Around the world in 60 minutes: A ‘Biyahe ni Drew’ itinerary in Kyushu, Japan

Are you planning for a holiday getaway? Visiting Japan in winter is always a good idea with its cherry blossoms in full bloom. Aside from Japan’s famous tourist spots like Mount Fuji, various shrines, temples and castles, why not visit the island of Kyushu where you can visit several world-class tourist spots by just going to one destination?

To reach Kyushu, book a flight to Nagasaki, Japan, which is three hours and a half long. From there, ride a connecting flight to Kyushu because there is no direct flight to the island.

A European Christmas

Our first stop will make you think twice about whether you are in Europe or Asia. You’re sure you travelled to Japan but the scenery is definitely European with its traditional houses, wind mills, mansions, and colorful flowers.

Your eyes are not betraying you; you are in Huis Ten Bosch, a 152-hectare replica of the Netherlands built in 1992 by Japan’s tourism department and a private investor. 

Huis Ten Bosch means “house in the woods” in Dutch. Indeed, Huis Ten Bosch boasts rows of houses and mansions in between trees in this 152-hectare land.

Stroll through the streets, take IG-worthy pictures, go on a cruise via gondola, and lose yourself in their amusement park. For an entrance fee of Y7,600 or P3,000 for adults and Y4,000 or P2,000 for children, there is no need to travel far to experience Europe!

For our animal-loving biyaheros, the Owl Museum is the place to be! Get up close and personal with these cuddly nocturnal animals. You may approach and take photos of them, just don’t forget to turn off your flash so they don’t get stressed!

Look at this fluffy fellow proudly posing for the camera!

If you think Huis Ten Bosch is beautiful in daylight, wait until you see it at night! There is nothing better than seeing a sea of lights and riding a luminous dragon boat to lift your holiday spirits! The luminous dragon is 6.5 meters tall and 13 meters long with six seats where you can witness the magnificent glow of Huis Ten Bosch.

If the sea of lights could not warm up your winter night, this fire-breather surely would!

To complete our European Christmas, let’s taste raclette—a melted cheese that originated from Switzerland. It is served by sliding the melted cheese onto a plate of spiced potatoes, sausages, broccoli and bread.

Nothing like a mouthwatering melted cheese dish to warm up your belly on a cold night!

The Wild Wild West

If you want a change of scenery, travel to another continent. The Sea View Ranch of U.S.A in Nagasaki City is only one-hour drive away! Go for an authentic wild wild west adventure and ride their quarter breed horses from America. Aside from riding horseback around the ranch, you can also trot along the beach atop your steed!

Cowboy Drew and his trusty steed are back at it again, this time in Japan!

The Land Down Under

For our last stop, we’ll be visiting yet another continent by travelling to the neighboring city of Kumamoto. Behold the beauty of the Yarra Valley of Australia via hot-air balloon while basking in the early morning sunlight in the land of the rising sun! Riding a hot-air balloon is by appointment and costs Y2,200 or P1,000.

Up, up and away into the skies of Kyushu, Japan!

Let’s not forget to include a thrilling adventure for our daredevil biyaheros. If riding a hot-air balloon is too mellow for you, go paragliding!

In the Land of the Rising Sun, we don’t ride into the sunset. We paraglide into the sunrise!

---Gillan Ropero/BMS, GMA Public Affairs