Our final morning in Fukuoka was a masterclass in "stress-free" departures. Having already returned the car, we were spared the multi-shuttle marathon from domestic to international terminals. Instead, we treated ourselves to our first-ever Japanese taxi ride: a 5km, 30-minute crawl through the Christmas morning peak-hour crush. For 3,700¥, we got a front-row seat to the impeccable, white-gloved service that makes even a traffic jam feel like a luxury experience.
Now, as I sit in Bangkok waiting for the final leg to Singapore, the "Japan Withdrawal" is already setting in. Kyushu has a specific kind of magic—it lacks the frantic pulse of Osaka or the crowded shrines of Kyoto. It’s a place of wide-open grassland (Aso), respectful silences (Nagasaki), and people who treat hospitality like a high art (Amagase).
Kyushu: By The Numbers
1: Number of "off-road" excursions through a rice field (once was enough!).
75%: My score on a Japanese history quiz (I’m practically a local now).
5 Meters: Total visibility at Mt. Aso—the most scary fog.
3,700¥: The price of a 5km taxi ride (and every yen was worth it for the peace of mind).
14,000: Steps walked daily, even on "car days."
The "Unforgettable" Hall of Fame:
The Beppu Consolation: Watching the solstice fireworks erupt over the sea after the mountain fog tried to ruin our day.
The Tofu Epiphany: Realizing at Ogawa that bean curd can be a culinary masterpiece fit for royalty.
The Ghost Town: Walking through Bungotakada and feeling like we had accidentally stepped back into 1955.
The Steam Streets: Dodging hot vapor venting from manhole covers in Kannawa like we were in a low-budget sci-fi movie.
A Final Reflection:
They say you go to Tokyo for the lights and Kyoto for the temples, but you go to Kyushu for the soul. This trip was a perfect reminder that the best travel moments aren't just the famous landmarks, but the quiet bits in between: the daily "celebratory" coffee jelly from Lawson, and the incredible kindness of people who make you feel welcome even when you're quite illiterate in their language.
The Six Places that Hosted Our Kyushu Memories:
A quick look back at the sanctuaries that welcomed us after every long drive. Here's sharing the spots where we recharged our batteries across Fukuoka, Nagasaki, Yanagawa, Ukiha, Kumamoto, and Beppu.
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Fukuoka 4/5 for the free flow of soda and value-add rooms
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| Yanagawa 3/5 for the mini room but extra points for open car park |
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| Ukiha Bekkan Shinshiyo, Amagase 5/5 for the amazing private open bath and meals, blah for nothing to do around the area |
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| Kumamoto 4/5 for the view, spacious room and closeness to the town center, blah for the poor wifi |
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| Beppu 5/5 for the ridiculously spacious room and solid wifi |
Food in Kyushu range from the blah to the wow. Here's some of the grub we had, mostly lip smacking good but others are at best 'honorable mentions':
These were scene stealers on the road trip from the passenger seat:
The entire trip was under 1000km, a conservative distance