Hakata O-kunchi Festival @ Kushida Shrine, Hakata/Fukuoka

October 24, 2007 - 6:56 pm by akko@hakata in Culture, Others, Travel  

Hakata O-kunchi is a local festival to appreciate harvest in mid-autumn.

Parade is the highlight of this festival, and they walk through busy city-centre area to amuse local people.

What’s special about Festival in Hakata is, that it is cherished by locals, including children.
This year is 1250 th anniversary for Kushida Shrine, which is the local shinto [...]

Ukai, Commorant Fishing and Fantastic Party night on Yakatabune @ Mikuma River, Kyushu

September 13, 2007 - 1:27 pm by akko@hakata in Others, Travel  

More than Roppongi, More than Shibuya, or Shinjuku…
If you’re to spend the most fantastic night…completely different from any other busy cities, I mean, your own night…then, please visit Hita!

This is Yakatabune, a houseboat, floating on Mikuma river.

Now you can see it in detail. This is quite large, and is like `a moving Japanese Ryokan’!

Dinner will [...]

Try Pearl-Picking & 99-Islands Cruising @ West end of Japan!

September 12, 2007 - 5:10 pm by akko@hakata in Others, Travel  

At the west-end of Japan, you’ll have an amazingly beautiful and unique view of Kuju-ku-shima (Kuju-ku means 99 and shima means islands, but there’re actually 208 islands, including mere rocks!), which is called Saikai Pearl Sea Resort!

What you can do here is,
1. Pearl-picking

Choose one of the pearl oysters,
Carefully, pick up the pearl.

Now the pearl [...]

Scenic Masterpiece of Kyushu 2, Mt. Aso (National Park)

August 27, 2007 - 11:58 pm by izumi in Others, Travel  

This is my most favorite scenery. My own image of Kyushu is green of mountains, and navy blue of the sea, and this is certainly the one.
I visit Aso 7 to 8 times a year, to enjoy this beautiful nature. Aso is famous for its world largest caldera, with active volcano. Another popular thing about Aso [...]

Scenic Masterpiece of Kyushu 1, Itsukishima, Hirado

August 23, 2007 - 6:05 pm by izumi in Others, Travel  

Itsukishima is part of Hirato city, Nagasaki, and is placed in the west end of Kyushu island.  It takes four hours from Fukuoka city, but is absolutely beautiful. The reason why the sea is so blue and transparent is because this is not the place to swim. 

TOYOTA LEXUS Factory Tour @Kyushu

August 20, 2007 - 1:52 pm by akko@hakata in Travel  

Kyushu Toyota is one of the two factory, producing LEXUS, the premium brand of Toyota(Another one is in Tahara, Aichi), and the only one making LEXUS RX350.
It organizes Factory Tour!
- You can see LEXUS RX manufacturing flow!
- The whole factory tour take 1 hour and 25 minutes.
- Foreign visitors need to be accompanied by an [...]

Get over heatwave! Outdoor air-conditioner @ Canal City Hakata

August 17, 2007 - 7:01 pm by akko@hakata in Others, Travel  

There’s a way to escape from the crazy heatwave of Japan (hit above 40 degrees centigrade (more than 120 degrees) in several cities!), other than to stay at home, whicih may be to go to Canal City Hakata.

Just touch it!

It’s being foggy now.

This is what makes Canal visitors cool and comfortable, let’s say, outdoor [...]

With the Style, Artistic Californian Resort Hotel in Hakata/Fukuoka

August 11, 2007 - 11:39 am by akko@hakata in Food, Travel  

If you’re seeking a most sophisticated hotel in Hakata (Fukuoka), my recommendation would be With the Style, an artistic Californians style resort hotel near Hakata Station. You can stay or just visit for lunch to escape from the city’s heat wave.

Food is wonderful, with the Western look and Japanese taste.
(Hakata/Fukuoka is on the sea, gifted [...]

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 [...]