Japan – Kyushu Island

We had a short flight to Japan and landed in Fukuoka. Again everyone was quiet and fell asleep, I barely had enough time to read a chapter of my book!

From the moment we landed I had a good feeling about this. Probably fuelled by the way my friend Trish spoke of Japan several years ago. Then Tatajana and Jenny just reinforced it.

The collection of our luggage from the hold was very efficient, all stacked neatly as we disembark. It tickled me to hear Tatjana’s admiration their efficiency in the way we (the British) admire the German efficiency.

Well it’s a whole different level of sophistication here. I wonder where it comes from? There is certainly an element of historical isolation (for the majority,) in the Edo period (1603 – 1867). And with it focusing inward on itself may have contributed to the unique cultural and social development in Japan.

Anyway on with the show and you will see what I mean.

We purchased rail cards prior to arrival, partly because we were too slow to hire a car and the prices had hiked up. So we travelled by train to meet our first host in the Nagasaki district of Arita. The trains are so nice, clean and comfortable. On the Shinkanzen (bullet train) the seats turn around so no one is facing backwards as you hurtle along between 260 and 300 Km per hour. The guards always bow to the esteemed customer when he enters or leaves the carriage!

Watching the city disappear and the farms begin I felt like I’d stepped into a Ghibli animation. Everywhere is clean and the houses in the countryside a low with dark roofs, nestling into the scenery.

We were met at the Arita station by our first Japan host, Masumi. She took us to a very unusual porcelain tea room/restaurant for lunch where we had a traditional set meal surrounded by fantastic china and porcelain that is so famous here! If we had ordered tea, we could have chosen a cup to drink it from!

After lunch we wandered to various places with porcelain for sale and both of us purchased something! Mine will have to be sent home, it’s a tiny teapot shaped soy sauce dispenser!

We wandered around a very quiet little village and I began to see the flavour of Japanese buildings. Where South Korea was clean, this is just more! Except the plants that weren’t quite so clipped as in South Korea.

At Masumi’s home (Kawatana) we met her husband Tsuyoshi  who had painted a little welcome sign for each of us. Their home was so lovely and welcoming. We met Masumi’s 92 year old mother who was visiting and watched a bit of the Sumo Wrestling on the TV. Masumi gave us a very unusual gift, a paper with the Sumo wrestling line up written on it. It’s such a ritualistic sport that even the flyer is quite something to see!

All the art reflects the seasons so it is constantly being changed. The hats signify a boy, and are there for The Boys festival.

Some Japanese follow Shinto and Buddhism. Shinto is the indigenous religion and Buddhism seems a little different here compared to the other countries we visited.

Later we headed to the coast to watch the sunset!

So ends our first (half) day in Japan.