Summary of Trip

 

Japan Kyushu 2024

 

Day 1: Flying to Fukuoka (福岡)

Day 2: Visits to Saga & Nagasaki (佐賀+長崎)

Day 3a: Visits to Kumamoto (熊本)

Day 3b: Visits to Kagoshima A (鹿兒島A)

Day 4a: Visits to Kagoshima B (鹿兒島B)

Day 4b: Visits on Sakurajima (櫻島)

Day 5a: Visits to Miyazaki (宮崎)

Day 5b: Visits to Oita A (大分A)

Day 6: Visits to Oita & Fukuoka (大分 B+福岡)

Day 7: Back to Taiwan (台灣)

 

Day 1 --- Flying to Fukuoka (福岡)

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D01-01 --- Arrival at Fukuoka (福岡)

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01-01-01 Map of this trip - we flied from Taiwan to Fukuoka
01-01-02 The time schedules of the flights
01-01-3 Map of the first-day trip in Fukuoka and Saga
01-01-06 A shot in Taoyuan Airport in Taiwan
 

D01-02 --- Visiting Dazaifu Tenmangu (太宰府天滿宮)

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01-02-01 In front of the tower gate (楼門) of Dazaifu Tenmangu (太宰府天滿宮)
01-02-04 A complete view of the tower gate 01-02-05 Washing hands before worshipping
 

D01-03 --- Stayed in Furuyu Onsen ONCRI (古湯溫泉 ONCRI) Hotel in Saga (佐賀)

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01-03-01 With my wife Chih-Hua's niece, in the hotel we stayed in; she, her husband and son were also in this trip
01-03-06 A shot of Chih-Hua alone
01-03-05 Another shot with my wife's nephew
01-03-10 A shot of me and Chih-Hua in the room against the outdoor scene nearby
 

Day 2 --- Visits to Saga & Nagasaki (佐賀+長崎)

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D02-01 --- Morning at Huruyu Hot Springs ONCRI (古湯溫泉ONCRI) Hotel

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02-01-01a A map showing the spots we visited today (the red ones) and the perfectures where they are located (Saga and Nagasaki)
02-01-02 Scenes of the interior and exterior environments of the hotel A 02-01-03 Scenes of the interior and exterior environments of the hotel B
 

D02-02 --- On the way to Yutoku Inari Shrine (祐德稻荷神社)

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02-02s-01 Scenes seen on the way A

D02-03 --- Visiting Yutoku Inari Shrine (祐德稻荷神社) - Architecture

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02-03-01 The interior yard of the shrine
02-03-04 A shot at the lateral side of the main building 02-03-05 Worshipping by pulling a rope connected to a bell
(More pictures to see)

D02-04 --- Visiting Yutoku Inari Shrine (祐德稻荷神社) - Environgment

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02-04-04 In the central yard of the shrine
02-04-05 Moving in the shrine
02-04-06 A statue of a Kitsune (白狐像)(稻荷神的使者)
02-04-09 Pretty japanese-style garden in the shrine area
 

D02-05 --- Visiting Madame Butterfly's Former Residence - Glover Garden

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02-05-01 Approaching Glover Park: located in Nagasaki, Glover Garden is a historic open-air museum that preserves several 19th-century Western-style buildings, including the home of Thomas Blake Glover, a Scottish merchant who played a key role in Japan's modernization
02-05-07 To reach the park, we had to walk through a long commercial street 02-05-08 A mascot statue seen in the park
02-05-09a "Madame Butterfly House: : Madame Butterfly is a fictional character from the famous 1904 opera by Giacomo Puccini. The story follows Cio-Cio-san, a young Japanese woman in Nagasaki who marries an American naval officer, Lieutenant Pinkerton. After he leaves her and returns years later with an American wife, Cio-Cio-san, heartbroken, tragically takes her own life
02-05-010a A big "yatai"
 

D02-06 --- Visiting Unzen Hell Hot Spring Valley (雲仙地獄溫泉谷)

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02-06-01 Unzen is a volcanic area in Nagasaki famous for its hot springs and geothermal activity.
02-06-02 It is an areas with steaming vents, boiling mud pools, and sulfuric gases, evoking a “hellish” landscape
02-06-03 More scences A
02-06-06 A larger view of the region
 

D02-07 --- Overnight Stay in Unzen Miyazaki Ryokan (雲仙宮崎旅館)

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02-07-01 Pretty Japanese garden in the hotel
02-07-06 More scenes of the garden in the hotel C
02-07-07 Easy sitting in our room
02-07-08 An indoor decoration in the hotel
02-07-09 Dishes of appetizer in the dinner we had
 

Day 3a --- Visits to Kumamoto (熊本)

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D03-01 --- Morning at Unzen Miyazaki Ryokan (雲仙宮崎旅館)

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03-01-01 Pretty Japanese-style garden in front of our room
03-01-01 A panoramic view of the garden
03-01-04 Three more shots of the garden C
03-01-05 The hotel staff saw us off when we left for the next sightseeing spot
 

D03-02 --- A glance at Shimabara Castle (島原城) on the way

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03-02-01 A Map indicating the spots we were to visit today: including: (A) Morning part --- (1) Shimabara Castle from which we took two pictures by the way (shown below); (2) Kumamoto Castle; and (3) the route in the sea along which we moved from Shimabara Port to Kumamoto (shown as the orange dotted arrow; see D03-03 for the details); and (B) Afternoon part --- (4) the railway route from Yatsushiro (八代) to Hayato (隼人)

03-02-06 A clean full view of Shimabara Castle (obtained from the wikippedia 2025/07/17); a briefing of the castle is as follows: (1) Location: Shimabara, Nagasaki Prefecture (2) Built: 1618–1624 (3) Famous for: Shimabara Rebellion, Christian persecution, unique architecture (4) Today: Rebuilt, open to the public as a historical museum:

 

D03-03 --- Cruising from Shimabara (島原) to Kumamoto (熊本)

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03-03-01a Shimabara Port
03-03-06 A map showing the location of the image above in 03-03-05, which is the so-called "99 Islands" off Shimabara Port
03-03-06a The map of 03-02-01 is repeated here to show the sailing route of the ferry ship we took from Shimabara Port to Kumamoto Port (the orange dotted arrow; not the brown and blue dotted ones which indicate the railway trip conducted in the afternoon)
(More pictures to see)

D03-04 --- Visiting Kumamoto Castle (熊本城)

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03-04-01 A full vew of Kumamoto Castle (熊本城)
03-04-02 In front of Kumamoto Castle
03-04-03 Approaching the castle
03-04-07 A model of the roof structureof the castle that is a mythical creature with the head of a tiger and the body of a carp, called Shachihok ( : click to see the character enlarged)
03-04-08 The front of the castle model
 

Day 3b --- Visits to Kagoshima (鹿兒島A)

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D03-05 --- Taking Hisatsu Orange Dining Train (肥薩橙食堂列車): People

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03-05-01a Map of Hisatsu Line (肥薩線) (the red one) along which the train we took goes.
03-05-01 Taking a memery shot before the train starts from the station of Yatsushiro (八代)
03-05-02 A memory shot of my wife Chih-Hua's nephew's husband and son who joined this trip with us
03-05-02a A shot of all of us taken
03-05-03 The train we took entitled "Orange Restaurant"
03-05-04 The luxurious interior space
03-05-05 Stepping out of the train to have brief rest when it stopped at intermediate stations along the travel line
03-05-06 The passengers were given souvenirs at each station stop via the use of coupons
03-05-07 The mascot of Kumamon was also seen at some stations
03-05-08 A shot with Kumamon at the station of Hinagu
03-05-11 Click the image to see the video: showing the approacing train at the start station of the line
 

D03-06 --- Taking Hisatsu Orange Dining Train (肥薩橙食堂列車): Scenery

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03-06-01 The pretty scene of sunset over the sea seen from the train
03-01-04 Pretty sunset A
03-06-05a Pretty sunset B
03-06-08 Click the image above to see a video: A panoramic view of the seashore seen form the train we took
 

D03-07 --- Stayed overnight in Shiroyama Hotel (城山飯店)

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03-07-01 A map indicating the hotel we stayed in, old Kagoshima Castle we saw on the way, and Sakurajima Volcano that we will visit tomorrow
03-07-04 A night scene of Kagosima City (鹿兒島市) seen from the window of our room
03-07-05 A night scene of Kagoshima Castle (鹿兒島城) near the hotel
 

Day 4a --- Visits on Sukurajima (櫻島)

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D04-01 --- Strolling in Shiroyama Park (城山公園)

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04-01-01a A pretty scene of Sakurajima at the backgound of Kagoshima City
04-01-01b A Map of the sites we were to visit today (pointed to by the red arrows)
04-01-02 A sign for Shiroyama Park, which is close to the hotel
04-01-03 A shot in the park
04-01-04 Chih-Hua took a leisurely stroll with her nephew
04-01-05 Another shot against the scenery of Sakurajima --- who were there? (cannot be clearly seen due to backlighting)
04-01-06 Answer: Chih-Hua & her nephew again (this part of image was cut from the left one and processed)
04-01-07 One more glance at the vocano island --- Sakurajima
 

D04-02 --- Visiting Senganen (仙嚴園) Park --- Part I: Shuseikan (集成館)

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04-02-02 The entrance of Senganen (仙嚴園)(midokoro 見所 = highlight)
04-02-03 An exhibition of weapons in a building of the park
04-02-07 Approaching the entrance of
 

D04-03 --- Visiting Senganen (仙嚴園) Park --- Part II: "Garden of Winding Water (曲水之庭) A - Entrance and Residence

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04-03-01 A photo of us in front of the residence that Atsuhime once stayed in, and where the drama based on her life was filmed.
04-03-02 The entrance of the main area of the park
04-03-03 The second entrance
04-03-06 A shot in front of the residence mentioned above
 

D04-04 --- isiting Senganen (仙嚴園) Park --- Part III: "Garden of Winding Water (曲水之庭) B - Garden Scenery

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04-04-10 A shot of Chih-Hua held an umbrella because of the hot weather
 

D04-05 --- Senganen (仙嚴園) - IV:Lunch at Okatei Restaurant (櫻華亭)

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04-05-01 We had lunch in a Japanese-style room
04-05-04 The detail of the lunch
04-05-02 After lunch, we visited a crystal shop
 

Day 4b --- Visits on Sakurajima (櫻島)

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D04-06 --- Navigating to the Vocano Island Sukurajima (櫻島)

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04-06-01 A map indicating a sea route and a land route for communication between Kagishima and Sakurajima (showing the island actually is connected to Kagoshima)(fom the website of "Tourist in Japan")
04-06-02 The ferry ship we took to move from Kagoshima to Skurajima
04-06-03 Sakurajima seen from the ferry ship during cruising in the sea
 

D04-07 --- Strolling around the Vocano Crater (火山口)

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04-07-01 An exciting feeling to be so close to a vacano at Arimura Lava Observatory (有村熔岩展望所)
04-07-02 My wife Chih-Hua's nephew and her son
04-07-03 Chih-Hua's nephew's son
04-07-04 Chih-Hua
04-07-07 A poem praising the vocano by Kaionji Chogoro 海音寺潮五郎: "Before me stands Sakurajima —
the mountain that Saigo and Okubo also saw erupt in fire.
"
04-07-07a Explanation of the poem at the left
04-07-08 Another poem by Hirano Kunio 平野國臣: “Compared with the burning longing in my heart,
the smoke over Mt. Sakurajima looks faint indeed.”
04-07-08a Explanation of the poem at the left
04-07-11 A closer view of the crater
 

D04-08 --- Moving from Sakurajima (櫻島)to Miyasaki (宮崎)

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04-08-01 Starting the move from inside Sakurajima
04-08-08 Spot G along the way (near the hotel next)
04-08-09 The hotel "SHERATON GRANDE OCEAN RESORT" we stayed in
 

Day 5a --- Visits to Shikoku (宮崎)

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D05-01 --- Mornig at Sheraton Grande Ocean Resort in Miyazaki (宮崎)

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05-01-01a A map indicating the spots where we stayed overnight and the tour spots to visit today
05-01-01 We appreciated the beauty of early sun rise from the terrace of our room in the hotel
05-01-08 A shot of what I had this morning - showing a mixed traditional and western morning food style
 

D05-02 --- Visiting Omijinja (大御神社) in Hyuga (日向), Miyazaki (宮崎)-People

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05-02-01 A big entrance structure called "Torii" (鳥居) of Konpira Shirine (金刀比羅宮) at the beginning of Sakura Baba (櫻馬場)(see 05-02-11 for more details)
05-02-02 My wife Chih-Hua's nephew and her son
05-02-03 My wife Chih-Hua
05-02-04 Washing hands before worshipping
05-02-05 Strolling in the yard of the jinja
05-02-06 Taking a photo of the souvenir shop
05-02-07 My wife Chih-Hua's nphew and her son were worshipping
05-02-10 Taking a photo of the sea scene nearby
 

D05-03 --- Visiting Omijinja in Hyuga, Miyazaki (大御神社, 日向, 宮崎)-Scenes

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05-03-01 The exterior of the jinja
05-03-02 Rocks at the seashore nearby - one shot
05-03-05 The front view of the jinja
05-03-06 Can you tell what are on the altar? Especially, the black one? 
 

D05-04 --- Visiting "Sea Cross Where Wishes Come True" (心願成真十字海)

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05-04-01 The shape of the sea parts between the hills look like the Japanese character (created by squeezing the two charaters 口十 together horizontly to form a single charater), which means "come true" (see the explanation board of image 05-04-03 below)
05-04-03 A sign board of this spot
05-04-06 The bell tower seen from a little far distance
05-05-07 A memory shot
05-07-01 One more
 

Day 5b --- Visits in Oita (大分)

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D05-05 --- Moving from Hyugo (日向) to Usuki (臼杵) for Lunch

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05-05-01 We moved from Hyuga (日向) to Usuki (臼杵) before noon for having a delicious lunch of putterfich meal (indicated by the orange-colored arrow)
05-05-05 Entering downtown Usuki A
05-05-06 Entering downtown Usuki B
05-05-07 Approching the restaurant we were going to A (the person is our tour guide)
05-05-08 Approching the restaurant we were going to B (we were seeking the road to the restaurant)
05-05-09 Close to the goal
05-05-10 Entering the restaurant
 

D05-06 --- Enjoying Pufferfish Meal (河豚餐) as Our Lunch in Usuki (臼杵)

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05-06-01 We tasted putterfish meal at the restaurant named "" in Hyuga, Oita
05-06-02 The complete set for each person
05-06-03 The translated full name of the restaurant is "河豚之鄉臼杵割烹三子" (The Japanese pronunciation of Fugu means 河豚 and that of Mitsugo on the left sign board is translated as 三子)
05-06-04 The complete set of dishes for each person had already placed on the table before all group members came
 

D05-07 --- Visiting Old Usuki Castle (臼杵城)

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05-07-01 "Soul-Summoning Monument" ("招魂之碑") in Usuki Castle
05-07-02 Usuki Gokoku Shrine (臼杵護國神社)
05-07-06 The entrance tower seen closer
05-07-07 The sculpture of the local leader Otomo Sorin (大友宗麟) in feudal Japan, who ruled the domain of Oita and built this castle
 

D05-08 --- Staying overnight at ANA InterContinental Resort at Beppu (別府)

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05-08-01a The scene out of our room 
05-08-02 The front corner of the room
05-08-03 Another corner of the front
 

Day 6 --- Visits in Oita B (大分B)

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D06-01 --- Morning at ANA InterContinental Resort at Beppu (別府)

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06-05-01 Spots we were going to visit today (the red ones)
06-01-03 Scenes seen in front of our room A
06-01-04 Scenes seen in front of our room B
 

D06-02 --- On the Way to the area of Kinrin Lake (金鱗湖) + Yufuin (湯布院)

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06-06-01 A signboard seen at the entrance to Yufuin area (湯布院)(A note: the formal town name is now actually 由布院)
06-06-01a The text of the signboard was read, typed, and translated by me to make it easily readable and underrstandable (the leftmost line in the text is pronounced as yumehiroba, meaning "Dream Square" ("夢廣場") --- a commercial plaza shown by the image in 06-06-07 below
06-06-03 Pretty scenes viewed from the bus on the way B
06-02-04 Pretty scenes viewed from the bus on the way C
06-06-07 Pretty traditional houses seen on the way --- "夢廣場" (Yumehiroba, Dream Square) mentioned above in 06-06-01 above
 

D06-03 --- Appreciating the Picturesaque Scenery of Kinrin Lake (金鱗湖)

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06-03-01 The lake has crystal-clear water and picturesque surrounding
06-03-06 One more shot at the mansion at the other side of the lake
06-03-07 Approaching the lake
06-03-08 A wider view of the lake
 

D06-04 --- Strolling in the Easy Street of Yufuin (湯布院)

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06-04-01 A shot against the street
06-04-02 Finding the goal
06-04-03 A visited shop
06-04-06 An old theater with nostalgic AD pictures
06-04-07 Another memory shot

D06-05 --- Visiting Mameda Town, Hita City (日田豆田町) and Having Lunch

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06-05-01 A shot in the street of Mameda Town, called often as the "Little Kyoto of Kyushu" (九州小京都)
06-05-04 Wandering in the town for possible shopping
06-05-05 The weather was very hot
06-05-06 Finally, lunch time!
06-05-07 The name of the restaurant was "Akiko's Thoughts" ("秋子想")
06-05-08 The desert (what's inside? Forgot!)

D06-06 --- Back to Fukuoka (福岡) to Enjoy Free Time & Stay overnight

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06-06-01 The Hotel --- Miyako Hotel Hakata --- we stayed overnight, which is in the neighborhood of Hataka Station
06-06-04 The exterior appearance of the hotel observed from Hataka Station
06-06-05 The interior of the room we stayed in
06-06-06 An exterior corner of Hataka Station
06-06-07 The underground street "Ichibann Kai" ("一番街") where we had Korian Yakiniku (韓國烤肉) as the dinner (by ourselves only in the free time)
 

Day 7 --- Back to Taiwan (台灣)

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D07-01 --- Flying Back from Fukuoka Airport (福岡機場)

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07-01-01 Fukuoka Airport
07-01-02 We took Eva Airplane again back to Taiwan