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The Gaijin Ghost

A photoblog, where you become the phantom foreigner, exploring travel destinations in Japan.
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Clockwise, from left: Star Wars kazariyama float on display in a shopping arcade; men racing a smaller kakiyama float; and the main branch of the ramen chain Ichiran in Fukuoka.

Clockwise, from left: Star Wars kazariyama float on display in a shopping arcade; men racing a smaller kakiyama float; and the main branch of the ramen chain Ichiran in Fukuoka.

Floats & Food in Hakata, Fukuoka (Towering 'Star Wars' Float Included)

August 31, 2017

Hakata is a ward of Fukuoka City that is famous for its ramen. Back in June, The Gaijin Ghost reported for TDR Explorer on a 42-foot Star Wars float that was coming to the Hakata Gion Yamakasa festival. Upon returning from a two-day trip to the festival last month, yours truly also posted a breaking news item to /Film about the float’s appearance at the festival.

Some of the pictures in that article, however, appear to have lost resolution. Here you can see better quality versions, along with some additional pics/video that were not included in the article.

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Tags star wars in japan, ramen
Susukino Crossing at night, with Nikka Whiskey's King of Blenders sign visible on the side of the Susukino Building.

Susukino Crossing at night, with Nikka Whiskey's King of Blenders sign visible on the side of the Susukino Building.

Susukino: Sapporo's Realm of Ramen and Ice - In 500 Words

May 15, 2017

Like Kabukicho in Tokyo, the Susukino neighborhood in Sapporo holds the distinction of being one of Japan’s major red-light districts. Here we will focus on a different side of Susukino: namely, its role as a ramen mecca, and a site for ice sculptures during the Sapporo Snow Festival.

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Tags sapporo snow festival, ramen, anthony bourdain