Originally Posted by LapLap
I'm also hoping to get some insights on 'Spa' experiences - whether it's a couple of ladies with a heavy local accent burying you in sand and ash... Calcifer! Or one of our AC moderators to egg me on with pushing Kyushu.
Ah, it's been so many years since I (and my beautiful sakuranbo!) was buried in sand in Kyushu, I'm afraid I don't really remember much of it.... but even then (almost 20 years ago) I thought Beppu was really sleazy. Don't think I'd recommend it for a solo woman first-time traveller.
In Kyushu, I always wanted to check out Yufuin, but never made it there. It looks much classier but may also be on the pricey side.