Pork chop bun is one of the most popular and famous snacks in Macau. It is also known as the Macanese hamburger, locally called as Zhu Pa Paos. Perfect grab if your hungry while touring around. MUST TRY! ($48 HKD). #tinEATS Watch our Macau Adventure here;
Kushida-jinja is a Shinto shrine located in Hakata-ku, Fukuoka, Japan. One of the oldest shrine in Fukuoka, that holds its famous Hakata Gion Yamakasa Festival.
This Shrine is also the place to pray for eternal youth. Clap! Clap! Clap! Here's to forever young!!! LOL
Kushida Shrine also known as "Okushi san" for the locals, a nickname that really shows the affection they feel for this shrine. More and more people visit this shrine, which made it a popular place for tourists to visit too.
Kushida Shrine also have a place for EMA (wooden prayer tablet), wherein you can write your prayers with a minimal amount (JPY100).
When your in Kushida Shrine, you will also find the Kazari Yamakasa or large stationary festival floats, like this one below.
When visiting Kushida Shrine I was able to take a snap of this view, 3 season in one pic. (Summer-Fall-Winter).
How to get to Kushida Shrine:
Kushida Shrine is located near Reisen Park. The nearest stations are Nakasukawabata and Gion, on the subway line. From either of these two stations, it takes about 8 minutes on foot to reach Kushida Shrine. It can also be accessible from Canal City Hakata. It takes an eight-minute walk. Open from 4:00 am to 11:00 pm. Entrance Fee is FREE.
This famous Floating Torii Gates of Ouo Shrine is located in Tara town and peninsula in Fujitsu District, Saga Prefecture, Japan. Stands on a shallow Ariake Sea, which has 6 meter tides difference. At high tide, the three Torii float on the surface, which I was able to see when I arrived here. While during low tide, tourist or visitors can walk through the gates. Every month of August the famous "Yukino Lanterns Festival" are being held here, wherein the locals put a 500 lanterns alongside the torii.
So, if you looking for a side trip from Fukuoka, go check out this beautiful spots in Saga Japan, wherein not known to many tourist yet. If your lucky you can have this place all for yourself. When I got here, it's just me and 2 lovebirds (local) dating while watching the torii surface in the ocean.
How to get here:
*From Fukuoka: -Take the JR Kamome 3 Limited Express Train bound for Nagasaki and get off and transfer at Hizen-Kashima Station
-From Hizen Kashima Station wait and board the JR Nagasaki Line Local Train bound for Nagasaki and get off at Tara Station (There is no stops at Tara Station for Limited Express Train, only in Hizen Kashima station, in case you wonder)
-It takes 10 minutes walk from Tara Station
-Fare: 3,330 yen (One-way)
-Travel Time: 1 hour and 30 mins
*From Yoshinogari-Koen Station Saga(This is what I took going to Tara, because I went to first at Yoshinogari Historical Park)
- Head to Yoshinogari-Koen Station (You can either take the Limited Express Train of the local train, I took the local train bound for Tara)
-JR Line Local train (14 stops) then Tara Station
-It takes 10 minutes walk from Tara Station
-Fare:1,130 yen (One-way)
-Travel Time: 1 hour and 35 minutes
TIPS: If your planning to visit more prefecture or places in Kyushu Region, I highly recommend you get the unlimited JR Line pass, because its cheaper.
Another city, another prefecture, another site to see!
This was a little out of the way to Fukuoka, but I made sure this was included in my itinerary when I was planning my trip. Yoshinogari is a historical village located Saga Prefecture in the southern part of Kyushu region in Japan. In between Fukuoka and Nagasaki prefectures, the place may not be considered as a tourist destination (yet), but it has many interesting sites that would blown your mind away. Specially, if your into historical sightings and UNESCO Heritage markings.
Yoshinogari is well known for archaeological site, home to a large ancient civilization during the Yayoi period, that goes back over 2000 years ago. Although there have been other Yayoi ruins discovered around Japan, but Yoshinogari is by far the biggest. Today, this site is now converted as a historical park, in a 70 hectares land. After digging the grounds, so many relics had been found left behind by the ancient civilization. Like beads, knives, utensils and pottery. Unlike to any other tourist attraction and historical sites, here in Yoshinogari Historical Park, you can get up close and personal to some items excavated from the ruins of Yoshinogari, as visitors are allowed to browse the relics and also see the re-creations of what the houses and buildings would have been like back then.
The Japanese people did an amazing job on preserving and reconstructing the village for the visitors to see on how the people back then, lived. Being here made me feel like I was transported back to the Yayoi era. I've learned a lot about the Yayoi life and culture. Despite being a little remote, Yoshinogari Historical Park is definitely the real deal if you into Japan history. So if you happened to be in Fukuoka, I hope you can take a day to see this beautiful site.
FYI: Their are staff dressed in Yayoi period costumes located at the South Enclosure, North Enclosure and North Burial Mound to tell the visitors about the Yoshinogari ruins and the Yayoi period. Unfortunately, I didn't get to see them because I did not go to this locations. :)
Opening Hours:
Apr 1 to May 1 (9:00 am to 5:00 pm) Jun 1 to Aug 31 (9:00 am to 6:00 pm)
*Closed days Dec. 31, 3rd Monday and the next day in January
Entrance Fee:
Adults (ages 15 and above) General (460yen) Group (280yen)
Adults (2 day pass ticket) General (500yen) Group (340yen)
Senior citizens (ages 65 and above) General/Group (200yen)
Senior citizens (2 day pass ticket) General/Group (200yen)
* Junior high school students and under are FREE
* Group rates for adults and elderly people (SC) are applicable for a group of 20 or visitors including elementary and junior high schools students FREE.
*Yoshinogari Historical Park has their own schedule tour guides, every 1st and 3rd Sunday of the month, that starts from the East gate reception desk at 10am to 1:00pm.
HOW TO GET HERE: From Fukuoka - you can either take the bus or the train.
BUS FROM FUKUOKA(This is what I took going here in Yoshinogari Historical Park, but I would not recommend this because I lost my way going here. Google map leads me to a different gate entrance of the park and it was hard because the park is really huge so its hard if your just gonna walk. But I will be sharing my bus ride going here and its up to you if you wanna follow it or not.)
- The Gate Hostel 4 minute walk to Kamiya-cho Bus Station
- From Kamiya-cho board the bus #47 going to Hakata Bus Station. (Make sure you board the right bus)
- 6 stops away get off at Hakata Bus Station.
- At the station turn left, 2 minutes walk you will arrived at Hakata Bus Terminal.
- Head to gate #11 and take the bus going to Fukuoka Airport Limousine Bus
- 8 stops away you will arrive in Fukuoka Airport International Terminal.
- transfer here Saga highway bus, located at the ground floor, align at the gate #4 and wait for the bus. (There are airport ground personnel on this area, so you can asked them which bus bound for Saga.)
-6 stops away, get off at Yokatta Bus Station from here google map would lead you to the wrong gate entrace of the park.
FARE TOTAL: (1,530 yen)
TIME TRAVEL: 1 hour and 32 minutes
* You can still take this ride, but make sure to ask the driver to drop you off at the Yoshinogari Park main entrance before you board the bus.
TRAIN FROM FUKUOKA - You can take the local and limited express train from Hakata Station to Tosu Station
- From Tosu take the local train and get off at the Yoshinogari-Koen Station
FARE : For local train costs around 840yen / Limited express train costs 2000 yen
TIME TRAVEL: 45 to 75 minutes
*From Yoshinogari-koen station it is a 10 to 15 minutes walk going to the park or take a cab ride to the park's East Gate for 700 yen. *Prices may change without prior notice
This experience is definitely the highlight of my travel in Fukuoka. First time taking the bus transportation in Japan. Getting lost all by myself out of nowhere. But God directed me to good people to help me find my way. Japanese people are known for being so nice and polite, and I personally experiece this kind of gestures. A kind lady ditch her chores to drive me to the park as I was lost. Shizoko-san, Domo Arigatou Gozaimashita!!!
This experience also made me realized one thing that in life, we sometimes make a wrong turns, make wrong decisions but as we keep on going, God would eventually lead us to good people, right place and amazing destinations. We just have to keep on trusting his will and never loss faith in HIM.
Fukuoka is home to a lot of ancient shrines and temples way back from Heian Period (794 to 1185 AD) and I wouldn't missed it for anything, so my first stop is Kushida Shrine, few minutes walk from my hostel.
1.) Kushida Shrine (Shinto)- One of the oldest shrine in Fukuoka, that holds its famous Hakata Gion Yamakasa Festival. This Shrine is also the place to pray for eternal youth. Clap! Clap! Clap! Here's to forever young!!! LOL
* Open from 4:00 am to 11:00 pm
* Entrance Fee: FREE
* Nearest Station : Gion and Nakasukawabata Station
* Walking distance from The Gate Hostel
2.) Tocho-ji Temple- Built in 806 AD, making it the oldest Shingon Temple in Kyushu region. This temple is the repository of the remains of the second and third feudal lords of the Chikuzen Province (The Kuroda Family).
* Open from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
* Entrance Fee: FREE
* Nearest Station : Hakata Station
* Walking distance from The Gate Hostel
3.) Hakozaki Shrine - According to history this shrine is believed to have been built in the year 923 AD but was destroyed during the Mongol invasion in 1274. Most of the structures were reconstructed in the 15th Century. Hakozaki Shrine is one of the major Hachiman in Japan, together with the Oita's "Usajingu" and Kyoto's "Iwashimizu Hachiman". There is a large statue of Emperor Daijo Kameyama beside the main shrine and there is also an 800 year old tree near the entrance so make sure to check that out.
* Open from 6:00 am to 7:00 pm
* Entrance Fee: FREE
* How to get here from Tocho-ji Temple
- walk (10 minutes) going to Gofukumachi Station (Enter via Gate or Number 5)
- align the Hakozaki Line bound for Kaizuka, 3 stops
- get off at Hakozakimiya-mae station (Exit via Gate 1), 5 minutes walk you will arrived in Hakozaki Shrine (Fare: 210 YEN)
4.) Nanzoin Temple - is the home of the famous Reclining Budda statue with an impressive dimension of 41 meters in length, 11 meters in height and weighing at 300 tons. There is so much more to see in Nanzoin Temple aside from the Reclining Budda. The place is a large complex with many chapels and shrines scattered over the hillsides. There is the large Fudo Myo-o statue and the Inari shrine dedicated to the Shichifukujin, the seven lucky gods of Japan. If you have limited days in Fukuoka, I suggest you may skip all three site and just prioritize this one. Super worth it!!!
* Open from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
* Entrance Fee: FREE but (500 yen if you enter the prayer room)
* How to get here from Hakozaki Shrine
- walk (15 minutes) going to Yoshizuka Station (Enter via West Exit Gate)
- align the JR Fukuhokuyutaka Line Rapid bound for Nogata (Please make sure to check the time of the train departure as this is very confusing, there are a lot of trains on this platform, so make sure you board the right one. I almost took the wrong train here, glad I was able to find someone, who's a local in Nanzoin, so I tagged along with him.
- 4 Stops away. Get off at Kidonanzoin-mae Station.
- From the station, on your left side walk over the bridge, keep walking turn right in the intersection and you will arrived in Nanzoin Temple. (FARE: 280YEN)
Day 1: Arriving in Fukuoka - arrived there at 8:00 PM on time. Clear immigration and head straight to find my pocket wifi. No baggage to collect at the carousel as I only had hand carry luggage. After getting my internet wifi, went straight to the FREE SHUTTLE BUS from Fukuoka International Airport going to the Subway transfer, which is 5 minutes away. Then go down to the underground level to get a ticket for 260 (Yen). Took the Kuko Line bound for Nakasukawabata Station, which is the nearest station going to my Hostel. It is a 5 to 10 minutes walk (depending on how fast or slow you are in walking, LOL). Where I booked by pocket wifi? Klook.com for Php 185.00 a day/Unlimited Pick up at the airport, very easy to find. They had a Filipino-Japanese guy at the counter, he never been to the Philippines but he really speaks fluent tagalog, so it's a plus and he help me locate the free Shuttle bus station outside the airport.
Hakata-ku Komondocho 10-3, 812-0029 Fukuoka, Japan
I found them on booking.com and booked for 1 Bunk Bed in Female Dormitory Room for Php 3,702.00 (4 NIGHTS) including tax. They also have a private room for family or couple. But choose the capsule type because I'm alone and it saves me a few bucks for FOOD. LOL
Why I stayed here?
*Great reviews online. Clean, convenient, very accessible and friendly staff and they speak English. *Affordable. *Most tourist spot are just walking distance, like:
1. Kushida Shrine
2. Kawabata Shopping District
3. Tochoji-Temple
4. Yatai stalls
5. Canal City
6. Hakata Machiya Folk Museum
*Every Monday to Thursday from 8pm to 10pm they have a Takoyaki party at the common area on the 5th Floor. Which is very interesting because you get to mingle with other guest. And if sobrang nagtitipid ka that could be your dinner. LOL!!!
After checking in, I went to had dinner at the famous Yatai stalls. Yatai is a stand stationed food cart on the sidewalk. This is there version of Jalan Alor in Kuala Lumpur, there hawker alley or street wherein most of them sells ramen, yakitori, hotpot and variety of seafood's. It is usually open until midnight. Some stalls closes early in the morning.
