6 weeks. Countless train rides. Thousands of kilometers. One unforgettable journey across Japan. It has been hubby's bucket list to slow-travel all around Japan, and we are glad to finally make this a reality. From vibrant cities to quiet countryside, snow-covered mountains to coastal towns, ancient temples to modern skylines — we are grateful for the opportunity to experience and see so many different parts of this country. We were also fortunate to experience the cherry blossom season this time around. Arigato gozaimasu, Japan, for the wonderful experiences and memories, and for showing us again what a unique country you are, with amazing culture and people.
6-Weeks Around Japan
24 Feb - 2 Mar 2026: Tokyo
2-3 Mar 2026: Hakone
3-5 Mar 2026: Nagoya, Nakasendo Trail
5-8 Mar 2026: Kyoto, Uji
8-12 Mar 2026: Osaka
12-17 Mar 2026: Sapporo, Niseko, Hakodate
17-18 Mar 2026: Akita
18-22 Mar 2026: Sendai, Ginzan Onsen
22-25 Mar 2026: Kanazawa, Shirakawago
25- 29 Mar 2026: Hiroshima
29 Mar - 4 Apr 2026: Kokura, Fukuoka, Kumamoto, Nagasaki
4-6 Apr 2026: Beppu
6-7 Apr 2026: Fukuoka
29 Mar 2026 (Sun): Hiroshima - Kokura
After 4 nights in Hiroshima, our southbound journey continues. We hopped on the 10am Shinkansen for a quick 50min ride from Hiroshima to Kokura. Our original plan for today was to go to Matsuyama (to cover all prefectures in Japan on this trip) but it was too time consuming to travel there for just 1 day so we changed our plan to spend the night in Kokura instead, which is along the route to Fukuoka.
Arrived Kokura at 11am and dropped our bags at the hotel which was conveniently located right next to the station. Why did we come to Kokura??
Because of Toto Museum...lol! Yes, we made it to a toilet museum...the only toilet museum you ever need to see. Took a bus from Kokura station to the Toto Museum. Btw I like quote "Take pride in your work and strive to do your best".
The 1st floor of the museum is a showroom, and slippers were provided for customers who wants to try out the tub.
The 2nd floor is the museum showcasing the history of Toto, and the evolution of toilets from the old school squat toilets to the modern washlets with heated seats, automated flushing capabilities, sounds to mask toilet noises, and automatically open and close lids.
After spending 1.5 hours looking at toilets (entrance to the museum was free btw), we took the bus back to Kokura town to visit Katsuyama Park and Kokura Castle.
Unfortunately, the cherry blossoms in Kokura were not quite blooming yet (apart from some trees) but it didn't stop the locals from coming out on Sunday to enjoy picnic in the park.
Kokura castle and the reflections on the moat around it.
We randomly walked into a Cosplay event next to Kokura castle. No idea what's going on but it was fun people watching.
Our hotel for 1 night in Kokura - Hotel Relief Kokura Station. Booked this stay for $55/night using my $50 Chase hotel credit and 380 Chase points. This hotel is pretty basic, small and dated, and we very quickly realize the non-heated toilet bowl. This made us realize how fast we adapt and get used to better things in life. We chose this hotel mainly because of its proximity to the Kokura station. Btw, we had no idea what that poster "Going into coming out of" is supposed to mean...lol!
It was also cool that they have a nice lounge area next to the lobby offering free pastries, snacks and drinks (including whiskey).
Ichiran for dinner at 4.50pm. Lost count of how many Ichirans we've been to on this trip. This Ichiran was very local, as heard by the loud slurpings all around us. When in Japan, do as the Japanese do...so hubby also joined the slurp fest.
Some shopping before heading back to the hotel. And of course, the customary hotel PJ photo.
30 Mar 2026 (Mon): Kokura - Fukuoka - Kumamoto
After 1 night in Kokura, it was time to continue our southbound journey. Checked out at 7.30am and took the 8am Shinkansen for a quick 15 min ride to Fukuoka Hakata Station. Looking back, it would have been easier to stay in Fukuoka and just do a day trip to Kokura.
Made it to Fukuoka at 8.20am, which was too early for check in. Fortunately, the hotel was located just right across the station and we were able to drop off our bags in the hotel before venturing out.
Since we still had the Sanyo-San'in Northern Kyushu Area Pass, we decided to make full use of the pass and took the 8.51am Shinkansen to Kumamoto.
Arrived Kumamoto at 9.40am and was welcomed by Yoshi and Kumamon. Kumamon is hubby's new favorite mascot, and it's everywhere in the Kyushu region.
We planned to take the tram to Kumamoto castle but the line was so long we decided to get some steps in and walked 40 minutes to the castle.
There were so many tourists at Kumamoto castle when we arrived at 10.40am. We didn't want to pay to enter another castle so we just took photos of the castle and cherry blossoms from the exterior.
Spent about 30 min around the castle and decided to take the tram back to Kumamoto station at 11.15am. Kumamoto station was decorated with Mario stuffs in conjunction with the collaboration between JR Kyushu and Super Mario from Nov 29, 2025 to Jun 30, 2026.
As part of the Super Mario × JR Kyushu: "Let's Go KYUSHU!" campaign, JR Kyushu has 3 specially wrapped Super Mario Trains decorated with characters and designs from the Super Mario series. I was on a mission to find all 3 trains while we were in Kyushu.
I didn't know where to find the train schedules so I asked the JR staff and found out that there would be one departing Kumamoto at 12.20pm. We weren't ready to leave Kumamoto yet so we purposely went up to the platform 10 min before and was able to 'tour' and take photos of the train before it left. Mission accomplished for train #1. The interior decorations were only in between cars, no decorations in the seating areas.
Took a detour to another Surugaya for hubby's video game search before we head back to Fukuoka on the bullet train. Hubby ended up chatting with another Canadian for the 50 min journey from Kumamoto to Hakata station.
Made it back to Fukuoka Hakata station at 2.30pm and found more Mario-themed decorations around the station.
There were a few malls connected to Hakata station so we stopped by the Nintendo store (for hubby) and Pokemon center (for big bro) before heading back to the hotel.
Our hotel for the 1st night in Fukuoka was Comfort Hotel Hakata. I discovered that when booking with Choice points, all room types were priced the same so of course I booked the largest room and got this big 'family' room for 8,000 Choice points.
The lobby lounge provides complimentary drinks throughout the day and there was also a microwave we could use.
It was pouring in the evening so I walked to the supermarket in the train station to grab some food for dinner. All bentos and ready-made food were discounted 50% at 8pm so we strategically arrive around 7.50pm, grabbed what we wanted, and checked out after 8pm...lol!
31 Mar 2026 (Tues): Fukuoka - Nagasaki
Early start for the day with free hotel breakfast at 7.15am. Checked out of the hotel at 8am and stored our bags as we are switching hotel when we get back later.
It was the last day to use our 7-day Sanyo-San'in Northern Kyushu Area Pass so we are using it to travel 2 hours on 3 different trains to Nagasaki.
The 1st train ride took us through lots of farm lands.
Found our 2nd Super Mario train!
We actually rode on this Shinkansen from Takeo-Onsen station to Nagasaki station.
Arrived Nagasaki station at 10.30am and were welcomed by Luigi. Took another train to Urakami station then walked about 10 minutes to the Atomic Bomb Museum.
Our main purpose of visiting Nagasaki was to visit the Atomic Bomb Museum. Got our tickets on Klook for 200 yen/pax.
Spent about an hour in this museum and learnt that Kokura was supposed to be the primary target, and Nagasaki was actually the secondary target. "An atomic bomb exploded over Nagasaki on August 9, 1945, three days after the explosion of the first atomic bomb over Hiroshima. The B-29 bomber 'Bockscar' reached the sky over Kokura on the morning of August 9, but abandoned the primary target because of smoke cover and changed course for Nagasaki, the secondary target, where it dropped the atomic bomb at 11:02 a.m."
Had a quick stroll through Peace Park and the Peace Statue before leaving Nagasaki at 1.45pm.
Another 2-hour journey on 2 trains back to Fukuoka. I was worried about the 3 min transfer in Takeo-Onsen but it was an easy hop to the next platform, just like the name of the train 'Relay-Kamome', these 2 trains are like a relay, transferring passengers from one to another.
Found our 3rd and last Super Mario train at Hakata station!
Walked to Ikinari Steak at Canal city Hakata for dinner at 5.15pm. Hubby finally tried the Wagyu beef but was disappointed with the amount of fat on the ribeye. And there was also a Coke accident...lol!
Picked up our bags from Comfort Hotel and walked 7 min to our hotel for the next 4 nights in Fukuoka - ANA Crowne Plaza Fukuoka.
Booked this 4-night stay for 60,000 IHG points using the IHG 4th night free benefit. All the ANA Crowne Plaza in Japan loves using paper vouchers for breakfast...lol!
1 Apr 2026 (Wed): Fukuoka
Free and easy day today as it was forecasted to rain. Started the day at 9am with a chillaxing buffet breakfast, and Kumamon greeting us at the entrance.
Chose the complimentary buffet breakfast as the welcome amenity for my IHG Diamond status.
Spent the rest of the day window shopping, doing laundry, and getting the staff to microwave our bento lunch.
Walked over to the supermarket at 8pm to get our 50% discounted bentos for dinner.
2 Apr 2026 (Thurs): Fukuoka, Cherry Blossoms
After 4 nights in Fukuoka, we were finally spending the day sightseeing in Fukuoka. Enjoyed a chillaxing breakfast at 9.15am before taking a local bus from our hotel to Nishi Park at 10.55am. I was observing the bus driver on the entire 20 min journey and was fascinated by his professionalism, discipline, and pride in his work. Even though I didn't understand what he was saying (apart from arigato gozaimasu), I could see that he was diligently doing his job and following all the SOPs, even when no one was watching. This is a good example of Japanese discipline. What's most impressive is that this discipline is often self-driven rather than enforced. It comes from a culture that values community, mutual respect, responsibility, and consideration for others.
Nishi Park is one of the best spots for cherry blossoms during the spring in Fukuoka.
The park, which opened in the late 19th century, offers great panoramic views of the city and Hakata Bay. With over 1,300 cherry trees, it is a popular hanami spot with locals.
Our next stop was Ohori/Maizuru Park. Maizuru Park is often referred to as one of the most beautiful parks in the city.
Beautiful tulips blooming. Spring time in Fukuoka is so pretty!
Located in downtown Fukuoka, the park is popular for its stunning cherry blossoms that bloom in the spring, creating a canopy of pink that covers the entire park.
Stumbled upon the Fukuoka Castle Sakura Festival that was happening from Mar 25-Apr 5. Btw how are there so many people out picnicking on a Thursday afternoon at 12.30pm?
We did notice a lot of Korean tourists in Fukuoka because it's close to Busan and there are ferries between both cities.
Walked to Tenjin shopping area for more shopping at Uniqlo, Daiso, and 3Coins.
Being in Fukuoka, the birthplace of Ichiran, of course we couldn't miss visiting Ichiran's main store and headquarters. While the building spans 12 floors, the restaurant itself only occupies the first two. No wait at all when we got there at 4pm.
Strolled around downtown Fukuoka. Spring time in Fukuoka is beautiful with all the flowers.
Wrapped up our sightseeing with a final stop at Kushida Shrine before walking back to the hotel.
3 Apr 2026 (Fri): Fukuoka
Another free and easy 'lazy' day in Fukuoka. Stayed in the hotel all day and didn't even go out for lunch and dinner. Thanks to the hotel staff for helping us microwave our bentos. I was working on finalizing plans for my next trip. No break on trip planning. Glad we had days like these slotted into this long trip, giving us some time to rest and less content for me to work on...haha!
Hubby went to get a 'Japanese' haircut.
4 Apr 2026 (Sat): Fukuoka - Beppu
After 5 nights in Fukuoka, we are making our way to our final city on this Japan trip...Beppu. Had breakfast at 7.15am before checking out of the hotel at 8.30am. Glad that the hotel allowed us to store our bags at the concierge for 2 nights (even though we weren't coming back to this hotel). We are still coming back to Fukuoka after 2 nights in Beppu so we didn't wanna lug around our bags.
It was also raining that morning so we were glad we didn't have to carry our bags and walk in the rain to Fukuoka station to catch the bus to Beppu.
Next stop...Beppu!
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