Category: Japan

By Roger on Japan tagged , , - 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.

Fukuoka City Subway system

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.

By Roger on Japan tagged , - 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 Japan tagged , , , , , - 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).

 

 

This one was kinda interesting and was also the one I took. It was really a luxury tram!

This thing was like a diner tram!

 

A couple of the trams had wood flooring.

 

Some of the platforms/stops cater to both lines, make sure you get on the right one!

 

Pretty convenient to use! Either an IC or 1 day pass is good, with the pass being worth it if you are gonna use it for a few stops.

 

By Roger on Japan tagged , - Leave a comment

Osaka River Cruise

My wife really wanted to do the River cruise. I believe during the night is when people really want to do them, but I didn’t mind it being day time.

The host was pretty cool and was filled with information and history.

By Roger on Japan tagged , , , - Leave a comment

Kyoto Station Escalator Mountain

Kyoto station is one of my favorites. It is awesomely tall. In 2016, I didn’t explore it as much as I wanted to.

One side of Kyoto station goes all the way up. I didn’t know, so I didn’t go up all the way. I later find out it goes up to even go outside on top!!!

It can be decieving if you don’t know.

 

 

At the halfway point, there is a theatre!

 

Going even further up, is the Sky Garden

 

By Roger on Japan tagged - Leave a comment

Final Night in Akihabara

After getting back from Nakano Broadway, we had to do some shopping and Akihabara was the spot we went to.

We came upon a bunch of anime plastered cars and I talked to a few people about their cars. I took pictures of Jacob in front of them too.

 

By Roger on Japan tagged - Leave a comment

Nakano Broadway

We then decided to go to Nakano Broadway, this is where there are tons of stuff. We jumped on the Saikyo line to Shinjuku Station, then got on the Chuo line to Nakano Station.

It was a long walk through a covered shopping street. Then I saw the sign!

The ground level floor had clothes and supermarket and food. I thought I might have gotten Nakano Broadway wrong (it is suppose to be the better alternative to Akihabara). Then we started seeing all the shops!!! Robot Robot, Elf, Mandarake… I couldn’t believe my eyes!!!

Okay.. that was dope. I started to go to the other side of the floor and that is when my heart started to pound!!! M.U.S.C.L.E and Battle Beasts… Old skool Tomicas…

By Roger on Japan tagged , - Leave a comment

Sunshine city Pokemon Center

I didn’t take many pictures because this place was too packed.

There was a huge line to get in and check out.

 

So not only was it Oban Festival and Mountain day (national holidays for Japan), but it was Pokemon Festival too.

All the times I’ve seen Pokemon Centers, they have always been busy… this day, it was extreme!!!