[Winter Vacation] Exploring Fukuoka (3D2N)
Daizaifu is popular a destination for a day trip from Fukuoka. It offers opportunities to take beautiful photos of a more traditional side of Japan. It is just a short train ride away via the main Hakata Station, to capture these picturesque places.
The main attraction in Dazaifu is the Tenmangu Shrine which includes an iconic Japanese Arched Bridge.
We walked to the entrance past a ‘Divine Bull Statue’, which people touch in the hopes that it will bring them wealth and fortune.
The road leading to the shrine from the station is an old Japanese street with shops selling snacks and souvenirs, including the local specialty of Umegai Mochi. We got the opportunity to try them out. They are dough-like rice cakes filled with sweet red bean paste.
Another common feature at tourist attractions is a souvenir stamp or stamp rally. They offer specially designed unique location rubber stamps to commemorate our visits, and they make a lovely souvenir as you can collect them in a book!
There is an inari shrine behind the main shrine, and it is hidden away in the woods.
We headed back down the shopping street of Daizaifu, and we found
a quaint restaurant to settle our lunch. We had tempura soba, a small baked
mochi cake each and some hot tea.
All in all, Daizaifu was a worthwhile visit.
Prior to our trip, Baby had made a reservation for our dinner at a restaurant named Oryori Furukawa to celebrate my birthday. it is two Michelin-starred Japanese restaurant in Hakata.
We had about a 10 course Japanese menu, and we were thoroughly impressed! We enjoyed out-of-the-ordinary Japanese cuisine infused with Fukuoka’s locally sourced and produced ingredients.
Oryori Furukawa was sweet enough to take note that I was having my birthday celebration, and they prepared my desserts with sparkles candle as a form of my birthday ‘cake’! The service rendered to us was top-notch, and the serving staff were very friendly and approachable.
The next day, after our brekkie at the hotel, we headed down to LaLa Port Fukuoka for some shopping, and we had our lunch there too!
Before leaving the premises, we visited the life-sized Gundam, and I was amazed by how big and detailed it was. The statue stands at over 24 meters tall, and we loved taking random pictures from various angles.
Nanzoin is another popular sightseeing destination in Fukuoka. There was a bit of walking from the train station to the temple. The walk was worth it though, as we were greeted by a 41-metre reclining Buddha, possibly the one of the largest in the world. OMG, it’s pretty impressive!
Never leave Fukuoka without trying out dining at their unique open-air stands, which can only be seen at night. These are known as ‘Yatai’ (open-air food stands). Yatai don't serve just one type of food, but they are probably most well-known for serving Ramen.
We managed to try quite a few items, including:
- めんたい玉子焼き Fried
Spicy Cod Roe with Egg
- 焼きラーメン Fried
Ramen Noodles - This was the speciality of Kokinchan
- 餃子 Fried Dumplings - safe choice, will never go wrong.
- おでん Oden
It was quite awkward at first, to eat my dinner in a tiny 'restaurant' on the side of the road, but to be frank, you get used to it after a while. These pop-up covered stalls are amazingly small, and can only seat up to say, less than 10 people at a go. We had to huddle up next to strangers in close proximity. Oh well, it is much better now as compared to our previous experience.
Next morning, we had our breakfast at the hotel before leaving for the airport. Yes, we took a morning flight back to Singapore.
It has been a few months since I came back from Fukuoka/Okinawa, and I can't help finding myself missing Japan while writing this blog post. Well, I guess, I will plan another holiday to Japan soon. Till we meet again, JAPAN!
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