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。