Japan is famous for its four distinct and breathtaking seasons, and many visitors to the country often consider the Japanese autumn to be the most beautiful. As temperatures dip after the scorching summer, the colors of the leaves change into vibrant shades of orange, red, yellow, and brown. This fall foliage is a magnificent sight that has inspired artists and poets for centuries.

Yusentei Park

A park in Fukuoka with koi pond surrounded by trees and is particularly colourful in autumn. A tea house overlooking the pond has tatami mats where you can sit and enjoy Japanese macha while listening to the sounds of water and birds. 

Yanagawa river cruise

Yanagawa is a nostalgic town about 67km from Hakata. Built in 1588 the water-filled moats crisscross the town to protect against enemies in the old days. Now river cruises take place in these moats in small boats, a slight resemblance of Venice.

Kokonoe Yume Otsurihashi

The Kokonoe ‘Yume’ Otsurihashi (located in north of Aso in Oita Prefecture) is Japan’s largest pedestrian suspension bridge with a span of 390m and an altitude of 777m. Perched at the edge of the Kuju mountain range, the bridge hangs 173m above the river valley and deep Kyusui ravine. The bridge provides a vantage point for viewing Shindo Falls which comprises of 3 falls (child, female, male). The male falls is the most dramatic, falling over 88m and is one of Japan's top 100 falls. On a clear day, smoke from the active Mt Kuju volcano can be seen.

Takachiho Gorge 

Takachiho Gorge (高千穂峡) is a narrow chasm cut through the rock by the Gokase River. The 17 meter high Minainotaki waterfall cascading down to the Gokase River below against a backdrop of dense green foliage and the surrounding grey cliffs is truly impressive and picturesque. 

There are two ways from which to enjoy the gorge. The first is from below which is done by rowing down the river. Rental boats are available at the south end of the gorge, and the water is calm and easy to navigate. This highly recommended route offers a close up view of the cliffs and waterfall.

The second way, from above, is done by walking the paved path that runs along the edge of the gorge with beautiful views points along the way. From the bridge you can look practically straight down to the river below (as shown in this photo which I shot from the top)

Sengan-en 

Senganen Garden (仙巌園), is a Japanese-style landscape garden in Kagoshima. Japanese gardens often utilize elements such as ponds, streams, islands and hills to create miniature reproductions of natural scenery. Senganen is a classic use of Sakujima and Kagoshima Bay as borrowed scenery.

Senganen was constructed in 1658 by the local Shimazu Clan, one of the most powerful feudal clans during the Edo Period (1603-1867). The Shimazu ruled the Satsuma domain (present day Kagoshima) for almost 700 years until the end of the feudal age in 1868. They continued to be influential into the modern era as some of the earliest adopters of Western science and technology.

Yufuin

Yufuin is a popular hot spring resort, located not far from Beppu, a much larger and more developed hot spring resort area. What makes Yufuin attract the crowd is the fact that it has a good cluster of art museums, cafes and boutiques, and many travelers come to the city just to stroll about town for the day. To take in the beauty of this rustic town and enjoy the walk from the railway station to the Kinrinko lake area where you can sample many Japanese snacks along the way such as the famous croquet (Japan's No. 1), a two-day stay is highly recommended which was the case for my wife and I in the past few visits. 

The most prominent feature of Yufuin's skyline is the twin peaked Mount Yufu, which hovers over the town and serves as the backdrop for many scenic views. The area is rural and shortly after leaving the main walking route, travelers will come across the rice paddies and farm houses where the railway runs across. It is a very quaint town.

Another natural landmark of Yufuin besides Mount Yufu is Lake Kinrinko. The small lake is located at the end of the town's main walking route, about a kilometer and a half from the train station which itself is also a prominent landmark.

The ryokan (Japanese inn) and hotels of Yufuin are spread out around the town and across the farmland, unlike other traditional onsen town where they are located mostly along the main street or town centre. There is a wide range of ryokan ranging from budget to luxurious standards. I have stayed on two occasions in Yufuin Hanayoshi Villa, about 10min drive from the town centre. This is one of the more luxurious ryokan with private onsen bath, and excellent Kaiseki dinner which is always included, and also breakfast, as part of the ryokan package.

Ibusuki Sand Bath

The little Onsen town, Ibusuki, is located at the southwest tip of Satsuma Peninsula in Kagoshima Prefecture, Kyushu. Ibusuki is famous for the unique sand baths with naturally heated sand from the beach facing Kagoshima bay. 

For more than 300 years, Japanese have traveled to Ibusuki's shoreline in search of a sandy cure for rheumatism, back pain, post-stroke paralysis, hemorrhoids, asthma, diabetes, menstrual disorder, infertility, anemia, constipation, obesity and all sorts of other things the warm sand (50-55 degrees Celsius) is said to cure.

Bent on proving the veracity of these health and beauty claims, Japanese researchers have put the black sands through a battery of scientific tests in recent years. A study by the medical department at Kagoshima University determined that inhaling the steam that filters through the sand increased cardiac output and improved blood circulation by a factor three to four times greater than the steam generated by average hot springs. [Source: CNN Travel 15.05.2018]

For a first timer to Ibusuki, I would say the visit would not be complete without experiencing the unique hot sand bath which has far more benefits than the normal hot springs.