Fukuoka is one of the more younger and vibrant cities in Japan, and for many visitors needs no introduction. The downtown Hakata area with its exciting nightlife and ancient temples is justly famous, and many people enjoy the large urban area of Tenjin, which is always bustling , with a great deal of shops, museums and entertainment.

Heading into the slightly more residential area of Nishijin, though, in the more relaxed west of the city, Fukuoka really finds its balance as a place that is modern without losing its touch with tradition, and full of compact convenience without the overwhelming activity of the city center. In particular, the Nishijin Shopping Street is a traditional arcade that you really owe it to yourself to experience. It has a strong Showa vibe, with many small businesses making a living based on their connections to the community. Despite the somewhat antiquated atmosphere, it is near a university and high school, keeping the shopping arcade energetic and full of life, where trendy new things can be found in hole-in-the-wall shops next to more traditional crafts and stores that have been handed down for generations. For an American that has seen many traditional stores run out of small towns to be replaced by the usual big chains, it is inspiring to see not just old shops continuing their business but even new operations flourishing in an area that feels both out of step with modern times and yet very much connected and flourishing.