Think of Japanese trains, and the high-speed shinkansen will probably come to mind before anything else. But some of my favourite journeys were on much slower rolling stock, like the service that brought me from the onsen town of Beppu to the bustling centre of Fukuoka in nearly three and a half hours. Welcome aboardContinue reading “Rail Report: Beppu to Fukuoka on the Yufuin no Mori, Japan (25 September 2018)”
Category Archives: Japan 2018 (2nd)
Food Report: Yaki-Curry at Princess Phi-Phi (Mojikō, Kitakyūshū, Japan)
The Mojikō area of Kitakyūshū (in Japan’s Fukuoka Prefecture) is known for its collection of beautiful Western-style pre-war buildings: a legacy of its past as a major trading port. It is also known for making a rather interesting contribution to the wonderful world of yōshoku, in the form of a dish that turns ordinary JapaneseContinue reading “Food Report: Yaki-Curry at Princess Phi-Phi (Mojikō, Kitakyūshū, Japan)”
Field Report: A Morning Trip to Kitakyūshū, Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan (23 September 2018)
I’ve been to Kitakyūshū before, but that initial foray was so brief that I had no choice but to come back. And I’m glad I returned, because I found myself rewarded with glimpses at both life during the Edo Period and contemporary expressions of Japanese culture – all in the space of a single morning.
Flight Report: FUK-MNL on Philippine Airlines Flight PR425 (26 September 2018)
The chaps running Philippine Airlines (PR) have shown time and again that they are capable of delivering a pleasant experience in the air. However, the serious shortcomings of PR’s home airport threaten to stymie its plans for growth, and destroy any goodwill that their decent onboard service might build up amongst passengers on each arrivingContinue reading “Flight Report: FUK-MNL on Philippine Airlines Flight PR425 (26 September 2018)”
Terminal Report: Fukuoka Airport (FUK) International Terminal, Japan
Fukuoka Airport (FUK) is by far the busiest international gateway on Kyūshū, and one of the busiest in Japan. Even so, it’s hard to believe how close this airport is to the city it serves, with the downtown area just a short bus or train ride away. Today, we’ll see if using the international terminalContinue reading “Terminal Report: Fukuoka Airport (FUK) International Terminal, Japan”
Flight Report: MNL-FUK on Philippine Airlines Flight PR426 (22 September 2018)
In today’s report, we’ll see what it’s like to fly with the Philippine flag carrier on one of its busy Japan routes: a journey that will take us from Manila to Fukuoka in less than four hours. Welcome aboard PR426.
Terminal Report: Ninoy Aquino International Airport (MNL) T2, Metro Manila, Philippines
Terminal 2 (T2) of Manila’s Ninoy Aquino International Airport (MNL) was originally designed to serve only domestic flights. However, the great majority of international routes operated by flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PR) are currently based at the terminal’s northern wing. In today’s report, we’ll see what it’s like to fly out of the country fromContinue reading “Terminal Report: Ninoy Aquino International Airport (MNL) T2, Metro Manila, Philippines”
Within striking distance 