A Quick Trip to Fukuoka

This weekend I went to Fukuoka (the northern-most prefecture on Kyuushuu). When I came to Japan, I actually flew from Los Angeles to Tokyo to Fukuoka and then took a bus from Fukuoka to Beppu in Ooita, but I didn't really have any time to do anything in Fukuoka; so, I was pleased to have the opportunity to go back. I went with some of my Japanese friends (Takumi, Hiro, and Aki), and Aki was kind enough to let us stay in his family's home.

When we arrived at Aki's home, his family greeted us with a wonderful dinner consisting of such things as rice, miso soup, fish, tofu, beef, roast pork, tempura, cherries, grapes, and a variety of other delicious dishes. Let me just say that Aki's mother and sister are excellent cooks and the dinner was truly delicious.

The Japanese love public baths. So far, I have mentioned one kind: onsen (public bath where the water comes from a hot spring). Another kind, ofuro, is a public bath that uses ordinary water. Just like the onsen, though, the water is re-used; so, you must clean yourself before entering the ofuro, and you go in naked. While in Fukuoka, I went to something new called a sentou (public bath house). Basically, a sentou contains a variety of different ofuro. For instance, one ofuro in a sentou may have a different temperature than another, or some may have water jets and others do not. Some of the ofuro may be indoors while others are outdoors. There are also saunas and that sort of thing. I can't even begin to express how much I have fallen in love with the public bath; it's so much more enjoyable than showering or taking a bath back in the States, and you feel so much cleaner when you're done.

Next we headed to karaoke. In America, going to karaoke usually means going to a bar, drinking (the main attraction), and then standing up in front of everyone and singing a song occasionally. Karaoke in Japan is different though. You go to a karaoke place and rent one of the many rooms that people can rent. The rooms are soundproofed for the most part; so, you and your friends can sing as loud as you want and turn the music up as loud as you want without fear of disturbing anyone else. Singing is the focus; drinking and eating are secondary to singing. When you are with Japanese friends, it's always really important to participate in what the group is doing. If you don't, it's pretty rude because you are killing the mood for everyone else. So, everyone is expected to sing no matter how good or bad each person is at singing. No need to worry, though, if you can't sing. Just do it. It's all about having fun. I should also mention that karaoke is no short event. We rented our room at about 0100 and we finished at 0500.


Hiro, Aki, and Takumi enjoying Japan's #1 pastime. ---

The next day, we met up with our friend, Shingo, and went shopping. Shingo is really into fashion and wants to go and study fashion in Italy. He has a really great eye for fashion; so, he was able to pick out some good stuff for us without it costing too much. The number one thing that I wish that I had brought more of with me to Japan is clothes. It's very difficult to find clothes in Japan that fit a 191cm American male with a chest and shoulders as broad as mine. Fukuoka was very kind to me, though, and I was able to find a few nice shirts that fit me.

While shopping, we ran into a festival that was happening that weekend called the Hakata Gion Yamakasa. If I understood correctly, the local townspeople carry this float through the streets and then water is poured or sprayed on them. The water is meant to cleanse the people so that they will be healthy.


The float that is carried by the townspeople. ---


Kids participating in the festival. ---

After we finished shopping, we went to dinner where we ate okonomiyaki, and then went to the bus station to return to Beppu. Fukuoka was very fun and I want to go back again before I return to America.