Japan: Fujien flowers at wisteria garden, Kawachi

May 2016 - - My trips to Japan was started. I arrived Fukuoka airport around 9 AM. and took an airport bus to Hakata station. I refresh my day with a cup of coffee latte.

It was rain but not so hard.I leaved my luggage in the hotel, after that, I went to Kawachi Fujien Wisteria Garden, private own park which located in Kawachi Fujien, Fuluoka. It takes around 1 hour from Hakata station  to Yahata station. From Yahata station  we have to take a park's bus. The street to wisteria park so narrow street, it takes around 20 mins to the park.

It was rain when I went there but scenery is so beautiful. There are many purple pink and white wisteria flowers. There are a pink azalea also. Japanese called wisteria as a fujien flower. I took a lot of pictures for keeping in my memories.

I recommend you to visit this park in the fist or second week of May. If you have a chance to go to Fukuoka, you have to visit this place. ....don't miss.

Anyway I search internet and found that there are many places in Fukuoka that have westeraia blossom for example at Nakayama no Ofuji (http://www.city.yanagawa.fukuoka.jp/

kanko/meisho/saijiki/haru.html), Kurogi no Ofuji (http://www.townkurogi-ta.jp/)

Maizuru Park Fuji Garden (http://www.
midorimachi.jp/feature/2016spring/index.html)

- - iam-sirinda

Japan: Cafe every where, land for coffee lover.

Japan is the one of most coffee shops country. Normally base of drinking in Japan is green tea but coffee is always famous for many people also.

Coffee was introduced to Japan around 17th century by Dutch people. The fist coffee shop was located in Tokyo in 1888. There are some difference from coffee shops in many countries such as you can order food in coffee shops (breakfast set, lunch set etc.).

In Fukuoka, you will see coffee shops everywhere. at Hakata station there are many coffee shops there also. I had tasted Tully's Coffee at OIOI department store. Hot latte coffee is very nice.

At Hakata station there are many coffee shops some of them are international brands but many are local brands for example; Seattle Best Coffee, Mister Donut, Kitchen, etc.

In Tenjin,

I found a lot of coffee shops also. I choose one (Sun Fukaya) that present that this shop was born in 1953. Coffee and sandwich are very nice.

In Yufuin, 

Coffee shops in Yufuin always have sweet for example ; Roll Coffee, coffee shop which has 3 kinds of roll cake (green tea, coffee and villain). Coffee is general but cake are good.

For me, Japanese's coffee are lighter than other coffee that I had ever tasted but  I love the way of waitress/ waiters are take care their customers and also the quality of food. 

Janpan : Moji port (Mojiko), other choice for solo traveler in Japan

Mojiko is a small old international trading port of Kitakyushu city that located on north of Kyushu island. Now it is not run any port activities. There are many antique western style building around this place. Japanese love to visit here for relaxation.

How to get there...

You can go there by train (JR Kagoshima line). Mojiko station is very beautiful and oldest station of Kagoshima line. It was built long time ago. There is a museum near the station. 

There is a modern building  and at 31th floor (Mojiko Retro Observation Room) you can see the highest view around the port.

Around Mojiko, You can visit many small restaurant, survivor shops and places to sit and talk or sight seeing.

There is an Old Moji Mitsui Club, the building was built in 1921  as a social hall for Mitsui Bussan company. It has a museum and a restaurant, and there is the room where Albert Einstein stayed in 1922 on the 2rd floor. Flowers around club are very beautiful.

Japan, one of the best country for solo traveler

Have you ever traveled abroad alone? I think, a lot people want to travel somewhere alone once in their life. It is one of the most challenging things to do. To me, I have experienced once. I want to share with you some of my own tips and ideas to get started.

First : You have to decide where to go.

What are the benefit of traveling alone? It’s simple. To me, It’s a chance to learn about myself; who I am and what I want from life. It allows me to see how different the world is. The experience of traveling alone is more important than the destination. So, for the first time, you should choose a place you’ve already been with your family or friends; so, you know what to expect, you can find your way around, or It could be a popular tourist destination.

I have chosen Japan. I have been there with my cousin four years ago, I love it there and I want to visit some places again. So, it is very easy for me to plan where to go, how to take a bus and so on.

Second: Planning, how to get there and where to stay.

You can find many information from website such as Booking.com ,TripAdvisor or traveler blogs.

I prefer to stay in home stays or guesthouses when I travel by myself. Not only is it safer , but it also helps me get in touch with the local people.

Third: Convincing your family (to let you go alone).

Especially, If you are teenagers, a common problem for first time is dealing with your parents. The key to deal with them is having a good plan. Such as — how many days you’re going , how you plan to get there and back, where you stay, what you intend to do. More than that, references of friends who’ve been there before. And one of most important thing is you have to promise that you will stay in touch with them throughout your trip.

And I suggest, you have to start going alone after you graduated. Because your parents may be think, you are old enough to take care of yourself.

Forth:  Packing smart.

You’re going to travel alone, so take a backpack or a bag that easy to carry around, and pack it as light as you can. You can mix and match your clothes without having to carry too many stuff. Avoid carrying expensive things as much as possible. It will save a little time worrying about your bag’s safety. Don't forget to bring a good book about your destination. Do a first trial pack at least a week before you go. And It is a good idea to leave space in your pack... for shopping purposes.

This is a simple guideline of traveling alone. My first trip was in Japan. Because Japan is safe for woman traveling alone. I visited Fukuoka, Shimabara and Yufuin City. They are small cities. I have been to Fukuoka four years ago with my cousin who studied there. So I have many information about Fukuoka city. For other 2 cities, I searched a lot of information before going there. I met many nice people, nice places. I had lots of valuable memories.

As I said before, the experience of traveling alone is more important than the destination. The beauty of travel alone is time. Time to be alone; time to reflect; time to test yourself. You will get to know yourself in a new way. ...Enjoy your trip!

Unseen&Amazing Japan DPLUS Guide Team www.mebmarket.com เปิดประสบการณ์การท่องเที่ยวสุดแสนประทับใจแหล่งใหม่ในญี่ปุ่น    ที่คนไทยอาจยังไม่รู้จักไล่เรียงจากดินแดนเหนือสุดบน เกาะฮอกไกโด เกาะฮอนชู เกาะชิโกกุ ไปจนถึงเกาะคิวชู ในคอนเซ็ปต์ Unseen ที่นำเสนอสถานที่เที่ยวสุดประทับใจ    สวยงามและแตกต่าง    ซึ่งหลายแห่งยังไม่เป็นที่รู้จักในหมู่นักท่องเที่ยวไทย และ Amazing    ที่รวบรวมสถานที่ทางธรรมชาติอันสวยงาม    แปลกตา    น่าดึงดูด    รวมถึงสถานที่ที่ถูกสรรค์สร้างขึ้นอย่างเป็นเอกลักษณ์หนึ่งเดียวของญี่ปุ่น พร้อมวิธีการเดินทางเพื่อให้ผู้อ่านสามารถท่องเที่ยวตามได้จริง และข้อมูลเชิงลึกให้ผู้อ่านได้รู้ถึงที่มาที่ไปแล้วจะรู้สึกทึ่งและทำให้การเดินทางในครั้งต่อไปน่าค้นหายิ่งขึ้น