DAY 9
Morning buffet breakfast was the best part of the holiday.
For I could choose what I like to eat.
This was what a typical Japanese car park looks like.
After you park your car, the platform will rise after 3 minutes.
This platform will prevent your car from moving out until you make payment.
To exit the car park, go to the machine, press payment, and key in your lot number. The total amount will be shown. Insert the amount into the slot. Once done, the platform will go down and you can drive your car out.
Kurume Castle Ruins was our first destination today.
The Kurume Castle Ruins, located in Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan, are the remnants of a once-mighty fortress built in the early Edo period. Originally constructed in the early 17th century by the Arima clan, the castle played a significant role in regional defense and governance.
Today, visitors can explore the remaining stone walls, moats, and gates that hint at the castle’s former grandeur. The site is also known for its scenic beauty, especially during cherry blossom season, when the area is transformed by blooming sakura trees.
Daihonzan Naritasan Kurume Temple was our next destination.
Established in 1958 as a branch of the famous Naritasan Shinshoji Temple in Chiba Prefecture, this temple is renowned for its impressive architecture and spiritual significance.
One of its most notable features is the towering statue of Kannon, the Goddess of Mercy, which stands at 62 meters and is one of the tallest in Japan.
The temple grounds are beautifully maintained, offering a serene environment for worshippers and visitors to enjoy. Daihonzan Naritasan Kurume Temple is a place of pilgrimage, prayer, and cultural appreciation, attracting many who seek peace and spiritual solace.
When you are in Japan, you should visit Don Quijote.
It is a popular discount retail chain in Japan known for its wide array of products and unique shopping experience. Founded in 1980, Don Quijote stores offer an eclectic mix of items ranging from groceries, electronics, and clothing to quirky novelty goods and souvenirs.
The stores are famous for their cluttered, maze-like layouts and long operating hours, often staying open 24/7, which make them a favorite among both locals and tourists.
As we headed towards Hakata, we visited some fruit farms.
At the time, persimmons were in season.
Some farms do offer fruit-picking sessions.
We managed to find a farm with grapes.
These were grapes growing in progress.
Those ready to be harvested were protected by bags.
These grapes were on display for sale.
Samples were provided for us to taste test.
Come visit for the experience.
Remember the sea of Sunflowers we saw on our first day? It’s all done in just one week.
We checked into our hotel in the late afternoon today compared to all the other days where we normally arrived at night.
We then headed for Tosu Premium Outlet for some shopping.
The whole place was rather quiet with not many shoppers.
See what I meant?
Finally, we managed to try out this chain restaurant. We saw so many of them as we drove around Kyushu but never had the chance to try one.
Their pricing was surprisingly affordable. And they have lots of varieties.
These were what we ordered. The total bill came out to be only 2161 yen.
DAY 10
Our last breakfast for this trip.
Remember to return the car with a full tank. You are required to fill at a station within 1-2 km of the rental company. The fuel charges at the rental office are always much higher.
If everything is prepared and in order, the return process is normally quite fast.
This is normally the time we purchase our Shiroi Koibito and Tokyo Banana from the Duty-Free shops.
If you can’t get enough of their Ramen, you could also buy some back.
Bye-bye, Kyushu.
Our inflight meals were ok.
Home Sweet Home.
