Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine

Our tour leader, Xiao Cai, was very professional, although he admitted to being nervous as it was his first day leading a tour. He was considerate of our needs, adjusting the sightseeing locations to avoid crowds and ensuring we visited all the attractions smoothly and on time. The only slight disappointment was with the Liuchuan River; I expected the riverbanks to be lined with cherry blossoms during cherry blossom season, but unfortunately, that wasn't the case. I wonder why? I visited the river many years ago, and this revisit gave me a different experience. The boatman, Ken, was relatively young and sang several songs, bringing joy to the passengers and diligently completing the tour. The entire trip was enriching, and the time management was excellent—kudos!

The luggage space under the tour bus is usable; we brought a suitcase. There's no tour guide for this trip; the entire tour is guided by audio commentary on the app. The driver was very nice and held up signs at each stop to inform passengers of the meeting times. After the Yanagawa cruise, the lunch break is quite tight, and considering the distance to the parking lot, you might need to consider whether to have a proper meal or go directly to Dazaifu for a proper meal. The cherry blossoms at Kamado Shrine were beautiful.

1. You'll find the ticket counters shortly after exiting immigration at the airport. 2. Use Google Maps to check transportation options; it's very accurate and convenient. 3. Note that "Nishitetsu Tenjin" and "Airport Line Tenjin Station" are different—don't go to the wrong one! Look for station staff when entering and exiting the station. 4. Once you arrive at Nishitetsu Yanagawa, you'll need to walk to the boarding area (I saw a shuttle bus in a video), it's quite close, no need to worry. 5. If you want to eat at Wakamatsuya (eel rice, no reservations, but it's quick), consider taking the 9 or 10 am boat ride to catch your lunch. *Bring a hat, it can be quite sunny; consider using a phone strap if needed.* The boatman sings, but there's no boat jumping performance. 6. After eating, keep an eye on the shuttle bus schedule and walk to their designated parking lot to catch the shuttle to Nishitetsu Yanagawa. It's recommended to arrive 5-10 minutes early. 7. Next, go to Dazaifu. Remember to exchange your plum blossom rice cakes for umberg rice cakes. You can wander around freely; you can head towards Tenkaido Naga Shrine.

The exhibits are spaced far apart, making it very comfortable to walk around. The explanations are also available in Chinese, providing a great viewing experience.

My husband, who was also our guide and driver, was amazing; he managed the time perfectly! This strawberry farm is popular with Japanese families, highly recommended!! The eel rice in Yanagawa was also absolutely perfect!!

The package ticket is convenient, but finding the boarding point is a bit far, about a 5-minute walk, as different companies offer boarding services right outside the station. Both locations are worth visiting. The boatmen are polite and friendly, and the scenery along the way is beautiful. It's best to go on a clear day; late March when the cherry blossoms are in bloom is particularly beautiful. However, for those who don't eat eel, the selection might be a bit limited. Dazaifu is a rare lively spot in Fukuoka. Right outside the Nishitetsu station, there are many street food stalls to explore. The package ticket also includes a plum cake. Different stalls will tempt you to eat, drink, and shop. It's recommended to visit Yanagawa first, then go to Dazaifu in the afternoon. Don't forget to try the delicious shrimp cakes as a souvenir!

Thank you to our tour guide for enthusiastically introducing the scenery and related stories along the way in both Chinese and Korean. I really enjoyed listening to the stories. Although the weather wasn't great in the morning, we were lucky enough to see snow falling after taking the cable car up the mountain. There were so many things I wanted to eat and explore in Yufuin, but unfortunately, time was limited, so I couldn't fully enjoy them. However, overall it was fantastic. No need to plan your own transportation; just follow the guide. Highly recommended!