Fukuoka – Visa Run or Just for Fun (Part 1)
Fukuoka, Japan, is a city located on the southern island of Kyushu, at about the same latitude as Jeju Island. It’s Japan’s seventh largest city by population, and a convenient destination for those in Korea looking to experience Japan.
The attractive small port city of Fukuoka can be reached via high speed ferry from Busan. For this reason, many foreigners who must leave the country to acquire or renew their Korean visa head there. For those short on time and with a tight budget, Fukuoka offers tons of opportunities for a pleasurable experience exploring Japan and its culture.
There’s plenty to do and see in Fukuoka without breaking the bank. Free tourist maps of the city are located at the terminal (after waiting through customs). Fukuoka has a rich history dating back to ancient times, so there are many points of interest scattered about the whole area.
This city is well known for its parks, such as Ohori and Maizuru Park, which are located next to each other. The Fukuoka City Art Museum and Castle Ruins can be seen there, as well. The city is full of Buddhist temples, which, of course, are free to visit. The Fukuoka City Zoo can be found at the south end of the city.
The Asahi brewery gives daily tours. Go shopping at the Marinoa City outlet shops and enjoy the smell of saltwater while strolling along the pier walk. If you desire a different perspective of the city, visit the Fukuoka Tower for a stunning view from above. Be sure to head over in the early evening to see the sun set and hang out at the restaurant until dark for some bright lights. For the visa seekers, the Korean Consulate is located near the Yahoo! Sports Dome, which is near the aforementioned tower.
Things are pricier in Japan compared to what we are used to in Korea, but there are ways to save when traveling there. Transportation and accommodation should be planned in advance to get the most out of your money. A one-day pass can be purchased (approx. 6,000 won), which grants unlimited access to the subway system for the entire day.
There are numerous guesthouses and hostels that are well-kept and great for recharging the body after a day of walking, as well as being a meeting place for interesting and fun travelers. Share your stories with them and get some ideas about where to go in the city.
For the adventurous types, try a 24-hour “media café” overnight stay. This is something like a PC room, but you have your own private space to sleep, check email, play games, watch TV, etc., and some provide showers and towels (approx. 25,000 won for 10 hours). Also, coffee and drinks are provided free from the vending machines.
Take note of the cultural differences while in Japan. In many ways, Korea and Japan are similar but the differences are much easier to spot.
It’s virtually impossible to go thirsty on the streets there. Vending machines are rampant with choices of drinks you have never seen outside of a store, but don’t expect to find coffee shops, fried chicken or pizza places on every corner. That’s not a part of the culture in Japan.
Hakata-style ramen is a delectable treat you will not soon forget. Tourists from other regions of Japan make pilgrimages to sample the local style of ramen. One highly recommended restaurant is named Ippudo and can be found on the tourist maps.
Those on a budget should make a trip to MOS burger, a Japanese-style burger joint. MOS has tasty burgers in the sub-1,000 yen range.
Another difference that is easily noticed is the fashion of the city dwellers. The locals tend to have more individualistic tastes, and everyone has a unique look in terms of hair and clothes. The colors in clothing are much more restrained than those found in Korean fashion.
Also interesting is the wide variety of shapes, sizes, colors and vintages of the many cars and motorbikes cruising the streets. It’s not unusual to see old, well-kept bicycles sharing the road with spotless new vehicles.
Many foreigners living in Korea have the desire to travel to other countries. It goes with the territory, literally, as many of us have chosen to live and work in a far-away land. The reality of exploring other countries becomes much more desirable once you have the time, money and geographical proximity to do so.
There are so many more attractive sights and things to do in Fukuoka not mentioned here. You could possibly see it all in about a week’s time. Even still, just a few days in this city will provide a lifetime of memories and satisfy that urge to venture off the Korean peninsula to see what life is like elsewhere in far-east Asia. Enjoy Fukuoka!
A version of this article was published
in the print edition of Gwangju News, December 2011.