filmwill

It's been a long, long time, fellow Fodorites.

Just getting to some well-overdue Japan planning for our December trip.

Trying to figure out our accomodations for hotels in both Kumamoto and Fukuoka. Both are technical stops. Anyone have any first-hand experience with hotels in either of these places?

For Kumamoto, we'll be coming from Naoshima after a very long train journey and staying literally overnight on our way to Kurokawa Onsen the next day. So realistically all we need is as nice as place as possible (it'll be Christmas Day) to park our butts until we take the train or bus to Kurokawa Onsen the next morning. Have narrowed this option down to the Richmond or the ANA Crowne Plaza.

For Fukuoka, it's also just a technical stop. After Kurokawa, we'll make our way to Fukuoka (assumedly arriving in the afternoon) and then the next morning we fly out of there to Bangkok. Again, not expecting to see or do much there, but just have access to some decent restaurants for dinner that night and maybe somewhere to walk around. Completely in the dark about Fukuoka hotels. They all seem kinda business-y.

Looking forward to your input...and it's great to be back in Fodor Land!

someotherguy

We probably have different travel styles, but I found the Toyoko Inn Kumamoto Ekimae pretty convenient this last January. While I was there (three days) they had free curry rice in the evenings--what better for a Christmas dinner? The meat was variously beef, pork, or horse (yum!).

And in Fukuoka, the Hakata Ekimae Gion is convenient: it's right by Exit 6 (take the elevator) at Gion subway. The ones near the main Hakata station are seriously hard to find.

I find any Toyoko Inn better than any Richmond that I've stayed at, and better than most ANAs. For real comfort, I'd probably use one of the western chains in Fukuoka (Hyatt or Hilton). I don't think you have that option in Kumamoto.

mrwunrfl

I liked the New Otani in Kumamoto. It is very close to the station. All I remember is that I was a walk-up and Saori took good care of me at the front desk.

I stayed at the Hyatt Regency in Fukuoka twice. First time was a long time ago, nice room on the club floor. The club floor was gone on my second visit, about 3 years ago. Pretty much was a business hotel room.

The location of the Regency is good, a short walk from the back (Hakata) side of JR Hakata station. Just bear right at the bowling pin and look for it on the left (map on their website which also states that it is 20 minutes by car to the airport.

I've been to FUK twice, took the subway. Once for a domestic flight to Sendai. That was easy enough. The other time was to meet my nephew who was arriving from Seoul. Had to take a shuttle bus around to the international terminal for that. Things may have changed at FUK since then, but a taxi to the international terminal might still be a good idea.

mrwunrfl

>>but a taxi to the international terminal might still be a good idea.
Assuming the taxis go there.

someotherguy

I departed from FUK in January and the international terminal requires a bus from the domestic one. It's a hassle. The bus goes through checkpoints and inside the perimeter fence so I doubt a taxi can do it, but enquire locally.

Kavey

We stayed two nights in the Kumamoto Dormy Inn. I chose the location based on proximity to the little covered shopping arcade area plus ease of getting local buses to visit the park and castle. I rate Dormy Inns highly - they may not be pretty rooms but they are always very comfortable and very well laid out to make great use of the space.

In Fukuoka we were again in a Dormy - this time the Dormy Inn Premium Hakata Canal City. The location was right by Canal City shopping centre, which has a tonne of restaurants including the Ramen Stadium, up on one of the higher floors, a bunch of ramen shops specialising in different styles of ramen.

lcuy

Although we had some booking issues, the grand Hyatt was very nice. Beautiful room, not huge, but decent for Japan, big beautiful bath. Our room had a view of the courtyard and indirectly of the malls walkways. Sounds weird, but wasn't. Very quiet. It's connected to the big mall, and when we were there on Dec 23, the lobby and mall were decorated very nicely. It's about a 4 or 5 minute taxi back to Hakata station, and from there, six minutes to he airport.

hawaiiantraveler

Stayed at the Hyatt Hakata twice. mrwnrfl's reviews above are spot on. Great place to stay if using points as very little are needed.

Next three times in Fukuoka we stayed at the Grand Hyatt. Like this place a lot and lots of eating and shopping near by as is adjacent to a seven story shopping mall. IIRC the ramen stadium is on the seventh floor of the mall where they have a whole floor with several different ramen restaurants specializing in ramen from the different prefectures of Japan. The bar area in the Grand Hyatt is huge and has entertainment in the evenings. The regency club here is a nice feature.

Have you guys experienced a business type hotel room in Japan before? Your in for a treat

Kumamoto hotels are small and mostly the business type (ie small). That said I won't stay in a Richmond hotel again. Dormy Inns are great and include an indoor onsen in all locations and usually free noodles in the evening. We liked The Comfort Inn Shinshigai(sp). Free breakfast albeit Japanese business type. Located on the large covered shopping dori (street). Excellent location for restaurants and shopping. A ten minute taxi ride from the JR Station and right in the heart of town. Be ready for small rooms everywhere here though in Kumamoto. The newer but still business Toyoko-Inn is right across the street. Same small business type rooms,same business type free breakfast.
BTW taxis on Kyushu have the best rates I've seen in Japan so short rides are very affordable. Too bad you don't have time to visit Kumamoto-jo(castle). One of my fav castles in Japan. Have fun!!

Aloha!

hawaiiantraveler

oooo almost forgot. Years ago mrwunrfl mentioned to me about a place that sells Hakata dolls. There is a shop in the small basement of the Hakata train station that sells them. Down the steps and to the back of the basement on the left....can't miss it lol. Beautiful keepsake and glad we bought one on Bill's recommendation. Its truly one of our prized treasures from our Japan travels. And of course as with everything you buy in Japan, the store will wrap it securely so the doll makes it home with you easliy


Aloha!

mrwunrfl

Hakata doru, hai! There is a Hakata doll shop in the bottom of Tenjin Underground shopping mall under Tenjin subway station. It is a store (with a door and window) and has a nice selection. IIRC, the doll shop at JR Hakata station is in an open area and has a smaller footprint and selection - and some nice dolls! I have a collection of three, each obtained on different visits to Fukuoka. First was a girl in a kimono, next was a kabuki? wizard, and then a little chubby geisha.

rkkwan

Grand Hyatt Fukuoka is in the Canal City shopping centre. We stayed at the ANA Crowne Plaza closer to Hakata Station on points, twice, but went to Canal City more than once. Yes, the Ramen Stadium is there.

But if you stay there, don't forget to just cross the canal to Nakasu, the island in the river. At night, there are a line of supper stalls ("Yatai") that are not cheap, but offer great food/snacks.