Location: Fukuoka occupies the northwestern area of Kyushu Island, just south of Honshu.

Look out for: Fukuoka City, once a powerful castle seat, has today a very modern feel.  The Hakata Gion Yamakasa, hosted by the Kushida Jinja shrine, is held every July, with two weeks of traditional  parades, music, and races.  Check out the Kyushu National Museum, Ohori Park, or Nanzoin's huge patinaed Reclining Buddha, said to be the world's largest bronze statue.  Venture further afield to find the prefecture's award-winning tea fields, or the Venice of Japan, in Yanagawa.

Food to try: Spicy cod roe, or 'mentaiko,' is a must-try in Hakata City.  Tonkotsu ramen, made from a simmered pork bone broth, is also known as Hakata ramen.  Motsunabe (hotpot with pork or beef offal) and Mizutaki (chicken broth hotpot) are also easily sampled. 

Tips: If you're coming to Japan too early for the cherry blossom, you might pop down to Fukuoka to catch them, usually one week to 10 days earlier than Tokyo. Rental cars are definitely worth considering; much faster and better coverage than trains.

Fukuoka

From the hotel's premium rooms, featuring comfy beds, a large living area has great views over the gardens below.  Exclusively Japanese style rooms are also available.

The Yanagawa Tachibana Ohana Hotel (the 'Ohana' for short) is a property with impressive history, beautifully appointed luxury rooms, and a splendid garden.   

Lodgings

In Yanagawa, the beauty of which is featured in the image above, the main dish served is Unagi, or steamed and grilled eel.  If you have never tried this delicacy, you are perhaps missing out on one of Japan's tastiest treats.  It's unlike eel served anywhere else in the world, and many who try it for the first time are simply amazed.

Tastings