Is it Hakata? Or Fukuoka?

Made it to Fukuoka yesterday about 1900 or so.

That�s Hakata to all of us commoners. It�s the terminus of the Sanyo Shinkansen.
Although Fukuoka is the official name of the city, everyone calls it Hakata because it was once called that. They merged the two cities a while back. JR calls the city Hakata too.

There�s a Hyatt Regency Fukuoka here. I�ve extra Gold Passport points, so this is a pit stop of sorts and a free place to spend the night.

It�s an older hotel (12 years) designed by Michael Graves of Tar-jay fame, prior to his obsession with things egg shaped.

The service was very good. High speed internet (via an ADSL modem they bring to your room) was quick and didn�t have many hiccups.

Since we got in late, we explored close by the hotel. There is a big big Yodobashi Camera store which is actually a deepato for guys. Cameras, computers, A/V equipment, watches and pens, keitai and oh yah, a floor full of restaurants.

Many of Japan�s deepato have food floors. Went to Genki Sushi for dinner.

It's a Y100 (Y105 with tax) zaiten sushi place (that means the maki comes out on a conveyor belt) and the sushi was pretty good, albeit with a limited selection.

Here's a question. Which one is the one you do NOT put on food despite it being green colored?

Yup, the stuff in the canister was NOT powdered wasabi. It was green tea powder that you add hot water to. This is what wasabi looks like here as it comes around on the belt in a green bowl.

Heh heh....Good to know for next time...