Octie Appetie: Japan 2024 trip Part 1: Nishitetsu Highway Bus to Yufuin

After a hot tropical getaway in Thailand, we headed for a winter wonderland trip to Kyushu Island in Japan for 2 weeks. It was around the end of January, right in the middle of winter when we went. We were visiting quite a few cities in that short amount of time. We covered Yufuin, Beppu, Fukuoka, Nagasaki, and Osaka as well as nearby cities as well. So, let’s go into more details in each post. Hope you all will enjoy them and Octie Appetie…

First, we landed at Fukuoka International Airport with a direct flight from Bangkok. We arrived Fukuoka nice and early in the morning. However, we didn’t stay in Fukuoka as yet that day. Instead, we went straight to Yufuin. There is a direct bus departing from airport to Yufuin. If you prefer to go by train though, you need to go to Hakata city to do so.

In case if you follow my step, you can get the bus ticket to Yufuin from the airport, very convenient. The bus company’s name is Nishitetsu Highway Bus, so right after you go out from arrival gate, the counter is on your right just opposite the information desk. Ensure that you have your preferred time handy. You can check their timetable beforehand from their website.

From what I know, bus runs every hour or less during peak hours. And there could be two buses run at the same time. Because they split me and my parent in a different bus, so we can all leave at the same time. The bus departs from the highway bus waiting area and look for stand 3.

While we were waiting for our busses to depart, I dropped and sent my luggages that I won't use until later to my final destination city which was Osaka. It helped me a lot when moving from city to city by train. I have more hands to carry other things. I also bought a SIM card and spoilt myself with some nice breakfast from 7eleven.

Fukuoka International Airport map

Nishitetsu bus ticket counter

There are a few companies providing this door-to-door type of service. After read quite lots of reviews, apparently Yamato Transport Global or easily spotted with their black cat symbol is one of the largest and most trustworthy company. It is very popular among travellers as well.

It was my first time using this service and the lovely guy was very helpful and kind. Prices are vary depending on the size of your luggage. Please see picture below with size and price details. We paid 3,880 yen or less than $40 for one big luggage and a small bag. To be honest, I thought it would be more expensive than this. It is totally worth it. However, just confirm with your hotel before sending anything. Normally, as long as you will stay there in the near future, providing that you have a reservation with that hotel, most hotels will accept and store your luggage until you arrive.

The bags get sent out the next day and arrived at destination on the following day. They gave me a tracking number so I can track my bags whereabouts. Goodbye bags. Until we meet again…

I get a little too carried away with all those choices. This 7eleven is one of the convenient stores that having immense and extensive products in the house.

I haven’t been to Japan for maybe 3 years or so. I noticed that nowadays, they have this automatic money machine at some of the convenient stores, where you just put your payment there like from the self-service check out machine in major supermarkets in OZ but here though the cashier still scans all your items for you. Japan is so smart!!

Different ratio of coffee, milk and sweetness just for a latte. Japan is really paying attention even in a small detail like this for example. Impressive!!

Lockers for hire to keep your luggage

The bus journey took less than 2 hours. The driver dropped us at Yufuin bus terminal which is located right next to Yufuin station. From there, we caught a taxi to go to our ryokan, Yawaragi-No-Sato Yadoya. It costed us 700 yen. By foot, it would take around 15-20 minutes walk. I surely won't do it with all luggage we carried. Or otherwise, it would be a nice walk from the station to our ryokan because there are lots of shops and things to see along the way.

After we checked-in, we had some spare times before our dinner reservation and private hot bath. So, we were strolling around the town for a bit. With just less than 200 meters walk along that Yunotsubo street, we already managed to grab some snacks like giant takoyaki, croquettes, dango and cheesecake. We came back to this area the next day and spent full day there, so please stay tuned for more details in my next post.

There is a shop in between fried chicken and giant takoyaki shop that selling croquettes. I was actually after the famous Yufuin Kinsho Croquettes shop that most of vloggers were talking about. However, we couldn't find it as yet and we spotted this good-looking croquette shop. We bought the mentaiko and triple cheese minced meat cutlet, they are 400 yen each. They were absolutely enjoyable. Hot and crispy on the outside, succulent meat inside with thick melted cheese in the centre. Honestly, they were soooo good. Now, I have a very high expectation toward Kinsho croquette.