Soooooo, I just got back from our trip to Fukuoka, Japan, and daaaaamn! I seriously want to go back to Japan as soon as possible! Like the moment our plane landed in NAIA 3, I swear I want to dash back to departure, and sneak into a plane going back to any place in Japan! Just like from my previous travel to Bangkok, I am definitely suffering from Post-Travel depression! But luckily, I still have some upcoming trips to look forward to, which means it's not yet time to store away my luggage ♥

Yes, you've read it right, I've been to Japan! It is pretty much a huge deal, because I have always dreamed of going there! What usually hinders me from trying to start planning for a Japan trip was the notion that Japan is an expensive country, and you have to have A LOT of money to be able to go there. Also there is another notion that the language barrier will be a big burden to go to places!

How I envisioned myself in Japan

But lo and behold, those notions aren't that spot-on! You don't have to have a lot to go there, you just have to learn how to budget, and research a lot in order to get deals and save money. As for the language problem? Not really, there are a lot of English translations in signs and instructions, and if there's none, you could converse with Japanese people using simple English words, and eventually they'll understand what you mean.

Anyway, let me show you how our first day in Fukuoka was like...


We arrived in NAIA 3 at around 9 am for our 2 pm flight. Why so early, you asked? The traffic going to the airport is usually horrendous, and with that we can't afford to go to the airport in a much later time. While waiting for our flight, we had our breakfast in the airport, and spent our time downloading videos from Netflix for our in-flight entertainment- because Cebu Pacific has none, and the flight going to Fukuoka from Manila is up to 3 hours!

Hisamitsuuuuuuu

We arrived in Fukuoka at around 7 pm Japan time. Oh, take note, Japan is 1 hour advance from the Philippines, so you better adjust your watch or your phone's time so you won't have any mishaps ☺ Upon arriving the Fukuoka international airport, there is a free shuttle transport going to the Fukuoka domestic airport, where you can take either a bus or subway going to Hakata Station.

Here's Imman trying to make sense of Japanese ads in the train.

From the domestic airport, you can easily spot the stairs going to the subway station. If ever you are lugging around a lot of luggage, don't fret because there are escalators, so you don't have to carry them all the time. The fare going from Fukuokakuko subway station (the airport) going to Hakata Station is 230 Yen per person, or approximately Php 115. In order to buy the ticket, you will have to use their ticketing 'vendo' machines that has english translation. Also, if you're kinda problematic about having full 10,000 yen bills with you, I think the subway is indeed the best choice for you, because if you take the bus you are expected to give the exact fare amount, but unlike in the subway, the ticketing machine can give you change for your big bills.

At a glance, you might think it is kind of expensive, however if you are going to compare it to other forms of transpo coming from airport to city in other countries, this is actually waaay cheaper. In Hongkong you get to spend as much as around 20-50 HKD when you take the bus going from their airport to Mongkok, while if you take the express train it will be around 100+ HKD.

Another positive thing about the airport transfer from Fukuoka airport to their main city is the fact that the city proper is very near. It only took us around 5-10 minutes to reach Hakata Station! So when we arrived, it's still quite early despite the fact that we landed in the evening already...


and with that, even after we have put our luggages in our Airbnb, we still got time for...


Yep, the best tonkotsu ramen in the world! Despite it being readily available all-over Japan, Ichiran Ramen actually started in Fukuoka. Since our Airbnb is somewhat near Hakata station, we head over to their branch in Sunplaza, which is conveniently across Hakata Station. If there's one thing I recommend people to bring with them in heading over to Ichiran, it has to be patience. Ichiran is usually packed with people, so you could expect that there's a loooong line of hungry people wanting to have their ramen in their bellies.

But you can't blame these people, because Ichiran ramen is the best ramen I've ever had in my whole life! No exaggerations, it is indeed the best.

So what can you expect upon entering this wonderland? Well, for you to order, you will first see a vendo machine where you get to choose what you would like to have. They of course have their ramen, which costs 890 yen, then you could also order some extras like extra Chashu, eggs, or even some gyoza. One thing to note is, their base ramen doesn't have an egg, so if you got used to the servings here in The Philippines, you better buy a 130 yen soft boiled salted egg to go along with your delicious ramen. Upon ordering, you then insert your money, then the machine will give you a stub indicating your orders.

Hungry face

After ordering, you will proceed to a room where they will serve you the ramen. Once seated, they will give you a 'questionnaire'-like paper where you have to choose how you would like your ramen- For example, do you like the broth to be extra rich, how firm you like your noodles to be, and etc. Then after filling it up, you tap a button in front of you, where they'll get the paper and the stub you get from the vendo machine earlier, and by then you anticipate having the best ramen of your life!

photo c/o Imman

Once they have already served you your order, the window in front of you will be closed, then you will proceed in enjoying the best ramen you will have in this lifetime.

Aaaaand there you have it, our first night in Fukuoka ☺ Will blog about the other days soon *Wink* *Hopefully within this month hahaha*

Love, Always

Nicole ♥

P.S.
Huhuhu Craving for Ichiran Ramen now :(