FUKUOKA – Unique Experiences: Buffet, Designer Hotel, White Shoes Fuk made, Cemetery, Carbon Coffee

FUKUOKA – Unique Experiences: Buffet, Designer Hotel, White Shoes Fuk made, Cemetery, Carbon Coffee

Good Morning Fukuoka! I need some coffee Just a short ride from Lyf Tenjin is a popular Fukuoka Cafe FUK Coffee is pretty popular. You have to line up to get in. It is a full house and I hope I can find a seat. My wait …15 minutes The ceiling is like a big inverted umbrella…it functions like a soft light fixture Let’s check out the Merch while I wait for my order The barista counter is right in the middle, so they are like performing in front of you Again, the ceiling light is like a lightbox for photography, so cool Starfuk…wink wink I am so sleepy. I ordered something sweet as well There is still a long line OAT LATTE 650 ¥ | CREAM PUFF 330 ¥ The Latte is good but I keep forgetting I like it sweetened I need the caffeine, so this is still good struggling hehe The cream puff is subtle but not to sweet which I prefer Not the comfiest seats but you can lean your bum here FUK Coffee is also known for this pudding which I will try next time The famous dessert is priced at 670 ¥ inclusive of the ice cream topping This is a good push for today’s itinerary Hakata’s Kushida Shrine is one of the oldest shrines in Fukuoka This shrine offers other amazing sights such as the biggest Otafuku mask in Japan and a well where you can pray for eternal youth In the shrine yard, a great symbolic gingko tree grows with two monumental tablets of the Mongolian invasion on its foot Kazari Yamakasa or large stationary festival floats. …decorated with images of samurai warriors related to Hakata and scenes from Japanese fairy tales and anime In the shrine yard, a great symbolic gingko tree grows with two monumental tablets of the Mongolian invasion on its foot Which I was not able to find 🙁 There is a big festival held in Hakata on Setsubun (February 3) called the Setsubun Taisai. There will be a big Otafuku mask measuring 5.3 m in height & 5 m in width displayed on the torii gate It is said that passing through this mask brings good luck. So if you visit this shrine from the end of January to February 3, do try to go through it. Kushida Shrine is dedicated to the gods of Ohatanushi-no-mikoto, Amaterasu-omikami and Susanowo-no-mikoto This shrine has many amazing attractions such as the largest otafuku mask in Japan & a fountain where people pray for eternal youth. I missed the well with the cranes…it is supposed to be the fountain of youth All along, I thought this was the fountain of youth. This is the purification water situated at the front side of the shrine. I think I entered at the back. This was supposed to be a ritual before entering the shrine I am on the hunt of getting a pair of comfy white shoes That framed, elevated nook is the fitting area You need to leave your footwear on this rock. I like that Japanese tidiness culture is kept in this store hehe My turn to try on some shoes… Hmmmm…quite big but really comfy I tried other designs with my right shoe size But the first pair I tried was the comfiest. That’s the one I got. I am always a “chucks” guy & I was looking for an alternative So when I found out about ALSO MOONSTARS being made in Kurume Fukuoka, I had to visit this shop and get a pair! Oh, the pair I got was 10,000 ¥, all white one, like “like chucks” with a blue sole This aesthetic appeals to me so much but I don’t think it is comfy, I could be wrong This flagship store was designed by Toru Shimakawa, fyi Always on a hunt for white home wares. I know white is a basic color & can get items in places where it is less pricey….. BUT! If I find something white that is unique, not generic looking…. That will be extra special. ….because it is somethig you won’t find in typical places. Right now, I am looking for tea wares for a matcha ceremonial prep No luck. But the products here look great. Just a minute away, same side of street, I smelled something that made me hungry The smell of freshly baked breads is irresistible If I was not alone, I would have gotten myself a loaf I just got myself an egg sandwich for 410 ¥ Our next stop may be a bit unusual for everyone’s taste. I was looking for somewhere quiet, without a hint of city bustle Fukuoka has parks, but you still know that you are in a city Not to mention, it has an area wherein the architecture is just beautiful. It is called the Common Grave, also a Place of Worship. It is located at the front area of Hirao Cemetery I am a fan of Tadao Ando, but this one is not by him. Designed by KINO Architects the project was Fukuoka’s response to Japan’s declining birthrate and aging population and changing views of life and death Hirao Cemetery used to be a mountain and was carved to make way for the grave. The designers proposed to extend the mountain edge to fill it with new burial chambers. I think it is the mound behind the framed structure The curved structure embracing the plaza are meant for remembering the deceased It is also embracing the dedication table – the framed stucture. It is a remarkable project because it is made for the public without an image of a particular religion And it is really really quiet in here That relaxed me a bit, so time for my 2nd coffee! This is such a cute cafe and I love their black & white branding True to their branding, I was made to try carbon coffee and black waffle I could say the cafe is 50 %merch, 50 % cafe hehe and I am loving it! I got myself a sticker and a tote bag for 3520 ¥ It must be fun to have coffee as your business and design merch around it. The guys behind it are also very welcoming That looks yummy, maybe next time My order… BLACK LATTE (OAT) & BLACK WAFFLE 1135 ¥ Interesting flavor, but it is subtle Looks like an Onigiri at first hehe Overall sweet, the texture is what’s different. The middle part is like frozen ice cream With the hot latte, they are a good pair The combination was recommended by the barista, btw this is their cool outdoor seating area Just beside No Coffee, a small shop caught my attention It is a cute shop selling Dorayaki Dorayaki consists of two small pancake-like patties made from castella wrapped around a filling of sweet azuki bean paste They have different kinds of Dorayaki, but I prefer the classic one to better appreciate the original flavor Oh they have free taste of this pastry that tastes like banana bread The Dorayaki I got was 290 ¥ When you are in Fukuoka, specifically Tenjin, you need to see their underground mall It is a European inspired subterranean shopping center with 12 “avenues” of shops & eateries It is also connected to Tenjin subway station I am looking for the entrance of this designer hotel This is just a side entrance but you can see how detailed the design is Why am I here? This is where they have the all day dining buffet for 1900 ¥ Now, this is the front. It so iconically 80’s and considered Japan’s first designer hotel Designed in post modern style by Aldo Rossi, an Italian Architect. Post Modern style was big in the 80s. Now where is the entrance? The entrance to the hotel and lounge is through the door with bluish glow fronting the street It will be a portal to a VERY COLORFUL world hehe This is also the dramatic entry to the hotel but we are going to El Dorado where the buffet is offered You will need to pass through the hotel reception to go to the El Dorado Lounge The hotel front desk is so green & i love how bold it is But you will also notice the other colorful walls in the area So the hotel reception area is partly the lounge named El Dorado Honestly, this also reminds me of the bold colors in the designs of Mexico’s Luis Barragan Maybe the design was inspired by the name “El Dorado” and El Dorado is in South America The space was redesigned by Uchida Design. I am just unsure which is Rossi’s or Uchida, which is admirable because it means the experience remains true to its aesthetic experience Whatever Uchida did here pays homage to Aldo Rossi’s design This lounge is such an escape from the city. the colors are so immersive Now, the colorful food offerings n the buffet section These are my choices and my selection was all good my yellow background is like the facade of the hotel Soooooo cozy. I am happy I reserved. Oh yeah you need to call/email to reserve through their website There is security control by the bluish entrance At night, they really highlight how important this building is in Fukuoka That it is part of the city’s cultural and historical landscape It used to be prominent on the river landscape but the lighting helps a lot. I will end my Fukuoka vlog here. I wish to come back here. Fukuoka is a wonderful city. I hope you liked my visual diary. If you do, i’d appreciate if you will subscribe and like.

Day 3 of my Fukuoka Trip. If you like this video, I will appreciate if you guys will like and subscribe.

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FUKUOKA TRIP DAY 3
00:00 Intro
00:49 FUK Morning Coffee
03:30 Kushida Shrine (in the city)
06:35 White Shoes Made in Fukuoka
08:35 Cool Homewares
09:44 Mutsukado Bakery
11:26 Solemn Park in the City
14:36 Carbon Coffee & Dessert
17:49 Special Dorayaki
19:02 Tenjin Underground Mall
19:38 Cheap Buffet in a Designer Hotel

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