Fukuoka – Day 6

Left Fukuoka today, stayed in the air conditioned room until check out time (12pm). Walked to the Sumiyoshi Temple and Rakusuien Garden, they are next to each other about 10 minutes from the station. Both are small, but nice places.

Had a good tonkatsu lunch at the Hakata train station. Then went to Starbucks for a drink (matcha frap that I don’t think they have in the US). Walked around the shopping malls in the train station for a bit before heading to the Fukuoka airport a little early (4 hours) before my flight to use the free wifi at the airport.

All in all not a bad trip. Main reason for going got thrown out the window at the last minute but still had to make the best of it. Although I’d suggest never go to Japan (at least most of Japan) in the hot and humid summer months; unless you like 90 deg+ temps and 90%+ humidity!

Fukuoka – Day 5

Running out of things to do, plus the hot and humid weather makes it difficult to want to go anywhere that isn’t air conditioned. Went to Atago Shrine area this morning. It’s in the western part of the city, there’s a hill with a few shrines on it in addition to the main Atago Shrine which is on the top.

Went to 1 of the smaller shrines, talked to a nice, old man for a bit. The main shrine is at the top of the hill with nice views of the surrounding area.

Was planning to go to Nokonoshima, and island park off the coast of Fukuoka that is supposed to have a nice garden with flowers, but due to the heat and humidity, went to the Canal City shopping area for ramen lunch instead. Walked back to the hotel after lunch and stayed in the air conditioned room the rest of the afernoon. Went to Uobei (fast sushi bar) for my last dinner for this trip.

Fukuoka – Day 4

Went to two parks in the southern part of the city today. First went to Minami Koen (South Park), there was a lookout tower that had nice views of the city. Other parts of the park were forested paths. Strange that I didn’t see another person at the park. I’m sure it’s because of the heat and humidity, and only a dumb tourist would be walking around in the day.

Next went further west to Seinanmori no Kohan park. It was set in a residential neighborhood in the suburbs. Not much special about the park, looked more like a family park for locals than a touristy park. Also did not see many people there.

Fukuoka – Day 3

Took the train this morning to Kido Nanzoin-mae (20 min from Hakata) to see the giant laying down Buddha. Rained pretty good in the morning, turns out after it rains when it’s hot and humid makes it hotter and humider (er, more humid). Small town with a mountain that has lots of statues of Buddhas.

After a good, cheap lunch of chicken katsu and tonkatsu at the Hakata train station, tried to find tickets to a baseball game tonight or sat night. Went all the way to the stadium, but found the only seats left were in the top row and cost $55, didn’t get them. Went to Tenjin after to get a snack and ran into a small shrine that’s set in all the modern buildings.

Dinner was good tonkotsu ramen at the Hakata station. Then went to the Nakasu area for a 20 minute night boat ride along the river. Nice seeing all the neon lights and the yatai stalls from the river.

Fukuoka – Day 2

Went to Ohori Park this morning. Oval shaped lake with bridges and man made islands going through the middle of it. A walking path also goes around the circumference of the lake. Nice starbucks along the path, it was so hot and humid decided to get a drink. Luckily they had a matcha frap since I don’t drink coffee.

Walked over to the ruins of Fukuoka castle next. Pretty cool since I’ve seen many castles before, but never the grounds and walls standing without an actual castle. A little strange to climb up a hill inside the walls but instead of a castle tower there’s nothing. Still had some nice views of the surrounding area.

Walked up Keiyaki-dori (ave) towards the Asakasa area and the subway station. Ended up having a nice lunch at one of the cafes on the street; mentaiko om rice with salad, dessert and a drink all for 880 yen. Lunch is the best time to get good deals on food since most places have lunch specials.

Checked out the Nagahama yatai stalls for dinner but decided to go to Curry House instead. Again, not very impressed by the yatai stalls, same as the last time I was in Fukuoka.

Fukuoka – Day 1

Back in Fukuoka (it’s a long, sad story) for 6 days. Just need to make the bet of it.

Went to see a few temples and shrines in the Gion area this morning (Shofukuji, Tochoji (with 50 foot high wooden Buddha), and Kushida Shrine). Not much different than others in Japan, but nice nonetheless. One surprising thin was how loud the cicadas were at the temples. Lots of trees = lots of cicadas, so it was as loud as a loud bar; hard to talk over them.

Walked from the Nakasu-Kawabata station to the port area. Mostly to go up the port tower (and it’s free) which gives nice views of the waterfront and the islands in the bay.

Had lunch in Tenjin, but chose the wrong ramen place to try. Should’ve went back to the place I know is good but wanted to try something different.

Had dinner at a cheap, but decent sushi place (Uobei, 50 cent a piece), before heading to Fukuoka Tower for some night views of the city. A 15-20 minute walk from the Nishijin station, but since it’s Japan still felt safe wandering around at night. Nice views from the observation deck, surprised how big the city really is.

Back home

Left the bay area at 6am this morning. Made it home around noon.

Great road trip, lots of awesome memories of everything I saw and did. Glad took the time to drive around the western US for a month.

7000 miles later, back in Torrance, CA!