Kyushu Cities: Kumamoto + Fukuoka

Kumamon from Kumamoto

Kumamoto and Fukuoka, the big cities of Kyushu! What adventure, what promise they hold! I had wanted to visit Kumamoto and Fukuoka since arriving in Miyazaki. I had heard that Miyazaki was a profoundly rural prefecture, and apparently, if you want some urban flare, Fukuoka City and Kumamoto City are the places to be.

Also, Kumamon, the Kumamoto mascot, is literally everywhere in Miyazaki. He's a black bear with two red cheeks and everyone goes crazy for him!

Hi, Mu and Ka from Miyazaki

However, I think that's a little strange because we have our own mascots, named Himuka. They’re three dogs dressed as a chicken, a hyuganatsu, and a palm tree, because Miyzaki has food, nature and fun. Totally reasonable. And way cuter than a bear! Though I suppose it's debatable...

Regardless, when I heard that the Miyazaki JETs were planning a trip to see sumo wrestling in Fukuoka, I signed up ASAP! The idea of seeing a sumo match appealed to my deep love of obscure sports, and it already lined up with my hopes of seeing Fukuoka, so it was a win win! When I realized Kumamoto was on the way as well, I decided to make a whole trip of it. 

So on Saturday, I headed out to visit my friend Elley, another JET, in Kumamoto. She has a great little apartment in the city, so we had the opportunity to chat, do some shopping and explore! 

We even got to go to a movie theatre and see Christopher Nolan’s Interstellar-- which to me was crazy because the closest cinema to my house in Kadogawa is about an hour and a half away. It felt so luxurious (I missed the movies!), and that particular movie was absolutely thrilling too. Go check it out if you get a moment!

The Kumamoto foliage was much brighter than the leaves in Kadogawa.

When Sunday rolled around, it was time to head to Fukuoka! We arrived in the city about two hours before I had to pick up my sumo ticket, so Elley and I wanted to do some sightseeing. Fukuoka is known for the amazing canals interspersed throughout the city, and apparently even little gondolas float along the water from time to time.

Ellen standing like a cool person in Fukuoka

I had heard about this place called Hakata Owl Cafe from other JETs who had gone before, so we stopped in for a visit. My other JET friend, Louise, met up with us there as well. 

It did not disappoint. For around $10 USD, we got coffee and to hold owls. My dreams came true.

 Owl-tside the owl cafe...

 Hedwig says hello!

 People holding owls!

 Ellen holding Riku-kun

 Louise petting the adorable Koko-chan

 Selfie with Riku-kun! He's not that into it.

 Here was my favorite owl, Taro-chan! I loved his tiny moustache!

 Taro-chan and I being besties.

Ellen was really interested in Taro-chan, and Taro-chan was really interested in Elley's arm.

After a nice owl coffee and several minutes trying to get decent pictures of me holding said owls, Louise and I realized we would be late for sumo if we didn’t head over right away, so we grabbed a taxi and made our way over to the sumo-plex.

Ian looking pensive in our box seats for high quality sumo viewing.

My paparazzi shot of a sumo right before his bout!

The sumo matches were actually fantastic. I think it might be my new favorite sport. We had all purchased box seats to check out the athletes-- let me tell you, it was worth it! I even started a little wager among my fellow JETs to guess who would win each round. The losers all had to buy the winner something from the conbini (which is Japanese for convenience store). I was really invested in trying to win, to the point where I was practically screaming at the athletes during every match! It was so exciting!

I didn’t take too many photos because I was honestly just enjoying myself so much, and I figured the photos probably wouldn’t be great anyway. Regardless, it was an awesome time! I'd love to go back next year.

Especially if I could run into this dude again! SUMO POWER!