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 [...]

Samurai Time Trip? Visit Tenryo Hita to see Edo merchants’ town

- 6:38 am by akko@hakata in Travel  

Not only hot spring town Beppu and Yufuin, but there’s a beautiful old town in Oita, with the name Hita.

Mameda town of Hita used to be directly governed by Edo (Tokyo) government in Edo period(Samurai Time, 17C-19C), and prospered as a merchants’ town.
(*Tenryo means a special district directly controlled by the central government of Japan. [...]

Internet Access in Japan

June 30, 2007 - 4:49 pm by kiokitok in Travel  

Today, Internet is an essential method in order to collect information. Usually, you can find more updated information in better quality than any other methods. Depending on the environment you are in, you can choose different options.
If you do not have any laptop computers, you should simply go to Manga Kissa or Internet [...]

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 [...]

Lviv to London, via Napoli

June 27, 2007 - 5:52 am by there_and_back_again in Travel  

For those who enjoy travelogs:
Last summer I got my first taste of cycle touring. Lviv, Ukraine to Napoli, Italy, then north ’til London. The ride also gathered two and a half thousand dollars for an HIV orphanage in Ukraine.
http://www.englicious.com/__bike
Enjoy!

OKI-WOW-WA!

June 24, 2007 - 6:39 pm by mrmook in Travel  

Last Sunday took a cab to the train to the plane and jetted off to Okinawa for a much needed Holiday. My timing was less than perfect as rainy season was in the fullest of swings for my entire 3 day, 2 night stay. For the uninformed, there are only [...]

Okutama, Another Face of Tokyo

June 23, 2007 - 6:57 pm by kiokitok in Travel  

You do not believe it is a part of Tokyo. Okutama is located in the westernmost part of Tokyo. Unlike the central Tokyo, it is thoroughly surrounded by the nature. Taking a train for about two hours from Shinjuku, you will get to a good site to release your stress.
Okutama has nice [...]

Football/Soccer in Japan

June 16, 2007 - 1:23 pm by kiokitok in Travel  

Football has gained its popularity for 15 years. It had never been regarded as major sports like sumo, baseball or golf until the professional league was established. On May 15, 1993, J-League had a huge ceremony to inaugurate the professional league. The ceremony was televised, and instantly had a great impact especially [...]