Munakata, Fukutsu and Okagaki, in Fukuoka-prefecture

Munakata Region is located in the west part of  Fukuoka-prefecture  and 

facing to Genkai Sea. The area are consist of Munakata, Fukutsu and Okagaki.

There are many beautiful seas and religious sites that have UNESCO World

Heritage status including the Sacred Island of Okinoshima and other

Associated Sites.

Yame, in Fukuoka-prefecture

The country of Green tea, Yame is a rural tranquil region of Japanese tea

cultivation and the traditional crafts manufacturing.

Yame grew in size after the merger with Kurogi town,Tachibana town,Yabe

village and Hoshino village in 2010. The recommendable experience is to 

have Gyokuro tea which is the highest grade of Japanese tea cultivated in

Hoshino village. 

Population : 58,000 people, Population density : 120 people / km2

Kujukushima Islands, in Sasebo, Nagasaki-prefecture

Kujukushima Islands, located at the westernmost tip of the Japanese mainland in Kyushu,

are a picturesque scenic spot consisting of a complex ria coastline and 208 large and

small islands. There are only four inhabited islands: Kuroshima, Takashima, Maejima,

and Todomari Island, and almost the entire area was designated as the Saikai National

Park in 1955. There is Kujukushima Islands pleasure boat, departing from Kujukushima

Pearl Sea Resort.

Omura, in Nagasaki-prefecture

Omura is the city located in the center of Nagasaki-prefecture and has Nagasaki Airport.

It is approximately 40 minutes to Nagasaki-city by a car.

Omura was the territory of the Omura clan. In 1549, when the missionary Francisco Xavier

introduced Christianity to Japan, the feudal lord Omura Sumitada allowed to spread Christianity,

and in 1563 Omura Sumitada himself became a Christian, becoming Japan’s first Christian

feudal lord.

And then, many people became Christians in Omura area.

However, in 1587, the year Omura Sumitada died, Toyotomi Hideyoshi issued ban on Christianity.

Since then, many Christians have been martyred here.

Population : 97,000 people, Population density : 770 people / km2

Karatsu & Yobuko, in Saga-prefecture

Karatsu and Yobuko, located on the Higashi Matsuura Peninsula in the north-western part

of Saga-prefecture, have been prosperous from ancient times as an important point for

trade with Mainland China. Karatsu is a part of Genkai Quasi-National Park, and has many

scenic spots.

Yobuko is a town of Fishing industry, famous for Squid and Morning Market called

Asaichi. Yobuko is located northern tip of Saga-prefecture and is facing

to Genkai-nada Sea. A lot of places were as a Shooting location of

Thailand drama.

Takeo, in Saga-prefecture

Takeo is a Onsen Resort, located west of Saga–city, and has 1200 years history.

The hot spring temperature is 18 to 52 degrees. Spring quality is smooth with alkaline

simple hot spring.  It is said that the color is colorless and transparent and has an

outstanding effect on recovery from fatigue. The landmark of Takeo Onsen. Romon

Gate, which was designed by a renowned architect in the Meiji Era, Kingo Tatsuno,

and is at the entrance of the Onsen area.

Population : 47,000 people, Population density : 240 people / km2

Saga, in Saga-prefecture

Saga is located in the Saga Plain where is spreading from the foot of Mt. Seburi.

And southern part of Saga is facing to Ariake Bay.

There is the Yoshinogari Remains where rice cultivation first began in Japan

2400 years ago.

And the place made a great contribution to the Japanese Industrial Revolution as

the starting place of industrialization.

Population : 229,000 people, Population density : 530 people / km2

Kunisaki Peninsula, in Oita-prefecture

Kunisaki Peninsula is a rural area located on the north-east side of 

Oita-prefecture. It is especially popular for it’s onsen, and trekking, and

the local cuisine can be enjoyed as well. Kunisaki peninsula began to

develop 1,300 years ago as a sacred religious ground influenced by

local mountain and nature worship.

Amakusa, in Kumamoto-prefecture

Amakusa is situated on an archipelago consisting of several island on the

west side of Kumamoto. It possesses a beautiful lush green landscape and

natural geological formations giving the islands the designation “national

Geopark”. Marine activities such dolphin watching, boat tours, seafood & 

local delicacies can be enjoyed. Amakusa also has an important historical

significance to Christians.

Population

  Amakusa-city : 70,500 people, Kami-Amakusa-city : 22,500 person, Reihoku-machi : 6,400 people

Hitoyoshi, in Kumamoto-prefecture

The Hitoyoshi Onsen is the collective name for 30-add hot springs including Sagara

Onsen, all of which are supplied with hot water from sources around Hitoyoshi Station

and in the basin of Kuma-gawa River.

The most exiting thing in Hitoyoshi is Kumasawa-kudari that is riding on a boat maneuvered

by a master polar down the Kuma-gawa River, one of the three fast streams in Japan.