Dazaifu

Convenient transportation. The eel rice was delicious, but it's a pity the Yanagawa cruise didn't allow passengers to disembark.

Tour guide J71 Jiang Jing. The day before, I received a message from tour guide Jiang via the KK APP stating that the meeting point had changed to the entrance of the Lawson Fukuoka Oriental Hotel. Departure is at 8:25 AM in a 33-seat medium-sized bus. (40-minute drive) 9:05-8:35 AM: Shiraito Falls. Vendors in the falls area sell ice cream, soy sauce dumplings, and flowing noodles (not a classic dish). The falls are located halfway up the mountain, and the road to them is very winding and bumpy. Travelers prone to motion sickness are advised to take a motion sickness pill an hour before departure. (65-minute drive) 10:11-11:20 AM: Ichiran Ichiran no Moritojima Store. Walk along the bamboo path to the restaurant. After ordering from the machine, fill out a yellow customized form in the waiting area. The tour guide will assist you in finding a table. Iced coffee is also available. Ichiran Ramen 5-Item Set (Tonkotsu Ramen, Soft-boiled Egg, Wood Ear Mushrooms, Chashu, Seaweed) 1640 Yen. After satisfying your taste buds, admire the ramen factory through the window, visit the museum (which includes Ichiran's unique photo booth; taking photos takes a while), and buy souvenirs. Experience a rich and varied tourist factory tour. (10-minute drive) 11:36-12:00 Futamiura Couple Ishizakurai Futamigaura's pure white and sacred torii gate in the sea, gently patting the snow-white waves along the shore, is worthy of being among Japan's 100 best sunsets. (9-minute drive) 12:09-12:40 Harbor House BBQ Garden is a beach for bathing. Palm Tree Swing is a swing under the coconut trees, perfect for taking beautiful photos. Seaside Cafe: grab a cold drink or (honeydew melon) soft serve—so refreshing! Payment can be made via Pay Later. (90-minute drive) 14:30-15:00 Yanagawa River Cruise: 2000 yen per adult, payable in cash to the guide. Optional. **Yanagawa Riverside Cruise & Hakushukan (KK system character limit, please view the full version of "Hakushukan" in Google Maps comments)** The captain, Mr. Hara, was very enthusiastic, skillfully steer the boat and introduce the scenery along the river, personally demonstrating the famous "bridge jump." Most memorable was Mr. Hara's singing throughout the journey; we helped clap and harmonize, creating a joyful 30 minutes. (80-minute drive) 16:02-17:30 Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine: A visit after ten years. The renovated Tenmangu Station is magnificent. The wind chimes at the Tenmangu Shrine are fluttering in the wind, their clear sounds conveying blessings. Perfect for wearing a yukata and writing a poem about summer scenery. Disbanded at 17:57, near Hakata Station.

The bus was comfortable. The tour guide was friendly and the itinerary was comprehensive and relaxing.

The Fukuoka day trip was rich and exciting, featuring the solemn and elegant Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine, the romantic and photogenic Itoshima Couple Rocks and Angel Feather, the spectacular sights of the Akuta-ya Daimon sightseeing boat, and finally, a delicious ramen meal at Ichiran no Mori. It was a fulfilling and unforgettable experience!

Our Japanese driver was very polite, lovely, and considerate; thank you so much (five stars for him!). All four locations we visited were beautiful, but the Yanagawa section was a bit disappointing, though overall it was a good trip.

This was my first time hiring a car in Fukuoka. The itinerary for the day was to visit Mount Aso to see the beautiful scenery, but unfortunately, the weather didn't cooperate and it rained heavily. The driver was very considerate and explained to us that the fog on the mountain was very thick and we might not be able to see the scenery we wanted. After carefully asking whether we wanted to shop, enjoy the scenery, or just have a quick look around, he provided us with the best itinerary. Since we were traveling with elderly people, the driver was very accommodating and made us get off at several points, ensuring that the elderly people were safely taken back to their hotel. It was a wonderful experience!

Today, I joined a small group tour to Kyushu. I was incredibly fortunate to have Ms. Chen Jing, a professional and excellent guide, as our tour leader, providing us with a truly fulfilling and enjoyable day. Today's itinerary was rich and exciting, including visits to Nyoi-rin Temple, the Umi Jigoku (Sea Hell) and Kamado Jigoku (Hell on the Hearth) in Beppu, and a panoramic view of the majestic Mount Yufu from the tour bus. Finally, we strolled through the charming Yufuin. The entire day was smoothly and orderly, without any rushing or pressure. This perfect experience was entirely thanks to our guide, Ms. Chen Jing, for her precise time management and dedicated service. Ms. Chen Jing is extremely knowledgeable, and her explanations were both insightful and engaging. When we visited Nyoi-rin Temple, she eloquently recounted the temple's long history and vividly explained the peace and blessings symbolized by the numerous frog statues covering the mountain, making the visit more than just taking photos; it became a profound cultural pilgrimage. Upon arriving at Beppu's Umi Jigoku (Sea Hell) and Kamado Jigoku (Cooking Pot Hell), she spoke with remarkable knowledge about the formation of each spring, its mineral and geological features, and historical anecdotes. She even provided detailed guidance on the best way to enjoy onsen tamago (hot spring eggs) and the unique experience of drinking marbles (marbled soda). While passing Mount Fuku, she pinpointed the best viewing angles and reminded everyone to look out, adding to the captivating geographical commentary. Even while enjoying the scenery from the car, the views were incredibly impressive. Most commendable was Chen Jing's unique perspective on itinerary planning and her practical tips. Upon arriving in Yufuin, she shared a particularly insightful travel strategy: avoid the midday rush at popular restaurants, instead spending time leisurely shopping, exploring unique shops and the Yunotsubo streets, and then enjoying the famous Yufuin Kamameshi (rice in a clay pot) later in the day when the crowds had thinned out. This valuable advice was incredibly useful! We didn't have to waste precious travel time on long queues of one or two hours at a time. We not only leisurely explored all the shops we wanted to visit, but also easily and smoothly enjoyed a delicious and authentic clay pot rice meal. We shopped to our hearts' content and ate to our hearts' content, making the most of our time. Besides the precise and meticulous itinerary planning, Chen Jing's enthusiasm and thoughtfulness were even more heartwarming. Throughout the entire trip, she maintained incredible enthusiasm and friendliness, constantly noticing the pace and condition of the group members, proactively helping to take photos and capture every beautiful moment of the trip. She always listened patiently to everyone's questions and needs and quickly provided assistance, making us feel meticulously cared for and completely secure. Meeting such an excellent tour guide like Chen Jing, who possesses rich knowledge, superb planning skills, and enthusiastic service, was truly the luckiest thing about the entire trip. We sincerely thank Chen Jing for her hard work and dedication today, leaving us with incredibly beautiful and unforgettable memories. This was an impeccable, perfect travel experience. If any friends or family members want to travel here in the future, I will definitely recommend tour guide Chen Jing without hesitation. I also sincerely look forward to participating in another high-quality tour led by her next time!

The Liuchuan cruise area is quite quiet, and the surrounding buildings give it a historical feel, which I really liked. However, it's best to go around 5 PM, otherwise it gets too hot.