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  1. #1
    Thailand Expat

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    Dick's latest trip to Fukuoka!

    Spent 3 weeks in Japan (3rd consecutive visit) had a fantastic time! we always go in May... and hope next time, we will stay there permanently!

    We plan to buy at least 1 (maybe 2) apartments near Hakata station (the heart of Fukuoka) and rent them out nightly as holiday homes. My wife thinks this is going to be much more profitable than long-term rentals, especially as the 2020 Olympics is looming - accommodation is becoming harder to find...

    Anyway, enough about investments/business... as promised, here are some of our holiday trip highlights. Go easy on me guys, I'm not the world's best photographer

    If you have any questions, regarding cost of meals, hotels that we stayed, etc.. I'll be happy to answer while it's all still very fresh in my memory.

    I'm not sure how to do this correctly. I'll resize the pics, post and write captions, then re-edit in an hour or 2, once I've finished... bear with me...

  2. #2
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    First up, family dinner... very close to her family, very nice people.
    We stayed at her mum's house for the majority of our holiday - as it's location is a perfect base (right near the main train line) 2 stops to Tenjin.


  3. #3
    Thailand Expat misskit's Avatar
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    Looking forward to seeing the rest your holiday photos.

    Quote Originally Posted by NZdick1983
    We plan to buy at least 1 (maybe 2) apartments near Hakata station (the heart of Fukuoka) and rent them out nightly as holiday homes. My wife thinks this is going to be much more profitable than long-term rentals
    It is a good plan unless the neighbors complain about new people coming and going from your apartments. My SiL gave this a try in Kichijoji and was a no-go.

  4. #4
    Thailand Expat

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    I guess uncle, overheard me saying I intended to rent a car for 3 weeks (Honda Jazz/Fit) and insisted I use his car. Brand new Toyota crown/Lexus.
    He even insisted he would pay for the ETC (toll way) charges. For those that don't know, there is a card inserted inside the car, that links to your CC, so when you drive through a tollway, the barrier arms open automatically (and his card is charged)...

    We decided to pay that ourselves, so removed his card and paid manually.
    Very nice car to drive.



    * Thank you, Misskit.
    Yes, this is a concern. My wife read the same problem some unlucky people encountered. Depends on our neighbors tolerance level.

  5. #5
    Thailand Expat

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    Next up, we met with Mrs Dick's friend and her American husband, Steve and their adorable children. They were also in Fukuoka on holiday.
    They were also driving and we met at a service area (which was picturesque in itself) on our way to Saga.

    Road trip! fun times...




  6. #6
    Thailand Expat

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    Then it was off to Saga "Yoshinogari" site. The remains of an ancient village (300 BC - 300 AD) in the center, is an excavation site (burial remains) both Steve San and I, are history nuts, so we got along very well - straight away.














  7. #7
    Thailand Expat

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    Amazing and touching, how they cared for their dead. Very interesting place about 1 hour drive from Fukuoka (on the way to our hot spring's resort in Saga) onsen!!






  8. #8
    Thailand Expat

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    Always time for some funny business ey?




  9. #9
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    I love Fukuoka, I might do a trip there with the missus in a couple of months.

    Keep the pictures coming.

  10. #10
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    Davis Knowlton's Avatar
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    Spotless. Beautifully displayed. Japan is quite different from its southern neighbors. Great thread, Dick; I've only spent about six weeks in Japan - four in Tokyo working and two in the hospital at Yokosuka Naval Base. Didn't see much of anything.

  11. #11
    Thailand Expat

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    It's getting late in the afternoon, so we head back to the car park.
    The girls are looking forward to the spa/sauna and Dick 'n Steve are dying for beer (or 3)...

    Steve is an air steward (20 years service) and loves his beer... I see a beer challenge coming up... USA vs NZ... bring it on bro!!

  12. #12
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    So, nice drive to the resort.. about another 60 km or so... very quiet town, arrive around 4 pm.. we pre-booked the resort which was $160 (including buffet breakfast/dinner) we all had a quick spa/sauna before dinner.
    For those that don't know, for Japanese Onsen/spa, you must be naked (no togs allowed) *or maybe Steve made that rule up, so he could steal a glimpse of Dick's willy??

    OK.. 5 pm Beer O' clock!

    Steve speaks fluent Japanese and has assumed the role of leader.. he's got our first round of beer - before we even sit down. He informs us that beer is free on tap, until 7 pm...

    Yup... He's a beer slut all right... GO STEVE!





    Last edited by NZdick1983; 11-06-2016 at 10:24 AM.

  13. #13
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    Most people are wearing PJ's which is kinda cool... makes it feel very 'camp' in a non-gay way... everyone was very friendly - singing songs and clapping before the meal... gave it a special, warm vibe... ahhh hard to explain! 55

    As for the beer challenge... USA 1 NZ 0 (lol)...

    I got to about 6-8? Steve... ahhh let's just say, lots more...

    Time to sweat out all the alcohol - back for another spa! then we were invited to their room for late drinks... we stayed up talking/drinking until 4 am..
    Last edited by NZdick1983; 11-06-2016 at 10:29 AM.

  14. #14
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    Thanks for the pics. I have yet to visit Japan, but it's on the bucket list. Need to save some mucho dinero first. Keep 'em coming!

  15. #15
    Thailand Expat

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    Thanks guys... quick coffee break, then I'll upload the rest... damn! this is not easy...

    Glad you love Fukuoka, Betty. It really is one of the most livable cities in the world and the only city in Japan to see positive population growth.
    Very different vibe than Osaka, Yokohama, Tokyo... much more conservative/quiet. Most requested city to live or transfer to, if you are a Japanese salary-man/person.

  16. #16
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    Right! another lazy morning spa/sauna - then we are ready to visit the local attractions. Steve tells me the shrine where we will visit, is popular set, for filming Thai dramas.

    A quick foot spa/coffee.. then we are off.

    *Really a pity we couldn't stay 2 nights, as I imagine the hotel is a very nice place to chill out for a couple days. It has complimentary games rooms, table tennis, arcade games, massage chairs, etc, etc...


  17. #17
    Thailand Expat

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    We arrive at the shrine around 12 noon... First thing I notice is all the signs have Thai script...













    Steve (in his immense wisdom) explains that all those ornate posts around the whole shrine, signifies each person than has donated money for its upkeep.
    clever bugger!









    Last edited by NZdick1983; 11-06-2016 at 10:55 AM.

  18. #18
    On a walkabout Loy Toy's Avatar
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    Great dick thread..........

    Thanks for sharing.

  19. #19
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    Mr and Mrs Dick 555







    At the car park, we see these 3 geezers with some beautiful bikes... hmmm road trip (big-bike style) would be awesome!


  20. #20
    Thailand Expat

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    Quote Originally Posted by Loy Toy
    Great dick thread.......... Thanks for sharing.
    Cheers, LT!

    Time to say goodbye to Steve and his wife (and kids)... we really had such an enjoyable time together. They said they would like to see us again before
    they fly to Tokyo... I feel a beer challenge part ll, on the horizon....

    Next day trip "Itoshima"... this is a coastal city about 30 min drive from Fukuoka city. This is where we were thinking to buy apartment(s)...







    Time for lunch! BBQ (Japanese style).. yummy!

    Last edited by NZdick1983; 11-06-2016 at 11:22 AM.

  21. #21
    Thailand Expat AntRobertson's Avatar
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    I've been to Fukuoka, nice place.

    Great thread.

  22. #22
    Thailand Expat

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    Then time to chill out at a cafe and try to get the 'feel for the place'.
    (view from the cafe). The red buses you can see have been converted into cafes.
    The town has an arty feel to it.. lots of schools too, so it has potential for my business idea.






  23. #23
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    No beers today, as we have been escorted by my wife's sister and my mother-in-law.

    On the way back to Fukuoka, my (slightly crazy) sis-in-law was stopped for speeding (60 km) in a 40 km zone...

    guess how much the fine was?


  24. #24
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    Then back to her (my sis-in-law's) hometown, Sasaguri which is just outside the main city of Fukuoka. About 20 min drive to Tenjin/Hakata.
    They bought their apartment (brand new) around 17 years ago for $200,000
    now it's worth $80,000. Not that they care - and it's expected (if buying new) things devalue fast in Japan.

    Anyway, I finally get to catch up with my bro-in-law, Arki... this guy is a character that's for sure and we get on very well (was the best man at my wedding last year).

    One of my favorite foods on earth, is Yakitori (basically meat on a stick) and this shoddy little restaurant, (the owner must have a Marilyn Monroe fetish by all her posters about), is a real treasure... amazing how such simple food, can taste so damn good!


  25. #25
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    Then we get some private time... a mini-holiday to the beach resort of Miyazaki!

    A 300 km drive... I counted over 50 tunnels on our journey... beautiful scenery... I love the way the Japanese keep left... it's a forgotten courtesy in NZ... sigh...

    About 10,000 tunnels in Japan... 75% of Japan is mountain, so it always amazes me how green and stunning the scenery is there. Don't ask me to compare NZ beauty with Japan...











    Just as the sun was setting - on our walk back to our hotel... we see this couple, meditating towards the sun... it was a touching moment to see..
    I notice my wife is crying and she tells me that, Miyazaki is where my wife's mother and father went for their honeymoon..
    (her father passed away 14 years ago with cancer).

    Last edited by NZdick1983; 11-06-2016 at 12:16 PM.

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