Day 16 – Froggies in the sticks

Well what a day of contrasts. From conspicuous capitalist consumption, to Buddhist frogs, all in the space of a couple of hours. Fukuoka is nothing if not constantly confounding.

After breakfast and another late start, we cruised the neighbourhood in search of coffee. Along the way we stumbled across a queue forming outside the Fukuoka branch of super cool Japanese clothing label Human Made. And we love queues – I especially love a good queue where everyone obeys the rules of queueing etiquette. I love it almost as much as the Japanese. So we joined the queue – the only gaijin there (that’s how ahead of the curve we are). And in no time at all we were visiting the promised land. Obviously we bought something (a t-shirt if you’re interested) You don’t wanna queue up for nothing (that’s how they get you).

After finally finding coffee, we decided to head out to Nyoirinji Temple, which is a solid 30 minute train ride out of Fukuoka. I’d read about the wind chime festival that was happening there at the moment. Here is what website Fukuoka Now says about it:

“Nyoirinji Temple, affectionately known as “Kaeru Temple,” is adorned with over 10,000 frog items throughout its grounds. Each summer, the temple hosts the “Wind Chime Festival,” where visitors pray for a safe season and dedicate wind chimes. The sight of thousands of wind chimes swaying in the breeze and their soothing melodies are hallmarks of the festival. Visitors can also write their wishes on tanzaku strips attached to the wind chimes and dedicate them for ¥500 each.”

A frog temple with wind chimes! Who doesn’t wanna see/hear that? So off we popped on the train followed by a lengthy walk. Was it worth it? 100%. Hundreds of frogs, lying frogs, flying frogs, quadruple decker frogs, everywhere across the temple site. And the there were the wind chimes – also hundreds of them – little glass ball shaped bells with colourful prayer tags attached to each one. When the wind blew gently, it was a charming tinklerama. We loved it.

Afterwards it was back in to Fukuoka and over the “Acros Fukuoka” – which is a giant stepped garden built over the top of a massive classical concert hall. It was – well – look at the pics you’ll get the idea. Unfortunately we weren’t allowed to climb to the top of the garden where there is a viewing platform. This was closed due to the rain (there was no rain really – just a few tiny sprinkles). It seems the man pops up and ruins the fun no matter what country you’re in.

For dinner that night we meandered randomly around Tenjin before choosing a local “standing bar” – which is exactly what it sounds like. A stand up bar with stacks of tasty snacks like takoyaki (octopus balls) and karaage chicken. We ate the snacks and drank the drinks – more of the latter than the former. The sake was delicious and we were powerless to resist. Done!

Money talks (and squawks). Inside the Fukuoka branch of uber hip Japanese clothing label Human Made. Japanese hipsters go mad for this stuff and, well, we got swept up in it.

Frog and pillock. At the entrance to Nyoirinji Temple.

Jules amongst the wind chimes at Nyoirinji Temple. Completely charming, and so were the wind chimes.

Umbrellas and incense.

Flying frog. Nyoirinji Temple.

Vermillion and green. Nyoirinji Temple.

Hygiene is critical. Nyoirinji Temple.

Absolutely no idea what’s going on here.

Froggy mega stack. Nyoirinji Temple.

Fukuoka Civic Centre. Relax, that’s astroturf.

Acros Fukuoka. A massive multi tiered garden. Normally open so that you can walk to the top through the “forest”. Closed of course due to the risks associated with minor relentless drizzle.

Interior Acros Fukuoka. Home to a massive classical peformance space. Kinda like the Federation Concert Hall but with less dodgy cladding.

Dinner venue. A standing bar in Tenjin. No English menu. No English spoken. No clue what we were doing but the staff were patient. Don’t know the name of the bar. Maybe it didn’t have one, but the sake was next level. Dunno what that was called either – but it had a whale on the label if that helps.