Embarked on a visit to Kyushu again (7th time) in end March (since Jan 2020). Re-visited Northern Kyushu for 10 days and took ferry to Shikoku for the first time to stay in Dogo onsen, Matsuyama for 2 days. While sakura peak blossom dates have been fickler for the last few years, this trip is more for enjoying onsen, scenery, relaxing and catching sakura blossom if any along the way. And hopefully there are less crowds. 

Overall itin – Takeo onsen > Karatsu > Yamaga onsen-go > Yufuin (2n) > Beppu > Matsuyama (2n) > Fukuoka (3n)

After landing in Fukuoka, took JR express train from Hakata to Takeo onsen in 1 hour direct. It has been drizzling on the way but luckily rain had stopped prior to our arrival. Took hotel shuttle bus to onsen hotel. 

 

Mifuneyama Rakuen Hotel

It was our 2nd stay since Jan 2020. If we had not stayed before we would have been surprised entering the reception area – in darkness except being lit up by lamps akin to those in teamLabs!  The other displays in larger rooms did not exist 4 years ago. 

 

After dropping our bags in the room, we took a stroll around for the newly added displays apart from the outdoor park before sunset.  Sakura was in its initial bloom about 10-20% – our first shot in this trip :)) 

 

Dashed for onsen before dinner at 7pm – so soothing 🙂 While the bathing and onsen areas remain the same as previously, new premises have been added in the huge rotenburo area.  On one side there’s a tower for sauna and another tower on top of the robenburo has indoor relaxation on 2 levels, with reclining chairs, refreshments and snacks provided.  Being a bit hungry after soaking in onsen, I grabbed some cold drinks to keep hydrated apart from having warabi mochi – my fav 🙂 A few males were grilling mash mellows over a furnace with slowly burning charcoal. Plenty of them were still enjoying in the onsen area when I left after 30 min. 

Dinner was in traditional courses which was sumptuous using local vege, fish, beef, pork. Everything was fresh and delicious. Finished around 8:30pm and strolled for a while to help digestion. Retired early in room as we’re tired after catching early am flight from HKG to FUK and travelled all the way here. 

Waked up early next am for one last onsen before breakfast at 8am with so many people around, despite on weekdays and most were young, either in couples or families.  While all were familiar with self-service salad, toast and coffee bars, most were wondering around a charcoal furnace for grilling nana-senchi (7cm in Kanji), apparently made from fried-tofu in thin slices packed together like a square bread roll. It was so tasty when served with a warm bowl of miso-jiru (soup). 

 

 

Before checking out we headed slightly downhill for the Rakuen, whose entrance fees were waived for staying customers. There were more sakura trees around the small pond with Mifuneyama as backdrop.  Stayed for about 30 min and by the time we left tour groups were rolling in.  Took hotel shuttle bus back to station and picked up rental car.    

 

 

==============>    Karatsu   ==============>