Back in Fukuoka, where I fly out tomorrow morning for home.  I am reflecting on all of the beauty and mystery that is Japan.  I have seen such beautiful things, met such nice people, and pushed myself more than I thought I could on the hikes.  I’ve had great fun at the sumo tournament and enjoyed great art and beautiful gardens.  But I’m ready to be home.  Here are some pictures to savor.

Probably one of my favorite pictures ever.  On the train back to Fukuoka, a boy and his grandfather enjoy a nap.

We’ve had two days of strenuous hiking, 5 course dinners, and great hot soaks in the onsens here.  The Kyushu countryside is beautiful, with mountains and fields side by side.  The rice has been harvested at this time, but we got to visit a Shitake mushroom farmer and saw how these tasty treats are farmed.

The logs are cut and pierced with holes, in which the spores are placed.  They grow over the winter to mushrooms!

We later had lunch at a seafood barbecue place where I had the best pizza I have ever had in my life.  Yes, that’s an unusual menu combination, but my cheese pizza was served with a small jar of —- maple syrup!  I tried it and was it ever good!  The syrup wasn’t nearly as sweet as Log Cabin, but smoky with a touch of sweetness and was terrific on top of the cheese.  

Yesterday was our first real hiking day.  And boy, was it ever a full day of hiking!  The mountains here are rocky and steep and I was very grateful for both of my trekking poles.  

We started the day at Usa Jingo, a major shrine to Hachiman, the protector of the nation.  It was very impressive.  We were honored to attend a special prayer ceremony, which was beautiful and intriguing.  Would have loved to show you pictures, but that was not allowed.

Here’s a map of the Kunisaki Peninsula where we will be hiking.

Beautiful and ancient carvings into the mountain of the Buddha

We saw an antique shrine built into the side of a mountain.  And behind it was a cave where monks used to meditate.

Beautiful countryside with the colors of fall just starting to show.

Today, I left Fukuoka and have arrived in Nakatsu to meet with my group for a 3 day hike.  The countryside is beautiful with pops of fall color here and there.  The inn where we are staying is so nice, I wouldn’t mind staying here longer!

My first few days here in Fukuoka were quite busy, so I decided to take it easy on Saturday and Sunday.  I am a little disappointed that I cannot keep up the pace that I used to, but that’s what it is.
So yesterday, Saturday, I did some shopping at the Kawabata Arcade and also stopped at the Fukuoka Asian Art Museum.  
The museum had an exhibit of contemporary Asian artists and I was quite impressed with the quality of the work I saw.  But, the subject matter focused mostly on enslavement, oppression, and suffering of human beings at the hands of other human beings.  I am not sure if this was intentional or not, but I was very moved by what I saw.

Today, Sunday, I went to the Fukuoka Art Museum in Ohori Park.  They have a nice collection of antiquities as well as some contemporary work by artists from all over the world.  But my heart really started pounding when I saw these beautiful pastels!
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Seeing these was just like running into an old friend in an unexpected place.

Yesterday I took a walking tour of Fukuoka with a delightful young guide by the name of Patrick, who is from the Czech Republic.  He has been in Japan for about 2 years, going to school and guiding tourists.  He had been on a more conventional path as an electrical engineer in the CR, but then decided to follow his dream to live in Japan.  I love meeting young people like him who are courageous enough to take a different path!

He asked me if I would be interested in watching a sumo wrestling practice session at one of the parks.  Would I!!! We went to Sumiyoshi Shrine and saw some wrestlers practicing their moves.  One of them was building the strength in his hands by pounding one of the pillars.  

Have no idea what this guy was doing.

Fukuoka has many beautiful Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples.

Arrived in Fukuoka yesterday morning and after dropping my luggage off at the hotel, I walked around town.  Very urban, but not nearly as claustrophobic as Tokyo.  

I met with a group to our first afternoon of Sumo!  Our guide led us to our box seats and the matches began.  Very exciting, but those box seats were killer on my knees and back.  They are basically a few small cushions on the floor with no back support whatsoever.  These are the highly coveted seats to the Japanese who find them very comfortable.  But arthritic old me, had a tough time sitting in them.  

The matches were quite exciting however.  We arrived just in time to see the upper level bouts.  Great display of fighting spirit!

Now this couple had the right idea.  They have a full box to themselves, but they had to pay for 4 seats!

Our guide gives us some sumo wisdom before we go in.  I love seeing the colorful banners outside the venue!

The upper level wrestlers proudly wear their aprons upon entrance to the ring.  I like the one with the bear on it!

I am here in Tokyo having just finished my first leg of the trip.  I spent 14 hours in one capsule (the plane) and another several hours in another capsule (the hotel).  I have always wanted to stay in one of these very Japanese hotels and it did not disappoint.  First Cabin in Haneda airport was just what I needed, a quiet, safe place to get a few hours of sleep.  But to call it “cozy” is an understatement!  I had to pull my luggage onto the bed in order to make it fit the capsule!  

The bed was very comfortable and my neighbors were quiet!  I also had a nice soak in the spa before retiring.  

What's better than one great trip a year?  Two great trips a year!  I am following up my fantastic trip to Iceland with a trip back to Japan in November.  Just can't stay away from that place!  This time I will be visiting Fukuoka on Kyushu island.  I will be attending the November Sumo Wrestling Tournament.  After that, I will be taking a 4 day hike of the Kunisaki peninsula.

Got my sumo ticket today!  The Fukuoka tournament has become so popular that the entire 10 day run of tickets sold out 5 minutes after they went on line.  I preordered mine in July and got a ticket, albeit in the nosebleed section.  I will be sure to bring my field glasses so that I can see every punch, gouge, and throw!
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