We departed Fukuoka Airport and headed to Daizaifu Tenmangu Shrine.
At the Shrine, we learned more the Japanese culture and how the Japanese pray. This trip to the Shrine also help us know more about the history of Japanese God.
Next, we headed to Kumamoto Food Pal to have our lunch. We had a filling lunch and headed to the bakery. In the bakery, we learned how the breads were made. The methods used are very different from Singapore. Furthermore, we could see how the machines work and when we got back to Singapore, we are able to tell our friends about the machines.
Next, we went to Kumamoto Castle and looked at the different wooden buildings. The Kumamoto castle is so big that we took two hours to visit different parts of the castle. The big camphor tree is older than the castle which is 400 year old by 200 years! One of the buildings has a very steep flight of stairs, we had to climb against gravity all the way to the top. We also had to go down the staircase carefully or else we would fall. We had to take out our shoes at some buildings and put in the plastic bag provided for us. This is to respect the Japanese culture. In summary, we learnt more about Japanese Culture and how to respect them.
Mandy
10:43 PM |
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We landed on Fukuoka airport in Japan on June 29 2010 at about 8a.m. After going through the customs, we headed to our first location, the Daizhaifu Tenmangu Shrine. The shrine was built in respect of the God of Learning or Literature, Michizane Sugawara and there was a English tour guide who told us many things about the Shrine.
Next, we went to Kumamoto Foodpal Centre where we took our lunch and sampled some of the snacks or sweets that they have made. I tried some of the snacks which were simply delicious!
We then headed for the Kumamoto Castle where there was also a English tour guide who took us around the Castle. The things which fascinated me most were the staircase inside the Castle which is so steep and the tree which was 600 years old, older than the main attraction which is only 400 years old.
Finally, we headed back to our hotel which is about 5 mins journey away from the Kumamoto Castle according to the tour guide.
Yanli
10:41 PM |
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On the 28th of May, we left Singapore and reached Fukuoka at about 7.15am Singapore time the following day. After taking some group photographs at the airport, we proceeded straight to the Daizaifu Tenmangu Shrine.
It was a 45 minutes journey to the shrine. The tour guide gave us a detailed account of the Daizaifu Tenmangu Shrine. It was a shrine that was built over the grave of Michizane Sugawara by the Japanese. He endured a extreme hardship life and died in 903 at the age of 59. It was really an important place as it teaches us Japan's culture and history.
After going to the Daizaifu Shrine, we went to the Kumamoto Food Pal. The tour guides there showed us how some pastries were made. This helped us to know how some of the pastries were made. After going to the Kumamoto Food Pal, we went straight to the Kumamoto Castle.
It took us 2 hours to explore the whole Castle. It was a large and extemely well fortified Japanese castle. The original castle took 7 years to be built and was completed in 1607. This allowed us to know more about the history and culture of the Kumamoto Castle.
Andreana
10:39 PM |
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After we arrived at Fukuoka, we visited the Daizaifu Tenmangu Shrine. Our tour guides were very friendly and we were taught how to do a proper prayer at the Shrine etc, which is very different from our Buddhist culture in Singapore.
Next, we visited the Kumamoto Food Pal. I was constantly attracted by the appealing and appertising cakes and other pastries there. The white chocolate Chosen-ame totally made me drooled. It felt great trying the samples which were freshly baked.
Our final stop for the day was the Kumamoto Castle. We were taught the history and culture of the Kumamoto Castle and how it came about. We were also given the opportunity to venture around the castle and climb the towers. The climbing of the towers was tough, as the stairs were steep and narrow. Most of us felt tired after climbing. However, all the climbing of stairs was worth it, as the view from the top of the tower was absolutely mesmerising.
Amanda
9:59 PM |
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We arrived at the Fukuoka airport at around 7 plus according to Singapore time. We ate breakfast on the plane. It was first fun at first but at the end it make me feel like vomiting.
The first stop was the Daizaifu Tenmangu Shrine. We saw a lot of different handcrafts used to design the house. Daizaifu endured a life of hardship and died at the age of 59.
At the second stop, the Kumamoto Food Pal, we ate our lunch and I must say that the food was quite nice but was a bit too much for me. We later went to a bakery shop. All the food were so nice and I love the cake that had cheese melted in it. I even bought some food back for my family.
The last stop was at the Kumamoto Castle which we learned about the history of Kumamoto. I love the part when people took pictures with the samurai, as they would do all kinds of funny actions. I also learned that it took a long time for the castle to be built.
I have learned a lot of things today which had enriched my knowledge and widen my view.
9:57 PM |
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Our first destination today was Daizaifu Tenmangu Shrine to learn about its history and why was it constructed. I think the lady who brought us around and giving us the explanation was rather good in speaking English. One thing different about the temple in Fukuoka and Singapore would be the way we make our wishes. In Fukuoka, we had to throw a coin first, bow twice and clap your hand twice before making your wish, and eventually bow again. However in Singapore, the method of making a wish was easier.
The next destination was Kumanoto Food Pal where we had our lunch. Afterwhich we headed to the Sweet Factory where we had the chance to sample 4 different pastries. The mochi that was coated with white chocolate is very chewy, and the outer layer was crispy.
The last destination was the Kumamoto Castle where we got to enjoy very beautiful scenery, and even had to climb very steep flight of stairs which caused most of us to be quite tired.
Overall, I think that today was a fruitful experience.
Kellyn
9:51 PM |
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The first place we went to was Daizaifu Tenmangu Shrine. A Shrine is a temple for people to make their wish. How do we make a wish? We have to throw a coin first then bow two times, make a wish and then bow one more time.
We went to Kumamoto food pal after that. All of us had our lunch there which was a full course meal and a free flow of pastries and breads. After eating, we went to the Kumamoto castle. We tried samples of pastries and buy them for those who like it.
Our last place we went to was the Kumamoto castle. I guess I exercised a lot from all the climbing of stairs and walking. The gaps of the staircases were really big and because we were wearing socks, it’s slippery. Super scary that I might slip and fall. I learnt about the ninjas, the wells and etc.
Yue Ying
9:50 PM |
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After our midnight flight to Fukuoka, we went to quite a number of places namely, Daizaifu Tenmangu Shrine, Kumamoto Food Pal and Kumamoto Castle.
Daizaifu Tenmangu Shrine is one of the famous temple in Kyushu. I learnt the proper way of making a wish. Firstly, throw a coin of any amount into the rectangular box located outside the praying area of the temple. Secondly, clap twice. Thirdly, bow twice. Next, make your wish and eventually bow one last time. That's what the Japanese do when they make a wish, very different from Singapore style. In Singapore, we use joss sticks to offer to the ancestors instead of coin.
Next, we arrived at Kumamoto Food Pal. This is the place we had our lunch and we had free pasteries too! After lunch, we were being brought to the Sweets Factory. I really enjoyed myself day because we had the opportunity to taste the pasteries made on-the-spot. Futhermore, the pasteries were very unique and mouth-watering, mochi coated with white chocolate really makes you drool! We sampled four different types of sweets pasteries and they were great.
The last stop for the day was Kumamoto Castle. I was fascinated by the enormous castles. We had to remove our shoes before entering the castles as it is a form of tradition. The castles were very tall and hence we had to climb several flights of steep staircase up to the highest level. Looking down at the highest level was the scenery that I had been looking forward to.
Hui Tong
9:26 PM |
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Today was our first day in Kyushu, Japan. Although we did not really have enough sleep during the plane ride, we were still very excited and we were able to stay awake for the whole day.
We started our journey at the Daizaifu Tenmangu Shrine. We walked under many arches, we also walked up to the wishing well. The Japanese way of making a wish is different from others. They bow twice first,clap twice,make their wish then bow one more time.
The second stop of our journey was a much more fun experience than the first stop. There we ate our lunch and visited a sweets and cookie factory. Almost everyone bought things there as they were considered cheap compared to other places.
On the third and final stop, we went to Kimamoto Castle to learn about the history and culture of the ancient Japanese people. We climbed up a few of the towers.
We stayed at River Side Hotel, a hotel fifteen minutes away from the Kimamoto Castle. We had a buffet dinner at the hotel, it was not what we expected. The shopping at night was cancelled as we were told that all shops closed at seven in the evening.
Julian & Joshua
9:20 PM |
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