Japan Travel Guide: Transportation & Accommodation

Traveling to Japan requires a lot of planning, especially when it comes to accommodation, food, transportation, and other essentials. While joining a tour group can simplify things, it comes with the limitation of limited freedom and constant adherence to the tour itinerary. Therefore, a free and independent trip is the better option.

Communication & Internet

During my pre-trip research, three common options for communication and internet access emerged: Sakura Card, docomo, and portable Wi-Fi egg.

I had previously used the docomo SIM card, but it only allowed internet access and not phone calls. As I needed to contact the Kurokawa hotel for transportation arrangements, I decided to forgo the SIM card.

Ultimately, I opted for a portable Wi-Fi egg.

Global Roaming

I booked the Wi-Fi egg through Ctrip and picked it up at Beijing T3 Terminal.

The daily rental fee was ¥10, with a ¥500 deposit that was pre-authorized upon pickup and canceled upon return. It was a very convenient system, and the signal was stable. This time, the battery life was significantly better than the previous Wi-Fi egg I rented.

Accommodation

This trip mainly involved staying in hotels, with the exception of a guesthouse in Fukuoka. Since it was not peak season and Kyushu is not a popular destination for Chinese tourists, booking hotels was relatively easy.

Huis Ten Bosch

Adult-themed park, star-rated hotel, 2 nights, ¥1615

Review: Recommend 4 stars

The hotel is located outside the park, but guests can access the park through a shortcut. It’s very convenient. The hotel facilities and services are also good. During my stay, I asked the hotel staff to help me book the Kurokawa bus and contact the Kurokawa hotel for transportation arrangements.

Kumamoto

2 nights, ¥753

Review: Highly recommended. The location is excellent, right next to the Kamitorishō Shopping Street. You can go shopping right outside the hotel, and it’s also very close to the station. 5 stars!

Kurokawa

San Sui Bo, 1 night, ¥39180

Review: Absolutely amazing hot spring hotel nestled in the forest. It’s completely secluded. The facilities and services are 5-star, but the only downside is that it’s a bit far from the Kurokawa town. The hotel provides shuttle service to and from the town, but I wasn’t able to visit the town due to my check-in time. It’s a pity. I heard that the hotels in the town are also pretty good…

Staying here was all about indulging in the hotel experience.

I chose this place because I was completely captivated by the outdoor hot spring photo on the hotel website. The reality perfectly matched the picture! Soaking in the hot springs surrounded by trees was incredibly refreshing!

Yufuin

2 nights, ¥22150

I made a spontaneous decision to stay in Yufuin, so I also made a last-minute hotel booking…

Review: Recommend 3.5 stars

The location is unbeatable, right by the station. Everything else is like a typical Japanese business hotel. The standard room is incredibly small, but they have family rooms with a kitchen. The family rooms are okay.

Fukuoka

Airbnb guesthouse, 2 nights, ¥547

Review: 5 stars!

The room was huge, truly spacious, and matched the description in the photos. The location was also fantastic, just a 10-minute walk from the Tenjin shopping district.

Expenses

Besides shopping expenses, the basic cost of the trip was approximately ¥7610. I exchanged ¥5000 worth of Chinese yuan before the trip (mostly used for transportation and dining), leaving me with ¥10,000 at the end. This is just for reference.

Weather

Regarding the weather, I strongly, strongly, strongly advise everyone not to visit Kyushu in July. It’s important to emphasize this! The rainy season is from late June to July, with rain almost every day. Sometimes it’s a downpour, sometimes a heavy thunderstorm. This greatly affects the entire trip and travel mood. I returned on the 2nd, and on the 5th, a major rainstorm hit northern Kyushu, resulting in casualties. Thinking back now, it still makes me shudder.

It’s not just the daily rain, but the humid and sticky weather after rain, combined with scorching sun, creating a sauna-like experience! This also forced us to opt for shopping malls instead of sightseeing in Fukuoka (of course, shopping is important too!).

Transportation

Anyone who has been to Japan knows that their transportation system is highly developed, which also means it’s complex and complicated. After my previous experience in Kansai, I found navigating transportation in northern Kyushu relatively easy this time.

This Kyushu trip primarily involved JR trains and the Kyushu Expressway Bus.

JR Pass

Also known as the JR Kyushu Rail Pass, it’s designed for short-term foreign visitors to Japan.

The JR PASS comes in three options: whole Kyushu, northern Kyushu, and southern Kyushu. There are also two duration options: 3 days and 5 days. Within the designated area and time frame, you can ride unlimited times for free (limited number of reserved seats).

Essentially, you can freely ride the JR Kyushu lines, including the Kyushu Shinkansen, limited express trains, sightseeing trains, and regular trains. It can be purchased from various places, such as Taobao, Japan Window, the JR official website, etc.

Scope of Application

Price

As you can see, the JR Pass allows you to reserve seats for free 10 to 16 times.

Whether or not to buy the JR Pass depends on two factors: whether it’s financially advantageous and whether it’s more convenient to avoid purchasing tickets multiple times. For financial comparison, you can calculate based on your itinerary. JR lines in Japan are classified as regular, rapid, express, limited express, and Shinkansen. Tickets are divided into three types: “regular tickets,” “express tickets,” and “business tickets.” Regular tickets are required for all trains. When riding the Shinkansen and limited express trains, you need to purchase an express ticket in addition to the regular ticket. Express tickets are further categorized into reserved seats and non-reserved seats.

For a simple price calculation, you can assume regular trains cost ¥1000 per one-way trip, rapid, express, and limited express trains cost ¥2000 per one-way trip, reserved seats require an express ticket, and Shinkansen fares are generally doubled. Of course, it’s best to check the Japanese website for details.

Of course, you have to take a ride on the unique small trains in Kyushu! Most of these small trains are reserved seat only (fixed seats), with only reserved seats available. You need to fill out a “Reserved Seat Application Form.”

Kyushu Expressway Bus / SUNQ Pass

My itinerary included a trip to Kurokawa Onsen, and the only way to get there was by long-distance bus. This is where the SUNQ Pass comes in handy.

The SUNQ Pass allows unlimited travel on long-distance buses throughout Kyushu and almost all regular bus routes for three days. It covers approximately 2,400 bus routes, encompassing about 99% of Kyushu’s bus network.

Similar to the JR PASS focusing on trains, the SUNQ PASS focuses on buses. Initially, I planned to purchase this pass, but after calculations, I realized that we would only need it for the journeys from Kumamoto to Kurokawa and from Kurokawa to Yufuin, and buying individual tickets would be more cost-effective. So, we didn’t buy it.

1. Scope of Application:

Applies to express buses, limited express buses, city buses, ferries, etc. in entire Kyushu or northern Kyushu. Generally, buses or ferries that accept the SUNQ PASS will have a SUNQ PASS sticker on them.

2. Usage Tips:

Kyushu’s express buses are divided into reservation-required and non-reservation-required. For reservation-required routes, you need to book your seat in advance. Some people who have purchased the pass mentioned that you get a booklet with the pass that includes details about all the routes, maps, reservation procedures, etc., and it’s even in Chinese.

Traveling on all buses is very convenient. You don’t need to purchase any additional tickets. Usually, you just need to show your PASS to the driver when getting off.

If you, like me, choose not to buy the pass, individual tickets are also available.

Kumamoto – Kurokawa: ¥2500

Kurokawa – Yufuin: ¥2000

This bus needs to be booked in advance, and it can only be booked by phone or online.

Booking the Kurokawa Bus

As you can see, the online booking platform clearly states that SUNQ Pass holders cannot book online and must book by phone. That’s another reason why I didn’t buy the pass.

Choose a departure time and select your boarding and disembarking stops. Please note that the 8:00 bus goes to Beppu, while the 12:00 bus goes to Yufuin only.

Yufuin – Beppu One-Day Pass

Due to a last-minute change in itinerary, we were supposed to stay in Beppu but ended up staying in Yufuin. So, we needed to travel back and forth between Yufuin and Beppu. This is where the Yufuin – Beppu One-Day Pass came in handy. It’s a great deal. A one-way trip from Yufuin to Beppu costs ¥870 at least, making the round trip worth the price. This pass also covers Beppu’s local buses, which you’ll need to visit the Beppu Hell Onsens.

Purchase Location: Yufuin Bus Terminal

Price: ¥1600

Scope of Application: Applies to all Kamei buses (including Beppu city buses, Nabeyama, Kijo Kogen, and Yufuin round trip, etc.)

Other Tickets / Transit Cards Used

ICOCA is an IC card issued by JR West Japan. It’s only an IC card, not a discount card.

This time, I used this card on the subways and buses in Fukuoka and Kumamoto. It’s incredibly convenient! No need to look for loose change. I topped it up with ¥1000, and there was still some balance left at the end.

I found that fares in Kyushu are much cheaper than in Kansai.

Taxis

While Kyushu has trains and buses, many small areas have infrequent train or bus services, so taxis become the fastest option. Taxis in Kyushu generally have a starting fare of ¥660. I took a taxi this time. Honestly, in Kansai, I was too scared to use taxis – they’re ridiculously expensive!

A taxi from Hakata Station in Fukuoka to the Tenjin area costs about ¥1070, which is quite reasonable.

Other Minor Details

1. There are two fare systems for buses in Japan:

One type is pay-as-you-exit, where you board from the rear door and exit from the front. There’s a machine next to the entrance when you get on, and you need to take a ticket. The ticket number indicates your boarding stop, which is used to calculate the fare when you get off (some pay-as-you-exit buses don’t require tickets).

Another type is fixed-fare buses, where you pay upon boarding. You board from the front, swipe your card, or insert coins. Generally, you board from the front and swipe your card or insert coins.

There’s a coin changer next to the coin slot.

Regardless of the bus type, always press the stop button before getting off. There’s a button in every seat. If no one presses it before reaching your stop, the driver won’t stop.

2. Hot Spring Baths

For those planning to visit hot springs, remember to shower and rinse your body before entering the bath! And remember, you must be completely naked!

Entering the public bath area directly without showering will be met with reprimands. When showering, sit on the small stool or squat, trying not to splash water on others.

Small towels or bath towels cannot be taken into the pool. Before entering the pool, you can skillfully use the small towel to cover yourself. After entering, the most authentic way is to place the small towel on top of your head, wiping sweat and maintaining hygiene.

3. On buses and subways, there are designated seats for the elderly, children, women, and disabled individuals. Don’t sit in them randomly!

4. When trying on clothes in a department store, remember to take off your shoes before entering the fitting room. If the staff sees you wearing makeup, they will provide a cap to wear over your head to prevent lipstick from smudging on the clothes when you take them off.

5. After finishing your meal, take your bill to the cashier to pay. Don’t be rude and say “Check, please!”

Waiting: Sometimes, if a store is busy, you have to wait. Like in China, there’s a paper sheet listing the names or numbers of waiting customers. Unlike in China, where the staff writes your name, in Japan (at least in Kansai, I encountered this situation), you write your own name. There may not be staff at the entrance. You write your name below the previous person’s name and wait your turn. After a while, a staff member will come out and call your name.