Sumida Hokusai Museum
An interesting museum to observe masterpieces of the well-known maestro Hokusai. The museum is not very big, so it is a great place for a “short cultural stop” on your tour. French people love Japanese culture and we love museums and cultural sites.
Lunch: Chanko Kirishima
There is a fantastic atmosphere at this chanko restaurant. It’s a good occasion to explain the story of the restaurant’s owner (former sumotori) and the traditional rules of the sport.
People will love to try a traditional “sumo lunch” (a small plate will be enough for one person).
Sumida Hokusai Museum
Visitors to this interactive art museum can follow the life story of Hokusai, arguably the most famous Japanese painter in the world. His works are displayed in chronological order with English descriptions, so I was quite surprised to learn how his painting style and woodblock prints evolved over the years.
Lunch: Chanko Kirishima
Located right next to the massive Kokugikan National Sumo Arena in Ryogoku, this restaurant gave me a chance to try the standard meals that fill the appetites of the sumo wrestlers on a daily basis. A pot is filled with vegetables and meat to simmer, and then finished with a massive amount of udon noodles.
60 minutes by train (JR)
NAKANO BROADWAY
People can feel a little lost in this huge mall. One of the points of interest was the Mandarake shop with its impressive collection of toys and manga books. This is the right place for a traveler who is a big fan of manga and who can read Japanese.
NAKANO BROADWAY
There are many small shops hidden within this commercial complex building. But you may be surprised by what awaits you when you step inside! The strange and nostalgic atmosphere of the shops is crowded with items from manga and otaku culture. They even carry several English language manga, and manga for collectors dating from the 1970s. Meanwhile, there is also a display of vintage Japanese toys.
30 minutes by train (JR)
ANIME TOKYO STATION
Walking along the street, you can’t miss the front door of the anime station. It is very eye-catching with the old trains at the entrance. I loved it!
The exhibition had three levels. The ground level has an impressive manga sculpture and a TV displaying anime. The exhibition on the first floor changes every three months, and right now it is on Naruto. The underground level has explanations in three sections on the tools used to create a manga.
ANIME TOKYO STATION
I was able to see an exhibit focusing on Naruto in this brand-new exhibition space, including video games and full-size figures of characters. While the Naruto exhibit was limited time only, the space constantly holds a variety of exhibits focusing on numerous anime, and admission is free.
60 minutes by train (non-JR lines)
SMALL WORLDS miniature museum
Especially nice activity for families! It’s a very interactive and fun experience. The museum is split into eight areas. Among the particularly impressive exhibits were the miniatures of Zhenshimen City in the Global Village Area and the Factory Zone in the Nightlife in Japan Area, both of which beautifully captured the intricacies of nighttime scenery.
Dinner: YORIMICHI Odaiba
There was an incredible view of the city! The price of the menu takes into consideration the location of the restaurant, and the excellent service. The lobster mixed with the fried rice and matcha dessert were delicious. It’s a good spot for pictures and you can enjoy more if you combined a meal here with an activity in the area.
Accommodation: Villa Fontaine Grand Tokyo Ariake
It was self-check-in, but there are also receptionists that speak English and can assist you. A modern and sober hotel (which I appreciate), somewhat far from touristy areas, but very recommendable. New rooms, nicely organized, complete bathroom with bath and comfortable bed. There was a nice view of the sunrise. The breakfast was amazing! Five stars, one of the most perfect we had.
SMALL WORLDS miniature museum
The miniatures on display here, divided among different rooms according to theme, are sure to evoke surprise. You can spend as much time as you like here, leisurely gazing on the unique figures throughout the wide variety of areas. This is one attraction that will entertain everyone from children to adults. You can even enter with your small dog!
Dinner: YORIMICHI Odaiba
This is a Japanese style restaurant with a chic interior. The nighttime view of Tokyo Tower and Rainbow Bridge seen from the terrace seats will take your breath away!
Accommodation: Villa Fontaine Grand Tokyo Ariake
The hospitality at this hotel is quite warm, the rooms are spacious, and the breakfast buffet is delicious, with an abundant menu to choose from.
100 minutes by plane (JAL) Show details
Easy and fast check-in, decent seats, reasonable space for feet, and welcoming staff.
A drink service was provided despite the short flight. The seats were also comfortable, and it was over before I knew it!
Lunch: Honmamon vegetable lunch @Suzumugi market
Tasty and flavorful cuisine made from local products under the zero km concept. It felt more like you were visiting their house, with its warm atmosphere and zashiki space instead of chairs. Very traditional and charming, near a place rich in history. I loved it.
Usuki City's castle town walk (Nioza, Kani Shoyu, Kotegawa Brewery, etc.)
It is nice to understand that the history of the city is also linked to Portuguese exchanges at the end of the 16th century. Amid the picturesque streets and authentic village is hiding the biggest Portuguese ceramic wall in the country. Nothing has changed for Kani Shoyu shop since its foundation in 1600. It’s like jumping into the past. (The miso ice cream is not to be missed!)
Kotegawa Sake Brewery: A nice little Brewery going back to 1855. A good place to buy some souvenirs and take a couple of pictures. It gives some information about making sake. It’s always nice to meet the local producers and visit their work sites.
Usuki Kintsugi experience: A relaxing and instructive experience.
Kiko welcomed us to an Usuki Kintsugi experience workshop. He speaks very good English and he is a very empathic person who manages to create real cohesion between people. A peaceful and relaxing activity, Usuki Kintsugi is an ancestral tradition that existed 200 years ago. To sit and focus one’s attention on a manual activity is a very enjoyable choice.
Dinner at the accommodation: Ryouchiku-Bettei Spa & Resort
We quickly got used to having dinner in our room instead of the restaurant and had a nice night getting to know each other.
The menu was amazing! The finest presentation of the plates and a selection of premium products!
Accommodation: Ryouchiku-Bettei Spa & Resort
Very professional staff (including a Spanish receptionist who could also speak French). Enjoyable onsen (I personally prefer the outdoor one. It was more natural and ventilated). The breakfast was delicious and perfect. It was a selection of continental products and traditional Japanese dishes. I really enjoyed it.
Lunch: Honmamon vegetable lunch @Suzumugi market
This restaurant serves a rich variety of locally produced, colorful vegetables grown by young, motivated farmers. I recommend it!
Usuki City's castle town walk (Nioza, Kani Shoyu, Kotegawa Brewery, etc.)
This small, remote community retains much of its charm from former times. There is a venerable soy sauce brewery here where you can enjoy miso flavored ice cream. The flavor is a surprising mix of sweet and salty!
This long-established sake and shochu brewery offers a chance to compare the tastes of a variety of sake. Here, they store the bottles for several years to age the flavor, much like wine.
I found this workshop to be truly moving. Kintsugi is a detailed and refined artform, and really shows off the beauty of Japanese craftsmanship. Rather than disposing of cracked tableware, the cracks are rather reinforced using gold to repair them gracefully. It is a wonderful solution that combines art with ecology.
In addition, as an added benefit, the friendly craftsman running the workshop spoke fluent English.
Dinner at the accommodation: Ryouchiku-Bettei Spa & Resort
This meal of Japanese cuisine with ample portions was an exciting experience for my taste buds. Care is given to selecting different plates for each course to bring out the beauty of each dish.
Accommodation: Ryouchiku-Bettei Spa & Resort
The selection of generously spacious rooms at this accommodation include those decorated with Japanese style tatami mats. This means that guests can choose whether they wish to sleep on a futon or bed.
60 minutes by car
Beppu Jigoku Meguri (hell tour)
Jigoku Onsen Museum: A brand new museum that opened in December 2022. It’s an interactive museum with colorful information and a pedagogical approach. Visitors can enjoy a game that simulates the journey of raindrops as they become hot springs deep underground, gathering ions before gushing out to the surface.
It’s good to know how geologic interaction made Beppu the primary hot spring tourism area in Japan. You can observe seven different “jigoku” (hell) hot springs in the area.
I really enjoyed the introduction, the various rooms of the museum, the videos with wonderful animations, and the timeline exhibition.
・Beppu Jigoku Tour (Chinoike Jigoku): A “must do” in the area. It’s surprising how nature can offer such intense colors! It was very interesting and had complete explanations from our guide. I was interested in the healing properties and it was fun to observe the red well!
・Hyotan Onsen (Jigokumushi): Fantastic experience to cook our meal ourselves in the jigoku mushi (hell steaming) style.
I loved the experience of putting the dish into the oven. There were very generous portions and amazing onsen. I want to do it again!
Beppu Jigoku Meguri (hell tour)
The foreboding names of the places on this tour, such as the Hot Spring of Hell (Jigoku-no-yu) and Blood Lake (Chi-no-ike) speak of the magnificence of these hot springs and the fears of the people of the past. Hot spring waters colored blue and red from the rich content of iron and sodium emerge from the mist throughout the town, creating a memorable landscape.
90 minutes by car
Kunisaki Peninsula Minemichi Long Trail
It was nice for us to see the main spots.
It is interesting to hear the story of Shintoist monk “Ninmon” and Sentoji Temple, known as “Koyasan in West.” The story dates back to the year 718.
There was an enjoyable walk and instructive talk with our guide, observing the different gorinto, wooden temples, and history of the place.
Dinner at the accommodation: Japanese Inn Kappo Mikuniya
The owner’s son had studied at a cooking school in Japan and worked in various famous restaurants. I highly recommend him!
Accommodation: Japanese Inn Kappo Mikuniya
The staff at the hotel were more than welcoming. The bathroom had a huge bath to relax in! I had the choice between a classic bed and a tatami bed. I decided to sleep on the tatami as an experiment. I had a good night and the breakfast was delicious, too!
Kunisaki Peninsula Minemichi Long Trail
I did a bit of hiking deep in Oita Prefecture, in a sacred place where the gods of Shinto and Buddhism coexist. On your way to the silent forest, you can see some truly amazing views, such as the beautiful statues and temples, the coastline, nearby islands, and uninhabited forests of lush greenery.
Dinner at the accommodation: Japanese Inn Kappo Mikuniya
This warm and hospitable inn serves amazing food using local ingredients, such as their wide variety of shrimp dishes.
Accommodation: Japanese Inn Kappo Mikuniya
This inn, where guests sleep on futons placed over tatami floors, is warm and comfortable, and with the Japanese style breakfast, lets you immerse yourself in Japanese culture to your heart’s content.
50 minutes by train (JR lines) Show details
The regional train had comfortable seats. We saw charming rural landscapes during the travel.
This comfortable train travels straight through Japan’s bucolic farmland. It offers a view of constantly changing scenery!
Lunch: Teruzushi
Chef Takayoshi is a real character, and puts on a real show. It was an honor to taste his cuisine. About 20 different local dishes, including premium meat, sushi, and sashimi were served! It’s not only a gastronomic restaurant but a real place of entertainment where the chef and his team create an intimate conversation with the clients. With your eyes sparkling, you can see different raw products transformed with the cooking techniques. Chef Takayoshi Watanabe will satisfy your taste buds with an avalanche of flavor.
Do not eat a lot before going to this restaurant. It will fill you up for the day!
Kitakyushu Manga Museum
The whole building is dedicated to anime and manga. The museum explains very well the steps for creating a manga (a French translation is offered through an audio guide).
For fans of Leiji Matsumoto and Albator, it’s a must-see stop in the city. The visit is quite fast but this museum is more like a media center than a museum.
People are able to participate in a manga drawing workshop (registration required one month before the event), and there is a large library offering a huge selection of manga, and (an interesting point) you can read manga in English and other languages (for tourists who can’t read Japanese).
Dinner: Unagi no Chitoseya
I loved the atmosphere of this restaurant. It is traditional, with tatami.
I had wanted to eat while sitting on tatami mat on this tour (sitting in “seiza” style).
It’s not the easiest way to eat for me (I’m 185cm tall and I’m not very flexible).
The unagi eel was the best I have ever tried!
Succulent and balanced, it was a real delight.
Accommodation: Fairfield by Marriott Fukuoka Ukiha
It is a brand new hotel, and I loved the Fairfield style. Four-star pure style and elegantly designed. You can see that everything is new. It’s a good sign that Marriott decided to invest in this village (as it indicates future touristic growth for the area).
Lunch: Teruzushi
As soon as you sit at the counter, you are greeted by a parade of impressive Sushi featuring luxury ingredients such as Japanese wagyu beef, wild eel, and abalone. Diners can also enjoy the theatrical and entertaining “show” created by the facial expressions of the world-famous sushi chef.
Kitakyushu Manga Museum
This museum explains the technologies and processes used to produce manga, or Japanese comics. It also holds a collection of 70,000 manga works for visitors to read. There is even a section with manga translated into French as well.
Dinner: Unagi no Chitoseya
This restaurant caters to fans of eel prepared in the Japanese fashion. The eel is grilled in two layers, steamed, and marinated in sweet and salty sauce to bring joy to your palate.
Accommodation: Fairfield by Marriott Fukuoka Ukiha
I spent a wonderful night at this brand-new hotel, located on high ground and offering an uninterrupted view of the countryside. Breakfast is provided as a boxed lunch at the front desk.
115 minutes by car
OISHI TEA FACTORY
We made a quick visit to this shop in Oishi Tea Factory and wanted to stay there longer. It was nice to understand all the different kinds and families of tea. French people love it. Pierrick, who is in charge of overseas sales, was French, too.
It was very good people to meet someone of the same nationality. Pierrick professionally explained the diversity of tea, degustation, and the production process. It was very informative and interesting.
Yame central tea plantation
We had a good panoramic view of the tea field. It was good that the tour group could hop on/off and take a few of pictures.
Lunch: Greenpia Yam - Hotel restaurant
The miso soup was nice; the lunch was healthy and comforting. I felt refreshed after it.
The hotel looks like it is very popular with older people, probably due to the benefits of the hot springs.
OISHI TEA FACTORY
This interesting shop is where you can find gyokuro, the highest quality green tea in Japan. Gyokuro tea is hand picked and dried in the shade for twenty days, and has received AOP certification (Appellation d'Originee de la Propriété). The matcha green tea ice cream is excellent!
Yame central tea plantation
The panoramic view of the tea fields here speak of the importance of tea production for this community. The ideal time to see it is during the harvest each year in April.
Lunch: Greenpia Yam - Hotel restaurant
Lunch consisted of a tempura set, including deep fried shrimp and vegetables. It comes with soba noodles.
30 minutes by car
MORI NO HANARE
This is a charming traditional Japanese house with a lovely garden and koi carp. The place looks like a small museum.
The place has been renovated into a gorgeous traditional shop offering quality products accessible for every budget.
Dinner: Foun de Cour
An elegant restaurant, with very caring service. An exclusive restaurant that offers premium dishes one after another. We had an excellent dinner at this hotel too.
Accommodation: Suikoen Hotel
A three-star hotel with very welcoming staff, and a beautiful garden like a painting. The rooms are somewhat luxurious and the location is not bad. It had an excellent restaurant, tasty ingredients, good service, nice presentation of dishes, with balanced quantity.
MORI NO HANARE
The wooden detailing, Japanese style garden, and selection of decorations make this the most appealing possible place to taste the selected sake available.
Dinner: Foun de Cour
The meals at this Japanese restaurant that adopts a touch of French taste offers just the right volume in a perfect harmony of flavors. The view of the Japanese garden is a small added benefit.
Accommodation: Suikoen Hotel
You can enjoy a western style brunch in the comfortable rooms here. The bread and bacon offers a short respite from the many Japanese style meals.
20 minutes by train (JR lines) Show details
Wow! I had such an impressive sensation of speed on this train! It reflects advances in terms of transport technology in Japan. I was looking forward to taking this train, and it was a very pleasant and fast way of traveling.
The Shinkansen never disappoints us in terms of cleanliness, spaciousness, and of course speed. I had arrived in Kumamoto before I knew it.
Lunch: Kumamoto Ramen in Kumamoto Station
It was the best ramen I ever had!
All the food during this tour was excellent, and it was nice to change a bit from sushi, sashimi, eel, and other seafood.
I also appreciated the fact that we took the time to get to know David (our French guide for Kumamoto).
Kumamon Square
We met the famous character, the internationally known Kumamon-san! It was fun to take some pictures (it’s definitely a family experience). The mall is the perfect place to do some shopping (such as for knives, kimonos, cups and dishes, etc.).
Lunch: Kumamoto Ramen in Kumamoto Station
There are a number of restaurants serving Kumamoto’s famous ramen noodles. The taste of grilled garlic stands out in the rich and tasty tonkotsu flavored ramen.
Kumamon Square
The sight of the children as their eyes light up at the appearance of Kumamon, a famous mascot in Japan, always makes me feel happy.
6 minutes on foot
Learn the spirit of Miyamoto Musashi, the strongest samurai in Japan - Samurai experience
We wanted to stay longer!
This was the best activity of the tour in my opinion. Even if the dojo (training center) looked a little old, it was a great experience to dress up like a samurai and learn a few of their moves.
We could also understand the great family heritage of the master, and discover the dojo and the philosophy of a samurai.
Dinner: Kumamoto Food Stall Village
That’s typically what a European tourist is looking for. There were many choices, including a narrow little street with various food, popular specialties, and small servings. Keep it on future tours!
Accommodations: KOKO HOTEL Premier Kumamoto
Best hotel on the tour! It is a brand new hotel in the area. It is modern and elegant, offering great view and luminous spaces. I loved it! It was the best in this category of the tour.
Learn the spirit of Miyamoto Musashi, the strongest samurai in Japan - Samurai experience
Here I was able to dress up as a samurai and practice the traditional samurai martial art, iaido. It is a challenge to control the sword, but watching it can be a moving experience. I felt very lucky to have the opportunity to practice iaido with a professional. I wish I could have stayed there for many more hours!
Dinner: Kumamoto Food Stall Village
This street is filled with a warm, festive atmosphere and lined with little food stalls that serve specialties of Kumamoto. We enjoyed ourselves by tasting some of the leading examples, such as horsemeat dishes and lotus root seasoned with karashi mustard.
Accommodations: KOKO HOTEL Premier Kumamoto
This quiet hotel offers spacious, comfortable beds and an amazing nighttime view of Kumamoto Castle.
11 minutes on foot
Kumamoto Castle
An impressive castle rich in history and the heritage of the city. There is some visible damage from the earthquake, but restoration is in progress, and the castle tower has been renovated. The tour was too fast indeed, and we only had time to visit the ground, first, and top floors.
Lunch: Japanese Restaurant Okumura (with instructing on seating manners )
I loved to play the etiquette game and learn more about the customs of Japan. You can learn about people when you discover their gastronomy, traditions, and customs. It was very interesting to link those different aspects. The food was delicious (salmon roe, miso soup, and everything else). I enjoyed the meal together with the chef and the person teaching us about etiquette. I want to come back here as well!
Dinner: Kourantei
This was a nice change of menu, trying a Chinese dish at the end of the tour. I love seafood, unagi, sushi, and sashimi, and sometimes balance it with something else.
Accommodations: KOKO HOTEL Premier Kumamoto
A fresh and tasty breakfast, with both Japanese and continental dishes.
Kumamoto Castle
I have visited Kumamoto Castle once before in 2016, just prior to the earthquake. I was deeply moved by the immense efforts put into faithfully reconstructing after the devastation, including the castle walls and tower that had collapsed.
Lunch: Japanese Restaurant Okumura (with instructing on seating manners )
I was greeted by the highly elegant atmosphere of this beautifully decorated restaurant. Traditional Japanese table manners are quite complex, so the ability to learn about them while enjoying traditional Japanese cuisine made with generous amounts of local ingredients was quite valuable.
Dinner: Kourantei
Diners at this Chinese restaurant can share a variety of dishes amongst each other, such as the bite sized steamed dishes and the Kumamoto-style mung bean vermicelli soup called Taiping Yan. I had a great time here.
Accommodations: KOKO HOTEL Premier Kumamoto
This hotel offers a bit of an extra bonus. Kumamoto Castle is located right in front of it, so enjoying the breakfast buffet while gazing on it was an unparalleled experience.
Lunch: Takamori Dengaku Hozonkai
I loved the atmosphere of this restaurant. Authentic and homemade products (savory miso, fresh tofu), while sitting around a sandy table where a coal fire is used as a fireplace and BBQ served by a grandmother in an ancient house in the middle of the forest. Don’t forget to bring your coat before going to the restaurant. It’s a place people have to discover, a real plus on the tour, and the finest way to end it.
Lunch: Takamori Dengaku Hozonkai
I have always wanted to try the traditional charcoal grilling method used here. The Japanese yams and konjac is coated with miso, and the fish is simply salted and grilled. This was a really fun experience for Kumamoto and warmed me up during this chilly season.
90 minutes by plane (ANA) Show details
It was a great airline. Each seat had a screen, which is nice for a domestic flight, and the service was good. I was able to use the waiting time to enjoy some last-minute shopping at the airport.
ANA upholds its promises regarding seat comfort and service. While the flight time was only 90 minutes, there was no sense of the time passing, and I arrived in a heartbeat.
It was a very considerate and organized trip.
I am very grateful to our guides, and I want to say thank you to the person who selected the restaurants and activities you proposed to us.
Kyushu is a peaceful land with breathtaking culture and crafts, offering everything from thousand-year-old temples and sacred sculptures, to hot springs boasting mystical colors. In Tokyo, at the center of Japan, I was able to interact with both anime and historic culture. It seems that the visit to bustling Tokyo, the most energetic place, followed by Kyushu, was the perfect way to experience the contrast between these two aspects of Japan. That is because I could experience nature, which sooths the mind and body, in addition to Japan’s bustle.
One day is quite short to discover Tokyo. Japan has a lot to offer! Arriving in the capital is already a cultural change. Discovering a new language and alphabet, a rich gastronomy and great history, welcoming and smiling people—all inspired by a unique way of life and philosophy.
Kyushu is now a very famous travel destination in Japan. It’s a mix of hot spring tourism, outdoor activities, and cultural tourism (and of course gastronomy)!