GRADUATION BUDGET TRIP 2017 {17 DAYS OF KOREA + JAPAN } ❤️ PART 6 FUKUOKA- Daizaifu Shrine + Marinoa City
Hi lovelies:)
This would be part 6 of the Graduation Trip series!. Part 5 is here!
We headed out in the morning after having a simple breakfast of bread bought at the supermarket the previous night.
Before I start with the Japan portion of my trip, I would like to mention that we calculated before the trip and decided that since that we were unlikely to rent a car
a) rental costs
b)international driving license could only be applied after probation period, I remember i still had quite some time left
c) parking charges are crazy
so we decided to purchase the Japan Rail Pass ( Kyushu), I believe it is not something unfamiliar with those who travel frequently to Japan.
We bought the 5 day passes for $211 from Changi Recommends due to price differentiation ( ahah) and we planned our itinerary to maximize all rides on the JR trains to be within the 5 days.
Taken from Changi Recommends JR Pass Site here
We started off at Hakata JR station and took the JR Kagoshima Line from Hakata Station to JR Futsukaichi Station (15-25 minutes, 280 yen, departures every 10 minutes). From there we walked ten minutes to nearby Nishitetsu Futsukaichi Station, where the Nishitetsu Dazaifu Line can be taken to Dazaifu Station (5 minutes, 150 yen, departures every 10-15 minutes). The total journey takes 30-60 minutes and costs 430 yen (150 yen for Japan Rail Pass holders).
One point of holding the Japan Rail Pass would be the ability to book seats on the train. First time we took the train, we didn't book and had to look for the green carts( free seating), do make use of the reservation option if you are a pass holder) With the reservation, you can be sure of which cart to board and be assured of a seat together with your friend. Also, red reserved carts are usually in the center of the train and easier to access.
That was all for Day 1 in Japan and we retired for the night!!
Please stay tuned for Part 7 and please check out Part 1-6 while waiting!
xxx,
missmiika <3
Click to read:
Part 1- Graduation Trip to Korea/Japan
We headed out in the morning after having a simple breakfast of bread bought at the supermarket the previous night.
Before I start with the Japan portion of my trip, I would like to mention that we calculated before the trip and decided that since that we were unlikely to rent a car
a) rental costs
b)international driving license could only be applied after probation period, I remember i still had quite some time left
c) parking charges are crazy
so we decided to purchase the Japan Rail Pass ( Kyushu), I believe it is not something unfamiliar with those who travel frequently to Japan.
We bought the 5 day passes for $211 from Changi Recommends due to price differentiation ( ahah) and we planned our itinerary to maximize all rides on the JR trains to be within the 5 days.
Taken from Changi Recommends JR Pass Site here
The JR Kyushu Pass covers the entire region of Kyushu and entitles you to free seat reservations and unlimited rides on all JR Kyushu lines, Kyushu Shinkansen (Mizuho, Sakura, Tsubame) and limited express lines. Do note that the JR Kyushu Pass cannot be used for the Sanyo Shinkansen, JR Kyushu buses, B&S Miyazaki buses, the Cruise Train Seven Stars in Kyushu and the ARU RESSHA (Sweet Train).
- Includes: Fukuoka, Nagasaki, Aso, Kagoshima, Beppu ( all of which i visited)
Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine
On the first day, we decided to visit the famous Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine, where it is the most important one alongside Kyoto's Kitano Tenmangu. Tenmangu Shrines are dedicated to the spirit of Sugawara Michizane, a scholar and politician of the Heian Period. Because of his great learning, Michizane has been associated with Tenjin, a Shinto deity of education, and is popular among students.We started off at Hakata JR station and took the JR Kagoshima Line from Hakata Station to JR Futsukaichi Station (15-25 minutes, 280 yen, departures every 10 minutes). From there we walked ten minutes to nearby Nishitetsu Futsukaichi Station, where the Nishitetsu Dazaifu Line can be taken to Dazaifu Station (5 minutes, 150 yen, departures every 10-15 minutes). The total journey takes 30-60 minutes and costs 430 yen (150 yen for Japan Rail Pass holders).
One point of holding the Japan Rail Pass would be the ability to book seats on the train. First time we took the train, we didn't book and had to look for the green carts( free seating), do make use of the reservation option if you are a pass holder) With the reservation, you can be sure of which cart to board and be assured of a seat together with your friend. Also, red reserved carts are usually in the center of the train and easier to access.
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| Plum Blossoms ! |
" Tenmangu Shrine is located about 250 meters from Dazaifu Station, and the entire length of the approach is lined with shops that cater to the shrine's visitors. The shrine is rather large, stretching about 250 meters from one end to the other.It is also a short walk away from Komyozenji Temple.
After crossing the bridges, visitors approach a walled courtyard with the shrine's main hall (honden), whose current building dates back to 1591. The plum tree standing on the right of the main hall is the legendary tobiume (flying plum tree), which according to tradition flew from Kyoto to Dazaifu to accompany Michizane into exile. Michizane was fond of plum trees, and plum trees are typically found at Tenmangu Shrines. There are as many as 6000 of them on the grounds of Dazaifu Tenmangu, and are typically in bloom from late February to mid March." quoted from Japan guide website!
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| I love cherry blossoms and there were a true abundance of them!! For me, it was a must visit. |
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| 😍😍😍😍😍😍😍 |
Okay i think thats enought spam for the cherry blossoms for now ahha
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| Food stalls along the street near the shrine! |
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| We had yakisoba for 300 yen. The portion was huge ! Super worth it! |
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| Wash your hands and (face) before you enter the temple |
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| Main Shrine. It is super popular with students praying for academic success. |
We had a filling lunch and we headed back for Hakata Station. One more thing to note is that if you are a JR Pass holder, you wont be passing through the fare gates,the fare gates are open throughout and only closes on you if you don't pay when you don't pay when exiting. You have to show your JR Pass Booklet or the green ticket that you get when you book a seat on a ride to the guy at the office area of the station to get in/out of the stations.
We headed for Marinoa City next!
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| Picture Credit to Marinoa City website here |
Check out their website for what labels they have and opening hours! We bought Nike shoes and they were a steal!
It was around 7pm when we were about to leave and we decided to pop into this crepe shop having a discount where everything was 300 yen for dinner!
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| We headed back and i went to the supermarket to grab half price sashimi again😇😇 |
Please stay tuned for Part 7 and please check out Part 1-6 while waiting!
xxx,
missmiika <3
Click to read:
Part 1- Graduation Trip to Korea/Japan
Part 2- Hongdae/Myeongdong Shopping
