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 [...]

Get together to see Hakata Gion Yamakasa!!!

June 10, 2007 - 6:06 am by luckymentai in Travel  

Now the very season has come to get guys in Hakata excited! That is Hakata Gion Yamakasa!
It is held from July 1st to July 15 every year at Hakata, Fukoka City’s old town area.
The climax of this festival will start at Kushida Shrine, Hakata at 4:59 am on July 15th, Sunday.
This year I will [...]

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 [...]

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, [...]