Miyazaki

We chartered a car from Fukuoka to a hot spring hotel in Yufuin. We first visited Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine. Because of the heavy traffic on Saturday, the driver suggested adjusting the itinerary and having lunch at a rest stop along the way before heading to Yufuin to avoid having to queue for lunch. After arriving, we parked the car in the parking lot in the middle of Yunotsubo, which was only a ten-minute walk from Lake Kinrin, which was great.

Although the drive is long, it's a great way to visit all the major attractions in Kyushu. Pick-up and drop-off from Fukuoka city is very convenient. Mr. Yanagi is very professional, taking care of everyone and providing tips for each attraction, such as the best spots for photos of the volcano crater. The itinerary was well-planned, ensuring a smooth trip to Mount Aso. Highly recommended, it's a very worthwhile tour.

The app's emails, which were in Chinese, could use some improvement, but I received one in Japanese three days before the trip. We were supposed to meet near the bus rotary at Hakata Chikushiguchi and head for the yellow flags, but when we got there, there were a lot of people with yellow flags. I checked with one of them, and he was fluent in English, Japanese, and Chinese, directing us. Since the tour is run by a Chinese company, the tour conductor was a Chinese national, Mr. You, a 10-year veteran guide. When we gathered in the medium-sized bus, we realized we were the only two Japanese people there—everyone else was foreign. Conversely, we were treated specially, sitting in the front row. The tour was a speedy, efficient day trip. I imagined a Japanese travel agency would have allowed a little more time, but the time was perfectly timed. However, after the trip, I realized they were trying to accommodate foreigners, since they couldn't always visit at their leisure, by showing us as many places as possible. At the iconic Takachiho waterfall in Miyazaki, we even enjoyed rowing our own boat. I couldn't paddle well, so I plunged into a waterfall. Getting wet was a good memory. The Miyazaki beef for lunch was seriously delicious.

The itinerary was well-designed and flexible, allowing for adjustments to the order! Our guide, Mr. Ge, was professional, friendly, polite, and considerate! The driver was a skilled driver and very courteous! This trip was a success; we successfully reached Takachiho Gorge and even rode the little train! Mount Aso was unforgettable; nature is truly amazing! Thank you 🙏 for a wonderful memory!