{"id":5666,"date":"2017-05-07T23:35:59","date_gmt":"2017-05-07T23:35:59","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/thinkerten.com\/wordpress\/?p=5666"},"modified":"2019-01-06T00:03:59","modified_gmt":"2019-01-06T00:03:59","slug":"kyushu-1-oita-prefecture-a-quiet-getaway-in-yufuin%e6%b9%af%e5%b8%83%e9%99%a2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thinkerten.com\/wordpress\/2017\/05\/kyushu-1-oita-prefecture-a-quiet-getaway-in-yufuin%e6%b9%af%e5%b8%83%e9%99%a2\/","title":{"rendered":"Japan Self Drive in Kyushu 1 – Oita Prefecture – A quiet getaway in Yufuin\/\u6e6f\u5e03\u9662"},"content":{"rendered":"

Self Drive in Kyushu Island Japan<\/strong><\/p>\n

Kyushu \u4e5d\u5dde is the most southern island in Japan, this island is most suitable for self drive because of it wide roads and less cars. \u00a0There are total 7 prefectures in Kyushu and the capital is Fukuoka. \u00a0The size of Kyushu is about the size of Taiwan. \u00a0I am very familiar with Kyushu because I did my post graduate studies here.<\/p>\n

Fukuoka Airport to Hakata City<\/strong><\/p>\n

There is no car rental outlets in Fukuoka international airport so we took a taxi to bring us to the car rental outlet in Hakata city. \u00a0The car rental is located near the Hakata train station.<\/p>\n

Fukuoka to Yufuin<\/strong><\/p>\n

From Fukuoka city to Yufuin took us about 1.5 hour drive. \u00a0When we arrived at Yufuin, it took us quite a while to find our Ryokan\/Hotel. \u00a0Ryokan is the traditional style of Japanese Inn. \u00a0The roads in Yufuin is very narrow, our rental car almost felt into the paddy field area but luckily it didn’t!<\/p>\n

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\u00a0Enokiya Ryokan in Yufuin<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Ryokan we stayed is called Enokiya Ryokan. \u00a0Yufuin is popular for it hot spring. \u00a0I did not spot any Hotel in this small town, most accommodation is Ryokan style. \u00a0Some of the views from our Ryokan, a small valley and some mountain view. \u00a0This place is surrounded by mountains.<\/p>\n

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Our breakfast at the hotel are not buffet style but was a set menu with rice and miso soup and salad, very healthy indeed.<\/p>\n

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Yufuin is located on a flat river basin surrounded by mountains. The most prominent feature of Yufuin’s skyline is the twin peaked Mount Yufu, which hovers over the town and serves as the backdrop for many scenic views. Many local tourist come here just for the weekends getaway.<\/p>\n

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Things to do in Yufuin<\/strong><\/p>\n

This is a quiet town, few things you can do here.
\n1. Walk around the walking street where the shops sell mostly Japanese souvenirs.
\n2. Onsen\/hot spring
\n3. Enjoy the hike around the mountain, taste\u00a0the peaceful surrounding and embrace nature in your own pace.<\/p>\n

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Donguri nomori in Yufuin<\/strong><\/p>\n

There is a walking street full of shops selling many interesting Japanese souvenirs and one of the highlight is the\u00a0Totoro shop, called Donguri no mori.<\/p>\n

I love this shop simply because they offer the cutest totoro stuff, from soft toys to lunch box, handkerchief, tower and many others cute stuff. \u00a0Before you enter the shop, there is a huge Totoro greet you at the door. \u00a0Give him a pat if you like. \u00a0Yes, you will find Totoro’s friends, Kiki in the shop as well.<\/p>\n

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Japanese Post Box<\/strong><\/p>\n

Most Japanese post box are square but the one I found in Yufuin old town is round which was in fashion many decade ago.<\/p>\n

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Our Ryokan\u00a0has a very good location, within walking distance to the walking streets and has an indoor onsen. \u00a0One thing about Ryokan is you are sleeping on the Futon –\u00a0\u00a0a traditional Japanese bedding comprising a quilted mattress that is usually laid on the floor. \u00a0For old people it may not be that convenient.<\/p>\n

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More shops to explore in Yufuin walking streets, you can always go in and try out the snacks. \u00a0Many shops are selling omiyage like pickles, dried fish, crackers, nuts. \u00a0Life here is pretty slow and shops close at 4.30 pm.<\/p>\n

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Type of Umbrella Shops in Yufuin<\/strong><\/p>\n

Umbrella have long been a must item in the daily life of Japan. \u00a0It also mirror Japanese art. \u00a0In Japan, there are many type of Umbrella, Wagaka\/\u548c\u5098 refer to Japanese style umbrella. \u00a0Higasa\/\u65e5\u5098 is only used for shade, not suitable when it rain. \u00a0You will see many ladies, especially obasan\/old auntie use ‘higasa’ in summer. \u00a0The umbrella here are not cheap, from 6000 yen to 15,000 yen.<\/p>\n

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Japanese Chopsticks & Lunch Box Shop in Yufuin<\/strong><\/p>\n

You can also find your perfect pair of chopsticks here. \u00a0Many styles and colors for you to choose from. \u00a0Some are tailor to your hand size. \u00a0The traditional Japanese chopsticks are made from lacquered wood here and the price is not cheap since it is made from lacquered wood. \u00a0The Japanese chopsticks are a very pleasant souvenir\u00a0<\/em>especially for those who enjoy the Japanese food.<\/p>\n

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Old Train in the park in Yufuin<\/strong><\/p>\n

At the end of the shopping streets, there is a park and there is an old train located there. \u00a0 I am not sure why it was there, may be they could not find \u00a0a better place to dump this old train.<\/p>\n


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Dinner in Yufuin<\/strong><\/p>\n

I was here in the winter so the sky turn dark pretty early, at around 4.30 pm. \u00a0 Most shops closed around this timing and even the restaurants. \u00a0We walked for a while to search for a restaurant for our dinner but no luck to find one. \u00a0The sky turn completely dark and there are not many street lights. \u00a0Pretty scary experience, pretty cold and dark. \u00a0We managed to find a supermarket and bought some bento\/lunch box for our dinner. \u00a0The restaurant in our Ryokan did not open for dinner too. \u00a0Yufuin is like a ghost town after 5 pm in winter.<\/p>\n

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Kyushu 1 – Oita Prefecture – A quiet getaway in Yufuin\/\u6e6f\u5e03\u9662<\/strong><\/p>\n