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 [...]

Foreign Credit Card is now acceptable @ 12,000 Seven Eleven Banks

July 24, 2007 - 7:31 pm by akko@hakata in Travel  

On July 11(Seven Eleven!), the ATM machines of Seven Eleven Banks started to deal with foreign credit cards, master, visa, American Express, JCB. Now you can draw Japanese Yen with your credit cards anytime at nearest Seven Eleven.

Throughout Japan there’re more than 12,000 Seven Eleven Banks in each Seven Eleven Shops, the most popular convinience [...]

Foreign Money Exchage in Akihabara

July 22, 2007 - 11:24 am by akko@hakata in Travel  

Japan has a bad reputation for not having enough money exchange machine, but situation is changing.

Akihabara, the mecca of cult culture (maid kissa, manga, and of course electrics), has a Foreign Money Exchange center in front of Yodobashi Camera Shop, attached to Akihabara Station.
Beside this, you can try Daikokuya’s money exchange servicea discount ticket shop. [...]

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 [...]

Visit the only Lemon soda factory in Japan, @ Hita Soy Sauce Shop of 15 generations!

- 7:09 am by akko@hakata in Food, Travel  

Hita is also famous for delicious soy sauce!

This is rainbow ramaune（lemon soda）, gently sweet, and the color is all natural !
It’s another simbol product of Hara Jirozaemon Soysauce shop.

It has the only ramune factory open to public in Japan!

Marbles used for ramune tap.

Now this is the soysauce factory.

Good soysauce is made from good water.
Attached with [...]

Nagasaki, Christmas cake of Kyushu

June 29, 2007 - 11:38 am by akko@hakata in Travel  

About Nagasaki
Nagasaki is the only Christian city in Japan, the only International city opened during National Isolation (Samurai Period), the only city having so many `first Western things’, the only city where locals play fireworks in cemeteries, and is one of the two cities experienced a-bomb.
Today Nagasaki is a simbol of world peace, with its [...]

Love Nagasaki Series; view, culture, castle, where to date, drink and shop

May 15, 2007 - 4:22 pm by akko@hakata in Travel  

Nagasaki is geographically very unique .
(Nagasaki means long cape. Naga=long, Saki=cape.)
1. It’s surrounded by sea and mountains.
2. It has very small land (I mean, it’s short of flat area.)
So many people live on mountains, which means there’re many houses (and glaves!) on there.

We can easily imagine that their lifestyle is far from being convinient.
I’d say, [...]