Karuizawa

For those who don't drive but still want to explore the classic hidden gems of Itoshima, I chose the KK Day tour, which eliminates the hassle of transportation between points on the island. Our guide for the day was Helen Tan, who introduced each attraction and led us through them (such as the Totoro Forest). She also kindly helped us take photos, creating wonderful memories. Thank you, Helen Tan, with her sweet smile!

Quick response to inquiries, punctual driver arrival, safe driving, quick boarding and alighting, and smooth overall experience.

Not only is it cost-effective, but the bus fare in Karuizawa varies depending on the distance traveled, so I didn't have to check the fare each time I got on or off and prepare small change, which made the ride very smooth.

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.

It's incredibly convenient to pick you up and drop you off at Disneyland on your birthday, and you can get there comfortably without having to squeeze onto the subway – it's fantastic!

This trip was made possible by choosing a chartered car service; the entire experience exceeded expectations! The chartered car tour was fantastic! The driver was punctual, reliable, friendly, and a first-rate driver, so there was absolutely no worry about getting lost or getting stuck in traffic. The car was clean and the seats were comfortable. The itinerary was flexible, allowing us to rest whenever we got tired, truly enjoying a vacation! The car was clean and spacious, with powerful air conditioning, so even on long journeys, we weren't fatigued. The itinerary was well-planned and followed our pace perfectly, so we didn't have to rush and had a very relaxing time. It was excellent value for money!

Along the way, fellow travelers, locals, and even children wave goodbye to you—it's truly a perfect sightseeing train journey.

Karuizawa is quite a long drive, taking almost 6 hours round trip. I recommend staying overnight in Karuizawa so your trip won't be too rushed. Unfortunately, we encountered a wedding at the Kogen Chapel and Stone Chapel and couldn't go inside, which was a real shame. I suggest avoiding weekdays as the chapels are less active!