Things to do in Dazaifu

Highly recommended tour! It is not one of those rushed bus tours where you just breeze through; it actually leaves you with free time to explore on your own (about two hours of free time in Yufuin, though it is so rich in things to do that it is actually worth staying three to four hours. On the other hand, the Umi Jigoku [Sea Hell] was just ordinary, so I docked a few points for the itinerary arrangement). Our tour guide, Eiichi, was very professional and struck just the right balance with the pacing of the commentary. Whenever he noticed people were getting tired, he would pause appropriately, and whenever he saw everyone was interested, he would share a bit more background story. There happened to be a mobility-impaired member in our group, and aside from proactively helping to load and unload the wheelchair, he managed the timing and group gathering very well, so we never felt like we were waiting too long for settling in. The fried chicken, Mentaiko bread, and matcha soft-serve ice cream he recommended were truly delicious!

An absolutely wonderful tour! The first stop was Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine, with an 80-minute stay. It takes about half an hour to walk through the shrine grounds, where you can pray for good fortune or buy some lucky charms. The small street in front of the shrine has many great little shops; whether it's local snacks, souvenirs, the Sumikkogurashi specialty store, or the unique Starbucks, everything is very interesting and well worth spending some time exploring. Next was the Beppu Ropeway, with a 60-minute stop. The cable car ride up the mountain takes about 10 minutes, offering beautiful scenery along the way. It's a bit cooler at the top, so you should keep that in mind. When we went up, it happened to be foggy, so we couldn't see the view below, but walking along the mountain trails in the fog was still a lot of fun. We had nearly two hours in Yufuin. Starting from Lake Kinrin and slowly walking back, there are so many small shops to browse and shop at, as well as plenty of interesting snacks. Even though no lunch time was scheduled, eating and browsing our way through Yufuin turned out to be a fantastic experience. On the way back, we rode the Yufuin no Mori train. Although you can't see much of the scenery at night, it gives you more leisure time, and the seats on the train are more spacious, making it easy to use the restroom and much more comfortable to rest. It's a great choice.

I did the tour to see Takachiho Gorge and Aso Kusasenri, and I had a fantastic time. The tour was incredibly well-organized. Our guide, Sun, was knowledgeable and professional; he gave us great context about the area and guided us exceptionally well throughout the day. The gorge was beautiful, and the boat experience was so much fun. I also added the lunch package at the last minute and was really glad I did, because the food was delicious. We even got to see horses at Kusasenri, which was very cool. Overall, I highly recommend this tour!

We spotted tour guide Nana's flag first thing in the morning. She was sweet and extremely dedicated, and she didn't waste any time talking when it was time for us to rest and catch up on sleep! Her Mandarin and English were both fluent, so there were zero communication barriers. Since I easily get motion sick, I had added a note requesting a front-seat before joining the tour, and they saved a seat for me. The scenery along the entire way was truly gorgeous, and everywhere we went had a wonderful, comfortable energy. Because we joined the Takachiho Gorge boating activity, our schedule required precise timing. As soon as we arrived at Takachiho Gorge, Nana gave instructions on the meeting time and place for those not boating, and then rushed forward with the nine of us who were participating in the boating activity! It turns out that boating time is limited, and failing to return within the designated time results in extra fees charged by the boat rental shop! The boats are not the easiest to steer, but it is a lot of fun. I highly recommend trying it out if you aren't traveling with very young children or elderly family members—since you're already there, you might as well! I highly recommend this tour and am very grateful to our guide, Nana, for giving us such a wonderful day! By the way, the mango shaved ice has very poor value for the money, so skip it! The soft-serve ice cream should be worth a try, though!

Our day tour to Dazaifu, Yufuin, Kamado Jigoku, and Umi Jigoku was one of the highlights of our trip to Japan. The itinerary was well-paced, giving us enough time to explore, take photos, shop, and truly enjoy each stop. A special thanks to our tour guide, Vivian, for making the experience even more memorable. She shared interesting stories and historical facts about every place we visited, which made us appreciate each destination on a deeper level. Her instructions were always clear, and she managed the schedule efficiently, ensuring we had enough free time while keeping the tour running smoothly. Vivian also went the extra mile by recommending local specialties and must-try food, helping us make the most of our visit. Her friendliness, professionalism, and genuine care for everyone in the group made the entire trip enjoyable and stress-free. Highly recommended for anyone visiting Fukuoka and Beppu. If you get Vivian as your guide, you’re in excellent hands!

it was great tour! everything was simple easy and straight forward. definitely recommend anyone visiting Fukuoka for the first time. my only add would be the yanagawa boat ride, it should've organised a little better and clearer by the boat company. a lot of us were confused and ended up waited extra long for the ride unnecessarily. so that our time left for lunch was less and rush.

It was a truly impressive trip. I was the only English speaker, but the guide. Zhu Zhu, took good care of me, ensuring I fully understood everything about the tour. The experience far exceeded my expectations.

I really enjoyed the tour today! 🥰 It was such a meaningful experience, especially since I almost missed it! A huge shoutout to our amazing guide, Aida, for coming back to pick me up and giving me a few extra minutes. 🥹❤️ If you’re taking this tour, make sure you’re on time! Yufuin Village was absolutely beautiful and had so many shops and things to explore, especially along the alley leading to Yufuin Station. My eyes were literally “drooling” from all the beautiful things I saw! 😍✨ Thank you, Aida, for making the experience even more special! 💕

Our trip along the popular Itoshima route in Kyushu with Eiichii was absolute perfection from start to finish. Exploring six distinct and beautiful stops in a single day could easily feel rushed, but Eiichii’s meticulous planning and organization made the entire journey incredibly comfortable, smooth, and stress-free. He was incredibly accommodating, fluently switching between English and Chinese to make sure everyone felt included and well-informed. Eiichii treated every guest with the utmost warmth and respect throughout the day. To top it off, he was an amazing photographer—he took the time to ensure everyone got great photos at every single location. If you are visiting Kyushu, I cannot recommend Eiichii enough. He made our trip unforgettable!