Blogs from Oita, Japan, Asia

Well that was stressful! Especially when Fiji scored the first two tries... But firstly I have to say what an amazing job the city of Oita did. They'd organised a super fan zone by the station and free bus service to the stadium which was about 15 mins away. And hundreds of stewards directing us to the right place. When we got to the stadium there was a bit of a walk from the bus park and all along more 'helpers' high 5ing and shouting hello. In the stadium there was drummers, and bands playing. There was over 38,000 people!.... mostly in red and various other forms of dress... some daffodil hats ,dragons and sheep. I think they'd be very hot as it was a very warm evening. 38,000 people is a lot to get back ... read more

Tuesday, 25th June 2019 I participated in a Kyushu day tour departing from JR Hakata Station covering Dazaifu as well as the hot spring towns of Yufuin and Beppu. Earlier on, I had my breakfast at the pop-up Hello Kitty Cafe within the station concourse. The itinerary is spelt out as follows:- 8.50am - Meet up with the Korean-speaking guide at JR Hakata Station. I was given a copy of the English itinerary and the guide would try her best to include some English during her commentary. 9.00am - Departure to Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine. 9.30am - Arrival at the Shrine. We had about an hour to explore the shopping street leading towards the Shrine. It was crowded even on a Tuesday. Admission to the temple complex is free. 10.30am - Departure to Yufuin. 12.00pm - Arrival ... read more

Tajfun Chaba, podąża za nami cierpliwie jak funkcjonariusz SB. Tak już chyba pozostanie, niestety, do samego Tokio. Według miejscowych służb meteorologicznych wciąż wyprzedzamy go o pół dnia. Wyganiając nas przedwczoraj z Yakushimy wpakował w dodatkowe koszty. Zamiast przyjemnie i leniwie płynąć promem, musieliśmy wydać prawie dwa razy tyle na podróż wodolotem. Pal sześć koszty. Żal pozostaje, gdy uciekając przed nim musimy wykreślać z naszego planu podróży kolejne punkty. Na Yakushimie postraszono nas, że poranne, poniedziałkowe rejsy wodolotów Jetfoil będą prawdopodobnie ostatnimi przed uderzeniem żywiołu i jeśli z nich nie skorzystamy, zostaniemy uwiezieni przez wiatr i 10 metrowe na fale na parę dni. Nie było więc wyboru. Nasz wysłannik, Sebastian, doskonale wywiązał się z zadania i cierpliwie stojąc w porannej, dwuosobowej kolejce zdobył dla naszej 8 osobowej grupy bilety na os... read more

.Kyushu Day2 Yesterday's dinner was a real banquet only to be replicated for breakfast today. The meals so far are astonishing and no wonder the Japanese are generally slim and have longevity. We had bean curd soup (miso), rice, salmon, clams, bacon, sausage, onions, mushrooms, raw egg to mix with the rice and all manner of vegetables and other fish etc. All in very small portions, well presented and very tasty, giving us a good start to the tour and just what we need to get up our first hill this morning. We actually had beds last night, which were very comfortable and welcoming following our 36 hours without proper sleep. I am pressed with the Japanese culture of ultimate hygiene with their electric toilet seats. I said the last time that I was here that ... read more

From Tokyo taking the fast trains was an amazing experience, the Shinkansen is fast and always on time, I transferred in Osaka then took a tad bit slower train heading for Beppu, and of course I took advantage of the cheap bento being sold at kiosks in the train station, I fell asleep on the train knowing that Beppu is 2nd to the last stop, somehow I woke up and found the train stopped at a station, trying to get my bearing, I peeked outside and saw the sign Beppu! darn we are here, I hurriedly grabbed my backpack slinging it in my shoulder quickly and went towards the open door, and as luck would have it, it closed on me, catching me by the rucksack! I forced myself out wiggling desperately to free myself before ... read more