Visa run. Fukuoka,Japan

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Earlier this week i took a 30 hour trip to Fukuoka, Japan by ferry from Busan, South Korea. with 4 days remaining on my tourist visa in South Korea it was a "must" which i am thankful for. Fukuoka was a great time. i used it to unwind and take a breath from the busy, busy atmosphere in Korea. i roamed the Hakata-Ku which is an area full of old Buddhist temples and shrines among large corporate buildings and high rises. the sidewalks were full of well dressed business men and women going to and from work mostly by bicycle weaving quickly around those on foot.
my brief time there was spent visiting the amazing temples and enjoying the small differences between the Japanese vs. South Koreans which were are noticeable after spending almost 90 days in South Korea. here are some of the pictures i took before my camera battery died.

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Photos

Verticle Gas Pumps
which are also in Korea i was told.

Interior wall lined with small statues
all of which wore a red cloth to protect them from the cold i assume.

Tochoji Temple
a larger statues in the Tochoji Temple also protected from the cold with a knitted cap, wearing some prayer beads.

Tochoji Temple
"Tochoji Temple is the oldest Buddhist temple in Japan of the Singon sect."

yet another....
"The temple is host to one of the largest wooden statues of sitting Buddha in Japan", which was very impressive but could not be photographed.

A day in the life of a Buddhist monk
he was listening to an i-pod.

Homeless Camp
these makeshift homes seemed to be a collection of three shacks. it was strange to see in a small park directly behind an office building in what seemed like a very wealthy area.

Fukuoka International Hostel
this hostel was very comfortable,friendly and a god-sent after walking for a while. look for a picture of me on their website,bed head and all @ www.Fukuoka-hostel.com on their Japanese site.

Genjuan Temple
the rock garden was raked perfectly.

Shofukuji Temple
"The first Zen temple in Japan, established by the founder of Japanese Zen sect in 1195."

Patiently waiting in Higashi Park
these pigeons were incredibly bold or incredibly stupid in Higashi Park,one stood on my shoe as i took a picture of a statue.

Colors of the season
Japanese Maple if i'm not mistaken.

Comments

[Rachel Lagomarsino]

We miss you!
Hello Kye, This is Rachel from the DFC. We miss you very much. I love your pictures, especially "Patiently Waiting in Higashi Park." You should be the Rick Steves of our generation. love, Rachel

[anonymous]

HAHA that pic of you is funny