Glimpses of Japan Local - in JEnglish

When gazing at a map of  Fukuoka  Prefecture, one can spot an intriguing sight: a peninsula-shaped giant sandbar that resembles a kicked-up soccer ball, connected by a slender strip of land to an island just across  Fukuoka  and  Hakata 's northern bay. This island is none other than  Shika-no-shima  ( Shika  Island). This time, it's all about the easy-going  "Shika-no-shima Ride." Embarking on the  Shika-no-shima  Ride typically starts from  Fukuoka , offering breathtaking views of the city skyline from the pine groves. As you speed along the  Umi no Naka Michi  (Road on the sea), you'll catch glimpses of the azure sea and sky. While entering  Shika-no-shima , you'll be greeted by waves crashing from both sides. You can choose between clockwise or counterclockwise routes, both of which lead to quaint cafes in Shika-no-shima 's district for a well-deserved break. A Leisurely Journey For seniors, it's all about ta...

  As the autumn sun began to dip, I arrived in  Yanagawa . I parked my car at the free public parking lot, and set up my trusty Brompton, " Pota Kichi ."     By this time, the boats that had been ferrying hordes of visitors along the moats all day had returned to the wider stretch near  Ohana  (the former Load residence) , shrouded in mist. From somewhere, a song echoed. From beyond the moat, a single boat approached. I didn't wait, but crossed the wooden bridge over the moat and left  Pota Kichi , eager to catch a glimpse of  Ohana 's  Sho-to-en  garden through the pines. When I reached the middle of the bridge, the boat, which I thought was moving slowly, had already turned the corner and was heading back to its starting point. Surprisingly, the boatman was singing a kid's song about  Momotaro . "Who could the passengers be?" I wondered. As the boat passed under the bridge, visitors from China or Taiwan came into view. T...