Kyushu

I made good use of the combined ticket that allowed me to see both Kokura Castle and its gardens. It was worth a quick look around.

Buy it and use it immediately. Just show it to the driver when you get off the bus. The original price is 1200 yen, the same as buying it at the station. You don't need to carry a paper booklet; it's even more convenient to store it on your phone.

Extremely convenient and worth buying because it's incredibly cost-effective: It covers multiple rides in one day for attractions like the Beppu Hell Tour (Umi Jigoku, Kanawa Jigoku, Tatsumaki Jigoku, etc.) and cable car rides, making the cost significantly lower than buying individual tickets. Convenient transportation: The one-day pass covers a wide area, easily connecting Beppu Station with various tourist areas, making it an ideal choice for exploring Beppu. Easy to use (scratch card): Simply scratch off the scratch card on the designated date for unlimited rides within the day; just show it to the driver.

Although the sky was overcast that day, it didn't dampen my enthusiasm for visiting the island. Six years ago, I had taken a boat trip to Gunkanjima, but unfortunately, the waves were too high to land. This time, I booked a ticket for an afternoon departure and visited the museum beforehand. The museum staff provided detailed explanations and helpful tips; the service was excellent. The pier was a 5-minute walk from the museum. Following the staff's instructions, I queued according to my reservation number to board the boat. The seats on the boat were comfortable, and the entire tour was conducted in Japanese. A translation device could also be rented for 1000 yen to listen to the explanations. The island visit was smooth, the trip was pleasant, and the staff were attentive and kind.