Category: Japan

Did you know that Fukuoka’s fish market, which is usually only accessible to wholesalers, opens its doors to the public once a month? While Tokyo’s Tsukiji Fish Market is popular among foreigners, Fukuoka’s fish market is a bustling family-friendly spot cherished by the locals. Beyond just selling fish, the market offers fish filleting classes and even tuna dismantling shows. If you’re a fish enthusiast or simply curious, you’re sure to have a great time here.

Moreover, there are several restaurants nearby serving dishes made from fresh fish, and there’s even a hot spring in close proximity, making it a destination for a full day of enjoyment. Due to its popularity among locals, it’s likely to be appreciated by foreign tourists as well. In this article, we’ll delve into all the details.

Nagahama Fish Market in Fukuoka: Basic Information and Access

• Address: 3-11-3 Nagahama, Chuo Ward, Fukuoka, Japan
• Phone: 092-711-6412
• Event Date: Every 2nd Saturday of the month
• Hours: 9 AM – 12 PM
• Official Website: https://nagahamafish.jp/

Getting to Nagahama Fish Market in Fukuoka

Access by car is convenient. There’s a parking lot right in front of the fish market that can accommodate up to 140 vehicles, so we were able to park without any wait. On the day of Citizen Appreciation, the parking was free until noon.

For subway users, “Akasaka Station” is convenient. It’s a 12-minute walk, approximately 800 meters, from “Akasaka Station”.

If you’re taking the Nishitetsu Bus, it’s a 2-minute walk from the “Nagahama 2-chome” bus stop. You can check the Nishitetsu Bus schedule here (Nishitetsu Bus Web Site).

Inside Nagahama Seafish Market in Fukuoka: Atmosphere and Ambience

Arriving around 10 AM, we were a bit late, but there was still an abundance of fresh fish being sold. One thing that surprised me was the significant amount of whale meat being sold. Since it’s not available in the United States, I found this to be a unique Japanese sight.

There was also a quiz corner where you could guess the names of the fish. What caught my interest was that some foreigners were calling fish number 9, “Tachiuo” (hairtail), “Eel.” Considering their similar shape, it’s understandable that they might think so (^^;).

There were several areas where a lot of people had gathered. One was the “Fish Filleting Class” located in the back corner. My mother had participated before, and apparently, they teach you how to fillet fish for free, and you can even take the filleted fish home. They start accepting participants at 9 AM, and the class begins at 10 AM. If there are many interested people, they might hold a lottery, so it’s worth applying!

Another spot was the area for the tuna dismantling show. It takes place around 9:30 AM, so if you’re a tuna enthusiast, consider timing your visit accordingly. While disassembling the tuna, the announcer would call out, “Who wants this part?” and hold a rock-paper-scissors contest if there were multiple contenders. The winner got the right to purchase that part of the tuna.

We purchased scallops, tuna, and chili pepper fish to take home.

Nagahama Seafish Market in Fukuoka is Recommended for

If you’re planning to visit the fish market, I recommend going at 9 AM. By 10 AM, many of the shops were already closing up. It’s especially recommended for families, particularly those with children, as it provides a wonderful educational experience about fish.

I visited the Kyushu Correctional Exhibition at Fukuoka Prison. The exhibition at the prison wasn’t just about touring the facility; there were also various experience corners, including the sale of items made by the inmates, workshops for making straw sandals and pottery on a spinning wheel. It was quite enjoyable! Before going, I thought I might spend around 2 hours there, but ended up having fun for about 5 hours and returned home. This event was enjoyable for both adults and children. In this article, I will share my experience of participating in the Kyushu Correctional Exhibition at Fukuoka Prison in Umi Town, Fukuoka Prefecture.

Basic Information

• Facility: Fukuoka Prison
• Address: 6-1 Shouji-dake South 6-chome 1, Umi Town, Kasuya District, Fukuoka Prefecture, 811-2126
• Hours: 9:30 AM to 4:00 PM (last day until 3:30 PM)
• Website: Ministry of Justice: Information on the 36th Kyushu Correctional Exhibition

Getting to Fukuoka Prison and Kyushu Correctional Exhibition

A shuttle bus was available from JR Umi Station, the nearest train station. For those traveling by car, there was a free parking lot on the rooftop of the prison. While it’s not located directly on a major road, it’s easily accessible by driving a short distance through a residential area. This makes it convenient even for those who aren’t comfortable with driving. The prison offered a panoramic view all the way to the Genkai Sea, providing a great vantage point.

A Wide Range of Goods for Sale at Kyushu Correctional Exhibition

Items ranging from vegetables to furniture were being sold. I initially thought that the items were only produced at Fukuoka Prison, but there were products from prisons all over the country. For example, bags from Hakodate Prison, leather shoes from Kobe, green tea from Kagoshima, and more. My family purchased a large amount of green tea for 1,000 yen. There were also small items made from Yakushima cedar that were quite appealing.

Must-Try Experience Corners at Kyushu Correctional Exhibition

Surprisingly Rewarding: Pottery Wheel Experience

With the guidance of an instructor, you could enjoy making pottery using a spinning wheel. It took about 10 to 15 minutes to complete. This experience corner was incredibly popular. When I visited around 10:30 AM, there was already a one-hour wait. When it’s your turn, you select the pattern you want to create on the pottery and then work with the instructor to shape it. The instructor guides you step by step, making adjustments if needed, resulting in a reasonably shaped piece. Unfortunately, there was no time to fire the pottery, so the pieces were unfinished and couldn’t be used for meals. However, they could serve as key holders or decorative items. And the best part, this pottery wheel experience was completely free!

Challenging but Rewarding: Straw Sandal Making Experience

I also tried making straw sandals using cloth, which took about 90 minutes for one pair. The materials for the other pair were provided, so you could finish it at home. At first, I didn’t realize it would take a full 90 minutes. Even though the instructor provided careful guidance, I ended up quite exhausted. Creating the sandals required attention to detail, such as the strength of the weaving and the handling of the cloth’s edges. This made each step demanding, and I lost focus after about 30 minutes. The finished straw sandals were impressive. They were sold at the exhibition for just 600 yen, which felt like a bargain considering the skill and patience required to make them.

Plan Ahead for the Popular Fukuoka Prison Tour

Unfortunately, I couldn’t participate in the tour inside Fukuoka Prison due to its popularity. The prison tour is in high demand every year, and people inquire about when the tour tickets will be distributed starting days in advance. You need to line up about 30 minutes to an hour before the distribution time of the tour tickets. During the tour, no personal belongings are allowed. Even carrying mobile phones is prohibited. While lockers are available for storage, they are not large, so it’s best to keep your belongings compact.

In Conclusion

The Kyushu Correctional Exhibition held at Fukuoka Prison in Umi City was an event that both adults and children could enjoy. You could purchase affordable food items like green tea and sweet potatoes, as well as furniture and more. Additionally, the experience corners provided a unique opportunity to try various activities at a low cost. While I sadly missed out on the popular prison tour this time, I plan to line up in advance on my next visit to get a glimpse of the inside.

To my surprise, Ippudo, now an international ramen restaurant, opened a store in Terminal 1 of Narita Airport. Narita Airport Terminal 1 is the international terminal where All Nippon Airways and other airlines arrive and depart. As I live in the U.S., it is very valuable for me to be able to eat authentic Hakata Ramen at a normal price, so I paid a quick visit.

Ippudo at Narita Airport Basic Information

• Narita Airport Terminal 1, 3F, Higashi-Sanrizuka, Narita, Chiba (After security)
• +81- 0476-29-5382
• 7.30am – 9pm (Last Order : 8.30pm)
• https://stores.ippudo.com/1096?utm_source=Yext&utm_medium=Yext&utm_campaign=Listings
• Cash, Credit Card (VISA、Master、JCB、AMEX) , IC Card (e.x. Suica, Pasmo etc)

Access

The area is located after passing through the security checkpoint and passport control in Terminal 1. After passport control, go to the right and you will find it near the 7-Eleven convenience store. There was a long line depending on the time of day. There is also an airport lounge called “KAL Business Class Lounge” nearby, which you can enter with Priority Pass.

Interior and How to order

Inside the restaurant, there are tables and counter seats. Due to the location of the airport, there were many single customers in addition to many foreign customers, a sign that Ramen has become one of the most popular international foods.

After placing your order and paying at the cash register near the entrance, you will receive a number card. Take the number card, have a seat at your favorite seat, and wait for your ramen to be brought to you. After the meal, you return the dishes to the return slot and you are done with the semi-self-service.

Menu and Review

There are two basic types of ramen, Shiromaru(白丸) and Akamaru(赤丸), and the price varies depending on whether you add toppings or sides to each ramen.

As I grew up in Fukuoka, I wanted to try the royal Hakata ramen and grilled gyoza, but for some reason, I was told that Ippudo only serves fried gyoza.The fried gyoza was indeed a calorie overload, so I decided to at least have a full course of ramen, and without knowing what Akamaru Ramen was, I ordered the Akamaru Ramen with special toppings (1060 yen).

Akamaru Ramen

Akamaru Ramen is tonkotsu ramen with spicy miso, and Ippudo calls it “a cup of innovation. I wanted traditional tonkotsu ramen, so I should have ordered the Shiromaru ramen. The Akamaru Ramen was tasty, but I regretted not trying the Shiromaru Ramen.

Overview

This is a great option for ramen lovers living abroad who want to have a bowl of ramen before traveling abroad. A bowl of ramen in the U.S. can cost $13 to $15 (about 1,300 to 1,500 yen). Compared to the past, the level of ramen served overseas has improved, but I still think that ramen served in Japan is the best.

I would like to introduce you to Horaku Manju, one of Fukuoka’s most popular Kaiten Manju (large pancake) stores that I have been eating since I was a kid. I think it is so famous that there is not a single person in Fukuoka who does not know about it. Since I was a child, there has always been a line for over 20 years. And their unchanging delicious bean paste always meets my expectations. If you ever get a chance to visit Fukuoka, I highly recommend you give it a try, even if you’re not from Fukuoka!

Basic Information

• 1-1 1 Hakata Station Chuogai, Hakata, Fukuoka
• +81 92-461-1381
• 10am – 8pm (Friday & Saturday 9pm)
• http://www.houraku.co.jp/
• Locations: There are stores all over Kyushu. In Fukuoka City, there are stores in Tenjin and Nishijin.

Access

It is located in the underground mall directly connected to JR Hakata Station (first basement floor of Hakata Hankyu). It is easy to find as it faces a busy street. Once you get to the first basement floor of Hakata Hankyu, you will find the store outside.

Depending on the time of day, you may have to wait in line, but you’ll get your turn sooner than you think. Especially the Tenjin branch (pictured above) always has a line. This line started when I was a kid, so the store has been loved by the locals for more than 20 years. Horaku Manju is baking the buns in the store, so it’s fun to just watch them while waiting in line.

History

I thought it was a Fukuoka store, but when I looked at the official website, it seems that Horaku Manju was actually a Kumamoto store. It seems that the founding president, who used to run a beekeeping business in Minamata City, Kumamoto Prefecture, came up with the idea of creating a product using honey, and that’s how Horaku Manju was born. I see! That’s why the red bean paste is so delicious, isn’t it? And as it says on the official website of Horaku Manju, there are no preservatives. I’m glad to hear that.

Menu and Review

There are only Kaiten Manju available; as of March 2019, they cost 100 yen per piece (tax included). You can choose between “white bean paste” and “black bean paste” for the Kaiten Manju. It’s hard to decide which to choose, white or black bean paste.

Three members of my family prefer black bean paste. One prefers white bean paste, and one unknown. I’m in the minority, but definitely loves the white bean paste.

The black bean paste is also delicious, but the white bean paste is rather stronger and richer in sweetness, which I think brings out the best of Horaku Manju. If you are not sure, try one black and one white one. You can eat two of them in no time.

I’ll be honest. After eating this sweet here, I can’t eat any other buns. Sorry to be so persistent, but I think the white bean paste is the best. I grew up eating Horaku Manju since I was a child, but even in Tokyo, where I lived for about 15 years, I have not come across many Kaiten Manju that surpass Horaku Manju.

It is still one of the stores I stop by whenever I go back to Fukuoka.

Overview

If you like Japanese sweets, stop by. Specifically if you love white bean paste! You might need to be in line for 10-15 minutes but it worth.

Costco was born in the U.S., but there are Costco stores in Japan as well, and they are very popular. I heard that Costco in Japan sells different things than Costco in the U.S., so I visited Costco in Japan the other day, using my U.S. Costco card. Here is a look at Costco in Japan.

Shop List of Costco Japan

In Japan, there are 30 Costco stores located throughout Japan. See the latest information in Costco Official Website. Costco stores are concentrated in the Kanto area, and the further you go into the countryside, the less Costco stores there are in many areas, including Shikoku and Okinawa, where there are no stores as of February 2022. Costco stores are often located in the suburbs, so it is difficult to access them by public transportation and more convenient to rent a car.

• Hokkaido : Sapporo, Ishikari
• Tohoku：Tomiya (near Sendai) , Kaminoyama
• Kanto : Maebashi, Hitachinaka, Tsukuba, Chiba New Town, Shinmisato, Iruma, Makuhari, Kisarazu, Kawasaki, Kanazawa Seaside, Tamasakai, Zama
• Hokuriku: Imizu (near Toyama) , Nonoichi (near Kanazawa)
• Tokai : Gifu Hashima, Moriyama, Chubu Airport, Hamamatsu
• Kansai : Kyoto Yawata, Amagasaki, Kobe, Izumi
• Chugoku: Hiroshima
• Shikoku: N/A
• Kyushu：Kitakyushu, Hisayama (near Fukuoka) , Kumamoto Mifune
• Okinawa：N/A

Entering Costco in Japan with an American Costco Card

I was able to use my US Costco membership card to enter & shop at Costco in Japan. It is clearly stated on the official Costco page.

Your membership card is valid at any Costco warehouse worldwide and is not transferable.

https://www.costco.com/member-privileges-conditions.html

I used to enter Costcos in Taiwan, Iceland with American membership card. So you can visit any Costco on the earth.

Costco Japan Food Court

To be honest, compared to the Costco menu in the U.S., I thought that the Japanese menu was more extensive. There were standard menu items like pizza, hot dogs, etc., but there were things that Costco in Japan had that Costco in the US did not.

For example, bulgogi bake.

It is very tasty. The length is about 30cm and very hearty. I wish they would add it to the US.

Soft ice cream (both vanilla and matcha) is another menu item not available in the US. I’ve had this one too. It’s delicious. Costco in Japan is indeed Japan. Even Costco is so delicious.

Shopping at Costco in Japan

Costco in the U.S. has some products that are also found in Costco in Japan. For example, BOSE headphones and cusinart kitchenware are sold both in the US and Japan. Also, many nuts were sold in the US. However, I think the prices are a little higher in Japan.

I felt that there was almost no difference between Japan and the U.S. in bread products. The table rolls and bagels that are available in the U.S. are also sold in Japan. Also, the walnut bread that I always buy in the U.S. is almost the same in the U.S. as in Japan. As far as walnut bread is concerned, the price is almost the same in Japan and the U.S., but the Japanese version was a size smaller. When I actually tried it, the taste was slightly different. I prefer American version honestly.

Costco in Japan has Sushi packages. Those cost from 1480 yen to 5000 yen. There are various packages : Sushi Family (48 pieces), Tuna and Salmon (8 pieces + 8 rolls), Sushi Family Special (50 pieces), Nigiri Special (18 pieces), Three types of Tuna with scallop (18 pieces) etc…

Popular Items in Costco Japan

Costco Dinner Role

This is a very popular product that is featured in every magazine that features Costco. It has a reputation for being inexpensive and delicious. I used to buy them when I was in Japan. The taste is easy to eat. To be honest, I don’t know why it is so popular in Japan. It doesn’t seem to be that popular in the US.

Costco rotisserie chicken

The whole roasted chicken is sold at Costco in the US. In Japan, where it is customary to eat chicken at Christmas, you can’t buy it without a reservation. In Japan, where it is customary to eat chicken at Christmas, you can’t buy it without making a reservation.

Tiramisu

Japanese people love tiramisu. Tiramisu is one of the most popular sweets among Japanese people, so much so that there was once a tiramisu boom. Costco’s Tiramisu has also become very popular because of its moderate sweetness.

Sakuradori Breast

This chicken has a great reputation for being cheap and tasty. It is thought to be a Japan-only product.

Bulgogi Beef

Bulgogi beef, popular in the U.S., is also very popular in Japan. The soy sauce-based seasoning that Japanese people are familiar with may be the secret behind its popularity.

Payment at Costco Japan

The following payment methods can be used at Costco in Japan. It is important to note that only MasterCard is accepted as a credit card payment. In the U.S., they only accept Visa, so I was upset when I turned in my Visa card and was told I couldn’t use it. You need to be careful.

• Cash
• Costco Prepaid Card / コストコプリペイドカード
• Costco Global Card / コストコグローバルカード
• Credit Card (Mastercard only) / クレジットカード（マスターカードに限る）
• Costco Cash back Rewards / コストコキャッシュバックリワード　
• Executive Reward / エグゼクティブリワード
• Prepaid Card with Mastercard brand / マスターカードブランドの各種プリペイドカード

Costco Gas Station

Some Costco stores in Japan also have gas stations. Since gasoline is generally expensive in Japan, such Costco gasoline is very useful.

List of stores with gas stations (As of February 2022)
Ishikari/石狩、Shasui/射水、ShinMisato/新三郷、Nonoichi/野々市、Tsukuba/つくば、Hamamatsu/浜松、GifuHashima/岐阜羽島、Kisarazu/木更津、Chiba New Town/千葉ニュータウン、Chubu Airport/中部空港、Kaminoyama/かみのやま、Amagasaki/尼崎、Izumi/和泉、富谷、Kitakyushu/北九州、Hisayama/久山、KumamotoMifune/熊本御船

Here are the payment methods available at Costco Gas Station. You’ll need a MasterCard credit card.

• Costco Prepaid Card / コストコプリペイドカード
• Credit Card (Mastercard only) / クレジットカード（マスターカードに限る）
• Costco Cash back Rewards / コストコキャッシュバックリワード　
• Executive Reward / エグゼクティブリワード

If you are a Costco member in the U.S., you can refuel with your U.S. membership card, but you need to ask the staff at the gas station. I’ve heard that Japanese members also have to ask the staff in the U.S. to go there, so it’s the same.

米国会員のお客様はガソリンスタンドスタッフにお声掛け頂き次第、給油は可能となります。お支払いはマスターカード、あるいはコストコプリペイドカードのご利用のみとなります。

https://www.costco.co.jp/customerservice