Wednesday, May 22, 2024

Tosu Outlet Mall- Tosu City: Saga Prefecture

Personally, I have been coming to this Outlet Mall for nearly 2 decades.  It really was the only Outlet Mall in the region before outlet malls became a normal style of shopping in Japan.  Nowadays there are many options for people to enjoy but the Tosu Outlet Mall is still the go to place as it has continued to develop, expand and provide much more variety than its competitors.

These reasons above as well as the fact that the Outlet mall is conveniently located (approx. 45 minute drive from Fukuoka City) with its late closing time makes it a perfect last destination on our private tour together.

Generally we will spend about 60 to 90 minutes here, but those hardcore shoppers can extend this period of time and 120 to 150 minutes is not unheard of.  However we may have to eliminate a previous attraction on the itinerary to get this option available to us.

Please look below to see the Tosu Outlet Mall here on a map:




Please click on the photos below to see the Tosu Outlet Mall in all its glory.
Click on the photos to enlarge:









Please check out this video of the Tosu Outlet Mall below:



Wednesday, May 1, 2024

Myoban Hot Spring- Beppu City: Oita Prefecture

Founded in 1725, Myoban Yunosato is dotted with the distinctive silhouettes of the yunohana huts. Surrounded by trails of hot spring steam gently wafting in the air, these huts distinguish themselves from any other traditional buildings we’ve ever seen in Japan with their triangular-shaped thatched roofs.

Constructed since the Edo period, these huts are the result of local craftsmanship and wisdom that made use of the fumarole-rich terrain to manufacture yunohana minerals by paving the huts with cobblestone covered in blue clay. This combination lets hot spring steam flow evenly within the hut while the thatched roof keeps the temperature inside constant by absorbing the humidity and releasing it outside avoiding the reformation of water droplets that could dissolve the hot spring steam.

The mineral deposits inside the huts slowly grow about 1mm a day from Myoban’s hot spring steam. It is then collected, purified, and dried over a period of 40 to 60 days before being used in a wide variety of body-care products such as bath salts and skin care products.

Not only will you and your party be able to enjoy lunch here at the numerous different restaurants offering traditional Oita Prefecture fare but either before or after lunch you will be able to partake in a public hot spring (large and expansive with spectacular views but with communal nudity) or a private hot spring in one of the many Yunohana huts. Here you can fully relax without having to worry about others as well as to control the temperature of the warm to hot water that is teeming with minerals to completely relax your body, mind and soul. I am sure this experience will last with you for many years to come.

Please check below to see where the Myoban Hot Springs are on a map:



Please click on these photos below to enlarge:

Many lunch options

The famous Onsen pudding

Famous chicken dishes are hugely popular

Onsen steamed eggs


Great views



Yunohana salt fields

Yunohana Huts


Hot spring region


Private Onsen choices

Outdoor public bathing

Have fun!


Spectacular from all angles


Inside the private huts

Temp control is doable

Please click on these video below to see more about the Myoban Onsen region:









Sunday, April 21, 2024

Kurokawa Onsen- Kumamoto Prefecture

On our 2 night/ 3 day tours of Kyushu, on the 2nd night we have the option of staying in Minamiaso (3 or 4 star) or Kurokawa Onsen (5 star). Most of my clients chosen Kurokawa Onsen because staying in a Ryokan enjoying Japanese Omotenashi (hospitality) and having an exquisite 8 course Kaiseki washoku (traditional Japanese food) dinner ticks all their boxes.

On this particular tour the Kurokawaso Onsen was chosen as their accommodation of course. This was a lucky omen for me as I stayed here before many years ago with my family when the kids were a lot smaller. It also gave me satisfaction as a guide knowing that the next day when I picked up the team  there would be many smiling faces the next morning. 

This is exactly what I got!! The atmosphere and the general outlook was so positive. The dinner course and the hot spring experiences (both public and private hot spring experiences are available) were still on everyones lips with many different stories from nights past being relived for everyones pleasure.

This is what a guide attains to achieve on every tour especially ones that are multiple days in succession. The joy, the stories and the experiences will forever be etched in the memory banks with months and years of enjoyment.

Please check out Kurokawa Onsen here on a map below:



Please click on these photos to enlarge:



















Please click on these video below to see more about the Kurokawaso Ryokan in the Kurokawa region of Kumamoto Prefecture.










Saturday, April 20, 2024

Mount Aso- Kumamoto Prefecture

Mount Aso is an active volcano in the center of Kyushu island which most recently erupted in 2021 and 2016. Aso's ancient caldera ranks among the world's largest, with a diameter of up to 25 kilometers and a circumference of over 100 kilometers. In the center of the caldera stand the mountain's active volcanic peaks, including Nakadake, whose spectacular crater is accessible to tourists.

However, that the crater area is often partially and sometimes fully closed to visitors due to poisonous volcanic gases, bad weather or the risk of volcanic activity. Even when the area around the summit is open, gases can be intense, and people with respiratory problems should refrain from approaching the crater.

Japan is basically a risk adverse country and many warnings and alerts are put in place as a result of its constant struggle to control to uncontrollable, AKA Mother Nature.  As a single young male when I first came to Japan, this level of control frustrated me to the core, but now as a father and a business owner I fully understand and participate with all the rules and precautions that I face on a regular basis.

On this day, our party of 8 unfortunately missed out on the spectacular views from the Mount Aso lookout as a result of too many poisonous gases being emitted. Of course there was disappointment but the drive up to the peak and resulting drive on to the Hot Spring resort town of Kurokawa helped soften this blow.

Please check out the location of Mount Aso here on a map below:



Please click on these photos below to enlarge:

Wide open spaces
Warnings

Closed on this day



Countryside




Lots to see


Was a little smokey in places


Please click on these videos below to see more about the drive up to and from Mount Aso: