Okawa Town in Kyushu's Fukuoka Prefecture has been a hub for woodcraft and furniture making for hundreds of years. Okawa's kiri-dansu, a wooden dresser used for storing kimono, was once a sought-after piece of furniture in the homes of the well-to-do in Japan. Now a young generation of..
When I first arrived in Japan, I believed the country to be made up of skyscrapers and large neon billboards. I couldn't have been more wrong. Japan merges in-depth culture and modernity with such ease. Kyushu does just that, with its modern day attractions and those embedded in history, all j..
Fukuoka may not be as large as Tokyo and Osaka, or dazzling with as many lights, but I've had many more memorable times in Fukuoka's downtown area, Tenjin. Tenjin is located in the Central Ward of Fukuoka City. It's known as the fashion capital of Kyushu and often named a gourmet or reta..
For those who are fans of The Moomins, this Moomin bakery and cafe in Fukuoka Prefecture is a dream come true. This cafe and bakery is located in Canal City in Hakata and is a place where you can immerse yourself into the Moomintroll world. At the ca..
Mengekijo Genei Ramen in Fukuoka's Yakuin district does not seem particularly outstanding at first. A small metal shed-like building on a street corner with a large dark wooden door announcing its name. Even as you open the door, you wonder if yo..
Located in the busy Tenjin area, this lovely little restaurant really knows how to make some amazing French toast. They offer seasonal flavors, like pumpkin, which is what I ordered when I went. There were pumpkin slices on top of the Frenc..
Fukuoka is historically a port-of-call for merchants and traders from the rest of Asia, and their influence has left an indelible mark on the history and culture of Fukuoka. Case in point, the Kyushu National Museum, the only Japanese National Museum..
Hotels usually cater to two groups of people: the traveller, who after a long day of sightseeing, shopping and eating need somewhere inviting to rest their weary self at, or for the businessman, who just wants to shut off from the world after a long ..
First I was confused about the name of this place; "Costel", what should this mean? In fact, it stands for "Co-Hostel", underlining that it should be more than just a place to stay, but also a place to have fun and spend some ..
The icy waters flowing through Senbutsu Cave make for a fantastically splashy Japanese spelunking adventure. Passing through the cave mouth with its teeth-like projections hanging down, you can walk beside the river during the first 480 meters. There..
The port of Moji dates from the turn of the 20th century and the historic buildings from its glory days as an international shipping center now make for a delightful setting to spend a day or evening. After the Meiji Restoration of 1868 saw the launc..
Exploring the history of life on Earth is probably not one of the top thoughts that come to mind for activities in a visit to Japan, but the Kitakyushu Museum of Natural History and Human History pleases with spectacular exhibitions that can be enjoy..
![Kitakyushu's "Journey of Life"](https://a2.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/36355-167589/765x510!/fukuoka-kitakyushu-s-journey-of-life-167589.jpg "Kitakyushu's "Journey of Life"")
