Men Chanko, the hottest and healthest noodle of Hakata

July 24, 2007 - 4:00 pm by akko@hakata in Food, Travel  

When I ask people what they like to eat in Hakata (Fukuoka), most of them say Tonkotsu Ramen(noodle with pork bone soup), especially of Ichiran, which is the most popular Tonkotsu Ramen restaurant).
But there’s another one local people love, Men Chanko!

So, this is it!
Can you believe this is only 567 yen?
(Hakata food is delicious and [...]

Try Best and Freshest Ikesu squid ? Visit koga @ Hakata

July 21, 2007 - 1:12 am by akko@hakata in Food, Travel  

Among gourmet businessmen in Japan, Hakata has a good reputation as the best place for business trip.
Out of many Hakata food, the most dynamic one should be ikesu squid!
Ikesu is alive seafood, and in Hakata Ikesu restaurant, squid are directly sent from Yobuko port nearby.

This is the shop I was recommended by Hakata locals, and [...]

Coal Mine King, Ito Denemon’s residence is now open to public! @Izuka, Fukuoka

July 2, 2007 - 6:50 pm by akko@hakata in Travel  

Coal Mine King, Ito Denemon(1860-1947)’s old residence is now open to public, with the support to preserve it by Iizuka City citizens.
It’s modern Japanese, partly Victorian, and is just amazingly graceful.
Photo taking is not allowed inside, so please visit and see it by yourself.

Ito Denemon’s beautiful ex-wife, Byakuren is famous with her nickname, `flower of [...]

This is Hakata; Yamakasa season has come! and about Motsu-nabe

- 5:56 pm by akko@hakata in Travel  

From July 1st to July 15th is the hottest season of Hakata, the traditional merchant town of Fukuoka.
It’s the season of Gion Yamakasa Festival.

It’s related to Shintoism.
Hakata merchants are protected by Kamisama (`God’ in Shintoism, existing in every natural things, such as tree, land, fire, mountain, sky, etc.).
They show special respect by praying in Kushida [...]

Food Paradice Nakasu on Friday; Tetsunabe Gyoza (Fukuoka/Kyushu)

June 8, 2007 - 9:00 pm by akko@hakata in Food, Travel  

Nakasu is not only the largest night spot in Western Japan, it’s also a food paradice!
It becomes especially busy on weekend nights.

This is `Tetsunabe Gyoza’, very popular food in here.
Tetsu = Iron
nabe = pan
Gyoza = pan-fried dumpling
And is delicious !!

This is Yakisoba, meaning, pan-fried noodles
There’re other dishes beside these, such as raw fish, grilled chikien, [...]

Secret of Hakata Bijin(Beauty), in celebratinon of Miss Universe 2007

June 4, 2007 - 6:24 pm by akko@hakata in Travel  

In celebration of Miss Universe 2007, that a Japanese lady Riyo Mori was crowned, I’d like to write something about beauty affairs in Japan.
Throughout Japan, women in Fukuoka have a special reputation for being very beautiful.
We even have a traditional term `Hakata Bijin‘ for them.
You can see them especially in the evening, in Tenjin [...]

Fukuoka Sample Tour, Let’s visit Fukuoka Essencials!

April 5, 2007 - 3:00 pm by akko@hakata in Travel  

Sorry, the application for this tour’s already closed. Please join in the next tour!

This tour is especially for people new to Fukuoka, interested in its local life, and for English speakers from abroad. No Japanese this time, sorry.
Full day tour, with only 1000 yen!
(It’ll be collected on the day of the tour, please check [...]

Hanami with Fukuoka Big Buddha & Haunted House

April 2, 2007 - 1:58 am by akko@hakata in Travel  

This weekend was the highlight of Hanami.
Hanami generally means cherry blossom viewing, but for some little girls, it means cherry blossom `chewing’.

This is Tochoji-temple in Hakata area (*).

It has something very special upstairs.

This is it !!
People believe Big Buddha exists only in Nara and Kamakura.
But now you see Fukuoka also has it, and it’s the [...]

Who is spinning and drying @ Yobuko, port town in Kyushu

March 27, 2007 - 7:04 pm by akko@hakata in Travel  

Who do you think they are, dancing and spinning more beautifully than figure skaters under the sky?!

They are squid, caught in Yobuko.
These are dried squid you can take as good souvenier, but the best way to enjoy squid is, to eat it raw!

Doesn’t this look delicious ?!
Yes, Yobuko is `squid town’, so popular with fresh, [...]

Kobe

March 12, 2007 - 11:19 pm by Yuk in Culture, Food, Travel  

Kobe is a good place where I who live in Kyoto can go by the day trip. That day was Chinese New Year. So I went to Kobe by the Hankyu train. It took 2 hours from Karasuma (Kyoto) to Sannomiya (Kobe), fare was 600 yen (if you buy a ticket in Kinken shop [...]