Fukuoka City ( Hakata ) is the very first city I ever visited on my first journey to Japan at age 8. The year was 19 .. I remember as clear as day, how amazed I was with this bustling city . It was much busier then laid back Honolulu, and filled with people who looked like my mother.. My grandmother met us at the airport and we spend a good night and full day exploring the city. The last time I was here was in 2012 with my mother , for a brief 2 night stay at the end of our journey to pay our respects to my grandmother who departed this earthy realm 1 year prior. This time I am coming to Fukuoka full circle, but this time completely alone. It’s been a year since my beloved mother transitioned into spirit but I feel her everyday and especially as I was planning this trip , boarding my flights and of course when I landed. The on slew of emotions was intense. But they are happy albeit bitter sweet feelings. What better way to start my journey in homage to the person I loved the most than to start in Kyushu the island where she is from.

As previously mentioned, Fukuoka is the first city of my month long journey throughout Japan… A Tribute Journey to my Mother

A little history of Fukuoka courtesy of @wikipedia

Fukuoka (Japanese: 福岡市, Fukuoka-shi, [ɸɯ̥kɯoka ꜜɕi] ⓘ) is the sixth-largest city in Japan and the capital city of Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan. The city is built along the shores of Hakata Bay, and has been a center of international commerce since ancient times. The area has long been considered the gateway to the country, as it is the nearest point among Japan’s main islands to the Asian mainland. Although humans occupied the area since the Jomon period, some of the earliest settlers of the Yayoi period arrived in the Fukuoka area. The city rose to prominence during the Yamato period. Because of the cross-cultural exposure, and the relatively great distance from the social and political centers of Kyoto, Osaka, and later, Edo (Tokyo), Fukuoka gained a distinctive local culture and dialect that has persisted to the present.

Fukuoka is the most populous city on Kyūshū island, followed by Kitakyushu. It is the largest city and metropolitan area west of Keihanshin. The city was designated by government ordinanceon April 1, 1972. Greater Fukuoka, with a population of 2.5 million people (2005 census), is part of the heavily industrialized Fukuoka–Kitakyushuzone.

Thursday April 11,2024

Night 1

I landed off a very comfortable 1 hour flight on Korean Air from ICN. Even with the hour flight they wanted to give me a full on meal. I was too full from all the food on my long haul 10 hr flight from HNL – ICN

The max 9 plane had a much nicer prestige class than the very uncomfortable and terrible 777-300ER. The seats were so uncomfortable and the lie flat was an almost flat and very short. I’m 5’11. I guess my extreme sciatica didn’t help. 

Anyway first world problems but it’s all part of the journey 

I landed in Fukuoka fired up my phone clicked on the link to the JapanTravel site to get my QR code walked into immigration and immediately with my QR code. I could go right on in and get checked in with the immigration officer. It was so quick like two minutes tops.  I went downstairs and gathered my luggage and again because of the QR code I got to go straight on in through customs, fill out the requisites from the machine, including my QR code and a picture and next thing you know, I’m walking in to the arrivals hall. What an absolutely simple process and greatly appreciated.

As I stepped into the arrivals hall, a whiff of emotions came through me  the last time I was at this airport as previously mentioned, was with my mom and I miss her dearly.Fukuoka was also the very first city I’ve ever visited in Japan when I was 8 years old with my mom.  I remember my grandmother meeting us at the airport and enjoying a day in Fukuoka and Hakata and then boarding the train down to Beppu.  My mom’s hometown.

In the arrivals hall, I immediately saw 7 & holdings ATM machine. Unlock my Capital One 360 debit card chose  English and swiftly extracted ¥100,000. 

Next exit the airport hopped in the taxi and under 10 minutes, I was being dropped off at my hotel the BLOSSOM Premier Hakata hotel. I must say that I also got to use my.Suica card that is in my wallet in my iPhone to pay for my taxi and I have been using my Suica card pretty much all through Fukuoka. 

Check in was a breeze the hotel is really beautiful and by Japanese standards my room is pretty large  I got a king size bed and about a little under 300 ft.². Trust me that’s a lot.

I dropped my bags and immediately headed out to find the Ichiran main restaurant. It was raining outside, so I found a little shop and bought myself a very cheap umbrella.

It took me 15 minutes to get to the restaurant and 20 minutes in line to get my bowl of fabulous Hakata Ramen  on my back I accidentally walked through what I would call the pleasure district of Gion. so many gentlemen clubs, hostess bars for both men and women  I actually loved it. I thought everyone looked fabulous and more power to them.  

Seeing the lights in Fukuoka and Hakata really sunken that I am in Japan. 

When I return to the hotel, I quickly changed into my pajamas, provided by the Hotel house slippers and made my way to the public in the lobby  there is no other way to end hours of travel than a nice hot soak in an ofuro 

Day 2 April 12,2024

I had some decent hours of sleep I could say.  It’s always like that for the first few days when I first start traveling

I got ready about 8 o’clock and went down downstairs for some breakfast  I indulged in a little bit of west and of course, Japanese breakfast of miso soup Fish And Rice

First on my agenda is to tackle the grab my train tickets from JR west scenario at the Hakata Station. 

It was slam Packed With school, kids and workers and A plethora of travelers. Initially, I followed the signs to pick up my Shinkansen tickets and got in a line and thankfully the Japanese are so considerate they had assigned. It said this is not JR west this is JR if you want to get JR west tickets to go to the other side so I exited the line and the gentleman behind me asked if you would like Him to save my space I said no, and I thanked him so sweet

I got to the machines at the JR West section And follow the instructions on how to pick up the tickets I pre-purchased that will have me traveling next week From Beppu To Hiroshima. I entered my credit card my four digit code and next thing you know I got my tickets. Yay. It’s the little wins That matter

Tochoji temple what’s next on my list of absolute must do. The temple grounds are so beautiful and I could’ve cried because I was so happy to see Sakura blossoms still on the tree even though it may not have been full. I finally got to see what Sakura BLOSSOM looks like and watched the temple boys rake up the rest it was so beautiful to witness all of it, the flowers falling and the buds on the branches   The temple complex is so beautiful  There is a gorgeous pagoda also with a Sakura tree and of course, the most famous thing there is the largest sitting wooden Buddha made of Cypress wood. I wrote some wishes down on a candle and on a Piece of wood I made an offering wonderful way to start my day

Next is Kushida Jinja.  What a beautiful Shinto temple And shrine. I bought some Omamori   I came here 44 years ago with my mother and my grandmother and I know this because I recognize that kakiyama from when I was a kid. So many memories here so much nostalgia with my mom. 

This trip is in honor of her   

I checked out that little folk museum across the street and there was some interesting information about Hakata and Fuka how we got it start

From here, I made the journey to ohori park. 

The journey getting there was so beautiful. There’s always such cool things to see from Little statues in the corner of a very busy highway to the beautiful falling Sakura blossoms lining the canals.

By the time I got to the park, it was already very close to noon and it was very busy  I must say that a certain type of traveler from a certain country still do not know how to behave when they travel. It’s been years and I am my friends have always had the same complaints it as if people need to learn what it’s like to travel to another country and not impose, very loud obnoxious, talking and spitting in another country   They did look beautiful though some of these people were dressed fabulously I know it’s just custom. Oh my goodness.  Anyway, for a stop at the park was the peony gardens While not totally in full bloom There were a few outstanding flowers. I made my way to the lake and it’s so beautiful but I have to say I was so tired from all that walking and I was also very hungry. I was going to take the subway back, but I was even too tired to walk to it so I held a cab And went to my hotel and I had some fabulous sushi for lunch and a glass of beer, of course 

I decided after lunch that I should probably take a rest so I went back to my room and laid my head down for a little bit that didn’t work because I still wanted to see more  Did some stretches for my back got out by 3 PM and walked to Canal city. Will be meeting my cousin later on tonight here so I wanted to make sure I knew where I was going so that I am not late 

After checking out the place briefly, I decided I wanted to go to the Mitsukoshi department store that has always had been a place that I remembered as a child  It feels just as dated as if it’s back in the 80s I took the subway there one stop to tenjin minami. So easy again, swiping my Suica card. I honestly wasn’t that into shopping  What I really wanted to do was play Pachinko  So many Pachinko halls have been closed I’ve noticed  But thanks to Google Maps. I found another one and it was close by.

¥3000 later I left very satisfied I forgot how noisy it is in there

I’m met my cousin in the early evening at the star Court of Canal city and we walked on over to Yakitori Hachibei.  There is a Sister restaurant on Hotel Street in Honolulu Hawaii that I made reservations for but didn’t go so I’m glad I’ve got to go to this one  Dinner was spectacular And so nice to see my cousin

Headed back to the hotel got my little trip bag ready for the next two nights that I will be in Yufuin Starting tomorrow And got all my gifts, ready for my relatives and packed that away in my big suitcase that I will be forwarding to my hotel in Beppu 

I just had to take advantage again of that lovely Ofuro downstairs another perfect way to end a day.   

This ends day, 2 In Japan/Fukuoka

Tomorrow Yufuin