Fukuoka, Japan

last week was my payday and how wonderful that i've finished everything in just a week. i've even used up almost all i have in my account. i went to Fukuoka. it's a nice place, beautiful, but i did nothing much there. on the first day, i was so tired that i slept till the noon and later met up with a friend in Fukuoka in the evening, after her work. on the second day, i went to Dazaifu, the City of Ancient Culture, which according to some resources, Dazaifu is a place that one must visit when one is visiting Fukuoka, especially the Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine. and in the evening, i went to the city centre and back to Malaysia again the very next morning.

i met up with Ami, a friend whom i knew when we were studying in London. she brought me to the city centre and showed me around. we went to Kego Park which is located right opposite her working place, Solaria Plaza in Tenjin. the theme for this year's Christmas is Chapel on the Water, and the park has been decorated with beautiful, shimmering illuminations. she then showed me her working place, it's located at this corner, next to the entrance to Solaria Plaza. she's working as a director in a free wave radio station. we then walked to Iwataya, a shopping mall like KLCC where you can find all the high fashion labels. next, she brought me to this place which i couldn't remember what it's called for supper. we had a plate of vegetable (not sure what it's called), prawns (yummy), chicken, a glass of oolong tea for her and a glass of coffee for me and everything cost us a bomb, ¥3500++. *jaw dropped*

the next morning, woke up early and got myself ready to explore Dazaifu. well of course i'm not that smart. i knew where the train station is, got my ticket and damn, i have no idea which platform should i wait for the train to Dazaifu because EVERYTHING IS IN JAPANESE. arghh... seriously, if next time you wanna go to Japan, anywhere in Japan, learn Japanese or go with a friend who knows Japanese because people there don't really speak English. well i got my map, thought it's easy to travel around with a map, but heck no, almost all the signboards are in Japanese too. i know that to get to Dazaifu, i need to take the train to Nishitetsu Futsukaichi Station and from there, i need to take another train to Dazaifu Station. but don't know which platform to wait. well luckily, Japanese are really really nice people. i approached this old lady who doesn't speak English (well she was the only one there at that time) and mentioned the word "Dazaifu" to her. she was saying lots of thing in Japanese when she already knew that i don't understand Jap. bla bla bla, and then she said Futsukaichi. there, finally i know what she's saying. she was pointing to me, then pointing to herself again, and she's trying to tell me to follow her. great! the train came, and she was talking to me all the way in Jap, and hell i really don't understand a thing. when we reached Futsukaichi Station, she grapped my hand, direct me to the train which is going to Dazaifu and told this gal inside to bring me to Dazaifu. yay, i finally know what she's saying!! i was sitting next to the gal whom the lady talked to, and suddenly she looked at me and said, "Do you speak English?" OMG!! finally there's someone who can speak English. she told me that Dazaifu is a very beautiful place and there's a very famous shrine located there, which i suppose it is Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine. when i reached Dazaifu, it started to rain. stupid!! i ended up standing at the Tourist Information and waited for the rain to stop before continuing my journey. by the end of the day, i can tell you that the shrine is beautiful and the views are breathtaking. AWESOME!! everything looks so...Japan.


So 'canggih'! butt spray toilet bowl. finally i got to see one myself. unbelievable and i find it quite funny. comes with a heated seat as well. very useful especially during winter. still remember how i always "jump" when i landed my ass on my toilet seat every morning during winter when i was in London.


It's your choice, you want it back or front? choose..


Kego Park 1.


Kego Park 2.


This is where Ami works.


In the restaurant.




While waiting for our food, i gave Ami a surprise. her birthday is on 11th December but i celebrated it with her earlier. bought her a cake from the bakery from my hotel and i brought the candle from Malaysia. Happy Birthday in advance to you, Ami!!


The veggie, quite nice.


Prawns, super yummy.


Chicken, not bad.


Cigarettes vending machine, very very common in Fukuoka, probably throughout Japan.


Tenjin-sama Street, heading to Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine.


Aiyo..Hello Kitty shop situated along Tenjin-sama Street. went in for less than 1 minute then came out. felt so out of place.


View 1.


View 2.


View 3.


View 4.


Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine.


Part of the shrine.


View 5.


View 6.


View 7.


View 8.


Kyushu National Museum.


Flowers.


They are everywhere. very beautiful.


Lots of fat Koi.


Please cross the TAIKO-bridge and you'll become the Taiko.


Japan's McChicken.


Ami bought me this; green tea snacks with green tea flavoured chocolate on the outside.


Umegae Mochi, recommended to me by Ami. she said it's very famous in Dazaifu. indeed, there are like 10 shops selling this mochi along the Tenjin-sama Street.


Have a break, have a strawberry KitKat. i read about Kit Kat Noir and Kit Kat Wine from this blog, tried looking for both of it but couldn't find any. only found Strawberry Kit Kat. it's yummy though.