Yamano Church, in Hirado

 

Yamano Church was built in 1924 in the Yamano area, where is halfway of

Mount Yasuman. Most people living in this area are Christians.

The ancestors of the Yamano village fled persecution from Nishisonogi and

Sotome to Goto island during ban on Christianity.

However, they were unable to live on Goto island, so they moved to this area of

Hirado Island between 1820 and 1830.

Nokonoshima Island, in Fukuoka-city

 

Nokonoshima, in the middle of Hakata Bay Beautiful flowers can be enjoyable throughout

the year. Rapeseed blossom, Cherry blossom, Livingstone daisy Poppy, Rhododendro,

Marigold, Hydrengea, Plumed cockscomb, Dahlia, Sunflower, Cockspur coral tree 

Bougainvillea, Scarlet sage, Cosmos, Dahlia, Autumn leaves, Scarlet sage, Japanese

narcissus, Japanese camellia, Plum.

The breath taking panoramic view of the Hakata Bay can also be enjoyed.

Restaurant Sakimon, Barbecue house, Retro Shop Omoideya Shop Shimaya, Art Gallery

Warabekan, Gift Shop.

Accurate Japanese map completed by Ino Tadataka in 1821

 

Ino Tadataka started surveying the land of Japan at the age of 56, and

spent 17 years creating Japan’s first accurate map of Japan based on actual

measurements.

The map was completed in 1821, three years after his death.

Siebold came to Japan in 1823 as a Dutch doctor, and not only introduced

Western culture to Japan, but also passionately researched and collected

materials about Japan.

When he was returning to Dutch, he was found hiding a secret Japanese

map made by Ino Tadataka, and was ordered to be deported.

However, at that time, he succeeded in secretly copying the map and

taking it with him.

Siebold introduced Japan to the West through the maps and materials he

brought back.

This information served as a reference when Mathew C Perry visited Uraga

in 1853.

Kawara Sobe, 瓦そば

 

Kawara soba is a local cuisine which Soba noodles and meat are cooked together on a Kawara

(stone roof tile) and dipped into a special sauce when eating it. It is said that the hints were

obtained from the time when during the Seinan civil war in 1877, soldiers of Satsuma who

surrounded the Kumamoto castle used kawara (stone roof tiles) to cook wild plants and meat.

 

It is said that the hints were obtained from the time when during the Seinan civil war in 1877,

soldiers of Satsuma who surrounded the Kumamoto castle used kawara (stone roof tiles) to

cook wild plants and meat.

Onsen resorts in Aso

 

Aso possesses the world’s largest Caldera with 18km west-east and 24 km north-south,

created by 4 times of explosive volcanic activity in the ancient time, 3 million years ago.

Surrounding the caldera is the world’s largest outer mountain, and there are 5 mountains.

There are many Onsen resorts where are located mountain foot of outer mountain.

Onsen resorts are;

Takamori, Minami-Aso, Tarutama, Toshinoki, Akamizu, Uchionomaki, and Kurokawa

Kawachi Wisteria Garden, in Kitakyushu-city

 

Kawachi Wisteria Garden is a private garden at the Mountain foot of Sarakura in 

Kitakyushu-city and famous for its spectacularly presented, large numbers of wisteria flowers. The garden is opened to the public seasonally

during the wisteria season which usually peaks around late April to middle of May.

 

The garden’s most prominent features are two, roughly 100 meter long tunnels made of wisteria

trees of differing varieties and colors, ranging from white to dark purple.

Sakurai Futamigaura, in Itoshima

 

A beautiful sunset scenic spot at Genkai Sea. The place is selected as Japan’s 100 scenic 

beauty sunset beach. Located in Genkai Quasi-National Park. The married rock is connected

by the large Shimenawa with 30 metre length and 1 ton weight. Male rock is 11.8 metre high

and Female rock is 11.2 metre height.

Shimenawa is the thick, twisted, straw rope. It was believed in ancient days that a Shimenawa

had the power to keep off evil sprits, so many objects connected with Shinto Shrines decorated

with Shimenawa.

Yame Central Tea Plantation, in Yame

 

The country of Green Tea, Yame.  The Green Tea grown in Yame is one of the highest grade

of tea throughout Japan.  This is the large Tea plantation spreading on a gently sloping hilly

area, about 70 ha.

There is an observatory at the top of hill,  Ariake bay as well as Shimabara Peninsula in

Nagasaki-prefecture can be seen on sunny days.

Hokohara martyrdom place in Omura

 

This is a place related to the Kori-kuzure incident in Omura in 1657 in which

a large number of hidden Christians were arrested.

As many as 608 Christians were arrested, making it a rare and major incident

in the history of Christian oppression.

411 Christians were beheaded, and 131 of them were martyred at Hokohara

martyrdom place.

As a result of this incident, the Omura domain began implementing even stricter

policies prohibiting Christianity.

The believers have erected the monument to commemorate the martyrdom

at this location.

26 Saints Pilgrimage route on January 29 in 1597

 

The route of this day was from Akama in Munakata to Wajiro, the distance

was 21 km.

Started at Akama accommodation and using Karatsu walking road, they went to

Wajiro passing through Koga and Shingu.

Accommodation was Wajiro where faced Hakata bay, in order to cross from

Saitozaki to Shikanoshima the next day.