Postcard from...Dazaifu Tenmangu, Fukuoka, Japan

I was unable to visit this 1,100 year old shrine in northern Kyushu before, so I made it a priority 'stop' for my next visit to the region. Daziafu Tenmangu is on every parent's bucket list for their teenage childrens' futures!

I was fortunate enough to have a spare couple of hours on my way to an examining gig last week to make the detour, and explore this famous complex. I was not alone - several thousand Chinese tourists had the same intentions, thought they didn't get there on a local bus from Hakata station (Fukuoka International airport is only half an hour away from the shrine).

I posted an album of photos from my visit on Flickr - please take a look & leave a 'like' or a comment!

Postcard from Hakata, Kyushu, Japan

Hakata ramen

I don't usually post 'food porn' pics, but I know Luna students well be jealous again! 

Here I am in Hakata, Fukuoka for work and enjoying Hakata ramen (shop in the huge train station as good as any, which the queue to get in suggests!) with a cold beer after a busy 'Cambridge' day, decompressing with my boos - from Fukuoka = she's an ideal food guide!

She also showed ne around the yatai area along the river - overpriced and pushy (ask you to hurry up & eat/drink after you've waited for a seat for ages in the drizzle)...food is OK but only for the outdoor eating experience & banging elbows with strangers - no Michelin stars here!

I'm not complaining though - I love visiting Kyushu, and Fukuoka people are really laid back & cool!

Hakata River yatai (food stalls)

Postcard from - Kokura, Fukuoka

I took the opportunity to jump off the shinkansen a stop early (I was heading to Hakata for work) and take a walk around Kokura Castle. It was not hard to find, only 10 minutes from the (very new) station.

I was very surprised to see loads & loads of cyclists around the entrance to the castle - they'd just finished stage one of the Tour de Kyushu, with media interviews and team selfies & groupies everywhere...I didn't recognise anyone! Probably impossible to get a room in town tonight - glad I didn't need to. The approach across the Riverwalk is enticing.

The castle itself is a rebuild, but on the original site of the castle first erected between 1602-8. It's been burnt down a couple of times, and was finally fully restored in 1990. Like most other castle sites, it was a military base in the first half of the 20th century; an important location at the neck of northern kyushu and the channel into the Seto Sea/Sea of Japan, and all points west to Korea. If the weather had been different on August 9th, 1945, Kokura would have been ground zero instead of Nagasaki.

There are historical artifacts & storylines inside the keep - as well as a lift & most disappointingly of all, a fancy cafe occupying the whole top floor. Nice views in all directions, and comfortable to sit & catch your breath with an expensive desinger coffee & pastry.

The gardens don't add up to much, but the shrines on the north side offer shade & loads of vending machines which don't help the vibe, as well as a view of the walls where the moat once was.

All-in-all, an attractive centrepiece, but not much context . 

Postcard from...year end party

I'm enjoying dinner with my team members. We're having a delicious french dinner.

I went to Sakudaira on business yesterday. I had a meeting with my customer. It was my last job in 2018.

I am going to Tokyo Haneda tomorrow. I'm going to fly to Fukuoka the day after tomorrow to enjoy a
rock concert.

I look forward to seeing you next week.

Kazuhisa

Fukuoka - My holiday

I went to Fukuoka last November with my wife.We flew to Fukuoka with JAL.

We stayed for three days in a businesshotel near the station.The hotel had a hotspring;it was very nice.

During the day we walked around the city.We went to some shops and we ate ramen and motsu-nabe.At night we met friends and we went to a restaurant with them.We bought an old dish next day.

We had a great time.Fukuoka is full of great food.We had a problem;We walked a very long distance,so we were very tired.