"Cherry Blossom : the natural beauty that fills the hearts with Wow!"
Fukuoka is the largest city on Kyushu Island.
We planned our trip to coincide with the cherry blossom season but we were a few days too early. Still, we spent our time visiting the different parks around the city. The parks were crowded; visitors can buy snacks from mobile food stores to picnic under the cherry blossoms.
We walked from Maizuru Park to Ohori Park and then to Nishi Park. We also strolled through a small park in Tenjin, and then Chuo Park before our dinner.
Maizuru Park
Numerous trees have blossomed and there were plenty of food stalls in the park.
Ohori Park
Nishi Park
Although it is a small park, it has a good vantage point overlooking Hakata Port.
Fukuoka is the largest city on Kyushu Island.
 |
| Cherry Blossom by the riverside |
We walked from Maizuru Park to Ohori Park and then to Nishi Park. We also strolled through a small park in Tenjin, and then Chuo Park before our dinner.
 |
| Maizuru Park |
Numerous trees have blossomed and there were plenty of food stalls in the park.
Ohori Park
Nishi Park
Although it is a small park, it has a good vantage point overlooking Hakata Port.
Small park in Tenjin
A small park with beautiful white and pink cherry blossom in the Tenjin shopping district.
Chuo Park
We were attracted by the trees lining the walking path and the demarkation of picnic areas. Groups of people sat on their mats, enjoying themselves under the trees.
A small park with beautiful white and pink cherry blossom in the Tenjin shopping district.
Chuo Park
We were attracted by the trees lining the walking path and the demarkation of picnic areas. Groups of people sat on their mats, enjoying themselves under the trees.
Walking Around the city
We did a morning walk from our hotel to the Yanagibashi Fish Market. A number of stalls were closed and thus it lacked the usual market buzz. We did a quick walk through and then headed towards Tenjin.
Slightly disappointed with the lack of seafood shops in Yanagibashi, we went to the Nagahama Fish Market. There are many restaurants on the ground floor of the administrative building and we had a reasonable and good lunch.
The Tenjin Station area is abuzz with shops and activities. We strolled through the covered shopping alleys, Daimaru and Mitsukoshi shopping centers.
We did a morning walk from our hotel to the Yanagibashi Fish Market. A number of stalls were closed and thus it lacked the usual market buzz. We did a quick walk through and then headed towards Tenjin.
Slightly disappointed with the lack of seafood shops in Yanagibashi, we went to the Nagahama Fish Market. There are many restaurants on the ground floor of the administrative building and we had a reasonable and good lunch.
The Tenjin Station area is abuzz with shops and activities. We strolled through the covered shopping alleys, Daimaru and Mitsukoshi shopping centers.
Night Activities
Yatai are small small open-air food stalls, and the popular one is situated near the canal city and Nakasu area. We window-shopped and walked through the different buildings in Canal city before heading to the Yatai stall at Nakasu Island.
The backdrop of reflecting lights on the canal, blossoming Sakuru trees, red lanterns and the tents made for an interesting and pleasant stroll. Most of the stalls were crowded and we did not have our dinner at any of the stalls.
Since we stayed near Hakata Station, JR Hakata City became our go-to place for food and shopping.
Yatai are small small open-air food stalls, and the popular one is situated near the canal city and Nakasu area. We window-shopped and walked through the different buildings in Canal city before heading to the Yatai stall at Nakasu Island.
The backdrop of reflecting lights on the canal, blossoming Sakuru trees, red lanterns and the tents made for an interesting and pleasant stroll. Most of the stalls were crowded and we did not have our dinner at any of the stalls.
Since we stayed near Hakata Station, JR Hakata City became our go-to place for food and shopping.
Food
We sampled a variety of popular Japanese food and some especially popular ones such as
Tempura at Ginza Tenichi at JR Hakata Station, Hakata Ramen at Ichiran Hakata.
Fukuoka Motsunabe (small intestine) at Motsunabe Shoraku (Harata Station) and sashimi at a 24 hours shop in Nakasu;
Udon at Yanagibashi Fish Market(we could not find a seafood cafe), afternoon coffee and cakes at Tully coffee in Tenjin and Shabu-Shabu near Chuo Park.
We sampled a variety of popular Japanese food and some especially popular ones such as
Tempura at Ginza Tenichi at JR Hakata Station, Hakata Ramen at Ichiran Hakata.
Fukuoka Motsunabe (small intestine) at Motsunabe Shoraku (Harata Station) and sashimi at a 24 hours shop in Nakasu;
Udon at Yanagibashi Fish Market(we could not find a seafood cafe), afternoon coffee and cakes at Tully coffee in Tenjin and Shabu-Shabu near Chuo Park.
Reflection before flying off:-
This was my first visit to Kyushu Island, and it was a good one. I am keen to visit other places of interest in Japan soon, with Fukuoka once again as a start-point due to its well-connected rails.
Hotel
Hotel Nishitetsu Croom Hakata
<> Has an onsen in the hotel itself. It is so relaxing and comforting to bathe away the dust and tiredness with a long warm soak in the onsen, followed by moisturizing lotion on body laying on bed to plan the following day activities and then to sleep.
<> near the JR station, so it's convenient to do day-trips.
Transport
<> Kyushu JRPass
<> A comfortable pair of walking shoes. Bought AsicsWalkingShoe at Tenjin Asics shop.
<> The Airport is about 15 minutes from the Hakata Station and the taxi fare is about 1200-1600Yen.
This was my first visit to Kyushu Island, and it was a good one. I am keen to visit other places of interest in Japan soon, with Fukuoka once again as a start-point due to its well-connected rails.
 |
| Spent my remaining coins on a cappuccino |
Hotel Nishitetsu Croom Hakata
<> Has an onsen in the hotel itself. It is so relaxing and comforting to bathe away the dust and tiredness with a long warm soak in the onsen, followed by moisturizing lotion on body laying on bed to plan the following day activities and then to sleep.
<> near the JR station, so it's convenient to do day-trips.
Transport
<> Kyushu JRPass
<> A comfortable pair of walking shoes. Bought AsicsWalkingShoe at Tenjin Asics shop.
<> The Airport is about 15 minutes from the Hakata Station and the taxi fare is about 1200-1600Yen.
For this Trip
Kagoshima (Click for write-up)
Nagasaki (Click for write-up)
Kagoshima (Click for write-up)
Nagasaki (Click for write-up)