Korean Job Discussion Forums

[antoniothegreat]

My cousin is going to Fukuoka for two days, does anyone know of any decent hostels they can recommend? what else is there to do in that city? she is here on vacation, not teaching, and needs to leave since it has been a month (americans only get one month on their non-working or tourist visa)
thanks

[kat2]

Kangsantravel.com runs a deal for ferry ticket from Busan and one night in a hotel for 210,000
http://kangsantravel.com/package_main.php

We stayed here once. Typical hostel. The front desk guy is really nice and helpful. About a 15 minute walk from teh main train station.
http://www.hostelworld.com/hosteldetails.php/InternationalHostelKhaosanFukuoka-FukuokaCity-18592

To do: Hmm. well its not exactly rockin! We spent some time at Canal City shopping and eating at Wendy's. There's a temple outside the city thats supposed to be the main touristy thing. Its a nice place to just walk aroudn though.

If she's just goin to renew her visa, she can take the early boat and come back in on the afternoon one. No need to stay overnight.

[Treefarmer]

theres quite a lot to see in fukoka, it's not tokyo, but there is more than enough to keep you occupied for 2 days

ohori park is excellent, it's got a beautiful lake full of turtles and seagulls, and a castle

canal city is a shopping mall with a robot shop/museum in the basement and loads of cool sega machines upstairs as well as expensive shops

the downtown are has got some very cool shops, theres a comics and toy shop which should keep her occupied for an hour looking at cool stuff (although she may not be as geeky as me ) and the everything for 100 yen shops are cool as well

you can get a train out to the old castle which is in the middle of a forest, i didn't do this but i hear it's worth it if you like that sort of thing

for nightlife around canal city and in that direction from downtown is pretty good, although some of the places are very pricey so be careful
there's also a westener bar called 'happy cock' near the downtown which does an all you can drink night which is very good because japan is pretty expensive for booze

places to stay, the best value i found was staying in an internet cafe, it's not like the korean ones, you get a comfy sofa, a booth, blankets, a shower......it's not like a hotel, but for a budget it's brilliant

[prettyinscarlet777]

I got into Fukuota early on Sunday, took a train ride around the entire province and then came back Monday and did the visa thing. I found Beppu interesting because it has a neat monkey park and some other things. The train ride was fun and I saw some beautiful scenery.

[seoulsteve]

If you go to immigration, they can extend his visa to three months. I'm American and I did it without any problems.

[cangel]

Just a 10 minute walk from Hakata station is a newly opened hostel called Khaosan Fukuoka. Check out their website at: http://www.fukuoka-hostel.com I have never stayed there so I have no first hand info. I did however, live in Fukuoka for 6 years so if you have any specific questions, just ask.

Keep in mind, Fukuoka is not a big tourist city so touristy type things are a bit far and few between. I would recommend either a day trip to Hiroshima (North of Fukuoka) or Nagasaki (South of Fukuoka). If she starts early, she can do a city tour in a day and still get back to Fukuoka.

There's a nice shrine in Dazaifu (Tenmangu) and also located in Dazaifu is the recently opened, Japan National Museum. Quality are and cultural attractions abound.

Oh don't forget to get up really early and see one of the great Japanese festivals, he biggest and most popular in Kyushu, Yamakasa. A bunch of loin cloth wearing men running through the pre-dawn streets carrying shrines on their shoulders whilst people throw wter on them... Good stuff. Happening soon, so get ready.

The second tallest ferris wheel in the world, located in Meinohama, standing 118 meters tall, is a fun kick. Might also check out Isla de Salsa which is rapidly approaching. It's an island party filled with Cuban and reggae beats, lots of quality food, dancing and fun. Might be thins month or next, I forget...

Go to any foreigner bar and pick up a free copy of Fukuoka Now magazine for all the news that's fit to print on the Fukuoka scene. Loads of ads on where to go, what to do etc etc etc. Check out their website at: http://www.fukuoka-now.com/index.php

Like I said, and specific questions, pm me. Glad to help.

[waltjocketty]

There's a very beautiful garden

[maeil]

I highly, highly recommend the Khaosan Fukuoka hostel. Cheap rooms (2000 yen), great, friendly, English-speaking staff, friendly travelers, and extremely comfy (memory foam!) mattresses and pillows. There is a map on their website, but it doesn't tell you the exit number - take exit 15 from Hakata station and follow their map. I also made a reservation online through their website, which I recommend as I saw several travelers get turned away. www.khaosan-fukuoka.com is their English website.

I second the trip to Dazaifu. It's only about a 20 minute ride from Fukuoka on the train. I spent a good part of a day there, but be aware that most of the cute shops shut down at 6pm.

[elliemk]

Thanks!