Okawa Town in Kyushu’s Fukuoka Prefecture has been a hub for woodcraft and furniture making for hundreds of years. Okawa’s kiri-dansu, a wooden dresser used for storing kimono, was once a sought-after piece of furniture in the homes of the well-to-do in Japan. Now a young generation of..
When I first arrived in Japan, I believed the country to be made up of skyscrapers and large neon billboards. I couldn’t have been more wrong. Japan merges in-depth culture and modernity with such ease. Kyushu does just that, with its modern day attractions and those embedded in history, all j..
Fukuoka may not be as large as Tokyo and Osaka, or dazzling with as many lights, but I've had many more memorable times in Fukuoka's downtown area, Tenjin. Tenjin is located in the Central Ward of Fukuoka City. It's known as the fashion capital of Kyushu and often named a gourmet or reta..
For those who are fans of The Moomins, this Moomin bakery and cafe in Fukuoka Prefecture is a dream come true. This cafe and bakery is located in Canal City in Hakata and is a place where you can immerse yourself into the Moomintroll world. At the ca..
Mengekijo Genei Ramen in Fukuoka's Yakuin district does not seem particularly outstanding at first. A small metal shed-like building on a street corner with a large dark wooden door announcing its name. Even as you open the door, you wonder if yo..
Located in the busy Tenjin area, this lovely little restaurant really knows how to make some amazing French toast. They offer seasonal flavors, like pumpkin, which is what I ordered when I went. There were pumpkin slices on top of the Frenc..
Fukuoka is historically a port-of-call for merchants and traders from the rest of Asia, and their influence has left an indelible mark on the history and culture of Fukuoka. Case in point, the Kyushu National Museum, the only Japanese National Museum..
Hotels usually cater to two groups of people: the traveller, who after a long day of sightseeing, shopping and eating need somewhere inviting to rest their weary self at, or for the businessman, who just wants to shut off from the world after a long ..
First I was confused about the name of this place; “Costel”, what should this mean? In fact, it stands for “Co-Hostel”, underlining that it should be more than just a place to stay, but also a place to have fun and spend some ..
Kyushu may seem far in relation to Tokyo or Osaka, but it’s surprisingly convenient with easy access both domestically and internationally. Kyushu’s one of the best-connected travel hubs in Japan and makes traveling here easy. Here’..
On the last Sunday of every month, a mysterious museum opens deep in the remote mountains of western Fukuoka. It's called the Wonder Museum (Fushigi Hakubutsukan), and it is dedicated to mysterious and weird things that pique the interest of the ..
One of the scenic wonders of northern Kyushu, Hiraodai adds an otherworld landscape to the mountains surrounding Kitakyushu. This quasi-national park provides ample hiking, spelunking, camping, birding, and family outing opportunities throughout the ..
