Going to Kumamoto with Kyushu Reconstruction Discount Tickets: Part 1 Beginning of the journey

[Introduction]

I traveled to Kumamoto using “Kyushu Fukko Wari” (Kyushu Reconstruction Discount Tickets). Since I was impressed with Kumamon (the local mascot character of Kumamoto Prefecture) at Yuru-chara Grand Prix 2016, I decided to visit Kumamoto to see how reconstruction has been moving forward after the strong earthquake. In this article, I will write about departure for Kumamoto as part of Day 1.

[Visit Places (series of articles)]
* Day 1: Departure for Kumamoto [This article]
* Day 2: Kumamoto Castle
* Day 2: Josaien
* Day 2: Kumamon Square
* Day 2: Kumamoto Night View
* Day 3: Kumamoto Suizenji
* Day 3: Kumamoto Station
* Day 3: Kumamoto Castle (Revisit)
* Day 3: Kumamoto Castle (Evening View)

[Travel Date]
2016.12.22 – 24

[Main Part]

A new series has begun. As the title of the article suggests, I visited Kumamoto with “Kyushu Fukko Wari” (Kyushu Reconstruction Discount Tickets). To begin with, I will write about why I made up my mind to go to Kumamoto.

Kumamon in Yuru-chara Grand Prix 2016

It was Kumamon’s stage show in Yuru-chara Grand Prix 2016 when I started to have an interest in visiting Kumamoto.

1st Day of Yuru-chara Grand Prix 2016 (Related article).

2nd Day of Yuru-chara Grand Prix (Related article).

I was impressed with Kumamon’s performance. Kumamon expressed his gratitude to support and encouragement from all over Japan toward the Kumamoto Earthquake which occurred in April, so I hit on an idea of visiting Kumamoto in the future.

“Kyushu Fukko Wari” (Kyushu Reconstruction Discount Tickets)

Then, I checked “Kyushu Fukko Wari”.

“Kyushu Fukko Wari” is discount tickets to promote tourism in Kyushu, which has been affacted by the Kumamoto Earthquake in April. I found that the deadline of the discount tickets was by the end of this year, so I decided to plan a trip to Kumamoto.

There are several travel booking websites and airlines where “Kyushu Fukko Wari” is applicable for booking. After comparison, I determined to book my tickets at Japan Airlines’ website.

This time, I booked a ticket which included a round-trip flights and accommodation for two nights. I paid only 30,800 JPY using the discount coupon (20,000 JPY) 🙂