I said this a few years ago after visiting Nagoya. Even in less glamorous parts of Japan, I realized you can always find something to enjoy. I’d say the same for Kyushu after my first trip there. But mood really shapes how a trip feels.
The trip began in Kumamoto. I had low expectations, but it turned out to be great for two of my favorite things: coffee and food. I stumbled upon a roastery called A Blue Coffee on Google Maps and was quite looking forward to it—only to find it had closed. Another quick search brought me to AndCoffeeRoasters, a place with a good vibe that accommodated a last-minute change of plans due to heavy rain.
I didn’t visit the famous Kumamoto Castle. In fact, I’ve started skipping most tourist spots in Japan—just like how I never returned to Asakusa Shrine after a quick visit years ago. And I think I was right. Later in Yufuin, I had to choose between visiting a promising-looking contemporary art museum, or wandering the recommended shopping streets. For some reason, I picked the latter and instantly regretted it.
The theme of this trip was sakura. I’m glad I caught cherry blossoms two years in a row, and also managed to see both autumn foliage and sakura back-to-back. I even got to see nemophila again since it bloomed early this year. All in all, Kyushu’s a great place for sakura: plenty of beautiful spots, fewer tourists.
Back in Hong Kong, I returned to my dull, repetitive life. I used to know someone who bragged about going to TST every day. (Still not sure why that was brag-worthy.) If I see him again, I’d tell him I, too, go there every day now. TST has everything I need—close to home, lots of parking, food, cafes I like. But still, this isn’t the life I want. I hate repetition. Dentistry and Endo are dull; so is my life. In a way, I became the subject of my own criticism. Hong Kong probably still has fun to offer, I just don’t always have the capacity to enjoy myself.