Tsubame 2 Kagoshima

Kagoshima is yet to be linked by Shinkansen...So you have to transfer trains.
Special relay train called Tsubame.  But on 12th of March 2011 Japan is truly link by Shinkansen and new line will open between Fukuoka and Kagoshima.
This will be very big party and maybe people go crazy to be first person take the train.





I took to Kagoshima because I wanted to see Sakarujima.  An active volcano island off the coast of Kagoshima.
Decided to let the GPS logger run as i took the train...It stayed in sync the whole way :D except tunnel of course















To the left is a bigger timer till count down of the party.
Kyushu linked by Shinkansen.
Fukuoka and Kagoshima!

Yatai!!! Desert :)

After dinner at a Izakaya we went and got some desert for a Yatai. They had an italian, french and japanese stall.
Of course have to go Japanese.
We had a bowl of ramen. Not to bad...very cheap i think it was 700 each or together...can't remember @_@










me and misa











Ramen...not the most tastiest...certainly a different taste to others i have had.

The yatai stalls...I believe Hakata is famous for these...
and are hard to find in Tokyo?

Old Fukuoka Castle Ruins!

All that is left is the castle walls and moat...The rest is gone!
Took my first taxi back from the gardens to Tenjin station...Was raining way to much~
From Tenjin I took bus 11?
I wanted to go Obori park but was to much rain so I just went castle.

















So much history right it the middle of the city!

Many many crows...Don't know why so many but in this area around the castle there is alot.

Izakaya & Shochu

Misa took me to my first Izakaya...A place where you can drink and get lots of small foods.
Very popular for the younger student crowds.  The food was very unusual.  Shochu was surprising really strong. I am guessing about 30%+. Would of drunk more but I was still recovering from some vomiting sickness the previous day.

<- Shochu

<-croquette

<-can't remember this...braised/stewed pork

Small Park in the Suburbs

Came across this rest stop on the way to the botanical gardens...Nice little park with some hut/house/temple thing...I saw it on my map.
But i lazy to go get it and see what it is called.

Found some Sakura Blossoms still in season!

2nd Day in Hakata - 1st Day out

First trip outside...Due to being ill for a day...Really slows down the whole schedule and movements
I walked to Hakata Station about 10min from the accommodation.
From there you can take the Kuko line to Tenjin Station.



















I picked this area at random to explore. It was close to Hakata only 200Y.

The old and the new 370GT and an old r32 4 door skyline ;)
Came across this little garden shop way into the suburbs.
About 40min walk from Tenjin station. I just started walking...And half way i decided I would go Fukuoka Botanical Gardens

Fukuoka Tower - Lower Level

From the top floor you take the stairs 3 levels down i believe.
This brings you almost eye level with some of the bigger building.

There was also this gay love thing going on...So many korean and japanese love letters or something @_@










The lift down!
I can't remember how long it was...i believe 70secs?











Towering into the night sky

Yamakasa!!!! Meeting Misa ^_^

Tonight was my first night meeting Misa-san. Misa-san is my Mayuki-san friend. She asked Misa can she take me out for a night in Hakata and Fukuoka...Show me the local life...Which i was so happy to do...That is what i love the local things.
Not the touristy things ^_^
She told me about Yamakasa, a festival celebrated in July...Where Japan men carry these massive floats more than a few tonnes around the city. Crazy...The amount on detail on them is intense. They rebuild them every year to.













Misa also done my fortune thingy...mine was lucky @_@


But it had bad luck surrounding my travels.
Really cool!
then you tie it around that thing to make the bad luck be gone...As if ask the gods to get rid of the bad luck for you








Misa and I leaving the temple grounds.

Fukuoka Tower ^_^ Really Pretty

One thing Fukuoka is proud of is there tower...It is very big! I believe 2nd biggest in Japan?
Lift is very very fast...I think it is 2nd to Tokyo tower ;)
I took a photo of the map of Japan towers...See Below


























Really amazing view...Tourist gets a discount to...Can't remember the cost ;) But worth it
Cute lift girls also

Ruins - Boots made 4 walking

Ruins of the castle...empty lands and lots of rain
That picture below is of a well! Remind me of ring or something...Only crows were surrounding it




















Yep...these work boots have had it tough...lots of walking~










Overlook the castle grounds

Walking in the rain - Botanical Gardens

400Y entry fee...But i really think it was the wrong season. No roses, no flowers...Just the green house ones.
But really nice and peaceful...Just walk around the gardens which is in the heart of the old Hakata city.
Tranquil









Panoramic city views...lots of cloud cover




Takin a break...The sickness is takin its toll on me

















Like cactus much? whole green house full of them!