Review of Singapore Airlines flight from Singapore to Fukuoka in Economy

I flew to Fukuoka in Japan over Christmas on both SQ Economy and Business. Having booked the trip way in advance, cost of flight and hotel were very reasonable over the super peak period.
Fast forward to the eve of Christmas, I arrived at Changi's Terminal 3 a couple of hours prior to departure. Check-in for Economy Class was self-service at the new FAST counters and baggage was dropped off at the bags-drop counters. Using my Priority Pass, I went to the newly refurbished SATS Premier Lounge to while away the time till departure.
The T3 SATS Premier Lounge was newly refurbished and reopened just a month back. It is clean, functionable and comfortable, but dining options was rather limited at this time of the evening. The noodle bar was closed as well. A few airlines' premium passengers also uses the lounge, but it remained not too crowded the entire duration I was there.

My supper choice, bearing in mind that there would be no meal service just after departure on the flight.

About 45min before STD, I left the lounge and proceeded to the departure gate, which is only a short stroll to Gate B1 tonight. The A330-300 aircraft that was operating my flight was visible from the terminal. Plane was still being prepared for departure.

Flights departing at Gates B1-4.

A short wait later, boarding was announced and orderly queues were formed for boarding.

25 December 2015
Singapore Airlines
SQ 656
Singapore (SIN) - Fukuoka (FUK)
A330-300
9V-SSD
Economy Class
Flight Time: 5h30m
Boarded the rather new A330 aircraft and proceeded to the 2nd last row of the aircraft where my seat was. Christmas is definitely in the air with the Xmas decorations on the cabin walls.

Boarding in progress. Flight was almost totally full and crew were actively assisting passengers to settle down.

Cargo still being loaded.

Pillow, blanket and earbuds were already placed on the seat. 5.5hr red-eye to FUK tonight.

Seat pitch is reasonable. It appears also that the footrests have been removed on the newer A330 aircraft. Not that I missed them as it allows more legroom.

Inflight magazines.

After the usual SQ hot towels distributed and safety video played, we pushed back and taxied to Rwy02C for a northerly departure.

Seatbelt signs turned off and crew came down to distribute menu cards and amenity kits.

Contents of the SG50-designed amenity kit, which included a pair of socks and a toothbrush set.

Season's greetings on the menu.

Economy class beverage selection.

Shortly after, peanuts and beverages (choice of water or juices) were distributed before cabin lights were turned off for the night. A few passengers requested for something heavier for a bite but crew were apologetic that no sandwiches were available and they could only offer biscuits or cup noodles. Watched a bit of a Chinese comedy before turning in for bed as well. Despite the full flight, crew were very efficient in their duties, probably also due to the presence of a gold-tied inflight auditor on this flight as well.

Lavatory amenities.

Exactly 2.5hrs before arrival (I checked the flightmap), cabin lights were turned on and hot towels were distributed. I find this a tad too early considering the short red-eye flight and breakfast service completed within less than an hour, but I guess this this SQ's standard-operating procedure and with the inflight auditor onboard, it was strictly adhered to.
We were just reaching Taiwan when breakfast was served.

Breakfast service in progress.

Breakfast menu.

My travel partner had pre-ordered the Oriental Vegetarian meal, and it was delivered ahead of the regular meals. The meal consisted of fruits, a roll with butter and jam, and main course of ee-fu noodles with mushrooms and vegetable and dimsum. Looked not bad.

For me, I selected the Japanese option, which was served shortly after as the service started from the aft. The Japanese options is normally the better choice than the International selection, and I believe this is true on my flight as well.

Fruits, warm (and hard) roll with condiments.

Main of Grilled Buri Fish in Teriyaki sauce with seasonal vegetables and steamed rice. It was rather tasty and a welcomed change from the regular SQ breakfasts of either an egg-dish or noodle dish on most other routes. Only complaint is that with the cost-cutting in place, gone are the yoghurts and muffins on the breakfast trays on the regional flights.

Sun slowly peeking up across the horizon after the breakfast service and we still had more than an hour to go. Most of the cabin went back to slumber.

Cabin view just before descending into Fukuoka.

Approaching Fukuoka.

Pilot giving the pre-arrival announcement

Descending through the clouds soon.

Passing outlying islands.

Due to wind conditions this morning, we flew an uncommon approach to the airport, overflying the city and visually making a 180 degrees turn to line up with the runway. Not your common straight-in approach. Unfortunately, as I was not expecting this approach procedure, I was seated at the wrong side of the aircraft to see the spectacular turns over the urban landscape.
Descending over the city of Fukuoka

Starting the turn back to the airport.

Stabilising on the approach and finals to Rwy34.

Touchdown, way ahead of schedule due to strong tailwinds.

See the approach and landing in the video below.

Taxing along the International Terminal and passing a CX B772.

Parked at the far end of the terminal (but no worries as the terminal ain't that huge) beside a TG A330.

Disembarking for a wintery Christmas!!

It was a short walk to immigration, where a slight queue was formed but moved rather quickly. Only a short wait for luggage and we were through customs in no time. Advantage of flying into smaller airports instead of the behemoths of Narita/Haneda/Kansai.

Another advantage of FUK, it is only a free shuttle bus ride to the domestic terminal followed by a 2-3 stops subway ride to reach the city center. Total cost from airport to city? 260yen!! If you want to take a cab, it would also only be an affordable 1200-1500yen. Definitely much more affordable than other major Japan cities.
I stayed at Daiwa Roynet Hakata Gion Hotel, which is a business-standard hotel just beside Gion subway station and 10min walk to Hakata JR station and Canal City. In fact, Fukuoka is so compact that it is possible to walk anywhere within the city center! Rooms are well-sized for Japan standards, well-equipped and very comfortable, plus prices are of the low end (comparable to Bangkok 4-stars hotel prices).

One of Fukuoka's main attraction, Tochoji Temple which houses a giant wooden Buddha, is just across the street from the hotel.

Went to Hakata City where the restaurants within the shopping center are offering set-lunches at very attractive prices for high-quality dishes. We tried a Japanese restaurant on the 9th floor of Hakata, famous for its lunch sets and was lucky we were early as a long lunch queue formed shortly after.
One of the nest Tamago I have ever had, Don't be deceived by the portion, it was very filling. And the mentaiko when topped on the rice, was heavenly!

Another lunch set.

In the evening, Hakata City transformed into an European Christmas Market. It was the last day of the market and it was definitely lucky to be able to bask in the atmosphere on Christmas Day itself.

Dinner was at the famous Ichiran ramen. Perfect for a cold winter evening.

There is this stall in Hakata JR Station which sees long queues throughout the day and sells really good mini-croissants. Croissants are sold by weight and I totally love the sweet-potato flavoured ones!

There is also a huge food market in Hakata City which sells Kyushu food products and yummy pastries.
All the mentaiko you can eat.

Cheese tarts, which is the craze in Japan now.

And the beautiful and sinful pastries!

Visited Kushida Shrine, only a 5min walk from the hotel. Another main tourist attraction.

Along the streets of Fukuoka and crossing the river/canal.

For some fantastic Unagi at Yoshizuka Unagiya. Best Unagi I have ever eaten and at pretty reasonable prices as well!

Some shopping at Canal City.

More food at a café. Mentaiko spaghetti and an apple tart. Both were excellent! With the yen having dropped so much (not sure how long it will last), prices of dining and shopping were actually lower and more value-for-money than in Singapore!

Late dinner was a Nagoya-styled katsu at Hakata City. Gigantic portion for the price!

On the 3rd day, we made a day trip to Beppu, which is a 2+hrs express bus ride from Hakata.
Streets of Beppu.

Great tempura set lunch at a local joint!

This was followed by visiting the Hells of Beppu. We did not visit all, and truthfully, only a few are actually worth visiting.
Oniishibozu Jigoku
This hell is named after the mud bubbles, which emerge from boiling mud pools and look like the shaven heads of monks.

Umi Jigoku
One of the more beautiful hells, the sea hell features a pond of boiling, blue water. In its spacious gardens, there are a few secondary, orange colored hells and a large, clear water pond with lotus flowers whose large leaves are strong enough to carry small children.

Hell-steam cooked pudding

Yama Jigoku
The mountain hell features small ponds of steaming hot water and a run-down zoo with large animals in small cages.

Shiraike Jigoku
True to its name, the white pond hell features a pond of hot, milky water.

Towards the end of the day, we went to this traditional onsen place for a hot-sand onsen and bath.