Mar 12, 2020 - Narita (In Transit)

@@@@@@@ KAPOORS ON THE ROAD As I mentioned in the photo titles, we were more that a little concerned about flying through Japan on our way home to Canada now that the COVID-19 virus had been declared an international pandemic. We wanted to fly home with using as few flights as possible, and the route from Delhi – Narita – Vancouver – Victoria was as quick as we could find using our Aeroplan points to be able to fly business class. For some reason, the direct flights from Delhi to Vancouver don’t seem to be offered to those who wish to use...

Dec 21, 2019 - Hakata-Canal City

Sat 21st Dec. Cloudy and cool, 5-12°C. All packed, checked out at 10am. Luggage stored at the hotel while we use up a few hours until our 5pm taxi to Fukuoka airport. Brunch at Pietro on 12th floor of IMS Tenjin. Good Italian, big tables with a view. Went to Canal City by bus, only a km away but saves the legs for ¥100(IC card ok). Browsed some interesting gift stores. There was a small concert by Sard Underground, an all girl band, they were pretty good. Afterwards we watched the excellent water fountain show, then chilled out at Starbucks...

Dec 20, 2019 - Atago Shrine

Fri 20th Dec. Clear, cloudy later, 6-13°C. Rode the original Kyushu shinkansen 'Tsubame' from Hakata to Kurume. These 800 series came into service in 2004 on the first Kyushu shinkansen line from Kagoshima to Yatsushiro, halfway to Hakata. Once the missing link to Hakata opened in 2014, they became the 'all stops' between Hakata and Kagoshima. Not quite as fast at 260kph as the newer N700-8000 trains at 300kph, required for the Sanyo line to Shin-Osaka, but very nice, stylish interior, with lots of wood and bamboo. Took the Kuko line...

Dec 19, 2019 - Hakata-Yufuin

Thu 19th Dec. Mostly cloudy, 4-18°C. Hakata to Yufuin, from there to Oita, then Kokura, or direct to Hakata if it's too wet at Kokura. Non-reserved seat aboard the 7:45 Yufu, a nice four car diesel rail motor, which is a through train to Beppu on the Kyudai main line. The Yufuin-no-mori trainsets are more comfortable and afford a higher viewpoint, but they are very popular and all booked out. Not many passengers on this train. Took the rearmost seat to be able to look behind as well, unfortunately that's also above one of the engines. Urban...

Dec 18, 2019 - Hakata-Beppu-Aso-Kumamoto

Wed 18th December. Fine, cloudy, some rain. 11-17°C Yesterday the forecast was for a cloudy morning to a clear afternoon. Turned into a fine morning and cloudy/rainy evening. Best laid plans of mice and travellers. Rode the 7am Sonic Express from Hakata to Beppu, arriving in plenty of time for the 10:05 Odan Tokkyu. Amazingly, a weak sun is burning through lingering cloud, highlighting pleasant scenery between Kokura and Beppu. Side note: A mocha from 'Seattle's Best Coffee' inside Beppu Station comes with whipped cream on top inserted with...

Dec 17, 2019 - Tenjin shopping

Tue 17th Dec. Showers all day, 12 - 20°C. Breakfast at Yayoiken, then people watched over a latte on the 2nd floor of Tully's Coffee. Had a poetic moment or two watching the damp breeze strip the Ginkos of a shower of golden leaves, swirling them amongst umbrella toting passers-by. Wandered through the Sega Centre games building, marvelling at the vast array of crane games on the lower floors. Here in 2017 Mel won a hedgehog plushie the size of a bull terrier. I had no idea how we would get that thing home but we managed to squish it into...

Dec 16, 2019 - Hizen-Kashima, Yutoku Inari shrine

Mon 16th Dec. Clear early, cloudy later, 7 - 17°C. Arose early for a non-reserved seat on the 5:55am Kamome Limited Express from Hakata to Nagasaki, to alight halfway at Hizen-Kashima. Although I arrived at the platform 15 minutes early, the lines had filled up, so I didn't obtain a window seat facing away from the dawn sun. The 787 series train has well appointed dark grey livery inside and out, soft lighting, a comfortable and quiet ride. Larger windows than shinkansen, and although not as fast, it was certainly not slow. There's nice...

Dec 15, 2019 - Mojiko to Kitakyushu

Sun 15th Dec. Partly cloudy, 6 - 14°C. The small but interesting Mojiko Rail Museum has some fine examples of steam, diesel, and electric locos and rolling stock dating from 1911. Entry was quite reasonable at ¥300. There are great attractions for the kids, including kid’s room, model train display, and driving simulators. The Miniature Train Park has a set of rail tracks where for ¥300, visitors can also drive fully-operational mini trains that can seat 3 people. The nearby original Mojiko station forms part of the historic nature of the...

Dec 14, 2019 - Mojiko and Shimonoseki

Sat 14th Dec. Cloudy, clear later, 6 - 15°C. Dropped our large suitcases at an 'ecbo cloak' service last night. All is done online and securely. You choose a participating business nearby, they email a photo of your luggage at dropoff, check you have the email, then on pickup you show the emailed image as proof of ownership. ¥700/day for a large suitcase. Subway Tenjin to Hakata, shinkansen Kodama from Hakata to Kokura, one stop, 64 km, 17min. ¥2,160 for an unreserved seat, ¥200 cheaper than a reserved seat on the Sonic ltd Express which...

Dec 12, 2019 - Tenjin

Thu 12th Dec. Partly cloudy, cold breeze, 9 - 12°C. We took the Nanakuma subway from Tenjin-minami to Jiromaru Station. Close by is a 'HalloDay' supermarket, where Mel shopped when she lived in the area. Inside is a 'BakerChef' store, one of the few bakeries that produce a delicious rice bread! We chose to eat at the small tables provided, so the baker warmed up our chosen fare in the huge oven before presenting it to us on a tray. After indulging in our delicious bakery breakfast, we returned via subway to Tenjin-minami. We transferred to...

Dec 11, 2019 - Karatsu

Wed 11th Dec. Cloudy, clear later, 7 - 18°C. Boarded the direct train to Karatsu, 50km west of Tenjin, 78 min travel time, ¥1,160 one way. The new commuter 305 trains are quite smooth with air suspension, but the older ones are bone jarrers. Both types have longitudinal seating. This train operates as the subway line to Meinohama, then travels through mostly urban areas for the 16km to Kafuri, broken up by some nice coastal views for the 3km from Shimoyamato to Imajuku. The scenery is farmland for the next 6km from Kafuri to Chikuzen-Fukae....

Dec 10, 2019 - Tenjin, Fukuoka-shi

Tue 10th Dec. Mostly clear & sunny, 6 - 17°C. Beautiful day, walked down Tenjin Kokutai-doro (route 202) between Kego and Akasaka intersections to see the autumn zelkova tree tunnel, unfortunately the leaves were mostly gone. Continued to the old Fukuoka Castle ruins via Gokoku shrine. There were some nice views from the top of the castle ruins, but most trees were bare as peak autumn colour was at the end of November. Just a splash of colour left here and there. Walked on to Ohori park, had a chai latte and a scone at a very nice...