Good-bye KLM, and Finnair welcomes to Fukuoka

The KLM Royal Dutch Airlines announced that will be discontinued the Amsterdam - Fukuoka route on January 5, 2016. The airline began operating a scheduled service to Fukuoka in April 2013. The load factor was even better immediately after the operation started, and there was also a time that has been increase 3 flights on the route to 4 flights per week.

Although their current load factor on the route is not too bad, however it has been turned into a deficit route because of the weaker yen in recent years.

It is seems to not to be a direct flight between Fukuoka and Europe, but few days later the Finnair announced that will be launching a service connecting the Vantaa Airport in Helsinki and Fukuoka on May 8 of the same year. The airline expands its fourth route to Japan which is currently operating to three major cities in Japan, Tokyo, Nagoya and Osaka.

This route will be operated 3 flights per week, on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays. It is connecting both cities over 10 hours and using Airbus a330-300 aircraft on the route.

According to one Japanese blog, it is better to go to Helsinki with Finnair than go to Amsterdam with KLM that is currently in service because of its convenient for transit. And Finnair, which are member of the One World in the same airline alliance with Japan Airlines (JAL), it is likely to become code-share flights with JAL. 

Satsuma Students House, Ichikikushikino

Finally, we visited to the Satsuma Students House (薩摩藩英国留学生記念館 Satsuma-han Eikoku Ryugakusei Kinenkan), a museum in Hashima, Ichikikushikino, Kagoshima.

Hashima (羽島) is a fishing port located on the coast of East China Sea in Ichikikushikino (いちき串木野) city. Like the most rural area in Japan, the population is greatly decreased in recent years because there's no other way to live. Until now there's only one tourist spot, the Hashima onsen hot springs. But in July 2014, the long-awaited the Satsuma Students House was open to the public.

Before coming here, I was looking for the information on the Internet. The official site of Satsuma Students Museum (in Japanese) tells the history of museum construction. In April 1865, 19 young samurai of the Satsuma Domain was the secret journey to Britain. The Satsuma Students, who started smuggling at the risk of life, are widely see and hear the world, brings a new civilization, and they have contributed to the modernization of Japan in various fields.

Unfortunately the museum was *closed on this day, so we could only see the monument for Satsuma students going to study in the UK.

Hashima is the best place for sunset.

Before going back to home, we want to see the Sendai nuclear power station. Like all other nuclear stations in Japan, once it has been a shutdown after the Fukushima nuclear accident tsunami caused by the earthquake on March 11, 2011. Despite the high opinion of the opposition of local residents, the government decided to restart the nuclear plant in August. When passing through the gate, the police was standing patrol in order to avoid a large-scale opposition meeting.

Note: *...According to the official site, the museum will be closed on Tuesdays. However in the case of a public holiday, the following Wednesday becomes a closed day.

Walking Miyama, the village of Satsuma Pottery Part 2

Near the Chin Jukan Kiln, there is the memorial hall of former foreign minister Togo Shigenori (東郷茂徳). He was born as the eldest son of great potter, Park Su-seung (박수승/朴壽勝). Later he became the diplomat after he graduated from the Tokyo Imperial University.

Street view of Miyama. The Kagoshima Prefectural Route 24 is through the town center to the east and west.  

Miyama Toyu-kan (美山陶遊館) is an experience workshop for making Satsuma ware. You can feel the skill and tradition of Satsuma porcelain that are passed on to the land in the body.

Walking Miyama, the village of Satsuma Pottery Part 1

In the afternoon we went to Miyama (美山) in Hioki city, Kagoshima. It is known for producing Satsuma porcelain, one of the traditional handicrafts of Japan.

The distance between Krishima and Miyama is so far, it takes about 100 minutes via super highway. But we made a serious mistake at Kagoshima Interchange. We must turn right to Minami Kyushu Expressway from there, but we went straight to the Ibusuki Skyline toll road. We turned back to the same road at the next interchange, Yamada. We got off the expressway at Miyama Interchange and arrived safely to Chin Jukan Kiln at 3 pm.  

The first generation of the family came to Japan during the Japanese Invention of Korea in 1598 by Shimazu Yoshihiro, the 17th lord of Satsuma clan. Now the person who has been given a name of the 15th generations has become the head of a family.

The Chin Jukan Museum have exhibition about successive work of the last 15 generations. It also have valuable historical documents and pictures of the Chin family.

Climbing kiln.

A shop next to the climbing kiln. Friendly staff welcomes you to visit. Mid priced white and black porcelain dishes are available in the shop.   

The Suyu-toen (壽友陶苑) VIP guesthouse.

There is a garden in the guesthouse.

 To be continued..

Walking Takachihogawara

After visiting Lake Miike, we went to another place called Tachikachihogawa (高千穂河原) in Kirishima city, Kagoshima. It is the place where the main shrine of Krishima-jingu (霧島神宮) was existed before.

Wooden Torii at the entrance of a mountain path to the Shinto shrine ruins.

After a short walk down the mountain trail, we came to Furumiya-ato (古宮跡) literately means the ruins of the old shrine. We could see the Takachihonomine twin peaks clearly.

The funeral for Ninigi-no-Mikoto. The Tenshin korin Shinto ritual will be held in the evening on November 10 every year. This is a signpost of tenshin korin those named after the story which welcome to Ninigi on fire burning.

Mount Nakadake (中岳) from Furumiya-ato. There is Mount Shinmoedake (新燃岳) which has been erupted in 2011, located on the left side. 

Panoramic views of Sasebo from Mount Yumihari

After visiting the Mikawachi Pottery Village, we wanted to go to the place where the downtown Sasebo is visible.  We know the Mount Yumihari (弓張岳 -dake) is the best place to see the downtown, so we just decided to go there.

How did we get there? We took on National Route 35 through the Central Sasebo. From Tenmabashi Intersection on a Sasebo boulevard, we drove on a mountain road to the top of the mountain. We passed through the front of Yumihari-no-oka Hotel (弓張の丘ホテル), a resort hotel near the observatory.

We arrived there at 4:30 pm. When you go up the stairs, you'll see the roof like a stretched bow. This is the main observatory. From here, you can see the great views of Central Sasebo and the US navy to the north.

 Then we went to the second view place where can be seen the 99 Islands clearly.

Visiting Mikawachi Pottery (三川内焼) Village

In the afternoon, we went to Mikawachi Pottery Village on the foot of Mount Mikawachi in Sasebo city, Nagasaki. It is used to be the home of the Hirado clan kilns. The first production of ceramics is from the 1600s by Korean Potter Koseki (古巨関) who came to Japan during the Japanese Invention of Korea between 1592 and 1598. 

In 1598, he was open the kiln in Nakano, Hirado by order of the 26th Hirado loud clan, Matsuura Shigenobu. This is the beginning of Mikawachi ware that is called the Nakano kiln at that time. However due to the lack of pottery stones, he and his son Imamura Sannojo (今村三之丞) came out on a journey of pottery stone explore in the Hirado territory. Finally they settled in Mikawachi and Sannojo was open the ceramics factory for the clan in Mount Mikawachi.

The Kakushogama (嘉久正窯) ceramics company. The company was established by Nakazato Shigeemon (中里茂ヱ門) who was founding father of the Hirado domain kiln from 350 years ago. 

A chimney covered with lush grass. 

Going to Takeo Onsen (武雄温泉) hotsprings, Saga

After seeing autumn leaves at Mifunemaya Rakuen Japanese Garden, we went to Takeo Onsen located in the heart of the city. It's little far away from the Mifuneyama Garden, about 20 minutes drive from there.

The Romon (楼門) gate is a symbol of the spa town. Along with the Shinkan building which is mentioned below, it has been designated as the Important Cultural Properties of Japan. Both have been completed in April 1914 that has been designed by Tatsuno Kingo.

Entering the gate, you'll see a public bath called Motoyu (元湯) and the Shinkan building. There are three bathrooms inside the house, Motoyu, Horaiyu (蓬莱湯) and Saginoyu (鷺乃湯).

The Shinkan (新館) building. Built in the early Taisho era, it was a public bath until 1973. The building reopens in March 2003, and it has now become a museum open to the public.

Plane spotting @ FUK on 23 November 2015/2015年11月23日福岡空港での飛行機たち

On Monday, I went to the airport to see planes takeoff and landing. I was staying there about three hours from 11am to 2pm. I was so enjoyed to watch planes such as a China Airlines new route from Kaohsiung on 26 October, a Hong Kong Express plane was coming at noon etc.
月曜日（23日）は飛行機を見に行きました。午前11時から昼2時ごろまでの3時間ほどいたのですが、去る10月26日から就航したチャイナエアライン（中華航空）の高雄便やいつもだと夕方に来る香港エクスプレス機などがこの時間帯に見られてとても楽しかったです。

Let's start uploading.
それではUPしてゆきます。

At 11:08 am, an EVA Air flight BR106 from Taipei was landing on Rwy 16.
午前11時08分にエバー航空の台北発BR106便が滑走路16へ着陸。

Special upgrade the aircraft for flights of the day. They sent 77W instead of the usual Kitty jet plane. It's my favorite plane, I was very lucky to see it.
この日はいつものキティジェットではなく僕の好きなB777-300ER機で飛来していたのでとてもラッキーでした。

At 11:52 am, a Thai Airways flight TG649 to Bangkok was taxiing on Rwy 16.
午前11時52分にタイ国際航空のTG649便バンコク行きが滑走路16をタキシング中。

Presently, the airline stop using the B787-8s and changing A330-300s during the winter time. It will come back again after 27 March 2016.
同社は2015-16冬季スケジュールにおいてB787-8機での運航を中止し、A330-300機での運航に変更しています。来年3月27日から再びB787-8機を投入するようです。

At 12:06 pm, a Hong Kong Express flight UO1600 from Hong Kong was arrived at gate 50.
午後12時06分に香港エクスプレスの香港発UO1600便が50番ゲートに到着。

From 25 October, the airline increased their previous 10 flights per week on the route to 2 flights per day.
10月25日から同社の福岡便はそれまでの週10便から1日2便に増便しました。

Just after the Hong Kong Express plane was arrived, the Thai Airways plane was taking off.
And a runway change was done to the opposite side, 34 immediately.
香港エクスプレス機が到着後すぐにタイ航空機が離陸。そしてすぐに反対側の34へ滑走路変更。

At 12:34 pm, an EVA Air flight BR105 to Taipei was taxiing.
午後12時34分にエバー航空のBR105便台北行きがタキシング中。

Following after the plane, an Air China flight CA804 to Shanghai was also coming and waiting for takeoff.
当機の後に中国国際航空のCA804便上海行きも来ていて離陸待ちでした。

The plane was taking off at 12:43 pm.
飛行機は午後12時43分に離陸。

At 1:12 pm, a Hong Kong Express flight UO1601 to Hong Kong was taxiing.
午後1時12分に香港エクスプレス航空のUO1601便香港行きがタキシング中。

There was no landing plane at that moment, the plane is soon to be taking off.
このとき着陸機がなかったので飛行機はすぐに離陸。

At 1:35 pm, a China Airlines flight CI197 to Kaohsiung was taxiing.
午後1時35分にチャイナエアライン（中華航空）のCI197便高雄行きがタキシング中。

From 26 October, the airline began operating a scheduled service between Kaohsiung and Fukuoka twice per week.
去る10月26日から同社は福岡ー高雄線を週2便（月・木）で就航開始しています。

The plane was taking off at 1:44 pm.
飛行機は午後1時44分に離陸。

Seeing autumn leaves at Mifuneyama Rakuen garden

Yesterday, we went to Mifuneyama Rakuen (御船山楽園), a Japanese garden located in the spa town of Takeo city, Saga. It's the best spot for azaleas in spring and autumn leaves in November.

Buying two admission tickets (500 yen per person) at the entrance, we took a tour to the lovely garden. Going a little further down the walking path from the entrance, you'll see a gorgeous fall scenery around here.

We saw beautiful autumn colors on the way.

The cliff mountain with azaleas in the background. I'd recommend you to visit in spring because there are many types of azaleas in full bloom.

 I tried to take a picture of autumn trees in a pond.

Visiting Lake Miike, Miyazaki

On the second day, we went around the west coast of Kagoshima Prefecture, such as Miyama (美山) in Hioki city. It is known for producing Satsuma porcelain, one of the traditional handicrafts of Japan.

Before going to Miyama, we wanted to go to the place where Mount Kirishima (霧島山) is visible. We know Lake Miike (御池) is the best place to see that mountain, so we just decided to go there.

Taking on National Highways 10, 268 and 223 and passing on a typical Japanese countryside, we arrived to Lake Miike.

Miike is the crater lake located on the border of Miyakonojo city and Takaharu town in Miyazaki Prefecture. It is considered to be the most deep crater lake in Japan which is 103 meters in depth.

The stunning view of Mount Takachihonomine (高千穂峰) in the background.

Then we went to another place called Tachikachihogawa (高千穂河原) in Kirishima city, Kagoshima. It is the place where the main shrine of Krishima-jingu (霧島神宮) was existed before.

To be continued..

What did we see on the way

Here, I'll tell you the places we went on the way to Miyazaki. We stayed at JAL City Hotel Miyazaki (JALシティホテル宮崎), located in the heart of the city.

Let's start uploading.

First, we stopped at Tensho Bridge (天翔大橋 -ohashi) in Hinokage Town. Tensho Bridge, which spans on the Gokase River (五ヶ瀬川 -gawa), is the largest concrete arch bridge in Japan. The height from the surface of the water to the bridge is 143 meters high, it has also the highest road bridge in Japan. 

Next, we took a rest at Michi-no-eki (道の駅; literally means Roadside Station in Japanese) Seiun-kyo (青雲橋) to see the beautiful bridge. The 410 meter arch bridge crosses over the Hinokage Town, it is the largest road bridge in the East as the road bridge across the national highway.

Further down the road to the south, there are some nice beaches in Hyuga city. These beaches are located in the corner of the Nippo coast extended from Oita to Miyazaki prefectures.

Oguragahama (小倉が浜) is a feature of the 4 meters wide sandy beach which has been chosen Japan's top 100 beaches. People can enjoy surfing and body board, and sea bathing in the southern tip.

Kanegahama (金ヶ浜) is the most famous beach for surfing. It's considered to be the best surfing spot in Miyazaki prefecture.

The time is already 5:30. It is getting dark at the moment. We were going straight to Miyazaki on National Highway 10. We arrived at a hotel at about 7 o'clock.