The three stooges in Kyushu

Thought I'd throw up some more photos of Derek & Jerry's visit. After coming back from Tokyo, I had some time off, so we toured around Kyushu. Unfortunately, Serenity had to work, so she's not in any of these photos.

Our first day back at our house the three of us headed to Homan-san, the mountain in the nearby town of Dazaifu. Dazaifu is famous for its temple, and this mountain has 300+ year old stone steps that go to the top.

We started our journey on a path many monks took hundreds of years ago.

Derek meditating on top of Homan-san next to the Shinto Shrine, looking out over the valley.

Back down at the town of Dazaifu, on the grounds of Ten-man-gu Temple (the temple is not pictured here, but off behind the trees. The spring flowers were out and because it was a weekday it was empty - so beautiful.

The next day I had to work, so I sent Derek & Jerry off to visit Nagasaki. They had a great time, but I have no pictures.

So on Thursday and Friday, we toured around Fukuoka and Kurume.

Here's Derek (left) and Jerry climbing the old Fukuoka Castle walls.


It wasn't too hot (they had excellent weather the whole trip), but after walking around Tokyo for three days, hiking up Homan-san, and walking around Nagasaki, the legs were getting tired.

We rested on the bridge over the moat to Fukuoka Castle. The moat has filled with lilly pads.

Later one night we went to a traditional Japanese izakaya, where we enjoyed some basashi, or raw horse meat.

We went to find the Sea of Japan, which even I hadn't seen yet, and found this bay surrounded by a ferris wheel, so we took a ride.

Looking out from the ferris wheel.

A beautiful view of the bay and the many islands out on the Sea of Japan.

It was so romantic, Jerry couldn't contain himself.

One of our party got swallowed up by the "Jumbo Godzilla."

Another nice meal at the Yatai stalls along the river in Fukuoka. The Ramen is famous here, but Derek also enjoyed some octopi.

After the meal we had the chef take our picture...and immediately after this picture he dropped and broke Jerry's camera. Jerry wasn't smiling after that.

The following weekend we went with some other friends to climb a mountain Yufu-dake with some friends, and stayed over night at a traditional Japanese house. But more pictures from the weekend in the next post.

Anyway, the last Monday before they left for Kyoto and eventually home Derek, Jerry & I visited Nokonoshima, one of the islands off of Fukuoka.

Derek on the ferry boat over to the island.

We just relaxed and walked along the beach. The water is extremely warm - probably in the upper 70s.

Jerry showing off his shells from the beach, with Fukuoka in the background.