Japan’s Kyushu doesn’t get sufficient love—I feel we will all agree on that. Even when vacationers do enterprise over the Kanmon Straits, nevertheless, they not often stray off the island’s vacationer path: Fukuoka, Kumamoto, Kagoshima—oh my!
The excellent news is that should you’ve obtained a while and a way of journey, there’s loads else to discover right here. The higher information? A lot of off-the-beaten-path Kyushu is nearly utterly devoid of overseas vacationers.
That is significantly the case should you drive northeastward about an hour from the onsen city of Beppu. Proceed studying my Kunisaki Peninsula itinerary to study extra!
Tips on how to Get to the Kunisaki Peninsula
I’m going to begin with a actuality that will disappoint a few of you: The easiest way to take a Kunisaki Peninsula journey is to hire a automobile and self-drive. Whilst you can technically use public transportation to achieve a few of Kunisaki’s prime locations, doing so requires a degree of coordination (and, frankly, a amount of time) that’s out of attain for many guests to Japan.
Renting a automobile will assist you to commit much less time and vitality to logistics, and extra to truly having fun with your journey. For some vacationers, this will probably be extra time forest bathing at Futago-ji, whereas others will need to learn extra about Japanese sports activities betting websites and use lunchtime to deal with successful cash to make use of on the remainder of the journey. Most significantly, you’ll get again to Beppu early sufficient to get pleasure from dinner cooked utilizing onsen steam!
What to Do on the Kunisaki Peninsula
Return in time in Kitsuki
Japan (and even Kyushu particularly) are stuffed with Samurai villages and streets, however Kitsuki is one among my favorites. Though it’s true that Kitsuki Fort just isn’t one of many “unique” 12 in Japan, the quiet and lack of individuals right here actually means that you can return in time, each by way of the traditional structure, in addition to in your personal thoughts.
Take a timeless hike by Futago-ji
Futago-ji technically dates again to the eighth century, although the expertise of traipsing by it’s totally timeless. It’s because it’s in all probability essentially the most heavily-wooded place on my Kunisaki Peninsula itinerary. “Forest bathing” connects you with one thing everlasting—one thing infinite—even should you don’t spiritually hook up with the temple.
Say a prayer at Usa Shrine
Talking of spirituality, Usa Shrine is unquestionably the best-known Shinto shrine in Kunisaki; it additionally dates again to the eighth century. Like Futago-ji, it’s sprawling and architecturally spectacular, so even you probably have no prayers to say, you’ll nonetheless stroll away feeling blessed in a sure sense.
(Or just have a meal there)
Blessed and fed: The meals stalls simply in entrance of Usa Shrine are in all probability one of the best place to have lunch listed inside this Kunisaki Peninsula information. Choices are fairly eclectic, from informal gadgets like yakisoba and karaage, to extra formal teishoku set menus with rice and miso soup.
Bonus: Get on superior view of Beppu in your manner again
As I’ll clarify in only a few paragraphs, there are good causes (one good purpose specifically) to remain in Kunisaki till after the solar units. Should you do find yourself heading again to Beppu by then, nevertheless, I like to recommend that you simply cease at this viewpoint with a purpose to soak up a completely fabulous panorama of town.
Is the Kunisaki Peninsula Price Visiting?
Earlier than I visited the Kunisaki Peninsula, I actually questioned whether or not the trouble I used to be about to place into going can be value it. At that time in my Japan travels, it wasn’t frequent for me to hire autos. Furthermore, on condition that I used to be making an attempt to cram “all” of Kyushu into simply a few weeks, I nervous that the day I used to be devoting to Kunisaki may’ve been higher spent elsewhere.
Should you do comply with my Kunisaki Peninsula itinerary, I’d say that normally these fears will show unlucky: The Kunisaki Peninsula, as I explored it, is totally value visiting. The one modification I would make? Hold the automobile in a single day. This manner, you may watch sundown someplace alongside the coast of the peninsula, be it in Kitsuki, or behind the torii gate of Hachiman-nada Shrine.
Different FAQ About Visiting the Kunisaki Peninsula
The place is the Kunisaki Peninsula?
The Kunisaki Peninsula is positioned within the northeastern a part of Oita prefecture, alongside the east coast of Japan’s Kyushu island. It’s generally seen as a day journey from the onsen city of Beppu, though it’s attainable to spend an evening or longer there as effectively.
How do you attain the Kunisaki Peninsula?
The simplest approach to attain the Kunisaki Peninsula is to hire a automobile in Beppu or Oita and self-drive. Whilst you can go by way of public transport to a number of spots on the peninsula, that is usually too cumbersome to justify, significantly when you think about the comparatively low value of renting a automobile in Japan.
Why is the Kunisaki Peninsula well-known?
Amongst vacationers, the Kunisaki Peninsula is legendary as a result of it gives historic, architectural, cultural and pure experiences which might be genuine and nearly devoid of overseas vacationers. There’s additionally some vital historical past that has taken place right here, though it’s not essentially top-of-mind for sightseers.
The Backside Line
I hope this Kunisaki Peninsula itinerary has impressed you. A few of you had been wanting to go to the peninsula anyway, and now have the small print you wanted to make the journey occur. For others, this would be the first time you’ve ever heard of Kunisaki—and also you now have a totally new place in your bucket record. Whether or not you tag a day journey on from the onsen city of Beppu, or combine it into your Kyushu journey another manner, the Kunisaki Peninsula will show unforgettable. Need the remainder of your Japan journey to be simply as timeless? Think about hiring me to plan it!