Visit Kurate Gakuen!

Kurate Gakuen is a school opened to all cosplayers, on weekends, to make use of its many facilities for the purpose of Photoshoots, 3D modelling and even to produce your own photo books.

The school has recently invited some of the cosplayers in the region to visit the school earlier this year. It is now your chance to visit the school to see for yourselves the beauty and the options available.

Travel to Kurate Gakuen with Ambassador, Ying Tze!

Furthermore, popular cosplayer Ying Tze will be accompanying the traveller for the tour and a visit to the school. Travel Kyushu’s most scenic photo spot with Ying Tze, create memorable photo and eat some the best Kyushu can offer.

Photographers will get to participate in Photoshoots with Ying Tze as well as with other cosplayers visiting the school’s event. Cosplayer will get a chance to meet with popular Photographers and get your photos taken.

This is definitely a chance not to be missed!

2 period to choose from!

This special tour would be held on 2 dates,

8th September to 11th September*

15th September to 18th September*

Ying Tze would be travelling on the trip for both dates.
Each available period can support up to 30 pax only. Space is limited.

*Travel date might be cancelled due to a lack of participants

Fees not inclusive of, 

(1) Hotel porter fee and personal expenses.
(2) Any insurance of Japan domestic travel.
(3) Tour leader fee from Singapore.
(4) International or Domestic air ticket to Fukuoka.

Need air tickets? *Optional*

On the order page, you would have the option to buy the packages with Air Tickets from the various countries. If you have other requests, feel free to contact NTA.

Service is provided by Nippon Travel Agency

DAY 1

Meet up at Hakata Green Hotel and enjoy shopping around the Hakata/Tenjin Area.
Check into HAKATA Green Hotel for the Trip, enjoy its location, with 15 minutes walk to various tourist spots and attractions.

For example, the Kashida Shrine, Canel City Hakata, and Rakusui-en.

Day 2

Yufuin

Enjoy Shopping at Yufuin’s famous Yunotsubo street, please do try out the local specialities!

Try out the local speciality,  

Yufuin Cheeze Factory, making use of the milk produced locally, the factory creates its line of delicious omiyage like cheesecake and tarts. The brand has no other outlets, so its products can only be found fresh there.

Yufuin Milch, the main store of the milk company that produces Milch pudding, Kase Kuchen(Cheesecake), Rollen Kuchen(roll cake), Milch Soft cream, and W KASE. Also another award-winning outfit. One must try their special version of CheeseCake, the Kase Kuchen, it can be eaten either warm or cold.

Visit Yufuin Floral Village, 

The park and petting zoo takes the look of a European styled village. It has a row of small houses that includes a bakery modelled after Miyazaki’s Kiki Delivery Service, a true to life representation.

Various animals can also be spotted around the hamlet, with Monkey, Owl, Sheep, Squires and more. Feel free to donate money or purchase food for the animals.

Snoopy Cafe!

Visitors are greeted with a menu of Snoopy themed drinks as well as a whole series of Peanuts comics from the 1990s. The comic books were published in English with Japanese subtitle, so it’s a perfect place to relax and enjoy.

Most rustic Studio Ghibli shop in Japan! 

It even comes with an authentic looking watch tower from the movie Princess Mononoke!

The shop takes the shape of a traditional single story house with sliding doors. Inside, the forest look takes over, with the use of wooden logs. For Ghibli lovers, the shop is stocked with some of the most interesting Ghibli themed products, including seasonal products.

End the visit to Yufuin by eating lunch at the scenic area.

Kitsuki

A beautiful small castle town situated on the tip of Kunisaki Peninsula, in Oita Prefecture. It would be normally be missing from the tourist’s place to visit. Consequently, Kitsuki receives few visitors and remains a well-kept secret amongst the landscape photographers and interested parties.

It is one of the many small towns labelled as “Little Kyoto” but without the crowd and filled with friendly folks looking to extend their hospitality to all whom visits. With less crowd, Cosplayers and Photographers alike can enjoy the scenery more.

Highlights,

Kitsuki Castle (Kitsuki-jo) stands on top of a plateau roughly 30m high overlooking Morie Bay, east of the city of Kitsuki in Oita Prefecture.

It is also known as the “prostrating cow” castle because the landscape surrounded by the sea and cliff looks like a cow prostrating on the ground. The castle is believed to have been originally built in 1394 by Lord Kitsuki Yorinao, the present three-tiered donjon was reconstructed in 1970. Information relating to the castle is exhibited inside the donjon.

There is also a corner where visitors can try on a suit of armour that was worn by samurai 200 years ago. – JNTO

The town is also famous for Kimono rental for professional photography, and many special discounts at museums, restaurants and cafés if you rent a kimono! Over here, Ying Tze will be trying on a Kimono!

#Kitsuki Castle is called “prostrating cow” castle as it looks like a cow lying on the groundhttp://t.co/BLzu6gTd5m pic.twitter.com/8IgZUswDiY

— The Gov’t of Japan (@JapanGov) 11 December 2014

Beppu Sand Bath!

Beppu, on the Island of Kyushu, is Japan‘s most famous place for visiting hot springs. Almost 3000 hot spring vents are said to be in the city.

One of the most unique onsens is the sand bath which involves lying down on the beach. The sand bath helps in relaxing your muscles, by sinking in the warm sand while gazing over the vast, blue ocean.

Don’t forget your camera! The staff will be happy to take a picture of you while buried in the sand.

At the end of the day, check into the Rihga Royal Hotel Kokura.

Day 3

The highlight of the trip with a visit to Kurate Gakuen, the participant would spend the whole day at the school. You are allowed to use the facilities available in the school.

Facilities and rooms available include,

Japanese high school sports hall with store room and club rooms,

The Rooftop,

*New* The Cafe,

This is a new development where cosplayer can come in to enjoy some drinks as well as the wooden interior decor.

Showa House/Toy Museum,

This is the place, where the “principle” of the school holds much his prized collection. Decorated to resemble a home during the Showa era, the area is also a Toy Museum showcasing Toys, posters and memorabilia from the 1950s to 1990s.

Classroom, nurse’s room, library, Kitchen and more!

The common rooms that you should find in a school are definitely also available and is open for you to use during your visit.

Grab your Omiyage, presents, or toys at the Akiba of the Kyushu at Aru Aru City!

Aru Aru City, the premier shopping belt for Anime, manga, idol and game enthusiast on the island of Kyushu! Opened in 2012, the 7 stories high shopping mall is situated in the city of Kokura. It is packed full of shops for anime fans as well as restaurants, Karaoke Studio, and Internet cafe.

For anime fans, it has the national staples like ANIMATE, Melonbooks, Mandarake, MaiDreamin, as well as local stores, where many hunts for the rare stuff. Also within it, housed the Kitakyushu Manga Museum where you can read and learn how to draw manga. Don’t miss out their limited-time exhibitions!

You can also visit the Hologram Theater to catch your favourite artist perform in a Hologram recording! Currently, they are featuring AAA, and is scheduled to change the featured act every month!

Farewell Dinner!

At the end of the trip, when you had all the fun, we have prepared a sumptuous Yakiniku BBQ dinner as farewell and uchiyage!

Check into the Hakata Green Hotel (3 Stars)

Day 4

Check out from hotel and end of the trip!

The Hotel,

 Hakata Green Hotel No. 1

Hakata Green Hotel located in Hakata st. It’s just 5 minutes away from Tenjin shopping street by subway! In walking distance, there are many shops such as Hakyu department store, Amu Plaza, many restaurant and speciality shops.

・Address: 4-4 Chuogai, Hakata station, Hakata ward, Fukuoka city, Fukuoka 812-0012
・Tel: 092-451- 4110
・Website: https://www.hakata-green.co.jp/hakata1/

**Please take note that there are Hakata Green Hotel No.2.

 Rihga Royal Hotel Kokura

The RIHGA Royal Hotel Kokura is the landmark of Kokura, the city that serves as your gateway to Fukuoka, Kyushu. This luxurious high-rise hotel can be accessed easily via a direct link from the bullet train station to serve as the ideal hub whether you’re visiting the area for business or pleasure.

All guest rooms are spacious and comfortable, offering 30 ㎡ or more of room space.

・Address: 2-14-2 Asano, Kokurakita-ku, Kitakyushu, Fukuoka 802-0001
・Tel: 093-531-1121
・Website: https://www.rihga.co.jp/kokura

DAY 4

Check out from hotel
End of trip

Fees not inclusive of, 

(1) Hotel porter fee and personal expenses.
(2) Any insurance of Japan domestic travel.
(3) Tour leader fee from Singapore.
(4) International or Domestic air ticket to Fukuoka.

Need air tickets? *Optional*

On the order page, you would have the option to buy the packages with Air Tickets from the various countries. If you have other requests, feel free to contact NTA.

Service is provided by Nippon Travel Agency