Hakodate Park Children's Land
Located in Hakodate Park, “Kodomo no Kuni (Children’s Land)” is a small amusement park with a long history that opened in 1956. It is recommended for families to enjoy the retro atmosphere and have a relaxing time with small children.
Hakodate Children's Land... It's a great spot for families to spend the whole day. There's even the 'oldest' Ferris wheel in Japan 🎡, which gives off a retro vibe! 🤣
Nakasu Yataigai (food stall street)
In the gourmet city Hakata, Nakasu Yataigai lets you experience specialized gourmet food - ramen, skewered food, Oden, etc. to go with sake and other drinks. Naka River runs through Kyushu’s busiest downtown, Nakasu. Bright neon lights sparkle on the water and it is quite a sight that all kinds of food stalls are lined along the river! Strolling along the river allows you to catch the energy of the city.
Nakasu Yatai is basically Japan's legal street food stalls... and it's also one of the most beautiful riverside spots in Fukuoka.
Himeji Castle
This castle is a World Heritage Site and a Japanese castle masterpiece. The main keep, built by Ikeda Terumasa in the early Edo period, has a five-story exterior, one basement level, and six stories above ground on the inside, making it the largest Edo period castle tower still standing.
The cherry blossoms at Himeji Castle are absolutely stunning. It's just an hour by JR train if you're traveling on your own. The white castle with the soft pink cherry blossoms looks so beautiful together. Highly recommended!
Roadside Station Niigata Furusato Mura
"Niigata Furusato Mura" is one of the largest roadside stations in Niigata Prefecture, where you can get the latest information on Niigata's delicious foods, souvenirs, and sightseeing.
Niigata Furusato Mura has a market selling local Niigata specialties and a restaurant with regional flavors. You can buy some local farm products here—it's pretty nice!
Wakayama Castle
The origin of the castle started in 1585, Hashiba Hideyoshi (later Toyotomi Hideyoshi) subjugated Kishu teritory (the area now known as Wakayama) and he ordered his younger brother, Hidenaga, to build a castle on Mt.Torafusu which is at a downstream of Kinokawa-river. Later, a vassal of the Hashiba family, Kuwayama Shigeharu was placed in charge of the castle (and later, the castle lord). After the Battle of Sekigahara, Asano Yoshinaga became lord of the castle and he started building a tower followed by an interconnected corridor. He built residences in the area now known as Honmaru, Ninomaru, and Nishinomaru while building a castle town. In 1619, Yorinobu, the 10th son of Tokugawa Ieyasu, inherited the castle.
When planning a trip to Wakayama, Wakayama Castle is definitely one of the must-see landmarks. There are also plenty of other great spots in Wakayama City, like the historic Saikazaki Fishing Port and amusement parks. It's a place worth visiting again! 👍
Hakata Ikkousha Main Store
Of all the different Hakata Tonkotsu Ramen stores, “Hakata Ikkousha” is perhaps the most popular. Operating 5 different diverse brands, Ikkousha’s main store front is located in front of JR Hakata Station.
Every time I come to Hakata Station in Kyushu, I have to eat at Ikkousha! Their tonkotsu ramen is especially good. Among all the shops in Hakata Ramen Street, Ikkousha is always the busiest! 👍
Meigetsudo "Hakata Torimon"
"Hakata Dontaku" is a festival held on May 3 and 4 every year, during which the city bustles with people. The people who parade around in Dontaku costumes, playing the shamisen, flutes and drums are called "Torimon" in the Hakata dialect, and the name "Hakata Torimon" is derived from this.
Meigetsudo started in 1929 and their manju has become one of the best-selling in the world! I definitely recommend this as a souvenir for friends.
THE BASICS FUKUOKA
Entering the hotel, visitors are welcomed by 11, 8m tall bookshelves. With the concept “INTELLECTUALS WORLD - Stimulating our curiosity for knowledge”, the lobby library features books based on the four seasons, old texts, and comics with 5000 books in store. The lounge and room allows visitors to read their favorite books.
Nishitetsu Grand Hotel in the Tenjin area has an awesome location and really reasonable prices. The breakfast is delicious too. No wonder it gets such high ratings—definitely worth staying here! 🎊
Ohori Park
Ohori Park is located in downtown Fukuoka City, only two stations away from Tenjin Station, but is a favorite place for citizens to relax and enjoy the abundant nature centered around a large pond.
Ohori Park is like Fukuoka's backyard garden. It's a great place for a relaxing stroll. So peaceful. ❤️
National Film Archive of Japan
It is the only national film institution in Japan that preserves, researches, and releases films to the public, and as of March 2022, has over 85,000 films in its collection.
At the National Film Archive of Japan, every display has descriptions in multiple languages. The English explanations are really thorough. They also introduce some of the history of Japanese cinema. I learned so much—definitely want to come back again.