Day 2: Day trip to Dazaifu - Fukuoka, Japan

Spent a day in Dazaifu (See 57) which is around an hour away from Hakata. We took the train with a couple of transfers to different trains. Quite straight forward, but just need to be aware of the express trains and the normal trains. We hopped on the normal trains instead of the express one and it took us forever to arrive.

Good thing about visiting on weekday is that the trains were quite empty,

The final transfer to Dazaifu Station was on a fancy train.

Inside the train, there is a section for tourists to collect stamps.

The design of the station is so pretty.

There are quite a few things to explore in the area and they are spread quite far a part. Can spend the entire day here.

Walking towards Dazaifu Tenmangu 太宰府天満宮 (See 58) will sure pass through Dazaifu Monzen Machi 太宰府天滿宮表參道 (See 59). A street full of venders selling souvenirs and snacks

A Miffy store for its fans.

Many random souvenir stores. Prices not cheap.

Snacks sell out quite early in the afternoon. But to be honest, they weren't that amazing.

Grilled mochi with red bean paste filling. I like the Chinese version more.

Haven't seen honey comb on soft serve for a while. Need to get one from this honey shop.

Saw a matcha tea set at 3C and had to get one.

Love that bitterness in matcha.

Very creamy and light matcha tiramisu.

There is also a Starbucks that looks like a piece of art.

Finally reaching the shrine area. Took us an hour to walk the short distance with the numerous distractions of souvenir and snack shops.

There was a flower festival at the time I visited. Never seen such huge chrysanthemum.

Finally reaching the Dazaifu Tenmangu.

There is a Kyushu National Museum 九州国立博物館 (See 60). Didn't go inside though.

Other parts of the area are great for photos.

By the time we walk back to the station, the sun was setting already.

Walk around the station to see what's out there.

Found a matcha specialty shop Sawawa 茶和々太宰府店 (Buy 49).

There are ready to eat desserts and ice cream~

Got myself an intense matcha ice cream. Really delicious.

Then a matcha dorayaki. The filling is a bean paste mixed with matcha. The matcha flavor isn't very strong. It's super filling. Didn't really enjoy it.