In the Lap of Luxury

This past weekend was the last of a four-weekend stretch of trips traveling to Kyushu to promote travel to the area. Like the three weekends before it, Kyushu stayed true to form and gave us even more memories to cherish. We visited Fukuoka and Kagoshima prefectures this time, which are actually a little distance from each other, and actually during the airing of these specials, we will let on that we traveled from Kagoshima back up to Fukuoka, with the other trips in-between, even though the ‘first’ and ‘last’ stops were actually done on the same weekend.

This time the early morning walk to my local train station wasn’t nearly as inspiring. I walked with my head downcast as the overly cool breeze cut through me and rain lightly drizzled down. I arrived a few minutes early again to get a light breakfast before our departure, and the beautiful girl from last weekend wasn’t there. I still took small bites to be safe. On the bullet train I looked out the window while Taka-san and I were discussing some plans on what we’d be talking about, and saw an overcast sky and low-setting fog laying like a blanket in the valleys, exposing the mountain tops. After getting the rent-a-car in Fukuoka we headed towards a Daibutsu (Giant Buddha). The journey to this statue was one of the most beautiful paths I’ve ever been on. I could go on and on about the attention to detail that the Japanese spend on their plant life and masonry, but I’ve done that before. The light rain and the fact that it was autumn and the leaves were turning and falling just added a whole new layer to how beautiful it was. The way the rain set on leafs and plants made me feel like everything was in high-definition. On the level right below the big Buddha statue I saw a woman with an umbrella praying in front of a statue and I literally almost knocked three people over scrambling to get a shot of it. It looked like something straight out of a dream, and I had to have it.

Here's the one.

As we went up the staircase towards the statue, I guess I didn’t really prepare myself for how big this thing would be. It was enormous. We snapped as many pictures as we could without getting our cameras or phones too wet, as the rain didn’t relent until we were on our way out, of course. Regardless, it was a massive statue and it was fun to see it.

For lunch we drove for a while towards the coast and met with some gentleman from the tourism department for the area and together went to a restaurant to taste-test some rice burgers. When we arrived at the diner just off the beach, I was shocked to see such large waves. When we turned into the parking lot I saw signs for a surf competition that would be held there the following day. The diner was surf/beach themed and had a great view of the beach. The rice burgers were delicious, and we did our standard: “Mmmmm, this is great!” for the microphones for our show, and then dug into the food with great haste. Next on the agenda was ceramics, which I was pumped for because I’ve only done it once, but loved it.

We arrived at the ceramics studio and were greeted by the owner of the studio and pottery shop. We wasted no time, and set up the sound equipment next to the spinning wheel where the clay is put. The potter sliced a chunk of clay out, kneaded it for about a minute and slapped it onto the wheel. He gave us a smirk. We all looked at him with faces that said: ‘Uhh, now what?!’ He laughed and sat down and did a demonstration of how to mold and shape the clay. He brought water from the bowl over to the clay, showed us what to do with each hand as the wheel spun, and put the finishing touches on his bowl he made for us. It was a beautiful bowl, and seeing it birthed in front of our eyes made it even more so. So you can imagine how we all shrieked when he slammed it onto the table and crumpled it, rendering it useless. Now, it was our turn. Both Taka-san and I both had our share of poorly made bowls and cups, and it wasn’t until the potter came back from helping customers to guide my hands during the last part of the cup I was making, that something came out right. He told us it takes about 3 years to become an expert potter using the technique he had showed us, and I believe him.

Patrick Swayze and Demi Moore in 'Ghost'

After pottery we made our way to a local high point lookout spot complete with a pretty nice waterfall, and from this height we could see the coast where island after island jutted out of the water. I hate that I’ll never be able to take a picture over here that does a grand view any justice whatsoever. That night we headed into downtown Fukuoka and ate at a Yatai shop, which is an old-school tent style of mobile restaurant. Fukuoka is famous for them, and apparently they are endangered because the government has placed sanctions stating that once the shop owner dies, the shop can’t be passed onto anyone else. They also have very strict hours of operation, and several other laws they have to abide by just to exist because of possible Japanese mafia ties. It may be for this reason that people pack them every night to eat and drink and laugh with their friends. After eating we got onto a bullet train and headed to Kagoshima prefecture.

Inside the Yatai shop

First thing on the list Sunday morning was riding an old-fashioned train along the coastline. During the ride, we got an awesome view of Sakurajima (Japan’s most active volcano), spewing steam and smoke out into the air in the distance. When we arrived to our destination we did a quick taste testing at a sweets shop and then headed to another restaurant to do the same. Both places used local ingredients grown in the area in their foods. Once we were heavy with grub, we headed to a spa where we were going to get some interviews. This spa/onsen was famous for burying people in sand and having the natural heat from the ground rise up and steam them. Once I got undressed and into my yukata I headed down to the beach and was greeted by a man with a smile and a shovel. Now, I’ve never really had a fear of being buried alive, but once this guy started shoveling sand onto me, and I felt the weight, I winced momentarily. But…once I started to feel the heat, and listen to the waves crash against the shore, and close my eyes…I was in paradise. I could feel my pulse all over my body because my heart was working harder under the pressure of the sand. (Apparently, this is part of the detoxifying effects of being buried with hot sand. Your blood goes from a dark maroon to a brighter red afterwards as well)

Sakurajima smoking in the distance

I had already been under for 20 min, so the guy made me take my hands out to cool off.

After a good spell in the sauna and onsen and another shower, we were off to another beautiful lookout spot, where there is a shrine where people come to wish for love. I could see how being in such a beautiful place could make one want someone else to share it with. To our right, there was a mountain that came out of nowhere. There weren’t any other mountains around it, and people in the area called it a ‘mini Mount Fuji’. Every direction we looked, there was another view that took our breath away.

I’ve made numerous memories that you can’t put a price tag on during these business trips. I’m meeting interesting people, tasting delectable foods, snapping some fun photos, and gaining life experience that I wouldn’t trade. I’m seeing more and more of God’s creation, as well as learning about myself and what kind of man He has made me to be in the process. Having said all that, there’s no way to express how much I’m looking forward to seeing my family and friends when I get back home for the holidays…

…But first, 2 days in Tokyo and 6 days of adventure in New Zealand. Stay tuned…