Yanagawa

When we arrived at the meeting point at 8:00 AM, the tour leader hadn't appeared yet, but eventually showed up holding a sign. Perhaps because the tour guide was a local Japanese and didn't speak much English/Chinese, we communicated using Google Translate. This was a slight disappointment, as we joined the tour hoping the guide would provide some background information on Fukuoka and the history of the attractions. The audio guide's commentary was essentially the same as the online promotional text for the trip, not very helpful 🤣. Also, considering that January 5th was still during the New Year period, we were told that the "Raizan Senruji Temple" stop was removed, and the entire group returned to the meeting point around 5:15 PM. Personally, I think the tour guide should have arranged for this location to be visited again before the end of the trip, depending on the vehicle's condition, so that travelers could check it out. Overall, the vehicle condition, driver, and the smoothness of the itinerary were acceptable.

Take the Nishitetsu from Fukuoka to Yanagawa Station. The bus is waiting right in front of Yanagawa Station. It's very convenient to take the bus to Kamenoi Hotel. The boatman has a great singing voice and will interact with the passengers. After the boat trip, you can take a walk along the river, go to Motoyoshiya for eel rice, and then take the bus back to Yanagawa Station. You have plenty of time and it's very pleasant.

The tour guide was great! The Chinese-English translation was very convenient as he introduced the history and culture, so there was no need to worry about communication problems. The boatmen on the Liuchuan River were also super cute and sang beautifully.

If you plan to visit both attractions on the same day and take your time, it's recommended to allocate at least half a day to a full day. Your accommodation is near Hakata Station. Consider the time needed to transfer to Nishitetsu Fukuoka (Tenjin) or Yakuin Station to pick up your physical tickets. The journey from Nishitetsu Tenjin to Yanagawa Station takes about 1 hour, followed by a 10-15 minute shuttle bus ride to the ferry terminal. The ferry ride itself takes about 1 hour. If you also want to add 1.5-2 hours for exploring the surrounding shops and resting, you can take the free shuttle bus back to the station (about 15-20 minutes) after your Yanagawa visit. To get to Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine from Nishitetsu Yanagawa Station, you need to transfer at Futakaichi Station (about a 40-minute ride). From Futakaichi, it's about a 5-10 minute ride to Dazaifu Station. There are many shops to explore between the station and the shrine. I visited in early December on a weekday afternoon, and it was still very crowded. Some shops and attractions have queues, so travelers with a tight schedule should consider this. The above figures only cover the actual travel time and do not include waiting time or platform changes. The package covers most of the transportation costs, making it a great option for those considering visiting the above attractions!

Previous experiences with chartered cars always required constant confirmation, and this time I was initially worried because the travel agency wasn't proactive in contacting and confirming. However, it turned out to be unnecessary. The agency was very professional; the driver contacted me a week in advance with detailed order information and itinerary details, was very familiar with the routes, and was extremely polite and courteous. The initial quote was truly all-inclusive, unlike other companies that later added toll fees, other charges, etc. Although the initial price might have been higher, it was actually excellent value for money, and considering the legal green license plate, the car might even have been cheaper. Highly recommended, I would definitely choose them again next time!