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- Destinations
- Asia
- Japan
- Fukuoka
Fukuoka
Fukuoka, the largest city on the southern Japanese island of
Kyushu, was the home of the samurai and today is the terminus of
the famous Shinkansen Line bullet train from Tokyo, 730 miles
(1,168km) away. Originally the town of Hakata was the centre of the
area, acting as a gateway to Japan from the rest of Asia, which
lies just across a short strait. The feudal town of Fukuoka,
however, grew rapidly just across the Nakagawa River, clustered
around a castle. In the late 19th century the cities united under
the combined name of Fukuoka. The modern city is busy and bustling,
with an international flavour and plenty of innovative
architectural development.
The Tenjin underground shopping arcade brings the wares of the
world to Fukuoka, while a sandbank in the bay has been turned into
the largest entertainment district in western Japan with more than
2,000 eating and drinking establishments congregated under the neon
lights. The Naka River promenade and riverfront park make for
pleasant strolls, while top class theatres, theme parks and art
establishments abound. There are some sightseeing attractions in
the city itself, and the surrounding area in Kyushu Island has
plenty to offer within easy reach of the city.
Information & Facts
Language
Japanese is the official language. Most Japanese people
will have studied English at school, but few can speak it well or
understand what is said to them.
Money
The currency is the Japanese Yen (JPY), which is equal to 100
sen. Major credit cards are accepted in the larger hotels and
stores, but most Japanese operate with cash. Cash and travellers
cheques can be exchanged in banks, post offices and currency
exchange bureaux. Banks are usually open Monday to Friday 9am to
3pm. Travellers cheques offer the best exchange rate and are best
taken in US dollars. ATMs do not accept all credit and debit cards;
only the international ATMs in post offices, airports and some
major stores.
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