Shiraito Falls

Since we didn't choose accommodation for the day trip, we opted for a one-day pass, which would have cost HKD 500 round trip by ourselves, but now it's only $300. The tour guide, Ms. Ye, was very considerate of our group members' different needs. If we didn't want to see the sights, we could go shopping in two separate time slots, which was very thoughtful. Karuizawa has beautiful scenery and cool weather; even at the end of August, it's only 22-25 degrees Celsius. It has small shops and beautiful scenery, making it a great place for a relaxing vacation. The outlet tour was originally only scheduled for 1.5 hours, but Ms. Ye kindly negotiated with the driver and gave us an extra 15 minutes for shopping 🎉. Near the end of the day in Shinjuku, on the return trip, one of our group members needed to use the restroom, and Ms. Ye negotiated with the driver to find a place to stop so they could use the toilet. 🚽 A very considerate tour guide.

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!

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.

The tour guide was professional, knew the best photo spots, and even helped with taking pictures. The itinerary was a bit tight. Shiraishi Falls was smaller than I expected, but still very beautiful. My favorite part was the Forest Cafe; the atmosphere, drinks, and desserts were all great. I wish I could spend more time there. The Salt Pudding was subjective; I thought their soft serve was better. The seafood barbecue was so-so. Don't even bother with the Totoro Forest; it's just a small grove of trees by the sea. The Couple Rocks were really beautiful. Angel Wings was not worth it; it's a 20-minute walk round trip in the heat. The beach swings were behind a barbecue stall on the beach; it was actually a small beach playground with more than just swings. If you're dressed lightly and have enough time, you can go and play for a bit. Overall, it was a good itinerary.