Fukuoka, Japan
We arrive in Fukuoka late last night and I felt a tug push us next to the dock. Tide was the issue with timing of arrival.
We are able to visit Fukuoka from 7 am until 3:30 pm. It rained during breakfast and we decided we would walk to an arcade and visit some shops. Rain was predicted for most of the day and at least this shopping area would be covered.
We decided to head out for the walk at 9:30. It was close to a three mile walk and the timing would be perfect as most shops open at 10 or 11 am.
Another large and nice city of about 1.6 million. Lots of apartments, auto repair shops, office buildings, convenience stores and the like.
We passed a lot of ship staff walking back. They left early and had to return for their work assignment. I’m glad they can get out at some of these ports to go for a nice walk or do some shopping. The rain stopped just before we left. About 50 f and cloudy.
The ship bus tours left at about 9 am. Usually in a HAL trip, 3 places will be visited. We have seen enough shrines, churches and memorials to last us. I think we are past this and enjoy our interactions with locals or private tour guides.
The Shintencho Arcade was our destination.
The clock at the entrance reminded me of Frankenmuth. I took a video at 11 am.
There were lots of stores like this that had nothing but games in them that can be played for 100 yen. We decided to walk over to the subway station and found a place to have lunch.
We split an order of dumplings and one of noodles. To die for. A had a large beer and Terri two glasses of wine. $20 total bill. It’s amazing how far money will go when you don’t need to fund government corruption.
We decided to start back to the ship. Rain started and left no more pictures to be taken. We had a nice walk back for a total of 7.5 miles.
Dinner and group trivia. Group trivia topic was “fashion”. I hung in there but didn’t know many, if any, answers.
What is a bolero? Givenchy’s first name? Which daughter of a Beatle has her own fashion line? Name of the warm up suits from the 80s? What are Levi’s made from? Hush Puppies were popular in which decade? Good luck here.
Evening entertainment was the HAL singers and dancers. We have opted to miss every show. They aren’t very good. We played cards. I took yesterday, Terri today.