Japan Fukuoka

Fukuoka is just the right size. It is big enough to offer everything that most people need-from abundant shopping, restaurants, businesses, transportation and accommodation to an exciting array of entertainment activities-but small enough to be manageable. This manageable size provides for easy navigation and easy explanation of the city's layout. The city is essentially divided into seven wards called ku: Nishi, Sawara, Jonan, Chuo, Hakata, Minami and Higashi.
Nishi-ku-literally "west ward"-stretches down the rocky south-west coast. The further you drive, the more rural it becomes, with town-like districts scattered among the stretches of preserved nature. If you are traveling to any one of the fine beaches in this area-like Futamigaura-you may have a hard time believing this is actually the city. Where this ward abuts Sawara-ku closer to the city, you have Meinohama, a somewhat suburban residential area with much marina activity, including ferries to paradisiacal Nokoshima.