This photo was taken in 2007 in Fukuoka, Japan. These pigeons were so tame they would eat crackers out of my hand. Pigeons are some of the most amazing navigators in the animal kingdom. A champion racing pigeon can be released 400-600 miles from it's home and return within a day. Studies have been conducted to find out how the pigeon is able to navigate so well, but a solid answer has not presented itself. During one such study, the pigeons were observed following freeways and even changing directions at major junctions. Other theories are that pigeons use the Earth's magnetic field, the sun, or low frequency seismic waves. Whatever the answer, pigeons are fantastic animals.
This photo was taken in 2007 at the Fukuoka Yahoo! Dome in Fukuoka, Japan. The Fukuoka Dome was built in 1993 and has a seating capacity of 35,695. Frank Sinatra played his last public concert there in 1994. The stadium is the home of the Nippon Baseball League's Fukuoka Softbank Hawks. The Hawks won the Pacific League in 2010, but fell in the Pacific League Final Stage to the Chiba Lotte Marines in 6 games despite holding a 2-1 series lead after 3 games. The Hawks haven't won the Japan Series title since 2003, but have a strong team heading into 2011.
This photo was taken in 2007 at Bar Xaymaca in Fukuoka, Japan. Bar Xaymaca is a reggae bar located in the Tenjin district of Fukuoka. The name Jamaica is derived from Xaymaca, an Arawak word meaning "land of wood and water." The bartender pictured here learned English from the bar's owner, who is Jamaican, so despite being Japanese, he had a Jamaican accent.
This photo was taken in 2007 along the Naka River in Fukuoka, Japan. Fukuoka is home to over 90 love hotels, most of which are located in the Hakata and Tenjin districts. Love Hotels are places where Japanese couples go to get privacy and be intimate. Privacy in the Japanese home can be difficult since many Japanese men, women, and couples live with their parents. The reason for this is the closeness of the Japanese family. Japanese children are expected to care for the parents when they become elderly and having them in the home is the easiest way to provide care. Of course, this is not true for all people, but it is not uncommon to have a family of 3 generations under the same roof.
This photo was taken in 2007 in Fukuoka, Japan. Fukuoka Airport was established in 1943 for the Imperial Japanese Air Force. After World War II, the U.S. used Fukuoka Airport as Itazuke Air Base. The U.S. Air Force was stationed in Itazake until 1972. Fukuoka Airport is the fourth busiest airport in Japan behind Haneda(Tokyo), Narita(Tokyo), and Itami(Osaka). International flights from Fukuoka are available to South Korea, China, Vietnam, Taiwan, Philippines, Thailand, and Singapore.
This photo was taken in downtown Fukuoka, Japan near the Hakata district in 2007. Fukuoka is a fascinating city of 2.5 million people. This temple is nestled into downtown seamlessly despite being surrounded by large buildings. Old meeting new is a particularly interesting part of enigmatic Japan as a thousand years of culture and tradition meshes with the hustle and bustle of modern times.
