Saturday, November 19, 2011

We went to the shrine on top of the train station/shopping mall!

This year, the newly renovated Hakata train station opened. In case you didn't know, Hakata station is the largest train station on Kyushu island.  It was always a busy place but now it is just crazy! 

Anyway, we went today to meet a friend whom I hadn't seen in 10 years!  It was great fun catching up and meeting his daughter and seeing his parents again. We had wonderful curry, chatted and laughed a lot. When they left, my husband and I decided to check out the station a bit more and I wanted to see the shrine that is on top of the building. So, first we tried to take an elevator...yeah...that was impossible. If you  have never been to Japan, let me tell you something....we had closets in our house that were bigger than some of the elevators in this country! You would think that in the department stores within the island's busiest train station that they would have made the elevators bigger ...nope!  So, we found an escalator and slowly made our way up to the 10th floor. Then we had to find the next escalator to the roof. Finally!  The roof has a little play area for kids including a little train that goes around. There is an area for dogs. From the highest point you can see the city and of course, there is the shrine along with little shops selling hot food and kids toys etc.  So here are the pictures!

Today was super cloudy and I didn't get a good picture of the outside of the building. So, this first picture is from the JR station's site.





 
My husband (with the yellow bag).



You should wash your hands before going to the shrine.






There is a great (but cloudy) view of the city.





Back in the mall-on the 9th and 10th floors are many restaurants and the decor is beautiful.



My husband really wanted to try a Krisy Kreme donut but that line is insane! Next time....maybe.


Then  he saw this and said "this is my dream" sadly there was no place to sit.




All in all we had a good time. Sadly, it was as hot and humid as JUNE!!!!  After we got home, it cooled right down! 

3 comments:

Japan Australia said...

Looks like a really interesting place and the view from the top of the building would be so cool :)

Japan Australia

Jennifer Rose said...

that is an amazing view :)

krispy kremes are not that special, over priced donuts :p

caramel pancakes o.0 ooh have to try that

Almantina said...

I'm so happy to see pictures from Japan! Thank you. I hope you'll keep uploading them :) Daily life seems most interesting.

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