Arita: A Porcelain Town That Needs a Loose Itinerary
Personally, I wouldn’t build an Arita itinerary around shopping alone. I would include at least one hands-on experience, a long lunch or café stop, and enough time to browse several different kilns before deciding what you actually like. Here’s what I would recommend…
Don’t Cancel Your Kyushu Trip Yet: Traveling After the 2026 Kumamoto Earthquake
Kyushu is also a very large island, and not every destination has been affected in the same way. Cancelling an entire Kyushu itinerary without checking the individual places involved can create another wave of damage. One that lasts much longer than the earthquake itself. If you're going to Mt. Aso, Kurokawa Onsen, Takachiho, read this first.
Returning to My Roots in Miyazaki Prefecture
You may not know this, but my entire journey in Japan started here in Miyazaki back in 2005, I was a fresh-off-the-plane exchange student in my 3rd year of high school, and placed in a homestay here in Miyazaki City. it was my first introcuction to japan - and a huge wake up call to realize that not all of Japan was like the Tokyo I had seen on TV.
A Solo Weekend in Mojiko: Finding a Slower Side of Fukuoka
Mojiko is the antithesis of Japan’s big-city overstimulation. If you arrive expecting a flashy, assault-of-the-senses attraction, it may feel a little underwhelming at first. The streets are quiet, the main sights are spread around a compact waterfront, and much of the town’s appeal lies in details that do not immediately announce themselves.
Kodomo Gion Festival: The Float That Walks Through the Sea in Saga
The Kodomo Gion Festival was held this past weekend in the small community of Kodomo, near Yobuko in Saga Prefecture. We made the day trip from Fukuoka to witness the love and effort the local community continues to put into this traditional festival, and came away deeply inspired by what we saw.
Riding the Aso Boy! Train: A Family-Friendly Trip from Kumamoto to Mt. Aso
Ride JR Kyushu’s Aso Boy! train from Kumamoto to Mt. Aso on an easy family-friendly overnight trip. Discover its panoramic seats, children’s play areas, onboard cafe and practical tips for tickets, food and accommodation near Aso Station.
Hakata Gion Yamakasa: Experiencing Fukuoka’s Most Important Summer Festival
Local confession: even though I live in Fukuoka, I have only been to Yamakasa’s main event, the Oiyama, a handful of times over the years. The race starts before sunrise, the crowds are intense, and I am very much not a morning person. Still, Hakata Gion Yamakasa is one of those events I think is worth experiencing at least once while you are in Fukuoka.
Tsuetate Onsen: A Forgotten Hot Spring Town on the Kumamoto–Oita Border
Tsuetate Onsen is a quiet hot spring town on the Kumamoto–Oita border, known for its riverside streets, Showa-era buildings, historic bathhouse culture and peaceful atmosphere. Once a busy onsen destination, the town is now slowly finding new life through local businesses, renovated stays and visitors looking for a slower, more atmospheric side of Kyushu.
Yame: Fukuoka’s Green Tea Region Is Ready for Its Moment
Yame is a peaceful destination in Fukuoka known for Yame tea, premium gyokuro, the Yame Central Tea Plantation and the white-walled streets of Yame Fukushima. With renovated historic hotels, traditional crafts, local cafés and growing green tea tourism, it is an easy place to enjoy a slower side of rural Fukuoka.