|
First time in Fukuoka
August 24, I found myself in Fukuoka. Fukuoka is the biggest metropolis around. It is the biggest city in Kyushu, the gateway to our lonely island. With a population of 1.3 million (I am not sure where I have got this figure from), the city offers a variety of things to the adventurous ones like me. I took the Sonic to Hakata station early in the morning from my home base of Kamegawa. That train is the fastest around the eastern corridor of Kyushu, the narrow strip of land on the shore just off some rather hilly terrain. It takes about a full two hours to get to Hakata, one of the main components of the main city of Fukuoka. Hakata used to be a samurai town hundreds of years ago, but I didn't do that history research and so is unable to further this story. Hakata station is definitely a busy place. Our Sonic arrived at just before ten in the morning, and once I was off the train, I was in the middle of crowds of people, some hurrying to catch their trains, some busy finding people they recognize. I spotted the information kiosk quite quicky, but at the same time seeing the convenient store selling models of Kyushu's new Shinkansen: the Tsubame (The Swallow), and I just had to own one of those. At the kiosk it was time to put my Japanese that I have studied so diligently for the past month or two to use. I knew that those girls spoke English, but just had to pretend to be one of the locals. I think the starting worked, but as the conversations carried on, they were all able to tell that I was trying just a little too hard to be Japanese. Equipped with maps and guides, I finally thought I was ready to step out of Hakata station. You see I am repeating this name because it really is a big station in Japan. At the moment this is the final stop of all Shinkansen running in this direction. Whether it's from Tokyo, Nagoya, or Osaka, they all stop at Hakata. The new Kyushu Shinkansen is going to run from Hakata to Kagoshima eventually, but at the moment, this final stop is going to continue with its role for a couple of years more. My first destination was Canal City, an entertainment complex quite famous for it's modern design and its collection of international boutiques I suppose. There is an AMC theatre in it. I didn't think I was the shopping type, so I didn't stick around for too long, but I did see the canal running through it and realized why the name... Leaving Canal City I headed in the Tenjin direction to try to figure out what all the fuss about that area was. The district is most famous for its shopping variety and its undergroud shopping arcade. A little digression here: On my way to Tenjin I was stopped by a young guy. He was trying to get people to sign for lowering cell phone prices. I didn't know that at the beginning when he just started talking to me. "amari Wakaranai... Nihon-jin ja nai." (I don't really understand... I am not Japanese.) He was very nice and told me that it was okay that I didn't understand, and he just starting pointing to his list and speak in English. By then I had figured out what the deal was with all the kanjis on his chart. "Kan-goku-jin desu ka?"(You are Korean?) "Iee, Chu-goku-jin desu."(I said I was Chinese as I signed with my Chinese name for him.) "Kore wa boku no kanji de namae desu." (not sure if this is right, but I basically said this is my name in Chinese.) "Ah, soo desu ne... Beijing kara?" (Oh is that right... from Beijing?) "Iee, Hong Kong-jin desu ga, Kanada kara desu yo!" (no, from Hong Kong, but I am actually from Canada.) "Soo desu ga... arigatoo-gozaimasu." (I see... well thank you very much) "Doo itashimashite." (You're welcome.) That was a nice conversation in Japaense for me. Even though quite elementary, people from Fukuoka are actually very nice. Anywhere I go if there is a high place that enables some sort of panoramic observations I am there. Fukuoka is no exception. This is the farther point that I had to walk from Hakata station I think, but just for the view of it, I headed there. The walk took about at least two hours I think. On the way I passed by Fukuoka castle's ruin, and Ohori-koen, a park that was supposed to resemble Hangzhou's Xihu in China. Now I have never been to Hangzhou Xihu, but have heard that it's heavenly there. So either this park's beauty is being exaggerated, or Xihu is after all, well, just another sightseeing spot. This is not to say that Ohori Park isn't pretty. It's nice and soothing to sit by the lake, but... Anyway, back to the tower: on my way I also walked by a long stretch of man made beach along the lovely Fukuoka Harbour and that's a really nice spot to visit. I wish I could jump into the water right there; it was a steaming day. Along the beach was the famous Fukuoka Dome. Just like the Skydome in Toronto, it's a big stadium for baseball. Like Toronto, it adds to the waterfront. Fukuoka Tower was not far down the beach... wait, this is exactly the setup Toronto has, the Skydome and the CN Tower. And Fukuoka also has an underground street. How can I not feel like being home? I went up the tower. The view from up there was nice. I had my lunch, which wasn't particularly pricier than the normal Japanese meal. The waitress kindly helped me take a picture too. After the tower I took a ferry across Hakata Bay to Shikanoshima. Actually I didn't. I went in the Marine Park/Aquarium direction, but decided that a 2100-yen entrance fee was too much for me to take then, and walked 5 km towards Shikanoshima. What a nice hidden treasure it is with the lovely beaches. Actually there's more to Shikanoshima but I didn't have time to explore. I am sure I will return soon. Another ferry ride I was back to Hakata. To Mitsukoshi I went again, this time with a mission to buy dinner and bring souvenir to my colleagues in Beppu. And with a whole day's walk I couldn't walk anymore, and took the subway to Hakata Station where I would find my way back home. by siafl, September 18, 2003. |
|