Link to photo album -> here
Saturday, December 5, 2009
Program:
- Singapore flight - Fukuoka
- Bus Fukuoka - Kumamoto
- Bus Kumamoto - Aso
arrived at 7am by Singapore Airlines international terminal at Fukuoka, the main hub Kyushu, now I need to wait nearly 4 hours before Kayo not join me.
I am one of many shuttles liaison between the domestic terminal and international terminal from where the metro. Fukuoka Airport is indeed ideally positioned just 5 minutes from Hakata station in downtown Fukuoka.
I put my suitcase in a locker at the airport (300-500 yen) before taking the subway to Gion station where a small group of temples. The cold weather is striking and rather dull. I begin by Tocho-ji. The small wooden pagoda is under renovation, so I walk up Shofuki-ji which is also under renovation ... the colors of tree leaves will remain the sole interest of my visit. It starts raining, I continue however to Rakusuien representing no interest.
Hardened and rather disappointed by this initial introduction, I returned to the domestic airport Starbucks, a place of rendezvous with Kayo. We lunch on the 8th floor of a shopping mall adjacent to the 3rd floor and go down to take a bus to Kumamoto (2hr, 2000 Yen / person).
arrived in Kumamoto, we leave our luggage at the set up before walking Kumamoto-jo. It is 17:15, the Castle closes at 17h. Then we walk on Ginza street, a small replica of the Tokyo neighborhood of luxury. It takes a coffee before returning to the station. The train to Aso left only 19.30, fortunately we managed to catch the last bus 18.30 to Aso (1:30, 1010 Yen / person).
We miss the station and it's finally in the middle of the campaign is to phone a taxi to take us to the Arden Hotel (21850 yen) Aso. The Arden Hotel is a Ryokan so it's a delicious dinner and traditional Japanese futon plush ahead. As usual, to wash themselves, a stint at the Onsen (Bath public) is required.
Sunday, December 6
Program:
- Ascension Naka-dake
- Bus Aso - Kumamoto
- Bus Kumamoto - Kumamoto port
- Kumamoto Ferry Port -
Shimabara - Shimabara Bus - Unzen City
Today is a great day, we are only a few kilometers from a group of 5 volcanoes Eboshi-dake (1337m), Kijima-dake (1321m), Naka-dake (1506m), Neko-dake (1408m ) and Taka-dake (1592m). Naka-dake is the only active volcano on the group and it is a cable car takes people almost to the crater.
For now, it's 7am and the weather is rather overcast. After a Japanese buffet for breakfast, we go back to pack our bags, check-out is at 10am in Japan. We then took a taxi to the cable car station (20 minutes, 3900 Yen). The resort is surrounded by a dense fog instead. It still takes our tickets (1000 yen aller-retour/personne) and are only two in the cabin. Yet it is a good twenty people waiting to warm up there. Access to the crater is blocked due to the excessive concentration of sulfur around the crater. To make matters worse, we do not see most of the time not more than 10 meters and icy gusts come relieve the bushes of snow fell overnight. This day will prove to be the coldest since the beginning of winter. We stayed there for nearly an hour, trying to take advantage of ephemeral holes in the fog to see the surrounding landscape. The crater left him completely invisible and is therefore out of spite that we take a taxi to the Arden Hotel. These first two days in Kyushu are quite catastrophic. A picture of Mount Fuji, you need a good dose of luck to benefit from favorable conditions in the Japanese mountains.
After a short siesta, we take a taxi to the bus station (5 minutes, 620 yen). It takes a bus to Kumamoto (1:30, 1010 yen). After a hearty breakfast (rice + Katsu + soba), it finally makes the visit Kumamoto-jo Castle. Built in the early seventeenth century by Kato Kiyomasa, it was destroyed in 1877 during an assault against rebel samurai. So it's a replica, rebuilt between 1960 and 2008, we visit (500 yen / person). A picture with a Ninja and a Samurai is needed for itself.
then taken a bus to Kumamoto port (1 hour, 1000 Yen / person) before taking a ferry to Shimabara (30m, 1000 Yen / person). They expect the last bus to Unzen (40min, 740 yen / person). Arrived in Unzen City, we went in search of a restaurant, our hotel did not have. Walking down the street, we found a small shop vacuum of all clients. An omelet and fried rice later and we take a taxi (20 minutes, 3000 Yen) for the Q Hotel Kamara. The room is a replica of yesterday's Ryokan, traditional Japanese dinner and less. The price is also more "modest" for Japan, 4000 yen per person. After a stint at Onsen, I gaze at the stars in the sky, generally a sign of good weather for tomorrow.
Monday, December 7
Program:
- Cable car to Myoken-dake
- Ascension Fugen-dake
- Bus Unzen city - city
Obama - Obama City Bus - Nagasaki
Sunrise 7am. As expected, the blue sky and sun are waiting for you. We take the buffet breakfast, take our suitcases and take the car away. It takes us across from the bus station in an office that organizes the tour for the Unzen volcano. Unzen volcano is composed of four major volcanoes: Heisei Shinzan (1483m), Fugen-dake (1359m), Myoken-dake (1333 m) and Kunimi-dake (1347m). Heisei Shinzan is a new lava dome from the last eruption most of 1991, which killed forty people. However, we can not reach. To get near, we must reach the summit of Fugen-dake.
We wait only 5 minutes before the 9am shuttle takes us there (20 minutes, 430 yen per person per trip). We pay the round trip and head to Nita Pass the cable car station. It bought our tickets (1200 yen aller-retour/personne).
The cable car takes us to the top of Myoken-dake. A few steps take us in 5 short minutes to the observatory. Kayo has not provided we would do a "little" trek, it will take me a little about fifteen minutes to convince her. Floor small suede boots clearly not appropriate for a trek, however, she follows me for a walk to the summit of Fugen-dake and a return to Nita Pass on foot (usually 2 hours). The beginning of the trek climbs moderately for 20-30 minutes. Then descends through a wooded valley. The path is well signposted. The ascent to the summit is rather steep. We finally found a few meters of lava cone Heisei Shimzan. A slight smell of rotten eggs after a few fumaroles of the cone caressed our nostrils.
It then descends and turn left at the sign that marks the foot the summit. About forty minutes and we are back at the bottom of Nita Pass. The tour will last approximately 3 hours instead of the usual 2 hours. I take this opportunity to pull a hat off to Kayo. Much softer than the volcanoes I could climb, the ascent of Fugen-dake is difficult for a non-athlete, especially if he has not adapted shoes.
We lack the shuttle for 10 minutes. As it happens every couple of hours, we need to order a taxi. There will therefore be paid in return for a cable car and a return bus that finally we will use it. The taxi (1800 Yen) brings us back to the office of Unzen City. In the restaurant next door, you can taste the local specialty of Nagasaki, the Sara Udon (crispy noodles with seafood) and some dumplings.
then collected our bags and take the bus from 14:30 to Obama City (30 min, 530 yen / person). This city was made famous by supporting the candidacy of Bush. It is famous for its many onsen Kyushu, public baths. You enter into a Ryokan and spend an hour in the Onsen (500 yen / person). After a stroll along the beach, we go to the tourist office where we sign a petition to bring the president Obama Nagasaki to relaunch the debate on the nonproliferation of nuclear weapons. We then take the bus to Nagasaki 16:30 (1:20, 1550 Yen / person).
arrived in Nagasaki, it arises in a cafe to find things to do in this hour, almost all of the attractions being closed for 17h. We decided to go to Inasayama, a hill with lovely views of Nagasaki. The cable car does not work, we must take a taxi. Fifteen minutes and here we are before a long balcony with only a few meters are not blocked by trees. The taxi meter has blocked its time to take some pictures. He intends to take us to Megami Bridge, also known as Venus bridge, which would seem to be a very romantic corner of Nagasaki. He promises a discount at the end of the trip. It even stops in the middle of the bridge so that we can walk along the bridge. The counter is at 8000 yen when we return to Nagasaki Station. The discount of 1000 yen seems small but it gets no better, ca be expensive night photos.
We share dinner on the 5th floor of the station (soba, raw tuna and rice). We take the tram to the station and go up Ourakaigandori Hotel Monterey Nagasaki. As in any large Japanese city, the hotel room is much smaller than those of the two previous nights.
Tuesday, December 8
Program:
- Visit
Nagasaki - Nagasaki Bus -
Fukuoka - Fukuoka Tower
We turn to the Japanese buffet breakfast and pay for the room (4,300 yen / person). At the counter of the hotel it also buys a pass for a day of unlimited public transport (500 yen / person). So we take the tram to Megane-bashi Bridge also called Entertainment. It is a bridge with a reflection on the water, nothing exceptional but it is pretty.
It then walks to the museum of history and culture Nagasaki (1200 yen / person). We learn the history of maritime trade and Nagasaki in Japan in particular. Nagasaki was the only port in Japan authorized to maritime trade with countries outside Asia. Holland remains the main trade partner of western Japan.
It then walks up to the epicenter of the bomb represented by a small monument black. We also visited the museum of atomic bomb (200 yen / person) which instead focuses on a description of the damage caused by the bomb, whether at the level of the beam, or the blast of radiation. Most damage is concentrated on three km but The blast was felt up to 15km radius. We finally ended by the Peace Park and some statues.
We return to Nagasaki Station. Just time for breakfast on the run (Takoyaki and hamburger) and we take the bus from 14:15 to Fukuoka (2 hours, 2250 Yen / person). Arrived at the bus station in downtown, you do not have much time to visit. It takes time for a coffee before Kayo escort to the airport to 18.
I then take the subway to Nishijin. I deposited my luggage in a locker and I walk a little twenty minutes to the Fukuoka Tower. Dressed in his coat of Christmas, the Fukuoka Tower measuring 234 meters but the observatory (800 yen) is only 123 meters high. Unfortunately behind glass, with views of the Bay of Hakata and Fukuoka City offered to me. It is almost 21h when I leave the tower. I only have a Mac Donald's at hand, it will do the trick. I find difficulty with Nishijin station, get my suitcase and went to KKR Hotel (3990 yen) located 2 minutes from Odori Station Yaksin.
Wednesday, November 9
Sunrise 6:45. I take the subway to the airport after a transfer to Fukuoka Tenjin. It is just under 8 am when I am waiting patiently for the plane that will take me back to Singapore.
Program:
- Singapore flight - Fukuoka
- Bus Fukuoka - Kumamoto
- Bus Kumamoto - Aso
arrived at 7am by Singapore Airlines international terminal at Fukuoka, the main hub Kyushu, now I need to wait nearly 4 hours before Kayo not join me.
I am one of many shuttles liaison between the domestic terminal and international terminal from where the metro. Fukuoka Airport is indeed ideally positioned just 5 minutes from Hakata station in downtown Fukuoka.
I put my suitcase in a locker at the airport (300-500 yen) before taking the subway to Gion station where a small group of temples. The cold weather is striking and rather dull. I begin by Tocho-ji. The small wooden pagoda is under renovation, so I walk up Shofuki-ji which is also under renovation ... the colors of tree leaves will remain the sole interest of my visit. It starts raining, I continue however to Rakusuien representing no interest.
Hardened and rather disappointed by this initial introduction, I returned to the domestic airport Starbucks, a place of rendezvous with Kayo. We lunch on the 8th floor of a shopping mall adjacent to the 3rd floor and go down to take a bus to Kumamoto (2hr, 2000 Yen / person).
arrived in Kumamoto, we leave our luggage at the set up before walking Kumamoto-jo. It is 17:15, the Castle closes at 17h. Then we walk on Ginza street, a small replica of the Tokyo neighborhood of luxury. It takes a coffee before returning to the station. The train to Aso left only 19.30, fortunately we managed to catch the last bus 18.30 to Aso (1:30, 1010 Yen / person).
We miss the station and it's finally in the middle of the campaign is to phone a taxi to take us to the Arden Hotel (21850 yen) Aso. The Arden Hotel is a Ryokan so it's a delicious dinner and traditional Japanese futon plush ahead. As usual, to wash themselves, a stint at the Onsen (Bath public) is required.
Sunday, December 6
Program:
- Ascension Naka-dake
- Bus Aso - Kumamoto
- Bus Kumamoto - Kumamoto port
- Kumamoto Ferry Port -
Shimabara - Shimabara Bus - Unzen City
Today is a great day, we are only a few kilometers from a group of 5 volcanoes Eboshi-dake (1337m), Kijima-dake (1321m), Naka-dake (1506m), Neko-dake (1408m ) and Taka-dake (1592m). Naka-dake is the only active volcano on the group and it is a cable car takes people almost to the crater.
For now, it's 7am and the weather is rather overcast. After a Japanese buffet for breakfast, we go back to pack our bags, check-out is at 10am in Japan. We then took a taxi to the cable car station (20 minutes, 3900 Yen). The resort is surrounded by a dense fog instead. It still takes our tickets (1000 yen aller-retour/personne) and are only two in the cabin. Yet it is a good twenty people waiting to warm up there. Access to the crater is blocked due to the excessive concentration of sulfur around the crater. To make matters worse, we do not see most of the time not more than 10 meters and icy gusts come relieve the bushes of snow fell overnight. This day will prove to be the coldest since the beginning of winter. We stayed there for nearly an hour, trying to take advantage of ephemeral holes in the fog to see the surrounding landscape. The crater left him completely invisible and is therefore out of spite that we take a taxi to the Arden Hotel. These first two days in Kyushu are quite catastrophic. A picture of Mount Fuji, you need a good dose of luck to benefit from favorable conditions in the Japanese mountains.
After a short siesta, we take a taxi to the bus station (5 minutes, 620 yen). It takes a bus to Kumamoto (1:30, 1010 yen). After a hearty breakfast (rice + Katsu + soba), it finally makes the visit Kumamoto-jo Castle. Built in the early seventeenth century by Kato Kiyomasa, it was destroyed in 1877 during an assault against rebel samurai. So it's a replica, rebuilt between 1960 and 2008, we visit (500 yen / person). A picture with a Ninja and a Samurai is needed for itself.
then taken a bus to Kumamoto port (1 hour, 1000 Yen / person) before taking a ferry to Shimabara (30m, 1000 Yen / person). They expect the last bus to Unzen (40min, 740 yen / person). Arrived in Unzen City, we went in search of a restaurant, our hotel did not have. Walking down the street, we found a small shop vacuum of all clients. An omelet and fried rice later and we take a taxi (20 minutes, 3000 Yen) for the Q Hotel Kamara. The room is a replica of yesterday's Ryokan, traditional Japanese dinner and less. The price is also more "modest" for Japan, 4000 yen per person. After a stint at Onsen, I gaze at the stars in the sky, generally a sign of good weather for tomorrow.
Monday, December 7
Program:
- Cable car to Myoken-dake
- Ascension Fugen-dake
- Bus Unzen city - city
Obama - Obama City Bus - Nagasaki
Sunrise 7am. As expected, the blue sky and sun are waiting for you. We take the buffet breakfast, take our suitcases and take the car away. It takes us across from the bus station in an office that organizes the tour for the Unzen volcano. Unzen volcano is composed of four major volcanoes: Heisei Shinzan (1483m), Fugen-dake (1359m), Myoken-dake (1333 m) and Kunimi-dake (1347m). Heisei Shinzan is a new lava dome from the last eruption most of 1991, which killed forty people. However, we can not reach. To get near, we must reach the summit of Fugen-dake.
We wait only 5 minutes before the 9am shuttle takes us there (20 minutes, 430 yen per person per trip). We pay the round trip and head to Nita Pass the cable car station. It bought our tickets (1200 yen aller-retour/personne).
The cable car takes us to the top of Myoken-dake. A few steps take us in 5 short minutes to the observatory. Kayo has not provided we would do a "little" trek, it will take me a little about fifteen minutes to convince her. Floor small suede boots clearly not appropriate for a trek, however, she follows me for a walk to the summit of Fugen-dake and a return to Nita Pass on foot (usually 2 hours). The beginning of the trek climbs moderately for 20-30 minutes. Then descends through a wooded valley. The path is well signposted. The ascent to the summit is rather steep. We finally found a few meters of lava cone Heisei Shimzan. A slight smell of rotten eggs after a few fumaroles of the cone caressed our nostrils.
It then descends and turn left at the sign that marks the foot the summit. About forty minutes and we are back at the bottom of Nita Pass. The tour will last approximately 3 hours instead of the usual 2 hours. I take this opportunity to pull a hat off to Kayo. Much softer than the volcanoes I could climb, the ascent of Fugen-dake is difficult for a non-athlete, especially if he has not adapted shoes.
We lack the shuttle for 10 minutes. As it happens every couple of hours, we need to order a taxi. There will therefore be paid in return for a cable car and a return bus that finally we will use it. The taxi (1800 Yen) brings us back to the office of Unzen City. In the restaurant next door, you can taste the local specialty of Nagasaki, the Sara Udon (crispy noodles with seafood) and some dumplings.
then collected our bags and take the bus from 14:30 to Obama City (30 min, 530 yen / person). This city was made famous by supporting the candidacy of Bush. It is famous for its many onsen Kyushu, public baths. You enter into a Ryokan and spend an hour in the Onsen (500 yen / person). After a stroll along the beach, we go to the tourist office where we sign a petition to bring the president Obama Nagasaki to relaunch the debate on the nonproliferation of nuclear weapons. We then take the bus to Nagasaki 16:30 (1:20, 1550 Yen / person).
arrived in Nagasaki, it arises in a cafe to find things to do in this hour, almost all of the attractions being closed for 17h. We decided to go to Inasayama, a hill with lovely views of Nagasaki. The cable car does not work, we must take a taxi. Fifteen minutes and here we are before a long balcony with only a few meters are not blocked by trees. The taxi meter has blocked its time to take some pictures. He intends to take us to Megami Bridge, also known as Venus bridge, which would seem to be a very romantic corner of Nagasaki. He promises a discount at the end of the trip. It even stops in the middle of the bridge so that we can walk along the bridge. The counter is at 8000 yen when we return to Nagasaki Station. The discount of 1000 yen seems small but it gets no better, ca be expensive night photos.
We share dinner on the 5th floor of the station (soba, raw tuna and rice). We take the tram to the station and go up Ourakaigandori Hotel Monterey Nagasaki. As in any large Japanese city, the hotel room is much smaller than those of the two previous nights.
Tuesday, December 8
Program:
- Visit
Nagasaki - Nagasaki Bus -
Fukuoka - Fukuoka Tower
We turn to the Japanese buffet breakfast and pay for the room (4,300 yen / person). At the counter of the hotel it also buys a pass for a day of unlimited public transport (500 yen / person). So we take the tram to Megane-bashi Bridge also called Entertainment. It is a bridge with a reflection on the water, nothing exceptional but it is pretty.
It then walks to the museum of history and culture Nagasaki (1200 yen / person). We learn the history of maritime trade and Nagasaki in Japan in particular. Nagasaki was the only port in Japan authorized to maritime trade with countries outside Asia. Holland remains the main trade partner of western Japan.
It then walks up to the epicenter of the bomb represented by a small monument black. We also visited the museum of atomic bomb (200 yen / person) which instead focuses on a description of the damage caused by the bomb, whether at the level of the beam, or the blast of radiation. Most damage is concentrated on three km but The blast was felt up to 15km radius. We finally ended by the Peace Park and some statues.
We return to Nagasaki Station. Just time for breakfast on the run (Takoyaki and hamburger) and we take the bus from 14:15 to Fukuoka (2 hours, 2250 Yen / person). Arrived at the bus station in downtown, you do not have much time to visit. It takes time for a coffee before Kayo escort to the airport to 18.
I then take the subway to Nishijin. I deposited my luggage in a locker and I walk a little twenty minutes to the Fukuoka Tower. Dressed in his coat of Christmas, the Fukuoka Tower measuring 234 meters but the observatory (800 yen) is only 123 meters high. Unfortunately behind glass, with views of the Bay of Hakata and Fukuoka City offered to me. It is almost 21h when I leave the tower. I only have a Mac Donald's at hand, it will do the trick. I find difficulty with Nishijin station, get my suitcase and went to KKR Hotel (3990 yen) located 2 minutes from Odori Station Yaksin.
Wednesday, November 9
Sunrise 6:45. I take the subway to the airport after a transfer to Fukuoka Tenjin. It is just under 8 am when I am waiting patiently for the plane that will take me back to Singapore.
Budget: 60.000 to 65.000 yen / person
Link to photo album -> here
