This is an automated archive made by the Lemmit Bot.
The original was posted on /r/japantravel by /u/ButterscotchFar1294 on 2025-01-21 09:19:32+00:00.
Waiting at the airport now after a little over 4 weeks in Japan and thought I would write a trip report to reflect on things and because I used this place as a resource for travel planning. Hopefully it will be of use to someone.
Started the trip arriving in Fukuoka on the 22nd of December off the New Camellia line ferry from Busan. Spent 3 days in Fukuoka, staying in Tenjin area. Particularly enjoyed Ohori park and Fukuoka's Gion district, although it may not feel as impressive if you have already been to Kyoto. Ate at a Yatai near Canal city which was a cool experience. I had heard how quiet the subways were but found Japanese people to be chatting comfortably. Went up the Fukuoka tower and to the Teamlabs exhibit. I never went to the Tokyo ones so can't really compare, but I found the opening exhibition that required an app quite underwhelming but the rest was very cool. Starting in Fukuoka was a cool way to build up to the craziness that is Tokyo.
Then we rented a car and did a 6 day roadtrip of Kyushu. We visited Kurokawa Onsen, Beppu, Kagoshima. Even though it was expensive, I enjoyed the freedom of being able to go where we wanted and not have to rely on busses/trains. Kurokawa onsen was a real highlight and we stayed a in a little cabin at a campsite called Kurasako onsen sakura, where we had our own private onsen. Did not particularly enjoy the Beppu gates of hell or Yufuin floral village. The south of Kyushu was awesome to drive along the coast and Kagoshima is just a fascinating city, with a constantly erupting volcano right next door. Unfortunately cancelled our trip to Takahiko Gorge due to not enough time. Driving in Japan is very slow compared to my country and I underestimated how long things would take. The petrol is very cheap for me, but the toll gates really added up.
Then we went to Kyoto by shinkansen for 5 days, which was probably a bit too much time. Highly recommend the trip out to Kurama hot springs and the walk over to Kibune. Then we went to Osaka by train. I won't write much about Kyoto or Osaka as I think there is enough info on them on here.
Then we did a little side trip for a gew days to Okayama and spent a night on Naoshima island riding bikes and visiting the art exhibitions. It was winter and this was the only point in the trip I felt like the colder weather negatively impacted the trip. It was also quite expensive staying on the island and paying for each art exhibition started adding up and they were quite small. I didn't enjoy it as much as I had hoped. Also did the bike trip in Okayama, Kibi Plain which was awesome and very well setup. Then a quick visit to Himeji on the way back to Osaka.
Then I did a templestay in Koyasan for one night. I had previously done a buddhist templestay in Korea and I felt like the one in Koyasan was more luxury staying in temple accommodation whereas my Korea experience was closer to being a monk for a day. The Okunoin cemetery was absolutely beautiful covered in snow.
Then we took a bus down to Yunomine onsen, which was one of my favorite places on the whole trip. Saw heaps of monkeys and bathed in Tsuboyu. Went to the outdoor onsen in the river in Kawayu. Walked two days of the Kumano Kodo ending in Nachisan. Stayed in a cute homestay accommodation along the way.
Then travelled from Katsura to Tokyo by train and had 2.5 days in Tokyo.
Happy to answer any questions if anyone is planning something similar.