Overnight Ferry to Kyushu, Japan 🚢🇯🇵 | Journey from Osaka to Beppu ♨️ Yufuin Scenic Train to Fukuoka

Overnight Ferry to Kyushu, Japan 🚢🇯🇵 | Journey from Osaka to Beppu ♨️ Yufuin Scenic Train to Fukuoka

[Music] What if you only had 3 days in Japan? It 
probably doesn’t sound like much, but what if I told you that you could visit a mountain temple, 
ride an overnight ferry to a famous onsen town, and even board a scenic train to the birthplace of 
tonkotsu ramen? In this video, we are setting off on a 3-day journey across three prefectures 
in Japan. This time, I’m joined by Ryan, my good friend and old classmate. Come along 
as we visit a serene mountain temple in Osaka, and experience an overnight ferry ride to Beppu, 
a coastal town on the island of Kyushu. We’ll also visit Yufuin, a scenic town that feels like 
it’s straight out of a Studio Ghibli film. We’ll then board the Yufuin No Mori, a 
scenic train that takes us through the beautiful countryside of Kyushu to our final 
stop, Fukuoka. There’s so much more to do that I couldn’t squeeze it all in the intro, so be 
sure to stick around for the full experience. [Music] This is Dotonbori, a vibrant district 
in downtown Osaka. Bright neon lights, over-the-top sign boards, 
and delicious street food, best experienced after dark. Running 
along the Dotonbori Canal, this has been one of Osaka’s most popular nightife and 
entertainment districts for over 400 years. [Music] A famous landmark here is the Glico Man Running 
signboard. It was first installed back in 1935 to promote one of Japan’s most famous confectionary 
brands and it has since become an iconic symbol of Osaka. Dotonbori is also famous for two local 
specialties. Okonomiyaki, a savory pancake filled with various toppings, and takoyaki, where 
batter is shaped into balls containing octopus. Our first stop today is Katsuoji, a beautiful 
mountain temple located about an hour from Osaka. [Music] Founded in the 8th century, Katsuoji has long been 
known as the temple of victory. For generations, people have been coming here to seek 
blessings for success. Whether in exams, competitions, or achieving personal 
goals. As you enter Katsuoji, you’ll probably notice countless red figurines 
scattered throughout the temple grounds. These are Daruma dolls, symbols 
of perseverance and resilience. You can buy a Daruma, write your wish 
on it, and paint it one eye. And when your wish comes true, you fill in the 
other eye, place it back at the temple. The Osaka Castle Park is an expensive 
green space in the heart of the city. It’s perfect for a leisurely stroll, 
and you can also admire the vibrant autumn leaves and the majestic Osaka 
Castle, which stands at its center. Tonight we are boarding an overnight ferry 
bound for Beppu located on Kyushu’s east coast. Welcome aboard the Sunflower Kurenai. At 200 
metres long, it’s capable of carrying cars, container trucks, and up to 700 
passengers. Launched in January 2023, it’s also Japan’s first LNG-fueled ferry. It 
features a modern interior and honestly feels more like a cruise than a regular ferry. They 
offer a wide range of cabin options from simple capsules to private suites. This time we’ll be 
staying in a shared room with capsule-style beds. We booked our tickets through the 
official website. A one-way ticket cost around 12,000 yen, which we felt 
was pretty reasonable. For comparison, a Shinkansen ride from Osaka to Fukuoka costs 
about 14,000 yen, excluding the travel cost needed to reach Beppu. Plus, you also save 
on accommodation for one night. The ferry also comes equipped with spacious public 
baths, vending machines, massage chairs, and even a full service restaurant. It has 
everything you need and possibly even more. [Music] This is Beppu in Oita Prefecture, one of 
Japan’s most famous hotring towns. With eight major geothermal sources and over 150 onsen 
facilities, it’s a paradise for people who love hot springs. And today, we’ll be exploring seven 
unique hot springs known as the Hells of Beppu We got a package from the visitor center which 
includes entry to all seven springs and one day of unlimited bus travel for around 3,100 
yen per person. If you don’t need a bus pass, you can also get a ticket for all seven 
hells on Klook for around $20 SGD. From turquoise waters, iron-rich 
red springs, bubbling mudpools, and even a hot spring for breeding crocodiles, 
the Seven Hells are a must-see attraction here in Beppu. Most of them are within 
walking distance from one another, except for just two, which 
are a short bus ride away. [Music] The next morning, we boarded a bus to Yufuin, a 
small town nestled in a valley near Mount Yufu. As you make your way up the mountains, you’ll 
see rolling green plains scattered with boulders as far as the eye could see. And it felt like we 
were driving through a scene from Spirited Away. [Music] Our first stop here in Yufuin is a tranquil 
lake shrouded with mist. This is Kinrin Lake, located near the base of Mount Yufu. Fed by natural hot springs, the water 
here remains warm throughout the year, creating a magical scene on cold winter mornings 
with steam gently rising from the lake. [Music] One of the most famous attractions 
here is the Yufuin Floral Village, a charming little theme park with tiny houses said 
to resemble those in England’s Cotswolds region. The whole place feels like something out of a 
fairy tale. Each cottage style house is actually a gift shop selling everything from stuffed 
toys and a bunch of souvenirs and accessories. We also stumbled upon a lovely little 
shop selling handmade glassware. Taking us to Fukuoka is the Yufuin No Mori, 
a famous sightseeing train with an elegant green exterior. Inside, it features a classic 
wooden interior inspired by old European trains. One of the carriages even has a 
small cafe selling drinks, snacks, and exclusive Yufuin No Mori merchandise. 
We booked our tickets just a few days before and were incredibly lucky to snack some 
seats. However, due to its popularity, I recommend booking in advance. You can do 
this either at a station or online through the JR Kyushu Railway website up to a month ahead of 
your trip. All right, I’ll stop rambling now. So, sit back, relax, and enjoy the stunning 
Kyushu countryside views. [Music] Every November, Fukuoka hosts the Kyushu Grand 
Sumo Tournament, one of Japan’s six annual professional sumo tournaments. We managed to get 
last minute tickets and had them delivered right to our hotel. Watching a live sumo match for the 
first time was such an eye-opening experience. The tension before each match followed by the 
explosive clash of strength. But what stood out most to me was the atmosphere in the 
arena. The crowd was incredibly invested, cheering loudly for their favorite wrestlers and 
responding to every move with pure excitement. If you are in Fukuoka in November, the Grand 
Sumo tournament is definitely worth experiencing. [Music] When in Fukuoka, tonkotsu ramen is a must try. 
You’ve probably heard of Ichiran, a famous ramen chain in Japan. Well, here’s where it all began. 
There were a ton of options to choose from, but we decided to zero in on Hakata Issou, a longtime 
crowd favorite. The queue was incredibly long, but when we finally tried the ramen, the 
broth was rich, bold, and unlike anything I’ve had before. The flavor of the pork bones 
is really strong, and it’s definitely not for everyone. A standard bowl starts at around 
800 yen, which is honestly pretty good value. And with that, it’s time for us to head home. We 
hope this trip gave you some ideas and inspiration for your next visit to Japan. Cat and I will be 
back with our usual content in the next video so do stay tuned. If you enjoyed the video, 
don’t forget to subscribe, like, and hit the notification bell so you won’t miss our future 
videos. And we’ll see you on our next adventure. [Music]

I booked a last minute autumn trip to Japan with my friend Ryan, as we wanted to experience the overnight ferry from Osaka to Beppu. Kyushu truly surprised us with how much it had to offer. Follow along as we visit a quiet mountain temple in Osaka, explore Beppu’s famous hot springs, and take the scenic Yufuin no Mori train to Fukuoka. All of that in just three days.

For the best experience, view in 4K with CC turned on
Shot on iPhone 15 Pro Max and DJI Osmo Pocket 3
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#japantravel
#kyushu
#autumn
#yufuin
#beppu
#fukuoka

Timestamps:
0:00 Introduction
1:08 Arrival in Osaka
2:30 Dotonbori
4:04 Katsuoji Temple
6:55 Curry Udon
7:33 Osaka Castle Park
9:52 Osaka Ferry Terminal
10:26 Ferry to Beppu
13:27 Arrival in Beppu
14:55 Beppu Seven Hells
16:41 Mitsuboshi Lunch
17:01 Tatsumaki Jigoku
17:23 Chinoike Jigoku
17:52 Room Tour
18:10 Bus to Yufuin
18:47 Kinrin Lake
19:24 Yufuin Floral Village
20:19 Yufuin No Mori to Fukuoka
21:26 Arrival in Fukuoka
21:47 Sumo Tournament
22:58 Hakata Issou Ramen
23:27 Tenjin Christmas Market
23:55 Kura Sushi
24:20 REC Coffee
24:46 Walking around Fukuoka
25:04 7-11 Fruit Smoothie
25:23 Fukuoka Airport
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Date of travel: 19-23 November 2024
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