Gokoku Shrine in Hakata Kyushu Japan

Gokoku Shrine in Hakata Kyushu Japan

Steam rises from the hot springs resort town of Beppu.

Beppu is situated between the sea and the mountains, and is famous for its onsen (hot springs). It has eight major geothermal hot spots, sometimes referred to as the "eight hells of Beppu"

Nightlights over Kumamoto Station, Japan

Wonderful colors blanket Kumamoto Station Kyushu Japan.

Hakata City in Fukuoka, Kyushu Japan

Soft overcast greys cover Hakata city, Kyushu Japan

Nature and Architecture, The ACROS Fukuoka Building

The Acros building was constructed in 1995 on the former Fukuoka prefecture office grounds.  The stepped garden was designed by Michio Tase of the Plamtago design film.  Many aspects of architecture design were rigorously tested and implemented such as water drainage, types of plants used so that during different seasons the south side of the stepped building would not go fully barren so that it would keep its beauty year-round.  Also, other aspects were given heavy thought including falling leaves, overgrowth, and how fast some plants grew compared to others.  This makes the Eco-Beautiful Acros a wonderful must-see for those admirers of modern architecture. 

A Buddhist monk stands motionless among the checkerboard pavement in Fukuoka Japan

A breeze lightly caresses the area slowly transitioning into the Fall season as a Buddhist monk stands motionless awaiting donations in the cooling streets of Fukuoka Japan.  It is normal to find Buddhist monks performing the act of begging or in Japanese, it is known as Takuhatsu .  Takuhatsu simply put is chanting of sutras in a public place in exchange for donations or food.  The monk never asks directly for donations.  Sympathizers of the religion put money into the donation bowls as thanks for the chanting or blessings of Dharma the monks spread into the area.