11 May 2009

Southern Japan: COMPLETE~!!! :D

What an intense 2 weeks. I've learned a lot on this past trip to Okinawa and mainland Kyushu. I took a REALLY long trip with a friend to the south (but in retrospect, maybe it was too long). At any rate, I'm really glad I went.

Btw, there are several links to my photobucket galleries in each of the prefectures I've visited. Please check them out and comment on them if you want. :) Enjoy~!!!

My Thoughts About 沖縄 (Okinawa):

I visited Naha and the Yaeyama Islands. It was such a surreal place with many areas showcasing the magnificence of Okinawa's natural beauty. By far, my favorite place was Taketomi. It literally was like a dream paradise. So many beaches, all of which are accessible by bike, tons of good food, and at least one or two people at their house playing a sanshin (Okinawa's snake shamisen) and/or singing. You seriously hear music while you're going around the island. The waters were crystalline blue and the sunsets seemed to peacefully explode in the sky. People in Okinawa, in general, are really chill people. I've never felt so relaxed traveling. I loved my beard and mustache especially during Okinawa week because everyone else had a beard and mustache! I totally blended in - there was a strong feeling of home. I'd go back to Okinawa in a heartbeat - especially the Yaeyama Islands.

My Thoughts About Mainland 九州 (Kyushu) Prefectures:

I was able to visit all of mainland Kyushu's prefectures. After the trip, I can honestly say that Kyushu is probably the coolest place in Japan as of right now. Just like Okinawa, people in Kyushu were exceptionally peaceful, helpful, and kind individuals. Not only that, but the food was amazing. Visually, the old and the new coexist in harmoniously. Everything in Kyushu seemed so balanced. My favorite place was Nagasaki because it's metropolitan and historical simultaneously. Not to mention the fact that the catholic community is HUGE. Being in Nagasaki made me wonder why I never applied to live there. I should've done my research (but Kyoto's awesome, anyway). On a side note, the Dontaku Festival in Fukuoka was interesting, but definitely not exciting. I wouldn't want to see it again, nor would I recommend someone to see it. A festival like Gion Matsuri would be time and money well spent.

My Overall Assessment:

I love Okinawa, especially Taketomi. I love Kyushu, especially Nagasaki. You should go. Don't go to Dontaku Festival - it's not worth it.

And now for the logistics of the trip (with links to picture galleries). Enjoy.

April 24 - Fri.

After school, I stayed at my friend Taka's house because he was going to drive me to the airport the following day. His family's pretty awesome.

April 25 - Sat.

Landed in
那覇市 (Naha)
Checked into hostel - Base Hostel
Dinner at Afro Nest
Window shopping on 国際通り (Kokusai-dori)

April 26 - Sun.

Booked a Naha tour & went to:
万座毛 (Cape Manza)
沖縄美ら海水族館 (Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium)
熱帯ドリームセンター (Tropical Dream Center)
今帰仁城 (Nakijin Castle)
ナゴパイナップルパーク (Nago Pineapple Park)
おきなわワールド (Okinawa World) & 玉泉洞 (Gyokusendo Cave)
Shopping on 国際通り (Kokusai-dori)

April 27 - Mon.

Went to首里城 (Shuri Castle)
Took a boat to 石垣島 (Ishigaki)
Checked into hostel - Yashima Youth Hostel
Shopping on 市役所通り (Shiyakusho-dori)

*** CLICK HERE FOR NAHA PIX

April 28 - Tue.

Glass Boat @ 川平湾 (Kabira Bay)
Played around 米子焼工房 (Yoneko Yaki Kobo)
Snorkled @ 米原 (Yonehara Beach)
Dinner @ まーさん (Maasan)
Drank @ the hostel

*** CLICK HERE FOR ISHIGAKI PIX

April 29 - Wed.


Took a boat to 竹富島 (Taketomi)
Checked into hostel - 竹富ゲストハウス ジュテーム (Taketomi Guest House Je t'aime)
Rented a bike and went around:
コンドイ浜 (Kondoi Beach)
カイジ浜 (Kaji Beach)
集落 (Ryukyu Village)
なごみの塔 (Nagomi Tower)
Lunch @ HaaYa Nagomi Cafe
Random biking through the Ryukyu Village
Rode a 水牛車 (Water Buffalo Cart)
More random biking through the Ryukyu Village
Hung out at Kondoi Beach till sunset
Hung out and drank @ Take-to-Me bar @ hostel

*** CLICK HERE FOR TAKETOMI PIX

April 30 - Thu.


Took a boat to 西表島 (Iriomote)
Checked into hostel - 西表自然学校 (Iriomote Nature School)
Cruised up 浦内川 (Urauchi River)
Hiked to マリユドゥの滝 (Mariyudu Waterfalls)
First onsen experience @ 西表島温泉 (Iriomotejima Onsen)
Hung out with the owner & kids @ hostel
Ate dinner @ hostel

*** CLICK HERE FOR IRIOMOTE PIX

May 1 - Fri.


Bus to 由布島 (Yubu Island) site
Walked Yubu Island @ low tide
Played around the garden, saw some animals, ate stuff
Took a water buffalo cart back to bus loading site
Bus to port back to Ishigaki
Flew to 福岡市 (Fukuoka)
Checked into hotel
Dinner @ ramen stand for Hakata Ramen

*** CLICK HERE FOR YUBU ISLAND PIX

May 2 - Sat.


Train to 太宰府 (Dazaifu) area
太宰府天満宮 (Dazaifu Tenman-gu)
Train then bus to 福岡タワー (Fukuoka Tower) & ROBOSQUARE
Hung out @ 大濠公園 (Ohori Park)
Dinner @ udon shop

May 3 - Sun.

Hung around 博多 (Hakata) for the 博多どんたく (Hakata Dontaku Festival)
Dinner w/ some new JET friends

*** CLICK HERE FOR FUKUOKA PIX

May 4 - Mon.


Bus to 大分県 (Oita)
Train to 臼杵磨崖仏 (Usuki Stone Buddhas)
Check into ryokan in
別府市 (Beppu)
Dinner with JET friends
Onsen

*** CLICK HERE FOR OITA PIX

May 5 - Tue.


Bus to 血の池地獄 (Blood Pond Hell)
Train to
宮崎県 (Miyazaki)
Bus to 鵜戸神宮 (Udo Shrine)
Checked into ryokan - すずや旅館 (Suzuya Ryokan)
Dinner @ local izakaya

*** CLICK HERE FOR MIYAZAKI PIX

May 6 - Wed.


Train to
鹿児島市 (Kagoshima)
Bus to 指宿市 (Ibusuki)
Bus, train, then boat to 桜島 (Sakurajima)
Played in a dinosaur park
Hung out at a lava rock park...thing...till sunset
Checked into hostel

*** CLICK HERE FOR KAGOSHIMA PIX

May 7 - Thu.


Bus to 熊本市 (Kumamoto)
But to hostel
Bus to 阿蘇山 (Mt. Aso) & the crater
Onsen

May 8 - Fri.

Train to
佐賀県 (Saga)
Walked to 吉野ヶ里 遺跡 (the Yoshinogari Site)
Headed over to Ashley's apartment
Dinner @ Jaya's apartment w/ her family & other Saga JET friends

*** CLICK HERE FOR KUMAMOTO & SAGA PIX

May 9 - Sat.


Train to 長崎市 (Nagasaki)
Took the street car to hit up:

大浦天主堂 (Oura Catholic Church)
Chinatown
崇福寺 (Sofuku-ji)
東明山興福寺 (Tomeizan Kofuku-ji)
Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum
Nagasaki National Peace Memorial Hall for the Atomic Bomb Victims
Atomic Bomb Hypocenter
Nagasaki Peace Park
浦上天主堂 (Urakami Cathedral)
日本二十六聖人殉教地 (Site of the Martyrdom of the 26 Saints of Japan)
Train to Fukuoka
Spent the nite @ an internet cafe

*** CLICK HERE FOR NAGASAKI PIX

May 10 - Sun.


Bullettrain back home

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