Every year on January 7th, a blazing fire cuts through the evening darkness at Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine. A group of men dressed in colored robes lift massive fans to stoke a fire and send smoke into the air. Another group bashes into the walls of a wooden building to break it down. What is going …
Fukuoka is a city bursting with a vibrant food and drink scene. Walk down the streets and small cafes and shops greet you with tempting sweets and the tantalizing smell of grilled food and baked goods. When it comes to cafes, the city has something for everyone. There are tiny, cozy spaces that serve handcrafted …
It’s 3am and you’re walking down the street. In front of you are crowds of men bearing headbands, white shirts, and…. loincloths?! What is this?! Welcome to Fukuoka’s famous Gion Yamakasa Festival! Hakata Gion Yamakasa Festival The Hakata Gion Yamakasa festival (博多祇園山笠) is said to be over 770 years old and is one of the main …
Fukuoka City’s Famous Hakata Gion Yamakasa Festival Read More »
Excuse me, you’re in Japan! Why is this a post about Mexican food?! As much as I love Japanese food and can go weeks enjoying the local cuisine without breaking stride, I still get heavy cravings for “non-Japanese food” from time to time. Most often when one of these cravings hits, it’s for Mexican food. …
Tacomia in Fukuoka – Satiate Your Craving For Mexican Food in Japan Read More »
Golden Week in Japan Have you heard of Japan’s Golden Week? This is a unique period of time from April 29th to early May that contains four closely spaced holidays. The four holidays are Shōwa Day (April 29), Constitution Day (May 3), Greenery Day (May 4), and Children’s Day (May 5). As this is one …
Children’s Day Carp Festival (Koinobori, 鯉のぼり) at Tsuetate Onsen Read More »
Plum Blossoms | 梅の花 Mid February Spring is in the air and pink, yellow, and white flowers are popping up all around the city. No, these are not cherry blossoms, but rather plum blossoms (梅の花)! Plum blossoms are much less famous than Japan’s sakura (cherry blossoms), but these flowers carry their own special beauty and, …
Plum Blossoms in Fukuoka, Japan – Where to See Them (梅の花) Read More »
When the weather starts to get chilly, that means one thing… it’s oyster season! Oyster huts or (kakigoya) are mainly found on the Itoshima coast of Fukuoka and are a winter treat you won’t want to miss. This post contains affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission if you purchase through my links, …
Winter Oyster Huts in Itoshima – A Kyushu Specialty Read More »
Kawachi Wisteria Garden: A Purple Paradise The first time I Googled Fukuoka, I saw the most incredible images of long purple flowers forming a majestic tunnel. What was this beautiful plant? Where could I see it for myself? Soon I was researching all the best places to view wisteria near Fukuoka, Kyushu… April is wisteria …
Kawachi Wisteria Garden: The Most Beautiful Place to See Wisteria in Kyushu? Read More »
What is Bungo Beef? Today I’m going to introduce one of Japan’s premium wagyu dishes, Bungo Beef! I’m sure you’ve heard of Kobe Beef and wagyu before…. so how does Bungo Beef fit into the mix? Simply put, wagyu (和牛) means Japanese cow. (和 is pronounced ‘wa‘ and means Japanese, while 牛 is pronounced ‘gyuu‘ …