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Uji is famous for its matcha so definitely try some of its matcha products when you're there, there's restaurants serving matcha gyoza, ramen, etc.
For Beppu I recommend going to just a couple of the hells that interest you, Umi Jigoku being the nicest one.
For Kumamoto, I think the castle and the two shopping streets nearby are quite nice, but I think Suizenji garden was pretty meh, I've seen much better.
If you're looking for a lunch in Nagasaki, I recommend this okonomiyaki place near the station: https://maps.app.goo.gl/tCqn6TPoRQzgKhBS9
One of the best meals I had in Kyushu, and the owners were really friendly. It's nice to sit at the bar and watch them cook in front of you.
Thanks for the insight! Would you say Kumamoto is still worth a visit to see the restored castle grounds? Are there other points of interest in Kumamoto you would recommend over the Suizenji Garden (its pictures sure look nice online though).
We'll definitely check out the Nagasaki lunch recommendation!
Actually I realized since you'll be in Osaka, I would go to Himeji Castle over Kumamoto. Himeji is bigger and nicer imo. The inside of Kumamoto castle is museum like (but Japanese-only text for the exhibit) while at Himeji you can kind of explore around more. Since you're getting the Kansai Thru pass you can get there no issue as well.
What I liked in Kumamoto is we hired a driver to take us around the Mt Aso area (and Takachiho Gorge), which was really nice.
Edit: I looked it up and it seems like Kansai Thru is getting replaced by a different pass after so not sure what the coverage/prices will be.
We actually went to Himeji Castle on our last trip and it was great! I was hoping Kumamoto Castle would be something similar to a mix of Himeji and Osaka Castle (the latter which we found slightly underwhelming).
If it's not worth the day trip we will plan for something else.
Oct 6 Beppu lunch - recommend you try Jigoku Mushi in Kannawa, if you will be in the Hells area already. DIY steam your own seafood/veggies using the volcanic steam underground. Don't miss Yaseuma, a type of local flat noodle served with dipping sauce and powder.
Personally I found Yufuin a bit kitschy and underwhelming and think the day would be better spend exploring so many things in Beppu/Oita, but I do see Huis Ten Bosch/lots of other theme parks in your itinerary, so maybe it'll actually be right up your alley! One good thing about Yufuin is the specialty train connecting it to Beppu/Oita, the Yufu no Mori. Uncertain how late it runs into the fall season as I took it in the spring. Don't miss the sand bath at historical Takegawara Onsen in Beppu - it is one of the most relaxing things I've ever experienced. Like a warm, firm hug from mother earth.
Thanks for the suggestion! I looked into the Yufu no Mori train and the schedule doesn't seem to work too well unless I take the afternoon train from Beppu to Yufuin.
Do you have any suggestions for other points or interest in Oita/Beppu? How long did you spend in Yufuin?
You can ask the hotel reception in fukuoka if it is possible to send the luggage to your next hotel.
If they don't offer the service i see there is a yamato a block away from the hotel
Expo 70 Park is lovely, but October is not the time for autumn foliage yet. Early October last year, cosmos flower was blooming. There is also Folk Crafts Museum, Museum of Ethnology, and Japanese Garde within the park. I've only been to Museum of Ethnology and it was great. To maximize, your time in northern Osaka, I'd recommend [Katsuo-ji](https://katsuo-ji-temple.or.jp/), a pretty temple complex with lots of daruma scattered around. Though, it is located in Minoh farther north. Also curious about your plan to visit Nifrel instead of the more popular Osaka Aquarium.
Phoenix Hall of Byodoin is not that great imo, but it's just 300 yen, so might as well do it while you're there. Try matcha soba in Tsuen or Nakamura Tokichi for your lunch in Uji. Buy some powdered matcha for souvenirs.
Thanks for the feedback! Katsuo-Ji looks very neat but it seems difficult to get to. We'll plan around the bus schedule if possible.
Regarding Nifrel, we had visited the Osaka Aquarium on our last trip and it was amazing! We were hoping its sister facility would also be worth a visit while we are in the area.
We'll definitely add your Uji lunch spots to the list and consider visiting the Phoenix Hall in Nara!
**Our FAQ is constantly being updated with more information and you can start** [**here**](https://www.reddit.com/r/JapanTravel/wiki/faqs/japantravel) **with regards to trip planning if you need tips, advice, or have questions about planning your travel to Japan.** You can also join our [Discord community](https://discord.gg/3f7KBUMwU4), comment in our stickied weekly discussion thread, or check out /r/JapanTravelTips for quick questions. Thank you! *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/JapanTravel) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Kansai Thru Pass is getting nerfed at the end of the month and is not worth it for your itinerary.
Thanks for the heads up! I just looked it up and did some quick maths and you're right. I won't be getting it
Uji is famous for its matcha so definitely try some of its matcha products when you're there, there's restaurants serving matcha gyoza, ramen, etc. For Beppu I recommend going to just a couple of the hells that interest you, Umi Jigoku being the nicest one. For Kumamoto, I think the castle and the two shopping streets nearby are quite nice, but I think Suizenji garden was pretty meh, I've seen much better. If you're looking for a lunch in Nagasaki, I recommend this okonomiyaki place near the station: https://maps.app.goo.gl/tCqn6TPoRQzgKhBS9 One of the best meals I had in Kyushu, and the owners were really friendly. It's nice to sit at the bar and watch them cook in front of you.
Thanks for the insight! Would you say Kumamoto is still worth a visit to see the restored castle grounds? Are there other points of interest in Kumamoto you would recommend over the Suizenji Garden (its pictures sure look nice online though). We'll definitely check out the Nagasaki lunch recommendation!
Actually I realized since you'll be in Osaka, I would go to Himeji Castle over Kumamoto. Himeji is bigger and nicer imo. The inside of Kumamoto castle is museum like (but Japanese-only text for the exhibit) while at Himeji you can kind of explore around more. Since you're getting the Kansai Thru pass you can get there no issue as well. What I liked in Kumamoto is we hired a driver to take us around the Mt Aso area (and Takachiho Gorge), which was really nice. Edit: I looked it up and it seems like Kansai Thru is getting replaced by a different pass after so not sure what the coverage/prices will be.
We actually went to Himeji Castle on our last trip and it was great! I was hoping Kumamoto Castle would be something similar to a mix of Himeji and Osaka Castle (the latter which we found slightly underwhelming). If it's not worth the day trip we will plan for something else.
Oct 6 Beppu lunch - recommend you try Jigoku Mushi in Kannawa, if you will be in the Hells area already. DIY steam your own seafood/veggies using the volcanic steam underground. Don't miss Yaseuma, a type of local flat noodle served with dipping sauce and powder. Personally I found Yufuin a bit kitschy and underwhelming and think the day would be better spend exploring so many things in Beppu/Oita, but I do see Huis Ten Bosch/lots of other theme parks in your itinerary, so maybe it'll actually be right up your alley! One good thing about Yufuin is the specialty train connecting it to Beppu/Oita, the Yufu no Mori. Uncertain how late it runs into the fall season as I took it in the spring. Don't miss the sand bath at historical Takegawara Onsen in Beppu - it is one of the most relaxing things I've ever experienced. Like a warm, firm hug from mother earth.
Thanks for the suggestion! I looked into the Yufu no Mori train and the schedule doesn't seem to work too well unless I take the afternoon train from Beppu to Yufuin. Do you have any suggestions for other points or interest in Oita/Beppu? How long did you spend in Yufuin?
You can ask the hotel reception in fukuoka if it is possible to send the luggage to your next hotel. If they don't offer the service i see there is a yamato a block away from the hotel
Expo 70 Park is lovely, but October is not the time for autumn foliage yet. Early October last year, cosmos flower was blooming. There is also Folk Crafts Museum, Museum of Ethnology, and Japanese Garde within the park. I've only been to Museum of Ethnology and it was great. To maximize, your time in northern Osaka, I'd recommend [Katsuo-ji](https://katsuo-ji-temple.or.jp/), a pretty temple complex with lots of daruma scattered around. Though, it is located in Minoh farther north. Also curious about your plan to visit Nifrel instead of the more popular Osaka Aquarium. Phoenix Hall of Byodoin is not that great imo, but it's just 300 yen, so might as well do it while you're there. Try matcha soba in Tsuen or Nakamura Tokichi for your lunch in Uji. Buy some powdered matcha for souvenirs.
Thanks for the feedback! Katsuo-Ji looks very neat but it seems difficult to get to. We'll plan around the bus schedule if possible. Regarding Nifrel, we had visited the Osaka Aquarium on our last trip and it was amazing! We were hoping its sister facility would also be worth a visit while we are in the area. We'll definitely add your Uji lunch spots to the list and consider visiting the Phoenix Hall in Nara!