Day 2 - March 14

Fukuoka, Kyushu

Exploring the Neighborhood of Nishikoen. Because who needs rest?

I did not expect to do so much on my first full day! I had planned to stay in my neighborhood and relax. Instead, I built a VO booth, went to Fukuhama Beach, got 7-11 supplies, watched Severance, explored Nishikoen, soaked in the Nishikoen Bathhouse, shopped at a Sunny local supermarket, had an early dinner at Hakata Toyoichi Sushi, then went to Yatai no Tamachan Bekkan for snacks. A planned "relaxation day" turned into a HUGE day.

I wasn't sure what to expect from Fukuhama Beach. I just wanted to walk around my neighborhood and explore. It was cold and windy, and I really had to pee, so I didn't spend much time there. But the water was so clear and it was cool to sea the ports and mountains. There was also quiet a bit of trash on some of the sandy areas. Certainly not a must visit, but I'm glad I checked it out since it was so close to my apt. 

NISHIKOEN:

This park was SO lovely. I'm more of a city mouse and have never really appreciated nature as much as I did in Kyushu. The park had insanely steep hills, but I took my time stopping to rest on the way up and got to the observatory deck! It was quiet and very peaceful. There were also cats on the way down! The cherry blossoms had not come in yet, but there were other flowers in bloom that were just as beautiful.

NISHIKOEN ONSEN:

My first onsen experience in Kyushu. ¥480. Towel and soap/shampoo/conditioner included. They have three different types of baths. One hot with milky bubbles, one with massaging jets, and one cold. They are small, but it fits about 2 people comfortably spaced apart in each tub. There were about 3 women in the space when I went in. It is also tattoo friendly! Super refreshing. I wanted to go again, but did not get the chance. Definitely would recommend as a local onsen if you're in the neighborhood!

Hakata Toyoichi Sushi:

Can't go wrong with ¥120 sushi when it's delicious! I took a walk in search of sushi after the onsen and was so glad I walked in here! Stick with the salmon and scallop. I didn't go overboard, and I'm glad, cause I went to a Yatai across the street after! Pro Tip: Wait for them to refill the boxes for the freshest batch! They were refreshing them right as I was leaving.

Yatai no Tamachan Bekkan:

My first Yatai experience. People were really hyping it up about talking to your neighbors and a life changing experience, etc. It is what you make of it! You might have to be the one making the first move to talk to your neighbors. I met someone traveling from Korea and we chatted about our travels! This yatai required you to buy a drink as well as food. It's not cheaper than an izakaya, but it sure is a fun experience being crammed into a tiny stall that only appears at night. 

Sunny Supermarket:

Highly highly highly recommend going to a supermarket in any place that you visit! I bought the softest bread, mentaiko and tarako to bring home, eggs, cabbage, coffee, and other treats to bring home!

Getting Home (Google Voice To The Rescue):

The getting home part is where I recommend Google Voice. I grew up with the book "A house is a house for me" and the lesson my parents wanted me to learn is that everything has a home and should be put back to where it came from. Well... I found the most perfect home for my keys. It was so perfect that I couldn't find it. I got on the bus and started looking for them. Not in my safe backpack pockets, not in my camera bag large pockets, not in my coat. Once the bus turned onto the wrong street and drove away from where my apartment was, my anxiety went full throttle. I hopped off the bus and was on a deserted side walk at 10pm DIGGING through my bags. I called the apartment's emergency contact and through Google Translate, told him that I had lost my keys. I walked 15 minutes home with all the groceries (including ice cream) and started digging through my bags again.

Turns out, I put it in an ultra safe tiny pocket in my camera bag where I usually store spare camera batteries! I used Google Voice again and called the local Japanese number to let the apartment super know that I found my keys. (Add 13 hours to the times below). I ended up spending only 24¢ USD to call! It's great peace of mind to know that I can call Japanese phone numbers.

Notes to My Wife:

• 1:27pm - "I feel like everything in life is just on a spectrum and like is how like time is relative. Because yesterday, when I first got here, I was like oh my God! The 7-11 is like literally two steps away. And then today as I was leaving, I was like oh my God the 7-11 is so far. It clearly did not change its location."