Topics on airlines at Fukuoka Airport in 2019

A nice new year's eve to everyone.

I want to write about the recent trends on international airlines at FUK (=a three digit code for Fukuoka Airport).

The biggest trending topics of 2019 is the withdrawal of Delta Airlines from Fukuoka and the return of Hawaiian Airlines flight. Delta Airlines began operating a scheduled service between Fukuoka and Honolulu in December 2011. However, the company was withdrawn from service on May 8. Hawaiian Airlines, on the other hand, resume flight to Fukuoka four times a week on November 27.

Moreover when the diplomatic relations between Japan and Korea were worth after the export control of semiconductor materials to Korea in July, there are some airlines in Korea seems to be reduced flights and have downsized. Let's see an example. Air Seoul, a budget airline owned by Asiana Airlines that just begun in last August, was suspended flights to Fukuoka on October 26. Another example is Korean Air, the national flag carrier of Korea. The airline keeps the number of flights between Fukuoka and Seoul three times per day (or four times daily on a winter timetable). However, actual equipment will be changed to B737s depending on the day.

But there is a good news. Air Asia X, Malaysia's low-cost carrier, launched a new service from Kuala Lumpur on March 1. They also began flying from Don Muang Airport in Bangkok on July 5. In addition, Thai Lion Air, the Thai-Indonesian joint venture company, began operating a scheduled service between Fukuoka and Bangkok in February. Recently there is a strong demand for inbound tourism from South East Asia to Japan, which was followed by a series of new flights.

Visiting Sofuku-ji, the Rinzai temple in Fukuoka

On December 21, I went to Sofuku-ji (崇福寺), a Rinzai temple in Hakata-ku, Fukuoka. The temple was founded by the monk Tan'e (湛慧) in Dazaifu in 1240, but was moved to its present location in 1600 after it becomes the Kuroda family temple.

The temple's main gate, used as the main entrance of Fukuoka Castle, was moved during the Taisho period.

The main hall. It is always close because of young monks living together.

The Asahi Jizo Hall (旭地蔵尊 Asahi-jizo-zon). It is said that Tan'e, the founder of Rinzai temple, dug a hole and hide there. He was missing and later found a dead body in a sitting position.

Christmas illuminations in Fukuoka tower

On the evening of December 13, we went to see the Christmas light show in Fukuoka Tower, Sawara-ku, Fukuoka. The tower lights show up every day, but they hold such a special event during Christmas season. During that time, the light becomes a tree and it changes to red and green over time. Also, snowflake will be falling down in public, and Santa will come to meet you.

Beautiful tree decorations under the tower.

Air Asia Japan will be launched Nagoya - Fukuoka route next year

Air Asia Japan will began operating a scheduled service to Fukuoka next year. According to Traicy, a Japanese travel media, reported on November 21 that the airline has applied to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) to open a direct flight between Nagoya and Fukuoka as soon as possible. However, Fukuoka Airport is designated as a congested airport by the Aviation Law, it must be approved by the transport council of the Ministry of Transport.

From Wikimedia Commons

The Nagoya based budget airline will be further expanded services from Chubu International Airport which is currently operating to three routes, Sapporo, Sendai and Taipei.

Beautiful autumn leaves of Yusentei Park, Fukuoka

On Friday, we went to see the autumn colors in Yusentei Park, Jonan-ku, Fukuoka. Yusentei is a historical park with a Japanese garden and a pond. It was originally built in the mid-Edo period (1754) for Kuroda Tsugutaka, the 6th domain head of the Kuroda clan. It was named after a later lord's tanka poetry.

The entrance. A ticket office is located just behind the right, so you have to pay an admission fee of 200 yen per person by cash.

We saw beautiful fall leaves on the street.

Let's take a walk to the pond garden.

Josui-an, an authentic tea house in the center of the garden.

The lovely Japanese style kaesansui garden in the villa.

Carps in a pond. They'll come together and want to eat your feed.

If we look to the other side, we could see a house on the pond.

Stunning autumn foliage on the garden.

After that we went into a tatami room.

The garden view from a room.