Japan's Best Dance Crew Competition!

12One of my favorite things about Japan is their love of festivals. Also, when I was asked what my favorite sight in Japan was I always go to the things that I run across. I think the top of the list are my geishas and my 4th of July Parade.

When I was in Fukuoka I was looking for a little something extra and just then I ran across a dance competition. Seriously, is this what the groups I saw in Tokyo and Kyoto were practicing for?? It really was the perfect ending to all of my trips; it tied up all of the pieces of Japan. It was so much fun just to watch them dance. Also, it was interesting to see the respect that they have in their daily lives translates to this; each performance was started off with a bow before they walked on the "stage", a hello and some chit chat, and it concluded with a thank you from the entire troupe. This was the highlight of my trip to Fukuoka!

Um, seriously who couldn't love something that had drag geishas!

Look at the little kid, way too cute! Every dance group had all ages represented. Look at the kid on the side, he just sat there with his mom.

I also loved the fact that not only American kids harrass people in the costumes; seriously, have you ever been to a Nats game I always feel bad for the presidents. These poor people were being picked on by Japanese kids but took it in stride! Also, in true Japanese polite fashion their handlers made sure I got a picture of them.

He was so intent on making sure that flag waved right!

We all know that I have fallen in love with baseball here so I loved the fact that I came across a press conference of old Lions players at the bus station. Also, lions were the team that Bridget and I saw in Tokyo - see Fukuoka is bringing together the circle of life, okay the circle of my Japan!

Um, Hello! This is genious and why do we not have this on the esclators in DC.......it would be so much easier instead of yelling "Stand Right Walk Left" over and over and over again!

Canal City

One of the big things in Fukuoka besides Tenjin is Canal City. There is a huge walkway that takes you across the highway to canal city, which is more shopping and entertainment in a cool, slightly open building.

I loved these kids, they were having so much fun. They didn't have a care in the world and didn't notice anyone and were just loving being kids. They made me smile. So much of our lives is spent running and rushing we should all have a day to play in the fountain.

Their little brother clearly thought they were crazy.

They have a water show that is set to music.

They also have bands that play there.

They reminded me of a Japanese version of a hippy band.

Yup smoking outside not allowed.
This bear was filled with bottle caps; I thought this was pretty and cool.

I have a soft spot for bears since I owned over 200 growing up!

The "CIty"

You know that there are places when you live so close to it and maybe even travel through it but never go there or visit. I grew up in Long Island but never went into the city, my parents worked there they didn't want to trek into the city on the weekends. I grew up 18 miles from the city but it took my dad about 1 1/2 hours to drive there. So though I was so close to the city my experiences with it were limited. In Japan my "city" is Fukuoka; that is where I switch trains when I go to Sasebo (vice versa and the train station is called Hakata). It is also where I took the ferry to Korea. So I decided that I couldn't leave Japan without going there; I was actually supposed to go there one of my first weekends here but plans got switched. So my last weekend in Sasebo I took the bus, about an hour and half bus ride, to Fukuoka. Japan is an extremely on time country; the bus was at 8:40 and I got on about 8:35 and I was the last person on the bus. I was also the only foreigner on the bus, which I am used to, but I still got looks/stares from the ladies on the aisle across from me.

Compared to Iwakuni and Sasebo Fukouka is the big city; in actuality it was rated the 14th World's Most Livable Cities in 2010. I was told by a coworker in Sasebo that Fukuoka was in the running for the Olympics and was also where Michael Phelps broke a World Record. Fukouka is also where people go shopping, especially people from Sasebo. The shopping area is called Tenjin and is packed with super expensive stores, department stores, and if that wasn't enough an underground shopping area that runs blocks and blocks.

Driving into the city and around the city there were big advertisements that were 3d and in the shape of the product.