Visitors can enjoy fresh fruit at lower prices than supermarkets and a great selection of flowers and plants. In fact, during the right season you can get not only the freshest fruit and vegetables at the highest quality but also pricing that is so reasonable you will not be able to just buy 1.
Case in point is the Strawberry season in Japan from December to mid April. I can guarantee that you will not have any better than what you can get here in Fukuoka. Our special type of Strawberry that is specifically grown to be SWEET, is called the Amaou. I cannot tell you how many past clients have argued that the strawberries from their hometown region are the best they have ever tasted. In these cases 100% of them stopped arguing as soon as the strawberry touched their lips. The question that has to be asked, is can you stop a just one pack of strawberries, I think not!
The handmade corner features sausages and tofu, jams, sauces and more, as well as a plentiful selection of bento boxes and sushi. I use this option on sunny days and we have a picnic at a nearby park. Not only some of the most delicious sushi that you can have but get some Vitamin D and fresh air to boot!
Please check out Ito Sai Sai Farmers Market here on a map below:
In my adopted Prefectures of Nagasaki and Fukuoka, we without doubt have some of the best and freshest tasting fish in all of Japan. Now, for those who aren`t in the know, which is most of us non Japanese people, not all sushi tastes the same! Of course going to a fast food type sushi restaurant (kaizen sushi/ sushi train) is a good experience but going to a real sushi restaurant where the Master makes the sushi right in front of you and prepares the meal one piece at a time, this is what eating sushi is all about!
I am so lucky to have one of the best sushi restaurants in my backyard and the ingredients and choices change according to the season and what the Master believes will satisfy his patrons the most.
The interaction with the Master (known as Taisho in Japanese) adds to the experience of the meal as does the Japanese sake (rice wine) which compliments the sushi to a T!
If you wish to request this type of Gourmet eating experience on your Private Nagasaki or Fukuoka Tour it can be catered for depending on whether the Master is available that day.
Please click on the photos below to enlarge:
Sea Bream
Sea Urchin
Yellowtail
2 Types of Tuna
Delicious Eel
Special herb and sauce
The Master hard at work
Looks amazing
Unlimited varieties
And if you thought the Sushi in Nagasaki is great you should check out the Sashimi:
Without a doubt the best and most popular Shrine in Fukuoka Prefecture is the Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine located approx. 30 minutes from central Fukuoka City.
The Shrine is dedicated to the God of Learning and as such is busy all through the year with many student visitors coming here to pray for upcoming success in their educational endeavors, especially during examination time at various periods during the year.
The building was larger than I expected. At first they have a viewing window where you can see the manufacturing process of the noodle component of the product. Ichiran`s soup recipe and process is a very heavily guarded secret so this portion of the process is not on the agenda unfortunately. Next, you can walk at your own speed through the Museum part of the Building which shows the history of the company, various aspects about the product and quite a few instructional and interactive exhibits which is very popular with the younger customers. There isn`t a huge amount of English subtitles but the design and the displays are all very explanatory and easy to follow.
Finally, the main part of the tour is the tasting and ordering of you favorite Ramen. I am sure that even an average ramen fan won`t be disappointed with the taste as there are many choices of Ramen open to the public thru a vending machine which starts the ordering process. The staff members are all friendly and are extremely polite to their international customers. and more than willing to flash you a smile and a wave at the end of the stay on their premises.
Of course on the way out there is also a Gift Shop of sorts that you can fill up on Instant Ramen which always is a popular gift for family and friends back home who haven`t had the pleasure of trying the genuine product.
Overall I had a great hour at the factory. I learnt a lot, will return to try another Ramen type and throughly recommend any Ramen Lover to come and see the entire process for themselves.
Please check out the Ichiran Ramen Factory on a map:
Please click on the photos below to enlarge:
The noodle production line
This Ramen is Fukuoka based.
Museum exhibits
Always busy!
Walk through a Bamboo Grove
Famous visitors
Ichiran Signage
You will order from the vending machine
You can purchased ramen to take home too!
Click on the videos below to see more about the Ichiran Ramen Factory in Itoshima, Fukuoka Prefecture.
Although this wasn`t on my intended schedule, it turned out to be as it was the one that left the biggest impression on me and my mother.
We had just finished taking pictures of the main attraction, being Lovers Rock and had lunch at one of the many cafes dotted on the peninsular, when my mum spotted something that i didn`t see, way above all the cars driving along the coastline. It seemed to be a series of levels jutting out from the overhead rock outcrop, armed with this curiosity of wanting to know what it was, my mother and I proceeded to drive up the steep and winding road until it became obvious that it was a cemetery, located up upon the most magnificent view that one will see for a long time.
My mum was in awe, she thought it was one of the most interesting places that she has even been to and I wasn`t too far behind in my thinking as well! Now, I know what some of you will be thinking, I don`t want to go to a cemetery! In all fairness this incredible place is more like a scenic park rather than a cemetery. At the time, my mother and I didn`t get out of the car, just took some photos from within, but after further research I have found out that the cemetery doesn`t mind visitors and photos being taken as long as people are respectful and are there to appreciate the beauty and hard work that obviously goes into making this place one of the most amazing cemeteries I have been too and probably in all of Japan as well.
Below the cemetery is a dedicated park to peace, tranquility and harmony. These are absolutely some of the emotions that I felt during the time whilst enjoying the awe inspiring view that were available to behold. This location isn`t well know by the traveling public so I should imagine there isn`t too much in the way of tourists in the area. A great place to meditate and or just enjoy the scenic beauty.
The pictures really don`t do the location justice! You will have to take my word for it that it is indeed breathtaking from every perspective.
Please check below to see the Futamigaura Park on a map:
Please click on the photos below to enlarge:
Plenty of space
Lovers rock below
Picture perfect
Interesting statues
Coastal views
Please click on these videos to see more about the incredible Futamigaura Park.
