24/12/2016
Obsession with Foot Baths in Oita Prefe…
Japan is famous for its hot springs and Kyushu has its fair share of them! I love going for dips in the Japanese onsens, but in this post I will focus on ashiyu (hot spring foot baths).
Those who are too shy to "bare all" at the traditional hot spring baths can try this alternative where all you are required to do is remove your footwear (including socks/stockings if you are wearing any) and dip your feet into the hot spring water. If you are wearing trousers, please ensure that you roll them up so that they won't get wet when you are dipping your feet!
Ashiyu may not be commonly found in Japanese cities, but usually the hot spring towns will have some - you just have to make an effort to look out for them! Typically you can use them free-of-charge, but some could be located within the premises of tourist attractions with an admission fee, although the foot bath facilities themselves can be used for free.
My travels took me to the hells at Beppu, where to my delight, I found several ashiyu!
24/12/2016
Gastronomic Adventures in Fukuoka and O…
I love Japanese food and Kyushu has its fair share of delectable offerings. Don't worry if you don't have many days to visit all the prefectures in Kyushu to sample their unique dishes - these days, food has transcended all boundaries and especially in the bigger cities, you'd probably be able to find an eatery serving a particular specialty dish from a particular region.
My 6-day travels took me to Fukuoka and Oita Prefecture (Taketa City, Yufuin and Beppu) and I managed to sample a variety of delicious food!
Kyushu is best known to be the home of tonkotsu ramen and what better way to start the trip than with a bowl of piping hot ramen at the Tenjin area in Fukuoka!
23/12/2016
Unseen in Dazaifu, Kamado Shrine
Last fall, I went to Dazaifu to taking picture of the red leaves. I was expecting a lot of tourists there since it was weekend. However, after I arrived the Kamado Shrine, there were less tourists than I expected. Moreover, it was a perfect period to come see the nature and there is also hiking track. Kamado Shrine is just 15-minute away by bus from Nishitetsu Dazaifu station and the fee is 100 yen. For those who are looking for a spot to see Kouyou(紅葉) I proudly recommend this place.
PS. the picture above is when the 11 am sun shines through the glass you will see the rainbow. Love it.
23/12/2016
Seeking Love in Nagasaki!
Many people knows Nagasaki for a not very pleasant reason, but it's no fault of the city really. However, I have to confess how Nagasaki emerged like a reborn phoenix from a devastated city into a sparkling pearl in the post war era made me captivated!
Hopefully my short post on Nagasaki can share more prominence what this city currently brings. Let us begin from Nagasaki Station!
21/12/2016
A Meeting of Minds: How East and West M…
When I heard the news that Kumamoto Prefecture had been hit with a massive earthquake I got really worried. I was worried for the friends I had made there during my time as an exchange student in 2008, worried for their families, and worried about what happened to the city of Kumamoto and the surrounding villages. Fortunately my friends and their families were safe, but the damage to the city was another story. Buildings had giant cracks in them, the keep of Kumamoto Castle was wrecked, and this building was completely flattened.
This was the Janes' Residence- a house dating back to 1971 to house L.L Janes and his family, an American who had been hired by the School of Western Learning to teach English in the city. It was originally situated closer to the castle, but was moved about a few times before finding its spot in Suizenji Garden. I went there as part of a little school trip with fellow students- international and local- through Suizenji Park. By this point I had been in Kumamoto for about 3-4 months and had settled quite well into Japan, but seeing the odd Western-style building amongst the more modern Japanese-style constructs always piqued my interest- particularly older ones like the Janes' Residence.
The interior was just as unique- as if time had stopped for the place the moment the Janes' family returned to America and left the building, save for the bollards with the velvet ropes set around certain sections. But my most striking memory of the Janes' Residence was coming across a display case containing a series of books Mr Janes had written in at the time. Log books, entry books, notes- all laid open to bare in the cases. I thought I'd try looking through one when one of my Japanese friends noticed me and, with a smile, asked 'Can you read that?'. I found it kind of funny at the time as, if it were the other way around- us taking a tour of the UK- it's likely she'd be asked the same question whenever something with a kanji character cropped up, whether it was Japanese, Chinese or otherwise (as sad as that may be to admit). Unfortunately for her I couldn't quite make it out as the cursive joined-up handwriting had become a little too faded for me to make out.
But that funny memory, and this photo of me standing outside the Residence, has stood out to me for all these years. It's one I often think back on when I think of my time in Japan, and why I felt particularly heartbroken when I found out the building had been completely flattened during the earthquake. I'm hoping it could be rebuilt with whatever could be salvaged, but even if it can't then at least I have my photos and my memories.
17/12/2016
A couple's foodie journey to Kyush…
Theater style ramen at Mengekijo Genei ramen. We ate this ramen seated in a theater style setting while watching the chef prepare our food.
17/12/2016
Discover Charming Kyushu
After returning to Kyushu 4 summers in a row, we still haven't run out of things to discover in this magical region of Japan. We love Kyushu! There are endless amounts of things to see and do. We think Kyushu is the most charming region of all of Japan and here's why...
12/12/2016
Part of life: A wonderful story in Fuku…
Carving out the story in the land of cherry ...
It has been two times I came to this place. Fukuoka so memorable in my heart.
Kumamoto and Kyushu is a place where we feel very comfortable because of the scenery and the hospitality of the locals.
I really enjoyed it.
The most pleasant thing is when we can become part of a future story, a story where we go to a place that is so beautiful ..
Fukuoka is the place to write a thousand beautiful story