Kyushu Day Three

Day three started early, as we were making a bus trip out to Karatsu so see Karatsu-jo, a castle from feudal times (which admittedly has been reconstructed from scratch after WWII). It is a totally authentic replica, using traditional building methods etc. Actually in Japan most sites outside of Kyoto are replicas. During the war allied command specifically avoided bombing Kyoto as it was seen as culturally significant and didn't have much industry anyway. The result is that Kyoto was left virtually untouched by U.S forces and remains as it looked before the war. The rest of the country, including the historical buildings, were all rebuilt. However, the Japanese do such a great job of it that if you didn't know that, it would fool most people. Karatsu-jo is no exception.

Karatsu-jo

The town itself feels very small but it has a certain charm to it. We got directions from a nurse and walked to the castle in about 20 minutes. The castle grounds and small by European castle standards but offer a fantastic view or the Sea of Japan.

a shot from the castle to the port

looking out to sea

again

The inside of the castle was a small museum that, while interesting and amusing at time, was not worth the 400yen admission price. They had a few old swords on display and samurai armour but most of the rest was replicas and displays targeting children. After the castle we walked back to Karatsu station and made our way to Hakata station to try a very modern Japanese custom, the Beer Garden.

A Beer Garden is costly, we paid 4000yen per person (about $50USD) but it is all you can eat and drink. It gave us a chance to sample a few traditional Japanese liquors and sample Kirin draft repeatedly. The food was also amazing. Sushi and roast beef together and all cooked in the traditions of where it came from (the roast beef tasted like my grandmothers). It was a three hour time limit and at 9 our very cute waitress came over to tell us it was time to head off. Watching normally very somber and reserved Japanese salarymen get drunk was quite a sight and a unique experience. We then walked over to a place near Hakata station that looked like something out of a movie. Standing room only and we were the only white people in there, which attracted a bit of attention and conversation from the locals.

With us having no Japanese and them only basic English 

we weren't able to do much, but it was still a lot of fun.

After drinks Mike and I headed out to relax at a patio (suitably cut) and then headed back to the hostel late. It meant getting up later the next day but we both needed a party night in Japan and we had it.