Plane spotting at Fukuoka Airport on 30 December/12月30日福岡空港での飛行機観察

I was watched international planes near Rwy 16R in the morning, from 10 am to noon. I'm posting three special planes takeoff on this runway.
午前10時から正午まで滑走路16R近くで国際線の飛行機を眺めていました。当滑走路から離陸する飛行機のうち特別に飛来した3機をUPします。

First, I was captured China Airlines (CI) Boeing 747-400 (B-18203) 'Hug jet' special livery on CI111 to Taipei. This is the first time to see CI's B744s. Why this flight was specially operated by B744s today? The reason is as follows: In Japan, the New Year holidays from 28 December to 5 January. Some Japanese take a holiday and travel abroad.
最初に捕獲したのがチャイナエアラインのB747-400機（B-18203）"ハグジェット”特別塗装機です。当便はCI111便台北行きです。チャイナのB744機を見たのは初めてです。なぜ今日はB744機で特別運航していたのでしょうか？理由は次の通りです。12月28日から1月5日までお正月連休なので海外に出かける人々でいっぱいだからです。

Next, Korean Air Boeing 777-300 on KE788 to Seoul. I saw KE's 773s twice this year since 25 April.
次に大韓航空のKE788便ソウル行きのB777-300機です。KEの773は4月25日以来今年2度目です。

Finally, Thai Airways Boeing 777-300 on TG649 to Bangkok. I thought today's flight will be operated by A330-300s as usual. But I was so surprised a moment because it was either 772s or 773s when I saw the tail end.
最後にタイ国際航空のTG649便バンコク行きのB777-300機です。いつものA330-300機で運航すると思いきや最後尾を見ていると772か773だったので一瞬びっくり。

Okawachiyama (大川内山), Imari, Saga

After leaving Shiraito Falls, we visited to Okawachiyama, 'the village of the Secret Kilns', used to be the home of the Nabeshima clan kilns. Through we visited there one year ago, but I want to re-upload a photo to Wikipedia.
I took three photos of the village from different locations.

Near the Aoyama kiln chimney (青山窯). This is the photo which was re-uploaded and replacing that I had already uploaded to wikipedia.

View of Southeast from Nabeshima clan kilns park (鍋島藩窯公園).

Daigo kiln located near Nabeshima clan kilns park. 

Dobai Wall (ドンバイ塀), Arita

I'm uploading photos of Donbai Wall in Uchiyama area of Arita, Saga, which is made with potsherd that came out of dismantled climbing kiln. It is important cultural properties designated by the government.

Shiraito Fall, Itoshima

Yesterday, we decided to take a drive to see Shiraito Fall, Imari, Arita and Cape Kozakibana, the westernmost tip of mainland Japan. First, we visited to Shiraito Fall (jap:白糸の滝; Shiraito-no-taki). The fall is located 530m above sea level in the south of Itoshima city. It has been designated as the Places of Scenic Beauty of Japan at a prefecture level.
There are a famous restaurant of Somen Nagashi (=a style of plucking somen noodles from a flume of cold water). In summer, you can enjoy fishing and eating somen noodles in this fabulous nature!

Merry Xmas to everyone!

We wish to Merry Christmas to everyone in 2013!

My next travel to Taipei and Singapore in January

I decided to travel to Taipei and Singapore for five days from January 7 to 12. This time, I fly with EVA Air between Fukuoka and Taipei, and the rest are by Singapore Airlines. Both are participated to Star Alliance, the world's largest airline group. Schedules are as follows:

January 7 BR2105 FUK12:15-TPE13:50
January 9 SQ879 TPE17:35-SIN22:15
January 11 SQ878 SIN11:55-TPE16:30
January 12 BR2106 TPE08:10-FUK11:15

I take EVA Air (BR) first time, so I'm very excited. BR flights are operated by Kitty Jet partnered with Sanrio, all things are kitties, from aircraft design to in-flight meals!

First, I was scheduled to go Manila, Philippines to the rest. But I was changed to go Singapore day before yesterday because Manila is quite dangerous especially at night and I know the news life is unstable in the aftermath of typhoon No. 30, which hit in November. I made a call to cancel to Cathay Pacific and the money will be back in a month or 2 months later.

I visit to Taiwan in five years since April 2007. Last time immediately after opening the high-speed rail, so I've enjoyed the bullet train trip to Kaohsiung.

Of course, I'll tell you about my travel and flight experiences after returning home.

Xmas lights at Hakata Station

Yesterday, we decided to take a drive to see Christmas lights at Hakata Station, the main terminal of the city of Fukuoka, held Hikarinomachi Hakata (Hakata, City of Lights). It is the largest and busiest station on Kyushu, the Hakataekimae Hiroba will display a dazzling 700,000 lights with the theme of hibiki (echoes) – encouraging heartfelt communications between visitors, whose sentiments echo in the lighting display.

Taking a close up of Christmas illuminations at the entrance of station.

Taking a close up picture of ANA Boeing 777-200 JA8969/全日空B777-200機JA8969の近場狙い撮影してみました！

I had tried to take closer picture of ANA Boeing 777-200 JA8969 on NH289 to Sapporo Shin-Chitose at 12:22 pm on November 20. The company's slogan "Inspiration of Japan" is written in the middle of this plane. When I took a look at a plane closely, I thought this is an international equipment. Later I was checked out on the Internet, it seems to be a domestic specification.
11月20日の午後12時22分に全日空289便札幌新千歳行きのB777-200機JA8969を近場狙い撮影してみました。当機の中央部に同社のスローガンである”Inspiration of Japan"が書かれているので真近で見たとき国際線機材かなと思いました（笑）。後でネットで調べてみると国内線仕様だったようです。

Xmas lights at Fukuoka Tower

Today we decided to take a drive to see Xmas lights at Fukuoka Tower, the landmark of Fukuoka,“Momochi Blue Lights Christmas” is held. With the 108 meter-long Christmas lights appearing on Fukuoka Tower as a main attraction, Momochi area twinkles with blue lights.

We saw a beautiful Christmas illumination in front of the tower.

Onta-yaki (小鹿田焼)

Finally, we visited to Onta, a scenic pottery village producing Japanese pottery called Onta-yaki.

Watermill makes clay for Onta pottery.

Onta climbing kiln

 Onta pottery drying in the sun.

 We bought a dish and a coffee cup in the shop at the end.

Plane spotting at Fukuoka Airport on November 20, 2013/2013年11月20日福岡空港での飛行機観察

Yesterday, I went to Fukuoka Airport to watch planes both domestic and international. It was the day very cold cloudy.  The strong northerly winds which blow at times, planes were taking off and landing from the south side runway 34R.
昨日福岡空港に行って国内・国際線両方の飛行機を見ました。曇りでとても寒くて時折強い北風が吹いていたので飛行機は南側滑走路の34Rから離着陸していました。

First, I'm posting United Airlines Boeing 737-700 (reg:N13720) Star Alliance livery on UA166 to Guam taxiing and takeoff at 11:57am.
まず午前11時57分撮影のユナイテッド航空のB737-700機（機体番号：N13720）スターアライアンス塗装のUA166便グアム行きのタキシング＋離陸をUPします。

Next, Jeju Air Boeing 737-800 (reg:HL8233) 7C 1401 to Seoul Incheon takeoff and ANA Boeing 737-500 (reg:JA61AN) on NH222 to Nagoya Chubu queue up and takeoff at 12:37pm. Until 29 March 2014, Jeju Air will be increased on their Fukuoka route twice per day.
次に午後12時37分撮影のチェジュ航空B737-800機（機体番号：HL8233）ソウル仁川行き7C1401便の離陸および離陸待ちの全日空B737-500機（機体番号：JA61AN）全日空222便名古屋中部行きをUPします。2014年3月29日までチェジュ航空の福岡線を1日2便に増便しています。

Cathay Pacific B747-400s come to Fukuoka!/キャセイパシフィック航空B747-400機が福岡に飛来！

As I told yesterday, I took Cathay Pacific B747-400 (reg:B-HUE) CX511 to Hong Kong via Taipei takeoff on Rwy 34R at 10:36 am in Japan time. I saw Cathay's jumbo jet since 6 May 2010.

キャセイパシフィック航空CX511便台北経由香港行きのB747-400機（機体番号:B-HUE）を午前10時36分に滑走路34Rから離陸するところです。キャセイのジャンボ機を見たのは2010年の5月6日以来です。

•  Movements of the plane on Rwy 34R between 10:36 and 10:47am./午前10時36分から10時47分にかけて飛行機の動き。

• At 10:47 am take off. When taking off, Korean Air KE788 to Seoul queue up and waiting for takeoff./午前10時47分：離陸。離陸時に大韓航空のKE788便ソウル行きが離陸のため待機して並んでいる。

My schedule for tomorrow

I'll go to Fukuoka Airport to watch CX511 takeoff near Rwy 16R. I was checked it out on Cathay Pacific website today, tomorrow's flight will be operated by B747-400s. This fleet rarely comes to Fukuoka, so I want to take a picture. I've already seen to Cathay's jumbo jet at Fukuoka in May 2010.

Koishiwara-yaki (小石原焼)

 After leaving Hikosan Jingu, we stopped at Koishiwara, a scenic pottery village in Fukuoka prefecture, now part of the village of Toho. It is famous for Koishiwara-yaki, deriving its name from a village in Fukuoka, is a traditional Japanese pottery that has been loved by general public for everyday use. Originated by a Korean potter in the 16th century.

About 150m further go to the narrow road, we arrived at the Traditional Industrial Hall of Koishiwara Pottery (小石原焼伝統産業会館), also called Koishiwara Ceramics Museum. At the museum, you can learn about the history of koishiwara-yaki ceramics and also check out the profiles of 51 potters.

Reisen-ji Temple, Soeda

Today, I'll talk about the history of Reisen-ji Temple (霊泉寺), as a center of training for the Shugendo sect of Buddhism, in Soeda, Fukuoka.

The temple was originally built in 740 as the head temple of the of the Tendai Buddhism. However, the Shugendō temple was abolished by the separation of Shinto from Buddhism, introduced after the Meiji Restoration. Thus, the entire ground of former temple was converted into Hikosan Jinja (英彦山神社).

Hikosan Jingu

Yesterday, on November 12, we visited to Hikosan Jingu, located on the Fukuoka prefecture side of the mountain. We stopped our car at Omotesando (=front sando) of Hikosan Jingu, next to the old Kameishi-bo Garden. We climbed very steep stone stairways to the shrine. I went up the stairs easily, but my mam looks so tired even she borrowed a cane at a shop next to Omotesando. She took a break four times on the way.

 Finally, we arrived at Hohei-den (奉幣殿), a large lecture hall built in 1616.

We saw beautiful autumn leaves on the way.

To came down the stairs, we went back to our car. After that, we visited to Kane-no-Torii (銅鳥居), a bronze Shinto gateway built in 1637.

After leaving Hikosan Jingu, we headed off to Koishiwara.

Daytripping to Hikosan Shrine tomorrow

Tomorrow, we decided to take a drive to Hikosan Shrine (in Japanese: 英彦山神宮; Hikosan Jingu) to see autumn colors. We never been there, so it'll be fun. Before and after going to there, we'll visit two scenic pottery villages of Koshiwara (小石原) and Onta (小鹿田), producing distinct Japanese pottery called Koshiwara- and Onta-yaki. I'll tell you later.

Re-uploaded:Autumn colors at Akizuki Castle ruins, Fukuoka

I'm uploading four of my best photos taken in last November.

1. Nagayamon (長屋門) was a moat, stone wall and back gate of the ruined castle.

2. Kuromon was used as the main gate. Now, it was rebuilt as a gateway to the Suiyo Shrine (垂裕神社), dedicated to Kuroda Nagamasa.

3. Colorful autumn leaves around the Kuromon main gate.

4. Autumn colors with a traditional Japanese-style house at Notori River (野鳥川).