Hakata Japan

Tuesday 27th February 2018

Today we will be at Hakata Japan at 10.00 a.m.

Since 1889, the old port of Hakata has been part of Fukuoka city, the major commercial center of Northern Kyushu. This region is perhaps the oldest settled area in Japan, and for centuries Hakata served as Japan's cultural and commercial gateway with China and Korean. The twin cities played another major role in Japanese history - it was here that Kublai Khan launched his two invasions of Japan in the 13th century. Two anchor stones from the great Mongol fleet destroyed by the famous typhoon or Kamikaze are still on display at Hakata's 8th century Kushida Shrine. Beyond the hustle and bustle of today's modern metropolis, visitor will still discover and enjoy the serenity of ancient shrines, superb formal gardens, and a duo of fascinating museums.

When Hakata and Fukuoka merged in 1889, the combined metropolis was to be named Hakata. Until a group of disaffected samurai from Fukuoka - an important castle town in feudal times - intervened to ensure the new city's name honored their old home.

Our Excursion is call the

A full day of adventure and fun awaits you at the pier. Walk in the footsteps of the samurai and experience Japanese life in the 17th century on a full day adventure to the 400-year-old castle town of Kokura. Your air-conditioned motor coach will take you through northern Kyushu to Kokura Castle. As you approach the castle you'll marvel at the borogata-style structure. This "lookout tower" type of architecture is built on an irregular shaped stone foundation and the decorative gables used on the first and second floor give the impression of a lookout tower mounted atop another building. Constructed with high stone walls and a large moat to withstand possible sieges by warring clans, the castle was important to the security and stability of the region. But the stunning building you see before you is not the original that was built in 1602. Japanese castles at the time were made entirely of wood. This made them much more vulnerable to fire and although the exterior walls were covered with thick layers of plaster for protection the inner stronghold of the castle known as the donjon was destroyed by fire in 1837 but the stone walls and moats were left intact. Restored in 1959, the donjon now houses an extensive historical museum, which features medieval suits of armor, weapons and a diorama that details 17th century life in the castle and the surrounding town. Take a walk to the top of the castle and you'll be rewarded with spectacular views of the garden and the castle surroundings.

After a tour of the museum you'll stroll through the serene garden, past the impressive statues and picturesque pond where you'll observe a traditional Japanese tea ceremony. Then, you'll walk into the "shitakashiki," or guesthouse where you'll enjoy a cup of delicious Japanese tea. (As in most Japanese homes, you will be asked to remove your shoes before entering). Later, you can visit the castle gift shop where you can purchase replicas of many of the items seen in the castle. During the day, you'll sit down for a Japanese style lunch at a local restaurant.

At the end of your day, you'll be whisked back to Hakata at speeds of up to 170 mph aboard the bullet train.

Experience Japanese life in the 17th century on this full-day adventure to the 400-year-old castle town of Kokura.
An air-conditioned coach transfers you to the station where you'll board one of Japan's famous bullet trains.    Travelling at speeds up to 170 mph, you'll arrive in Kokura in just 20 minutes.   The bullet train is called "Shinkansen" in Japan and it is the fastest ground transportation in Japan.

After arrival at the station, transfer by coach to Kokura Castle.   Originally constructed in 1602, the castle's inner stronghold was destroyed by fire in 1837 and rebuilt in 1959.    Inside is a small museum with spectacular views from the top floor. 
Stroll through the garden full of delightful outdoor settings.    Sit down to a delicious lunch before a leisurely, narrated drive back to Hakata port an air-conditioned coach.   (When we did this excursion we did the train at the end then boarded the coach to Hakata port)

Bullet Train

Hakata Japan

Tuesday 27 March 2018

Up reasonable early this morning as this was our first excursion.    Went out on to Balcony as boat was arriving in Hakata.

Bill on the Balcony

Had good breakfast, fruit and yoghurt, scramble eggs bacon breakfast sausage.   Bill tried to get money for Japan but machine run out of money. 

We walk through this area of the boat every morning when we go to breakfast

Had to meet in Theatre for this excursion then walked to the bus going through security.   Our bus was full.    We left the boat at 10. 30 a.m.

These photos were taken out of the Bus window at Hakata

We went and had our Japanese Meal first.

This is the where we had our Japanese Meal

This was my Japanese Meal

This was taken from the top at the Restaurant of the Garden 

We then went to the tea making ceremony 

Japanese Cake

We walked around the gardens

Kokura Castle and Japanese Garden

Went to the Castle walked up 120 steps to the top.    This was not what we thought this castle would look like a little disappointing.   Quite an expensive excursion because of the Bullett Train.

View from the top

We got back to the boat at 6.00 p.m.   Had a cup of tea in our cabin room with a flask of hot water, this worked well pleased I brought it.    We met nice people on this excursion today and did a lot of walking.    Bill tried to get money for Japan but machine had run out of money.      We went to watch the concert before tea.  It was David Knight an hypnotist it was an excellent show.

We went to the 16th deck buffa I had chicken gravy beef veges and salad and then fresh fruit for pudding and jelly.    Been a long day