Kyushu: Mojiko & Karato Market & Tsunoshima Bridge & Motonosumi Shrine Day Trip (From Fukuoka)

We really wanted to see Motonosumi Shrine. However, the original tour that we wanted to join was already full the day that is available for us so we decided to book this tour. Little did we know that we have booked a tour with "Chinese/Japanese-speaking tour guide" even if we don't speak any of the two languages. Despite this, our tour guide, Mr. Wang, did his best to guide us using a translation app. The initial plan for the tour is we explore Mojiko on our own then ride the ferry to go to the Karato Fish market and the tour guide will meet us there. However, Mr. Wang volunteered to take us to the fish market through the van instead of the ferry so we will not be lost. We respectfully declined his offer because we wanted to experience riding the ferry. We really felt his sincere concern for us. We are very satisfied with this tour. Thank you, Mr. Wang!

Note that this tour only offers Chinese/Japanese speaking guides (no English). We knew this before booking but still went ahead since these spots are hard to reach without driving. Our guide, Li Hua, communicated using a translation app, helped take photos & shared restaurant recommendations. She even suggested some of her favorite conbini store ice creams when she saw us eating some, which was really sweet. The tour was chill & well paced. It was a gloomy day, which was a bit of a bummer weather wise, but still enjoyable. Each stop had enough time to explore without feeling rushed & the bus ride was comfortable, great for naps. Karato Market was a highlight. The seafood was incredibly fresh, especially the otoro, rich, melt in your mouth & not fishy. We ordered a few items & spent under $40, which felt like an amazing value. Overall, a good option if you want to visit these places without driving. Despite the language barrier, it was smooth & enjoyable.

This was an amazing opportunity to see beautiful places in Yamaguchi Prefecture. Although, the time was kinda compressed because of the distance between each tourist attraction, they’re worth it. I recommend visiting them all. I would also like to commend Mr. GU (tour guide) for being so helpful to me by translating his instructions (from Japanese-Chinese-English). He even directed me to go down Karato rest station since I need to go to Yamaguchi City instead of going back to Fukuoka. The driver also did a good job.

This trip to Kitakyushu's Mojiko and Tsunoshima was very smooth and full of unique experiences. The tour guide not only knew the opening time of the Blue Wing Mojiko drawbridge, saving us a long wait, but also thoughtfully arranged visits to the Mojiko Retro area and Karato Market, allowing us to eat and explore. The meal choices were a big plus, whether it was the unique baked curry from Curry Honpo or the pufferfish dishes at Karato Market, both were very memorable. The timing for visiting the Tsunoshima Bridge and Motonosumi Shrine was also perfect, with weather and lighting ideal for taking photos. Overall, the tour guide was friendly and attentive, with clear explanations, making the trip both relaxing and fulfilling. It was a very enjoyable experience.

A day trip to Mojiko and Karato Market is the perfect experience. The itinerary's timing is just right, from a leisurely stroll through the market, soaking up the lively atmosphere, to tasting local delicacies, every moment is pleasant and unhurried. Our tour guide, Ms. Zhang (Ms. Tajima), was a highlight of the trip. Her gentle and polite demeanor, along with her beaming smile, made us feel welcomed. She is proficient in multiple languages and provides accurate explanations for different tourists. Whether it's historical anecdotes or culinary culture, she explains everything in a vivid and interesting way. Her management of the group is also excellent, ensuring the entire trip is well-organized and that everyone can fully enjoy the journey. This trip not only provided wonderful memories but also made us feel professionalism and warmth.

It was overall a very good experience. Ms. Wang, our tour guide, did her best to make sure everybody enjoyed all the places we visited. Although a long day trip and under bad weather, it was quite pleasant and very safe thanks to the driver!

Today's itinerary covers Mojiko, Karato Market, Tsunoshima Bridge, and Motonosumi Shrine, offering a diverse and enriching experience that is well worth the trip. The retro architecture of Mojiko and the fresh seafood of Karato Market are impressive, while the magnificent sea view from Tsunoshima Bridge and the mysterious atmosphere of Motonosumi Shrine are truly stunning. However, the guide's performance was slightly lacking, providing only a brief overview of the itinerary without delving into the historical and cultural significance of each attraction. Furthermore, detailed guidance on notable features was not provided upon disembarking, which was somewhat disappointing. Additionally, the two-hour allocated time for visiting Karato Market and Mojiko, including the ferry ride and lunch, was clearly insufficient, making it difficult to fully explore and savor the experience. The schedule felt rushed. It is hoped that the itinerary can be adjusted in the future to allow travelers to more leisurely experience the charm of each attraction.

This was an absolutely wonderful trip! Our guide, Ms. Chou (also known as Ms. Tashima in Japan), was intelligent and considerate. She thoughtfully arranged seating on the bus, grouping the three Japanese parties together, as well as the Chinese and Malaysian guests, and provided explanations in Japanese. Afterwards, she moved to the back of the bus to speak in Chinese. We really appreciated her detailed explanations of the delicious food and sights at each location. Initially, I was hesitant to book this tour because I was worried about the language barrier, but thanks to Ms. Chou, it turned out to be a very enjoyable trip. I hope Ms. Chou will be our guide again when we travel to Kyushu next time. The bus driver was also very kind and did his best to get us to the 7:00 PM Shinkansen on time, saying that Ms. Chou was concerned about it. Thank you both very much! Every place we visited was wonderful, and the cost performance was excellent for the price. The "tessa" (blowfish sashimi) and the sea urchin and salmon roe bowl we had at Karato Market were inexpensive and incredibly delicious. I arranged to have the "tessa" and fried blowfish sent from Karato Market to Kobe via refrigerated delivery, and I'm looking forward to their arrival. I've fallen in love with Hakata and Yamaguchi and would love to visit again.

overall a great experience to see some local sights. although it was a long day, it was arranged with efficiency and good scheduling. the guide was informative but not overbearing. she had a nice personality.

The day bus tour to Kitakyushu and Yamaguchi prefecture was well-organized, with the bus running punctually throughout the day. Our tour guide was very accommodating, patiently answering all our questions and ensuring everyone was comfortable.