"Fukuoka" Fukuoka by KevinMichael

I first "fell in love" with the country of Japan back in July/August of 1992.

Fresh out of school and having worked for numerous years for the YMCA,
the opportunity to go to Japan on an exchange program came up.

Of course, I was delighted. It was to be one of the most defining points in my life. The Nanakuma YMCA is one of 2 YMCAs in Fukuaoka city (the other being the Tenjin YMCA). Fukuoka city is the sister city of Oakland, California and likewise for many years the Oakland Metropolitan YMCA and Fukuoka shared a staff exchange program.

Hakata Bay on a dreary day (Dec. 2010)

My first trip, my first Japanese city experience was July/August 1992.

I again went to Fukuoka in 1999.

Most recently, my wife and I traveled there to see some nearby areas (December 2010).