5 oct 07 - Fukuoka (part II)

Hakata Green Hotel

This was the hotel that i stayed for one night in Fukuoka. It was not expensive (~SGD70) and I like the room even though it was small. Very well equipped with LCD tv, fridge, a small hotplate to boil water! I know a lot of people have the impression that accomodation in Japan is expensive. But if you don't mind staying at small hotels, or even pensions and hostels, you can get cheap deals! =)

Hakata Kotsu Centre

Hakata Kotsu Centre is like the bus interchange in Singapore. I am very amazed that the buses actually drive into the building. On the first level are buses that travel around Fukuoka. Second level and third level are alighting and boarding points for highway buses respectively. Highway buses are alternatives to domestic airlines and trains if you want to travel around different places. For me, I took a highway bus (~4 hours) from Miyazaki to Fukuoka and on the same day, board another highway bus (~10 hours) from Fukuoka to Kyoto. From here, I can take 100 yen buses and other normal buses to go around Fukuoka!

Furusato-kan

I could not find this furusato-kan when i alighted from the bus stop! Attempted to walk around following the map. But it was terrible. Where is it?! When i was standing there at the traffic light helplessly, a man with blond-dyed hair and a half lighted cigarette came over to ask if I was lost. He offered to look at the map but wasn't sure of the directions too. He kept saying "chotto matte" to me and at the same time trying to figure out where we are on the map. After some time, he finally knew where we were and offered to walk me to furusato-kan. *happy*

This furusato-kan is a small musuem that introduces Fukuoka and Hakata history. You can learn about their culture, language etc. They also display items that were used during olden days. (There's some English introductions as well!) It was interesting to walk around this little museum. =) Next to the museum, is a small shop selling souvenirs and toys from olden days. Even if you don't want to buy, it's great to take a look.

Weaving Machine

Weaving was something really interesting that I get to try in Fukuoka! In between the furusato-kan and souvenir shop, there was this little house that showed the history of cloth-weaving in Fukuoka. I was walking inside the house taking photos of weaving machine and the finished product, when an ojisan approached me wanting to explain the history of weaving. But but but, he was speaking in Japanese! I tried my best to understand what he's speaking and probably understood only 40%. ”わかりましたか？簡単で説明しますね。” (Did you understand? I will do a simple explanation.) Looking at the question marks on my head, he decided to let me try out weaving instead. I sat in the machine above, with ojisan standing next to me to guide me. He would smack my hands if i never place my hands properly. :s I managed to do quite a few lines of strings. Weaving is not easy at all. It requires good hand and leg coordination because after you step on the peddle, your hands need to be ready to switch the ball of string. It's fun!