http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/ Welcome to Been there. Your tips on the places you know - that you love, live in or have just visited - are what make this guide. http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/5506
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.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/5506 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/4099 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/4099 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/8391 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/8391 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/6799
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.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/6799 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/5909 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/5909 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/5713 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/5713 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/5712
Café Tenjin Style, just off Showa Dori, looks like any other Fukuoka eatery. The unsuspecting moocher will be surprised to find themselves served by young women in kinky French maid outfits.

While not exactly family fun for western observers, the Japanese see very little unusual in this, taking note of the “kawaii” (cute/ sweet) aspects rather than the sexy/ sexist conundrums.

That said, being called, “Honourable Lord,” by a twenty-year-old in lace suspenders can hardly be seen as Hello Kitty territory.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/5712 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/5508 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/5508 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/5505
On returning in 1191, a student monk named Eisai planted Japan’s first green tea seeds at Ryosenji Temple, on the border of Fukuoka and Saga Prefectures. As if that wasn’t enough, he also founded Japan’s first Zen Buddhist Temple. Shokufuji Temple, Hakata, remains to this day, though any original tea plants have long since perished.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/5505 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/5504
Fukuoka boasts not only the tallest seaside tower in Japan, but also the second biggest Ferris wheel in the world. And, as if you thought that was the barrel well and truly scraped, you can also visit Miyazaki’s Aya Teruha Giant Suspension Bridge, which has a length of 250 meters, making it the world’s longest suspension footbridge to cross water. What more can you ask for?]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/5504 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/5503
With the help of a local tailor, she put together a simple uniform that borrowed from the boyish fashion trends sweeping the US, and – hey presto! – one of Japan’s most enduring images was born. The original design is used at the school to this day.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/5503 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/5097
Summer months see the rooftop garden opened with wonderful views of the Oyafuko Dori district, and a very welcoming crowd can be found most nights, usually from midnight onwards. Don't expect to leave before dawn, and if you bump into anyone looking like Keanu Reeves, it's probably him.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/5097 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/5096
The two bars serve a wide range of cocktails at reasonable prices, and the chicken in a basket is surprisingly good.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/5096 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/4880
The owner, Mr. Watanabe, is a pleasant man in a French chef's outfit who spent much of the last decade cooking yakitori for Aussies. But no amount of cosplay or chic furnishings can hide the fact that he's still cooking yakitori, and one can't help wonder whether he might be pricing himself out of a market at its best in a more ramshackle atmosphere.

That said, the sagari-steak takes some beating, and few Brits abroad can turn down a well poured pint of Guiness.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/4880 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/4731
If you can't find the information you're after, you're bound to find someone online who can point you in the right direction. For security reasons, this service is only open to Fukuoka-based residents with Japanese mobile phone accounts. Newcomers recognise it as an invaluable resource.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/4731 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/4730 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/4730 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/4729
This fifth floor bar is decorated in classic country album sleeves, with a corner of the room given over to a first-class live band setup. Bend the owner's ear a little, buy him a glass of shochu or two, and you could find yourself standing in for the house
band.

An extensive range of hard liquor and bottled beer is supplemented by the most delicious jambalaya this side of the Mississippi. Stays open til late, with sinful jam sessions a regular feature past your bedtime.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/4729 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/4728
Local DJs spin a modtastic mix of northern soul and classic indie
between the live performers. Tickets can be purchased on the door and the price includes a free drink.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/4728 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/4727 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/4727 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/4712
The tight-fitting box carts of Fukuoka grew out of the ashes of world war two. At a time when people were under-nourished and in desperate need of the warmth of other human beings, the yatai trundled out of the rubble, lit their red lanterns and welcomed in the neighborhood. They've been there ever since.

The Nakagawa district has been operating yatai for 32 years and you would be hard pressed to find a
more picturesque scene, with the lantern and neon lights introducing past to present in the river below. Try the Maruju Stall for exquisite chashumen noodles that melt on impact.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/4712