Kyushu Road Trip

First Day

Second Day

Third Day

4th day

01

Saga

Saga Castle is known as the Symbol of Saga City, it is a ruins of a castle made of Nabeshima's 360,000 stones. Today, Gate of Orca, Column Tower, and Stone Walls remains as they were appointed as the nation's Important Cultural Property. Within the property, there is a Saga Castle History Museum where a part of the castle is restored and Japan's culture can be felt. Saga Beef is praised as one of Japan's best brand beef out of the 150 types of beef. Saga Beef is recommended to be enjoyed as steak, Yakiniku, or Shabushabu.
Ogi

Yokan is a Japanese dessert that uses red beans, sugar, and agar for ingredients and are refrigerated. Koshiro (Small Castle) Yokan is a popular brand that is recognized nationally. It is favored for its sweet flavor that is just right and its old flavor. It is definitely recommended as a souvenir gift as its expiration date last long. We are also known for cooking that uses carp that swims in Shimizu River, which has been selected as one of the 100 bodies of water to protect in Japan (National Meisui Hyakusenn). Meat that was tightened from the cold water of the river and fresh flavor can be enjoyed through dishes like koi sashimi, raw sliced pieces of koi, and koi soup (miso soup).

02

Start

Karatsu

Nijino Matsubara (Rainbow Matsubara) lies along Karatsu Bay and is one of the nation's special scenic spot. About 1 million Japanese Black Pines grow alongside the bay over the distance of 2.8 miles. It is also recommended as a driving course which goes through the Matsu bayasi tunnel. 'Squid's Ikezukuri' is a port town known as Yobuko town's specialty, where the squid is sliced while its still alive. Immediately after ordering, a fresh squid from the store is caught by a net and is sliced quickly into sashimi, which is beautifully presented on a plate. You can also enjoy other dishes such as squid tempura, squid dumplings, and squid galore!
Imari

Saga Prefecture is well known for its variety of pottery such as Arita yaki, Imari yaki, Takeo Yaki, and Karatsu yaki. Arita is the first pottery that uses porcelain, as all types of pottery from traditional to modern taste can be enjoyed. There is also a studio where amateurs can experience turning the pottery wheel to shape the pottery and draw designs on the product while receiving advise from a professional.

01

Goal

Ureshino

Ureshino Hot spring is a well known hot spring that has been selected for one of Japan's Three Major Onsen for beautiful skin. Your skin is guaranteed to feel soft and smooth after a soak due to the high content of Sodium in the sodium bicarbonate. Hot spring Tofu is also popular, where tofu is made from using the water from the hot spring. It is favored for its soft texture that feels like it will melt in your mouth. Tea is also produced locally and unique experiences can be made by trying dishes utilizing Ureshino Tea such as Tea shabu and soaking in a Tea Bath where tea has ben soaked in an open-air bath.

01

Nagasaki

Nagasaki is filled with architecture rich in history such as Glover Housing, where a Scottish merchant named Thomas Blake Glover once resided and is Japan's oldest wooden buildings. Japan's oldest church, Oura Tenshudo, can also be found also. Turkey Rice is Nagasaki's soul food, which is a dish where rice pilaf or spaghetti, pork cutlet, and salad are all placed on one plate. It is high in volume and will satisfy your stomach and tongue. Sponge Cake that uses a lot of eggs is Nagasaki's classic souvenir.
Shimabara

Back in time, Samurai's residential zone of about 700 Bukeyashiki, an old samurai residence, existed in the region west of Shimabara Castle. Today, only about quarter of a mile of town is preserved and 3 residents can be viewed for free. At Bukeyashiki rest area, you can enjoy "City of Water" Shimabara's sweets "Kanzarashi," rice-flour dumplings are chilled with spring water and drizzled with honey. About 10 ingredients such as rice cake, vegetables, meat, fish, are simmered in a pot in this representative dish of Shinbara called "Guzouni."

Goal

01

Kumamoto

Kumamoto Castle is a symbol of Kumamoto and was built in 1601. Unfortunately, the castle faced some damages due to the Earthquake in 2016 and entrance to the castle is currently prohibited. However, the castle tower and watch tower can still be viewed from the Round Square, Kato Shrine, and its surrounding areas. Suizenji-Joju Park is a Japanese garden that was built around the same time as the Kumamoto castle. Take a walk at the garden to enjoy beautiful scenery during each season. The area is known for its Chinese soup with rice noodles and vegetables and thinly sliced raw, horse meat, which is low in calorie and healthy.

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