Profile
Blog
Photos
Videos
Adventures of a Global Wanderer
Happy Birthday! Today was my birthday, only when I got up to leave the capsule hotel the storm that was forecast had finally hit. It was pouring with rain outside so I had to put my jacket and cap on and walk with my umbrella to Hiroshima Station. I was gambling that as I take the train back south to Kyushu Island I could avoid the storm. Hiroshima is on the south side of Honshu island while Fukuoka is on the north side of Kyushu Island. This gamble could also backfire if I move directly into the heart of the storm potentially ruining my birthday. As I took the train from Hiroshima slowly the clouds started to clear. Eventually the sun started to shine. I thought I had escaped the worst. However, when we went back thru the tunnel to Kyushu Island it started to cloud over again. I had no choice but to ride it out however the weather was. Worst case I might have to leave stuff out or move it till the next day. Videp : JR Shinkansen Train from Hiroshima http://youtu.be/_rRrIRwSyc0 From Hakata Station in Fukuoka I had planned a 30 min walking route to three sets of temples within a walking perimiter of the station. The first was a cluster of about five temples on the main street back to the ferry port. I had passed by this area when I first arrived but didnt go in due to time. The complex is easily marked with sign markers and maps. Upon entering it reminded me of Stave Churches in Norway that are completely made of dark timber. This had a similar multi story structure but you couldnt go inside. Another one did allow you inside the shrine. Further back there was another doorway leading you further into another garden complex. Here there were manicured gardens and beautiful buildings. I'm not sure what they were and you werent allowed inside. To one side was a very large cemetery. I went in at first but there were so many ravens scowling loudly I decided to leave in case they got unfriendly. Back across the main street was another small streetside temple. I then headed westward to the next temple on the map. Surprisingly I found another one at the same traffic light. It was interesting and had a large gold shrine inside with some private family ceremony that was just ending. I then crossed the lights to Kushida Temple which was my intended destination. There was a wedding ceremony taking place with a crowd of onlookers taking pictures. I wondered why they would choose to have their private occasion in such a public place but perhaps there is some significance to choosing this particular temple. This temple is famous for the large pillar with a stack of different characters reaching the top. It was more like something out of Hindu temples. It was interesting and I didnt realize till later that there is another one on the reverse side. At the back of the temple is an archway corridor of the orange gates which are common in many temples. I then made my way south back towards Hakata Station to find the third temple. To reach here I passed thru Canal City. I thought this would be an outdoors area of lots of cafes and boutiques. The canal area is rather bland. Instead there is a large shopping centre running beside but I didnt go in as I wasnt interested in retail stores. The final temple Sumiyoshi Shrine was a bit past Canal City. It had the large gates again leading into the main complex. This was an orange complex similar to the Haein Temple in Kyoto. There were some musicians setting up for a performance but I couldnt wait around as I had plans for the rest of the day. Also there was a building housing parade boats there were brightly painted in gold and majestically designed. Heading back to Hakata station was a short walk as I had planned a big loop around the city to reach all the temples. I was done in about 90 mins visiting all the temples. At the station I grabbed a sandwich before heading on my train to Kumamoto. Again, this was a very insightful tour of Fukuoka which I know very little about other than its where to do a "visa run" to extend your Korea work visa. Its certainly worth a visit and spending some time. If I had more time there are more places to explore the further out you get from the main train station.
- comments