Fukuoka - Post Report Question and Answers

I wouldn't bring a car since they can be had for cheap here. I bought a stick shift van with a year of insurance for US$2000.If you live in the city, it's not worth having a car. You can always rent, but if you are not used to narrow roads, prepare to fall into a rice field, like I did. Once you are outside of the city, small streets tend to be unnamed, so it is easy to get lost. Trying to get directions is a pain in the wazoo, since it seems that they must consult with five people (on the plus side, you'll know it's correct) even if you are asking how to get to the next block. There are two types of cars here -- white and yellow plate. White plates are more expensive but safer, yellow cheaper, but almost like a rolling tuna can. Highways are expensive and don't have a lot of exits. Any car bigger than a van is just ridiculous here, especially since you won't find parking. The only people that drive Cadillacs here are young men that dream of being cholos. - Jan 2007