I feel like I got pretty lucky with my lodging in Kyushu, in the three places where I found good guesthouses: Kagoshima, Fukuoka, and Nagasaki.
The place to stay in Kagoshima is called Nakazono Ryokan. The place to stay in Nagasaki is called Fujiwara Ryokan - that place is awesome.
But the least expensive place I stayed was also the most convenient. In Fukuoka I stayed at Kaine Guesthouse. For 2500 yen a night (that's 25~30 bucks, but that's a steal by Japanese standards) I could sleep in a dorm with a futon fairly comfortably (except for the night there was the loud snoring guy). Very centrally located, I walked most anywhere I needed or wanted to go, but the subway can take you to the airport, trainstation, or Korean consulate easily.
The most important thing - the people are very friendly, and helpful. They were like a little support group as I agonized over not getting my visa number for so long.
Here's a picture of me with staff member Mizue.
And here's a picture out front, with two other guys who worked there.
oh my god jared, your shirt.
Posted by: christine | 2010.04.13 at 08:32