Day 8: Fukuoka - Kushida Shrine, Tochoji Temple, teamLab Forest Fukuoka, Souvenir shopping. On the final day of our Kyushu self-drive trip, we took time to explore Fukuoka, a vibrant and historical city that's perfect for travelers who want to blend cultural sightseeing with a touch of modern excitement. We returned our rental car, opting to use public transport to experience the city at a relaxed pace. Fukuoka has an efficient subway and bus system, making it easy to navigate even if you … [Read more...]
DIY Japan – 8D7N Kyushu Self-Drive Trip (Part 4: Yanagawa 柳川 & Itoshima 糸島)
Day 6: Donkubune Canal Ride (Yanazawa), Tenmangu Shrine, Itoshima. Day 6 took us through the picturesque rural landscapes of Kyushu, beginning with a straightforward 1.5-hour drive from Kumamoto to Yanagawa 柳川(岡山県). Our first stop was the charming town of Yanagawa, where we enjoyed the Donkubune Canal Ride —an experience we prebooked through a local website. Drifting down the tranquil canals lined with traditional Japanese homes, our boatman entertained us with local music and shared … [Read more...]
DIY Japan – 8D7N Kyushu Self-Drive Trip (Part 3: Mount Aso 阿蘇火山)
Day 5: Mt. Aso, Helicopter Ride, Kusarenri Observatory, Mt. Aso Museum, Daikanbo Observatory. Journey to Mount Aso: A Scenic Adventure Today’s drive to Mount Aso is an exhilarating adventure, characterized by a series of steep hairpin turns over a 1.5-hour journey. This drive can be quite challenging, especially for those unfamiliar with mountain roads, so we strongly recommend that drivers ensure they are well-rested the night before embarking on this … [Read more...]
DIY Japan – 8D7N Kyushu Self-Drive Trip (Part 2: Kumamoto 熊本 & Takachiho Gorge 高千穂峡)
Day 3: Nagasaki to Kumamoto, Kumamoto Castle, Josaien, Shimotori Shopping Arcade. On Day 3 of our journey, we departed from Nagasaki and embarked on a 1.5-hour drive to Kumamoto. Kumamoto is significantly larger than Nagasaki and has a vibrant atmosphere which reminded us of bustling Sapporo. Hotel: We chose REF Kumamoto by VESSEL HOTELS, a modern, contemporary hotel in the heart of Kumamoto city, adjacent to Shimotori Shopping Arcade. We had slight difficulty locating the hotel carpark at … [Read more...]
DIY Japan – 8D7N Kyushu Self-Drive Trip (Part 1: Nagasaki 長崎)
After a five-year hiatus, we found ourselves back in Japan to celebrate our 25th Wedding Anniversary. We decided to avoid the bustling cities of Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka (in Honshu) and embarked on an 8-day, 7-night self-drive, free and easy adventure across the tranquil landscapes of Kyushu which took us through Nagasaki 長崎, Kumamoto 熊本, Mount Aso 阿蘇火山, Yanagawa 柳川, Itoshima 糸島, and Fukuoka 博多. We enjoyed the casual vibes of Kyushu while taking-in the splendour of nature. We will … [Read more...]
Hokkaido Hotel Review – Hinode Hills Niseko Village
One of the many reasons we are delighted about the reopening of Japan’s borders is that we can share about one of the finest hotels we have stayed-in in Hokkaido: Hinode Hills Niseko Village. We will always remember the warmth and comfort we got at Hinode Hills. Part of YTL Hotel group, we stayed at Hinode Hills Niseko Village during our very last trip to Hokkaido pre-COVID in December 2019. It was newly opened then and we were among its first guests! Unfortunately, as March … [Read more...]
DIY Nagoya Japan with Kids – Itinerary and Recommendations
We have been to Japan multiple times and have covered the ‘major’ cities, including the three major amusement parks (Click here for our post on our itineraries and experiences to 16 countries including Japan). Legoland Japan, really takes the cake with some seriously good activities. On our last trip, we decided to visit Nagoya before going to Hokkaido, as we wanted to discover a new city other than Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka. We were so thrilled to find Autumn blooms at … [Read more...]
DIY Family Travels with Kids – Itineraries | Reviews | Tips
16 Countries from Canada to Cambodia, Japan to USA, Scandinavia to Indonesia, Iceland, Finland, New Zealand, Thailand, (and God-willing many more 'lands'!). Cities include: Bali, Copenhagen, Helsinki, Hokkaido, Kyoto, Osaka, Penang, Queensland, , Reykjavik, Siem Reap, Tokyo. Activities include: Ski lessons in Hokkaido, Self-Drive Iceland, Self-Drive Hokkaido, Farm stays in Taiwan, Northern-lights and Santa Claus Park in Finland. Theme Parks include: Disneyland (Anaheim); Tokyo … [Read more...]
Swissotel Nankai Osaka Hotel – Unsurpassed Centrality, Unparalled Hospitality
Osaka was the very last stop of our family's DIY vacation to Japan. The very last visual memory I have of this wonderful country was not a bowl of steaming Ramen or a plate of fresh succulent sashimi. Nope, given that we travelled in June, it was also not of the pretty cherry blossom trees. Instead, it was the sight of a hotel bell hop, a pint sized Japanese lady (yes, lady!) pushing our luggage from the Swissotel Nankai, Osaka Hotel lobby, accompanying us all the way … [Read more...]