Roger – Page 4 – Our travels

By Roger on Japan tagged 2 day pass, fukuoka, subway- Leave a comment

Fukuoka 2 day pass and Subway system

Sometimes having JR isn’t enough. Every major city has additional transits systems and often times you can get a tourist’s pass. Japan had many companies offering 2-3 day passes. Additionally, most IC cards will work (my Suica card worked in Fukuoka), but I wanted to buy the 2 day pass for the pass itself.

Upon arriving to Hakata station, I went to the Fukuoka Subway office and got the 2 day subway pass. Local passes are useful since some of the stations are non JR.

Additionally, part of my journeys is to always experience the transit systems and use them as much as possible.

The pass cost 720 yen, I do a basic straight across exchange estimate of $7. Each station to station is usually 120 to 150 yen… so just going a few times will make it worth the pass. I was staying in Tenjin station, but it doesn’t have Shinkansen access, so I would have to take the subway to Hakata station, which again, makes it worth getting.

Since I was staying in Tenjin area, Tenjin station was nearby. It was also where I would use the subway system to get to Hashimoto station (Nanakuma Line) as well as going to Hakata station.

27 Dec

By Roger on Japan tagged canal city hakata, fukuoka- Leave a comment

Fukuoka Night Walk

Fukuoka is gorgeous at night and I was told that the Canal area had some good foods to try.

While I have been busy going around and meeting with friends, it left me with very little time to explore. The last night I was in Fukuoka, I decided to go around until 3am.

Japan at night is a different feel than day time. It feels safe, it’s open and there is still a bit of a liveliness with people still walking around.

Tenjin station’s underground was really cool at night.

Tenjin station
Tenjin station
Tenjin station

I started to walk towards the Canal area.

Then I came upon some of the places to eat! It was super cool to see at night.

After some ramen, I went to Canal City Hakata. I really wanted to see this place because it had a light show going on (Godzilla one of those shows) and the architecture is pretty cool. I mean, water is running through it! Unfortunately, the Godzilla show wasn’t on.

Godzilla footprint

I then started to walk around a bit more!

Fukuoka was a great experience and makes me feel I need to spend some time down that way!

By Roger on Pacific NorthWest tagged card, ic card, orca, soundtransit- Leave a comment

ORCA card

This is the regional transit card. I bought this because I wanted to travel from Lakewood to Seattle. This is suppose to cover most of the buses, trains and even Ferry.

One Regional Card for All (ORCA)

The ORCA card is all you need to pay your fare on Sound Transit, Community Transit, Everett Transit, King County Metro, Kitsap Transit, Pierce Transit, Seattle Street Car, the King County Water Taxi, and Washington State Ferries.

website: orca card

By Roger on Pacific NorthWest tagged columbia center, seattle, sky view observatory- Leave a comment

Columbia Center and Sky View Observatory 2018

I was able to do this by chance. My friend was on his way to pick me up and he told me to check it out since I was right there.

I went in and paid $22 (cheaper than the Space Needle). I then go up and started to take in the views. This location was also higher than the Space Needle… and less busy might I add!

Website: Sky View Observatory

By Roger on Pacific NorthWest tagged starbucks- Leave a comment

Starbuck Headquarters

It used to be a Sears Roebucks when I was a kid. But it has been Starbuck’s headquarters for the longest!

It was interesting to visit this location and see this upscale cafe. Many of the employees were from different stores throughout the US.

There were some really interesting and great tasting foods. There was also a bar.

By Roger on Pacific NorthWest tagged seattle, starbucks- Leave a comment

Pike’s Place Farmer’s Market 2018

This was an impromptu trip to the Pacific Northwest/Seattle. I had decided to visit my parents for Thanksgiving a couple days before.

We were busy all day and by the time we hit the Market, it was pretty much closing. But it is always great to explore. It has been quite some time since I was there, so to visit with a different perspective and with kids, it was more about exploring.

First Starbucks
First Starbucks
More stuff down stairs
Giant shoe museum

By Roger on Pacific NorthWest, trains tagged alweg, monorail, monorail man, seattle, seattle center, trains- Leave a comment

Seattle Monorail 2018

It’s true. Seattle has a Monorail, but it isn’t super fast or anything. It is historic and only goes to a few minutes away.

There are 2 stations, Seattle Center and Westlake shopping center.

One way for an adult is $2.50 and double for roundtrip.

Since I want to share my train experiences, here are the photos.

I believe this the monorail’s mascot, Monorail Man!

By Roger on Pacific NorthWest tagged needle, space, space needle- Leave a comment

Space Needle 2018

It has been a long time since I have been to the Space Needle, but also with my family.

While I forgot the price, it was $100+ for 4 of us!!!

Anyways, we get up there the kids love it. Go down to the glass floor (newer I believe) and Lucas gets scared! LOL. It is kinda insane.

Eventually it was all fun and a great experience!

Website: Space Needle

13 Nov

By Roger on Japan tagged cocoro, Kumamoto, kumamoto streetcars, street cars, streetcar, tram- Leave a comment

Kumamoto Streetcars

I remember doing some research of Kumamoto and there was a suggestion to use the Streetcars/trams. Official website: Getting Around Kumamoto

Part of my trips to Japan is to experience their transport system as it is one of the best in the world.

After getting out of Kumamoto station, the East exit will bring you to a location to jump on the streetcar (as they are called there).

There was a flat fee, I think 170 yen, each way (for an adult). I had Suica, so I just tapped when entering and exiting. I didn’t realize that there was an all day pass for 500 Yen.

I would have grabbed that.

From what I gather, you want to enter the back and exit the front (but that depends on which type of street car).

There are 2 lines, A and B, and go to different locations.

I was still trying to figure out how to get to Hanabatacho station (shopping streets). There are a few different trams. I rode a few to get a feel for them going one way and the other (I also jumped on the wrong line on the way back to Kumamoto station).