On the road again: Kuju and Kikuchi

We are having some great fall weather this year, so…it’s time for a road trip. One of my favorite destinations is Kuju.  Our first stop was at a small rest area off the Yamanami Highway (Route 11). Took some pictures and then we were off to Kuju.
 

Next stop was the Choujabaru Visitors Center. Took some more pics and walked the doggies.

We had one more stop at the top of Kuju (Makinoto Pass, 1330m) and took the doggies for another walk.

After lunch at BoiBoi Campground it was off to Kikuchi in Kumamoto.

It was our second time staying at the Kunasato Hotel in Kikuchi. We really like this hotel because it’s luxurious and the doggies are welcome. Lucky and Kiley sat with us at dinner and when we took onsen. Their beds were right next to ours. The rooms are spacious and very comfortable. Kunasato Hotel is very popular and it’s often difficult to book a room. The food is very good and it’s all-you-can-eat. I had steak and lobster along with a few other things. Last year, I had the most delicious chocolate mousse, but it was not on the menu this time. Oh well, maybe next year. Erika had a head and body massage while I watched a movie (Star Wars The Last Jedi). We both enjoyed the evening and the doggies were exhausted from all of the walks. The next morning, we took onsen and had a hearty breakfast at the hotel. It was an all-you-can eat American style breakfast that was delicious and filling. We took another onsen after breakfast. We got a late start (10am) and headed back home.

On the way back we stopped at a huge park situated in the hills of Kikuchi (Kikuchi Koen). The doggies enjoyed a long walk before we headed home.

One last stop was somewhere near a river on Route 338. Lucky had a swim and we bought some snacks at the gift shop. All in all, it was a fun and relaxing trip. We’re planning a trip to Miyazaki in the near future. I miss the ocean and I’m looking forward to seeing it again with the doggies (it’s been seven years since I last saw the ocean). Cheers.