This is the final stop on our journey through Japan, as we fly out tomorrow to Da Nang, Vietnam, via Hong Kong. Fukuoka is apparently known as the home of ramen, so Troy wanted to make sure we got our last fix before leaving. The ramen experiences didn't disappoint as we visited an area in the Canal City mall called "Ramen Stadium" which gave you options of 8 different styles from all over Japan! Although we weren't there for long, Fukuoka certainly seems like a ...

We indulged in a 1 night stay in the Kurokawa Spa region to "onsen hop", where we visited 3 outdoor spas over the day. We only have one photo of this location as we spent all of our time in hot steamy springs - heavenly! The rest of the time we spent getting lost as our lack of Japanese proved to be the most problematic in this area. Luckily, people continue to demonstrate their incredible patience and grace, and helped us by giving us short lifts where we needed...

Following the most comfortable highway bus experience ever (reclining chairs, foot rest, leg room, slippers!), we arrived in rainy Beppu for 3 nights to formally enter the hot spring leg of our Japan journey. It is actually fitting that the mist and drizzle has continued, because the weather is the perfect backdrop to a lazy "onsen" (Japanese hot spring) experience. Our first night here we visited the rooftop spa of one of the local hotels to bathe and steam whi...

We had a long journey from Koyasan to Nagasaki, which included a flight from Osaka after we ruled out a complex train journey, so by the time we arrived, we were relieved that we had booked 3 nights in Nagasaki to slow down a bit. The arrival on the island of Kyushu seemed to coincide with a lot of rain, so we didn't feel pressure to rush around and try to see everything. Troy had wanted to come to Nagasaki specifically to learn more about the WWII events, and w...

(That title is from Troy...does anyone know this song??) We ventured deep into the misty mountains and forest for a 1 night stay at Koyasan - the headquarters of the Shingon sect of Japanese Buddhism. After three trains, a funicular, and a bus, we arrived at our temple stay for the night, where we were warmly greeted by the monks and taken to our traditional Japanese room, complete with futon on tatami mats. Touristy, yes, worth it, absolutely. This spiritual se...