kyushu
-
Yakushima: The Southern Coast’s Rocky Beauty
-
Hakata Dontaku: One of Japan’s Largest Festivals
Every year on 3 and 4 May, Fukuoka City hosts one of Japan’s largest festivals – Hakata Dontaku. The festival can trace its origins back over 800 years and has been held nearly continuously since. In recent years, over 2 million people come to Fukuoka just to watch the parade, which features over 35,000 dancers,…
-
Kurobuta: Kagoshima’s Special Tonkatsu (Pork Cutlet)
Kurobuta, or “black pork”, is a speciality lean pork cutlet, one of the signature dishes from Kagoshima Prefecture. Located in the southern part of Kyushu, Kagoshima Prefecture hosts a breed of pig known as the “Kagoshima Berkshire”, a species first imported from Berkshire, UK, in the 1860s. History During the Edo Period, very little “meat”…
-
Shinsui Gorge: Beautiful Columnar (Lava) Jointing
Located in Kirishima city, Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan, Shinsui Gorge (known as ‘Shinsuikyo’ 神水峡 in Japanese) is a 20-metre gorge that has an intimate history with the surrounding volcanoes that the area is famous for. History of Shinsui Gorge Shinsui Gorge is in Kirishima Geopark, an area with over 20 active volcanoes in close proximity, known…
-
Tonkatsu Wakaba: Premiere Pork Loin Restaurant
Located in Fukuoka City, Tonkatsu Wakaba (とんかつわか葉, not to be confused with another small national chain with the same name that is run by Yoshimi!) is a premiere pork loin, pork cutlets and pork curry restaurant. With one of the highest ratings in Fukuoka, a city known for amazing foods, on Tabelog, a Japanese restaurant…
-
Nakama Banyan: Friendship Trees
On the Japanese island of Yakushima is a special set of trees called the Nakama Banyan. These banyan trees, which are a type of fig trees, have grown together into an arch – providing an excellent place for photos! In Japan, Yakushima is the northernmost island on which Banyan trees, which are native to to…
-
Hakata-ori: Fabric of Samurai, Sumo and Kimono
Known across Japan for its quality, Hakata-ori has been produced for nearly 800 years in Fukuoka Prefecture. Known equally for its thickness and stiffness as well as its high quality, it has been designated a “traditional craft” by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry. Hakata-ori – From Then to Now In the beginning Silk…
-
Miyajidake Shrine: Fukuoka’s Sunset Boulevard
-
Seiryu-ji: Beautiful Buddhist Temple in the Mountains of Satsuma
In southern Kagoshima Prefecture lies the Satsuma Peninsula, an extremely mountainous region with beautiful beaches, stunning volcanoes and a long history intertwined with Japan’s. Near the middle of this peninsula lies a solitary temple inspired by Chinese designs. Named Seiryu-ji, it is stunning for not only the artwork on display but also its golden pavillion.…
-
PlusOne Nishikoen: Simple Hotel in Western Fukuoka
About PlusOne Nishikoen PlusOne Nishikoen (also written as Plus One Nishikoen), although it has a similar name to other hotels across Japan, is a one-off hotel located near Fukuoka City’s Nishikoen (or “West Park”), which is in the western part of the central district (hence the name). PlusOne Nishikoen is located in an older apartment…
-
Inukai Falls: Largest Waterfall in Southern Kyushu
-
Hotel Star Residence: Review of Unmanned Hotel in Fukuoka (Japan)
About Hotel Star Residence Hotel Star Residence is an independent, botique unmanned hotel located in Gofukumachi, Fukuoka. Featuring apartments (also known as an aparthotel), there are apartments of all shapes and sizes spread over 4 floors (approximately 4 per floor), so everyone from solo travellers to larger groups will find something here. Location Hotel Star…
-
Yakushima UNESCO World Heritage Listed Coastal Road with Wildlife
With much of the island of Yakushima being a natural reserve, along with giant ancient cedar trees like Jomonsugi, it is not necessarily surprising that it is also a UNESCO World Heritage site. On the west coast of the island is the World Heritage Listed Coastal Road with Wildlife, known as Seiburindou (支部林道, Western district…
-
Jomonsugi: Ancient Cedar Trees and Hiking Yakushima National Park
On the island of Yakushima (Japan) in the Yakushima National Park stand many proud and ancient cedar tree of the genus Cryptomeria japonica, but none compare to Jomonsugi, the oldest of this species in the world. Dating between 2,170 and 7,200 years of age, its ancient wisdom is even reflected in the name; Jomon refers…
-
M104 Kagoshima: cheap hostel/hotel (a review
About M104 Kagoshima M104 Kagoshima is a stand-alone guest house located near Kagoshima’s Ferry Port and downtown Kagoshima. The lobby is located on the second floor, with a common area on the third floor, dormitories on the third and fourth floors, private rooms on floors 5 and 6, and tatami rooms on the highest (7th)…
