Japan is the most intoxicating place for me. The Japanese culture fascinates me: the food, the dress, the manners and the traditions. It’s the travel experience that has moved me the most.
— Roman Coppola.
Well it really was a day predominantly made up with travel. After leaving Sydney at 10pm (the flight was delayed by 30 mins), we made it to Haneda Airport a little dishevelled and a little more tired. The trip was a bit bouncy, what with the headwinds out of Sydney and a typhoon over Malaysia, you could say it was a bit unsettled at times. I did get to watch the Tarantino film “Once Upon A Time in Hollywood”. Interesting idea, not quite sure about the flamethrower but it is Tarantino. One of the best flight dinners I’ve had though, seafood
The late departure threw everything out a little but at least we didn’t have to wait for the JR office to open to get our train tickets. Tracy was really wrapped as they gave us tickets for seats behind each other between Tokyo (Shinagawa) and Shin-Kobe. It never became a problem as the seat next to Tracy wasn’t claimed and by the time we got to Kobe, everything was ok. By the way Mt.Fuji did it’s best to hide again. Leading up to it it was clear as all buggery but when we got to the area, clouds. There must be someone there with a cloud machine or something. Anyways, in between sleeping in small fits and bursts, we made it to Hakata Station in Fukuoka.
Booked in to the Hotel Nikko which was really nice. Upgraded our stay into a deluxe room for a discounted price (can’t beat a queen size bed to sleep on). After check in, we basically poked around the station area where they had a great (very) little xmas market. The lights and set up was really nice and provided a really cool atmosphere. Had my first Hakata ramen from a restaurant in the station complex. Throw in 6 gyoza dumplings and a thing called Mentaiko (pollock roe) and happy days are an understatement. Tracy was feeling a little ordinary so she went back and I had a little wander. Found a place called Canal City (a giant shopping mall) which had a water fountain show which was pretty cool. Tomorrow we stick around Fukuoka to give Tracy a chance to get back on her feet and then adventure time expands.
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2019 December Japan 