Fukuoka - To Do 08April2019 (Nishi Park Sakura Week)

Fukuoka - To Stay
Fukuoka - To Do
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Fukuoka - To Do
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Nishi Park Sakura Season!

located 2.4km from Fukuoka Dome
For Bicycle Rental from Hilton Fukuoka click here!

Click here for ABBA location of Nishi Park 13 Nishikōen, Chūō-ku, Fukuoka, 810-0061

One of the recommended spots to catch Sakura Blooms while in Fukuoka.

A quaint size park with some elevation allows for a couple of great vantage points over looking the sea side and approach path of Fukuoka International. Each of the points have a  different look and feel to the place, which gives loads of opportunities for photo ops and quaint spots to just enjoy the atmosphere. 

Photo Point Number 1 just making up to the Top

Kaisaki restaurant located at the top of the hill

Photo Point Number 2 which overlooks the flight path towards RJFF international.

 The majestic 'Neco' (Cat)

 Downwind for RWY34 Visual Circuit.

 Enroute to other locations are also very picturisque.

Photo Point No3 The main shrine and lovely zen picnic area located below

A Sakura Canopy.

The elevation and varied landscape allows for a good mix of viewing locations for some really nice photo opportunities. Best to packet some food to enjoy the serenity of the place. Not much by way of food vendors/trucks nearby. Well worth a short 2-3hour venture.
Other Sakura Viewing locations to consider.
Kyoto - Japan famous Philosopher's walk in Kyoto and ending with Maruyama Park for a meal and soaking in the atmosphere.
Nara - Nara Park during Sakura Season.

Click here for ABBA location of Nishi Park 13 Nishikōen, Chūō-ku, Fukuoka, 810-0061

Fukuoka - 27March2019 市場ずし 魚辰 Ichiba-zushi-gyo tatsu

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Getting there
Renting a Bicycle

Go to level 4 of Hilton Sea hawk hotel to the concierge. Have your room number and name ready. Fill out the necessary details and they hand you the keys. The self locking white bicycles are located on level 1 and free for rental.

Click here for ABBA location of Gyo Sushi  市場ずし 魚辰〒810-0072 Fukuoka, Chūō-ku, Nagahama, 3-chōme−11−3 市場会館

Ichiba-Zushi-Gyo Tatsu
市場ずし 魚辰
NO CREDIT CARD ACCEPTED
There are ATMs there for you to withdraw some cash

Came recommended by a Fukuoka resident who now resides in Singapore. A place offering good, value conveyor belt Sushi. Although its located beside the Fish Market, this place is nothing like what you'd expect at Noryangjin Market or Tsukiji Fish Market. Totally quiet and non-touristy. Even the Gyo Sushi joint was located in a multi story business center of sorts with most of the small eateries located on the ground floor.

*A 30min cycle here. Saw some docked squid boats.*

Ordered On
27March2019
18Plates in Total. 

Really??

 *Selection of Toro from Normal to Fattiest. Pretty fair deal but fairly thin cuts. Not over the top Toro.*

Fed 2 at 5500yen in total.
Food 3.5/5
Ambience 3.5/5
Service 3.5/5
Value 3.5/5

In comparison to Conveyor belt Sushi, for the pricing and quality range it offers it does edge out the two cheaper value options Sushisho (NRT) and Kura Sushi (NRT). However it still looses out in overall variety and options in comparison to Chio Si Maru (NRT). Sushi-Gyo here seems to specialize mostly in their white fish varieties which were pretty enjoyable, with their stand out to be their rock fish. 

Out of the way location, but possibly en-route to Tenjin. The place had a queue on a Wed before doors open and filled out within 15mins of its opening.
Click here for ABBA location of Gyo Sushi  市場ずし 魚辰〒810-0072 Fukuoka, Chūō-ku, Nagahama, 3-chōme−11−3 市場会館

Fukuoka - To Eat 19Jan2019 (Sho La Ku Montunabe, Mark IS Food Court Options)

Fukuoka - To Stay
Fukuoka - To Do
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Fukuoka - To Eat
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Sho La Ku
もつ鍋 笑楽 天神店
Motunabe
 Located at B2 of Solaria Stage
(Tenjin Area. Main shopping place)
Getting To Tenjin Area

There's two shuttle buses to the Tenjin Area from Hilton Seahawk with regular timings and ea displays. The express W1bus takes about 20mins to get to town while the regular service takes a little longer. Return stops just in front of Mark IS Mall and the other In Front of Hilton Seahawk. Bus Does not pull back into the drop of point of the hotel.

Sho La Ku
もつ鍋 笑楽 天神店
Motunabe
 Located at B2 of Solaria Stage
(Tenjin Area. Main shopping place)

Stumbling into Sho La Ku was kind of a third choice. After having passed Ganso Hakata Mentaiju, which after asking the local long queue lines which started at 1030am, and even longer by 1230pm that the place is apparently famous for Mentaiko.

The second was Hyotan sushi located on the same floor not too far from Sho La Ku. A (researched) popular local sushi joint, Hyotan Sushi which also had a long queue when we reached. Hence the third choice of Sho La Ku.

Here at Sho La Ku, one can get to try to of the main things which Fukuoka are known for. The first being MENTAIKO Spicy cod roe. This is famous in Fukuoka and is commonly served as a side dish everywhere from yatai food stalls to izakaya and even ramen shops. Secondly is Motunabe which is Another affordable yet satisfying soul food or innards hotpot. The beef or pork tripe is topped with lots of chives and cabbage and boiled in a spicy miso broth. Noodles or rice are added to the soup to round off the meal. This is a winter favorite but served and eaten year-round.

Click here for Location of もつ鍋 笑楽 天神 Sho La Ku

Ordered On:
19Jan2019
Special Lunch and Offal Hotpot with choice of Soy Sauce Based Soup.
On the menu it was stated that Shoyu was the most popular soup since its opening and it did not disappoint at all! 
You can order different sets as the main shared dish is the same.

The only difference between the two is the addition of Horse Meat Shashimi (nothing spectacular), Vinegar Offal (the ponzu and vinegar tends to overpower everything else. More of a textural thing). The surprisingly welcome dish was the serving of Champion noodles which was typically an asian Birthday noodles that goes into together with that delicious rolling broth.

The main hotpot itself is quite unique. Though there isn't a lot of inert, but it does have a flavorful, almost fatty texture and consistency. Very delicious but not too filling like eating pork fat. Same same, but slightly different.
Fed 2 at 3260Yen

Food 3/5
Ambience 3.5/5
Value 3.5/5 (For basic set probably)
Service 3/5

For a first time experience of Montunabe, this was really quite enjoyable. Not much comparison to others, nor suggesting this is a famous or known one. A great exposure to one of Fukuoka's dishes that was throughly enjoyed. 

Click here for Location of もつ鍋 笑楽 天神 Sho La Ku

Mark IS Food Court
Ordered On
19Jan2019
Drive In Tori

Food 3/5
Value 3/5
Ramen
located beside Udon Stall

(Staff from the Drive In Tori stall said this was the better one of the two ramen stalls within the food court.)
Food 3-3.5/5
Value 3/5
Okay nothing special. Survival.

 Located at Mark Is Shopping Center Lvl3