Ishimura-Manseido is a leading confectioner that has been based in Fukuoka since 1905. Part of their success has been an innovative ideas department, a division that in 1977 dreamed up White Day. For those of you in the dark, White Day is celebrated on March 14th and was created in response to the injustice of Valentines Day, which has traditionally been when Japanese women give confectionary to men.

Originally a day for men to give marshmallows to women (hence the name), White Day is now a national phenomenon, and woe betide any man who thinks that a bar of Meiji Chocolate will do.

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The centre for all things hip on the J-Pop scene.

A five minute walk from Tenjin Chikagai; nearest station: Tenjin

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A surefire way to guarantee proper vegetarian food. If you're sick of trying to explain your preferences to baffled authentic Japanese eateries go for the international restaurants down here. The Indian is particularly tasty and staffed by people who understand exactly what 'no fish and no meat' means.

Get in a taxi and ask for Canal City. After eating, shop!

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If you're looking for a good night while in North Kyushu, it's worth seeing if Nanbanjin are playing anywhere nearby.

Two Brits and an animal - a trio of bewhiskered foreigners - who have an admirable commitment to melody mixed with contortionist chord formations. This band are currently one of the hottest things on the Kyushu music scene. I advise anyone who has an interest in decent music (so tough to find in modern Japan) to go and have a look.

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