right cal

I built my Yakushima schedule with a “hard first, soft later” rhythm: finish the main objective (Jomon Sugi) in one decisive push on Day 2, use Day 3 (Shiratani Unsuikyo) to reset both body and mood, then spend Day 4 cycling a half-loop to store the island’s everyday texture into memory. The last day is reserved purely for leaving the island—so the trip doesn’t end as a scramble. Quick Navigation Day 1 | Fukuoka → Yakushima: Front-load the Risks Day 2 | Jomon Sugi (Arakawa Ro

I’ve been in Fukuoka on a working holiday  for a while now. Living in Japan sounds dreamy—and it is—but after enough days of working nonstop and constantly budgeting to save money, fatigue inevitably sets in. A few weeks ago, I finally managed to line up several days off. This time, I decided not to travel like a “budget backpacker,” but to treat myself a little better . The plan was simple: head to neighboring Oita Prefecture , stop by Hita  to visit the Attack on Titan  pil

Escape the Tourist Noise If you think Kyushu’s autumn is only about Lake Kinrin in Yufuin, you may be missing the most breathtaking night of the season. In November, I originally planned to squeeze into Yufuin with everyone else for a roll cake. Then a local friend told me, “If you want to see a real Japanese autumn night—go to Hita .” Hita, often called “Kyushu’s Little Kyoto,”  hosts a two-day candle festival every year on the second weekend of November : Sennen Akari (千年あか

My first impression of Beppu was not comfort, but presence . Shortly after arrival, a faint sulfur smell followed me, while white steam rose from street corners, walls, and rooftops, as if the city were constantly exhaling. Beppu felt “unhealthy” —not in a negative sense, but like a body with a persistent low-grade fever, continuously steaming, always in motion. For a 2-day, 1-night trip to Beppu, most travelers try to cram all seven hells into one day. After walking the rout

For most visitors to Fukuoka, Dazaifu Tenmangu  is a daytime destination—crowded shopping streets, lines for umegae mochi , and students praying for academic success.Yet if you visit in late September, I strongly recommend experiencing Dazaifu after dark . Around the autumn equinox (September 20–25), Dazaifu hosts its most important annual ritual: the Shinko-shiki Grand Festival (Jinkōshiki Taisai) . Recognized as an Intangible Folk Cultural Asset of Fukuoka Prefecture, the f

Yutoku Inari Shrine → Ouo Shrine’s Sea Torii → Kaidomaru Seafood BBQ → Karatsu Kunchi Festival (No-Car, Real-World Travel Diary) A no-car travel diary from my working-holiday days in Japan: a day and a half from Fukuoka into Saga—Yutoku Inari Shrine’s striking vermilion “floating” hall, Ouo Shrine’s three sea torii that transform with the tide, a standout seafood BBQ lunch at Kaidomaru, and an unforgettable night at Karatsu Kunchi (Karatsu’s autumn festival). Honest notes on

Why try onsen in Japan? Most travel content describes an onsen from a “nice experience” perspective: warm water, mountain views, and a relaxing vibe. That’s true—but it’s not the real reason an onsen becomes one of the most memorable parts of a Japan trip. The real reason is practical: an onsen is Japan’s built-in recovery system . It lowers the friction of travel—after long walking days, ski days, train days, and cold-weather days—by giving your body and brain a fast reset.

Japanese hot springs (onsen) are relaxing, but they follow a clear set of manners designed to keep the baths clean, quiet, and comfortable for everyone. Rules can vary by facility, so always follow posted signs—especially regarding tattoos and photography. 1) Before You Enter the Bath Area Pay attention to gender-separated entrances : Most onsen are separated into men’s and women’s baths. Look for: 男 (Otoko)  = Men 女 (Onna)  = Women Remove shoes : You usually leave shoes at t

For your first remote-work trip to Fukuoka, most people focus on the basics: “Is the Wi-Fi fast?” and “Is the bed comfortable?” After stepping on a few landmines myself, I realized three things matter more: Can you work steadily? Can you sleep well? Can you stay comfortable on a reasonable budget?  Hostels are great for saving money, but not every hostel is remote-work friendly. Some have beautiful common areas that are simply too noisy. Some are convenient, but the nightlife

A 10-Dimension Comparison of Tokyo, Osaka, and Fukuoka For many people, the first time working remotely in Japan begins with excitement about freedom—only to be weighed down by problems they did not anticipate.The first to collapse is often pace and focus . Time-zone meetings, the distractions of an unfamiliar city, and an unoptimized daily routine can quickly fragment deep work. Budget pressure  is another major factor: rent, transportation, and food costs are often higher t

1. Clarifying the Terminology First: Which System Covers Which Routes? For first-time visitors to Fukuoka, the most confusing part of transportation is not how  to ride, but who operates what .In practice, transportation in Fukuoka can be divided into three major systems: JR (intercity / Kyushu-wide travel) Fukuoka City Subway (urban backbone) Nishitetsu (city buses + Dazaifu direction) Once you clearly understand the role of each system, choosing the right transportation pa

Introduction: Fukuoka’s “Dual-Core” Dilemma — Choosing Between Efficiency  and Atmosphere Fukuoka is exceptionally beginner-friendly. Few major cities in the world offer such proximity between airport and downtown: from Fukuoka Airport, it takes approximately 5 minutes by subway to Hakata  and around 11 minutes to Tenjin . There is virtually no “arrival friction” after landing. The real challenge begins at the booking stage. Most first-time visitors find themselves torn betwe