The cowardly dry cleaner.

The writing above PANSY says “kuriiningu” or cleaning. This place is a Dry Cleaner, they chose the unfortunate name of PANSY… or are they trying to insult me?

I have lots of fun spotting Japrish (Japanese that has been badly translated to English, my own version of Engrish) whilst travelling in Japan. As well as taking photos of normal tourist things and anything that catches my eye, I’m always on the lookout for interesting Japrish.

Related posts:

1. Japrish – Bourbon Water
2. Japrish – Lost in 100 yen shop translations
3. Japrish – Japanese poorly interpreted to English

This article is about our stay at the Japanese Ryokan Kashima Honkan in Fukuoka. You may have stumbled on this article while searching for “ryokan fukuoka”. This ryokan is a heritage building (Tangible Cultural Property) due to the unique traditional Japanese architecture and the Edo period garden enclosed in the centre of the property.

Edo period Japanese garden seen from the window of our Fukuoka Ryokan room.

Inside the Ryokan in Fukuoka

We stayed in a 2 person room, which had 2 futons to sleep on (with all pillows and bedding) in a separate bedroom. In the lounge room (tatami room) is a low table with kotatsu (which has a blanket and heating under the table – so comfortable!). Every Ryokan we stayed in had hot fresh green tea and yukata’s (Japanese robe’s).

Inside our 2 person room at the Fukuoka Ryokan Kashima Honkan.

There is also a computer with free internet access in the lobby. Toilet and bathroom facilities are available shared or in your room. This ryokan in Fukuoka was the most spacious I stayed in whilst travelling Japan.

How to get to the Fukuoka Ryokan

We actually found our way here with the help of a convenience store employee. If you want to do the same, you can use some Japanese “Ryokan Kashima Honkan wa doko desu ka?” (meaning where is Ryokan Kashima Honkan).

From Hakata train station, which is the main station where you would get of the shinkansen (bullet train), take the east exit and walk up the main road which is Taihaku Dori. You will walk about 600m, passing an AM/PM convenience store, arriving at a large intersection which Kokutai Dori. Here is Gion train station, continue walking along the same road, Taihaku Dori for 2 small blocks until you see a 7/11 convenience store on the corner. Turn left down this small one-way street, you will be walking with the traffic. You will then come to an intersection with a pedestrian crossing, across the road you will see a do not enter traffic sign, and on your right is car park. Turn left here, and the building after the one on the corner is the Fukuoka Ryokan Kashima Honkan.

Street view of the Fukuoka Ryokan Kashima Honkan

You can see a map of the location at the Google Maps place page for Japanese Ryokan Kashima Honkan.

Things to do in Fukuoka

Of course, make sure you take your shoes off in the entry way! Put on a pair of provided inside shoes and head to reception. When we got there, lots of pleasant older ladies were shuffling around looking after the place. There are plenty of things to do, as this Ryokan is a great place to stay for your Fukuoka travel. It is very close to Tenjin, Fukuoka’s main restaurant, shopping and bar area. Fukuoka nightlife is great, the city is not too big and there are plenty of tourist attractions.

Check out the related post ‘Fukuoka – things to do‘ and have fun in Fukuoka!

And for more clarification on what is a Ryokan, see the Wikipedia article.

Related posts:

1. Fukuoka – things to do
2. Why travel to Japan? Top 10 reasons to go and visit
3. Japanese toilet – the modern ‘washlet’ (ウォシュレット)

Hire/rent a bicycle in Fukuoka, Japan

After just a few weeks in Japan, we were very jealous of everyone riding on bicycles. In Japan bikes basically have the right of way on the road, and since we had been walking everyday for a few weeks we were keen to try something different.

Bicycle hired in Fukuoka, Japan. Step-over bar style with a front basket, stand and wheel lock.

Finding bicycle hire in Fukuoka: From Tenjin station, take the train 2 stops to Hirao station. Find (or ask for) the bicycle parking station, which is open from 6am to midnight.

Bicycle hire cost in Fukuoka: Bicycles cost 100 yen to hire for the day, with a 2000 yen refundable deposit.

Parking your bicycle in Fukuoka: There are many free bicycle parking spots, all bicycles have built in locks. Take care when parking your bicycle, to be safe we always parked where there are others parked, as you can be fined for illegal parking.

Language tip: In Japanese, bicycle is ‘ji-ten-sha’ or in hiragana ‘じてんしゃ’.

ACROS Fukuoka “The amazing green building”

This building is ‘a hub of international, cultural and informational exchange’, and one of the most interesting buildings in Japan.

Entrance to the ACROS Fukuoka building interior.

ACROS Fukuoka - the green side.

Canal City – shopping, entertainment and food

A 15 minute walk from Hakata Station (the shinkansen station for Fukuoka) is the Canal City, a huge shopping and entertainment complex. With a man-made river running through it, this place is visually spectacular.

Canal City - one of the many unique perspectives from this huge shopping and entertainment area.

Hakata Bay

Fukuoka Beach & Momochi Beach Resort

Heading east from ACROS Fukuoka and Tenjin are some nice beaches and the Momochi Beach Resort complex, for shopping and restaurants.

Beach at Hakata Bay, Fukuoka. The Yahoo Baseball Dome can be seen on the left.

Momochi Beach Resort, photo taken from Fukuoka Tower in Japan.

Fukuoka Tower

Fukuoka Tower is a must, including Robo Square which is found in the tower’s lower levels.

Fukuoka Tower at Hakata Bay, Fukuoka Japan.

Fukuoka Yahoo! Baseball Dome

If you are a baseball fan, or just a fan of big buildings, Yahoo! Dome with retractable roof is on the way to the Tower and Beach from Tenjin.

Fukuoka Yahoo! Baseball Dome

Fukuoka is a great city, not too big but with plenty happening. Many cheap hotels and apartments around Tenjin, but the best place to stay is definitely a ryokan!

Related posts:

1. Fukuoka Ryokan, Japan
2. Kyoto – things to do
3. Why travel to Japan? Top 10 reasons to go and visit

Ambient lighting provided by the bar.

Ambient lighting provided by the bar.

The next 3 photos were taken on a trip to the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park. There were (and still are today) thousands upon thousands of long ribbons of the paper origami cranes, as tons of the origami cranes are sent to Hiroshima every year, a worldwide gesture of peace. The cranes can be found at the Sadako Sasaki statue and memorial (the Children’s Peace Memorial), as well as many other memorial sites within the large park.

Japanese origami cranes and origami crane chains at Hiroshima

Origami Crane Chain, Hiroshima - Japan

Origami Crane Chains, Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park

Origami Crane Chain, on a statue at Hiroshima

Japan’s origami crane is a national symbol of Japanese art and culture. The traditional and perhaps even ancient art, is a standout in the Asian art world. Here we have photos of just a few of the many millions of origami cranes that are sent to Hiroshima every year.

Related posts:

1. Why travel to Japan? Top 10 reasons to go and visit
2. Pictures of Japan – 10 photos
3. Japrish – The cowardly cleaner

I am from Australia and recently travelled to Japan for a holiday. In terms of traditions, we borrow from elsewhere, in terms of historical architecture there is nothing older than 250 years. Travelling to Japan was a chance to visit a country that is most steeped in tradition and culture of their own country – deeply proud and very generous people. It is a challenge and a massive reward holidaying here. So much so that I am now planning on returning to live.

There are so many reasons to visit Japan. Here are my top ten reasons why you should travel to Japan.

1. City, night lights and shopping.

Major shopping hub at Shibuya in Tokyo, near Shibuya 109.

The first of my top 10 reasons to visit Japan is really hard to justify on camera. But the shopping here is something very different, Shibuya 109 is a mutli-storey shopping centre just for teenage girs. And Akihabara in Tokyo is know solely for its electronics and games.

2. Festivals.

Sakura (Japanese Cherry Blossom) during the spring festival in Osaka.

Although in this list of 10 reasons to visit Japan I include only one example of a festival, Japan has many and they are very unique. From the snow and ice festivals in Sapporo in the north and more ancient/traditional festivals with priests and shrines, Japan loves the celebrations!

For more information see Wikipedia’s article on Japanese festivals.

UPDATE: New post ‘Japanese cherry blossom – photos and info‘.

3. Robots, gadgets and all things tech.

Sony AIBO, robot dogs at Roboworld in Fukuoka

Western style Japanese toilet with myriad of controls. Known in Japan as the Washlet (ウォシュレット Woshuretto)."

If you visit Japan, you will encounter one of these toilets. They really should be all over the world! Very hygienic, although it took a few times to get used to the water jets…

4. Castles, temples and shrines.

Okayama-jo, black and gold castle called 'Crow Castle' or 'U-jo'.

5. Efficient transport and the shinkansen (bullet train).

JR Central's Hikari Shinkansen.

Riding on Japan’s bullet train was actually at the top of my mates 10 reasons to visit Japan. Riding along at 300km/h or more, it feels more like air travel than rail travel.

At the opposite end of the speed scale, bicycles have right of way on the roads in Japan.

6. Japanese food and drink (especially Yebisu beer).

Yebisu beer and takoyaki (octopus in battered balls).

7. Manga and anime.

Just a small part of a multi-level book store in Okayama

8. Astro boy.

Statue of Astro Boy (named Atom in Japanese) outside Kyoto train station.

9. Architecture.

ACROS Fukuoka - the green side.

10. Origami, ancient traditions and art.

A tiny origami crane sitting on the bar of a nightclub in Fukuoka

This post marks the beginning of a series of posts, about my trip to Japan. I went to Japan for a holiday for about 1 month. Almost daily I would go to an internet cafe to find something to do – being in a non-English speaking country meant things to do were hard to find on the internet. My site ‘Japan Travel Mate’ aims to provide information on what to do and how to do it when you are in Japan.

Related posts:

1. Why go to Japan?
2. Pictures of Japan – 10 photos
3. Japan on a Budget, Tips for Cheap Travel!