scubish.com: Scuba diving Fukuoka - Japan

Understand

Fukuoka is a modern city; most of its buildings are new. Historically, it was divided into Hakata (博多) and Fukuoka, two separate cities divided by the central river, and the main railway station and port are still known as Hakata Station and Hakata Port. The westernmost part of Fukuoka is also known as Sawara (早良).

The city really has two centres: one in Hakata and one in Tenjin. Most of the English information for foreign travellers is available on the 8th floor of the IMS building from Raindbow Plaza, just a couple of minutes walk to the east of Nishitetsu Tenjin station.

The surrounding cities and towns make up the prefecture of Fukuoka.

Fukuoka is a good starting point to begin a vacation to Japan for first-timers. Compared to Tokyo, even New York, London, Paris, and Los Angeles will seem sleepy and life appear slow. Beginning the trip at Fukuoka will help ease the transition. While still a big modern city, it's not hard to get around. A subway connects most of the city's main attractions, taking in Hakata, Tenjin, Fukuoka International Airport, Meinohama (where Asia's 2nd largest ferris wheel is located) and Nishijin (where you can find Fukuoka Tower and the baseball ground of the Softbank Hawks: Fukuoka Yahoo! Dome). The main station in Hakata also marks the terminus of the famous Shinkansen bullet train.

Eat

Hakata is famous for its style of ramen, which has a very pungent smell thanks to a pork rib broth called tonkotsu (豚骨). Stalls called yatai set up from late afternoon and nearly all serve it, and can be found on major streets, particularly in Tenjin, Nakasu, and most of all on Nagahama-Dori.

Probably Fukuoka's best-known ramen chain, dedicated solely to perfecting tonkotsu. Buy a ticket from the vending machine outside (just hit the big top button) and take a seat at the counter.　Each seat has a curtain in front and dividers on the side, so nothing distracts you from the noodle experience that awaits. (Cellphones, kids or conversation are not allowed!) Hand over your ticket, receive a questionnaire on how you like your noodles (available in English at some outlets), and choose the middle option (基本 kihon, or "standard") for everything. In under a minute, a bowl of noodles will appear — dig in and slurp away. If you want more noodles or an egg, press the button and ask for kaedama or tamago respectively.

Another regional product Hakata is famous for is the spicy mentaiko (明太子), or cod roe condiment, though in actuality these days it is all imported. Both products are widely available for tourists in JR Hakata Station as well as major department stores, although the mentaiko needs to be kept refrigerated.

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