Off I go for a jaunt to Fukuoka. Unfortunately my visit coincides with a canicule in Japan and indeed the rest of the world. It is 36 Celsius and 80% humidity in the killer streets of Fukuoka, which makes walking to your hotel from the subway station a very dangerous business.

The only thing to do is to stay in air conditioned restaurants. I thought the seafood was excellent in Okinawa, well it is, but the seafood in Fukuoka is on a different cloud. I meet Arisa san and her Mum for and outstanding meal.

The next day I set off to watch birds in the Fukuoka castle park. It is a bad idea.

I nearly collapse from heat exhaustion before getting back to the hotel, which I regret is awful. However the reception guy is from Nepal and used to work in Okinawa. He remembers fondly a visit to OIST.

Later, I struggle to an outside eating area crammed with dozens of food stalls called Yatai.

I get delicious tempura and lots of cold beer.

I go to Dazaifu, an ancient city outside Fukuoka. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dazaifu%2C_Fukuoka

I walk to subway, drenched in sweat. I go to the next station where I change lines. Here I have to get on the regional railway network. I ask how can I get to Dazaifu whereupon I am led to a back office. Here I buy a special return ticket that includes two free Mochi, for which Dazaifu is famous.

I am told to go to a station, that I cannot remember the name of, and then change to a special train that goes to Dazaifu. At each stage I seek help from the railway people. They are often oldish but so delightful! All have enough English to set me right and take enjoyment from helping me.

So over my longish life, I have seen a lot of amazing stuff; cathedrals, roman ruins, temples, mosques, shrines, megaliths,. Frankly I have seen enough. Amazing though Dazaifu may be, the journey there was more interesting.

The most remarkable thing for me in Dazaifu was the Starbucks.

I have been to several places in Japan where Starbucks have created remarkable spaces. Notably at Zenkoji https://thequietripple.com/2023/06/23/before/ where a beautiful space, with excellent contemporary art, had been integrated into an ancient monastery. I wish I had taken photos. Thank you Starbucks.

So western friends who are not keen on eating living things might want to switch channel here. I go to famous Kawataro Nakasuhonten, a restaurant that specializes in very, I mean very, fresh squid.

I stumble to the subway and go to the airport. I fly back to Okinawa full of squid and beer.

Sorry that this has been mainly about food but it was honestly too hot to do much else than eat.