Ukiha Inari Shrine, Fukuoka-prefecture

Breath taking scenery in harmony with the Shrine.  Ukiha Inari Shrine, located at foot of Mino

mountain range, 130 m height from sea level. The 90 vermilion coloured Torii Gates stand on

the 300 steps stairs is introduced you from bottom area to the Shrine main building.

From the Shrine compound, a breath taking panoramic view of Chikugo plain in harmony with

Torii Gate can be enjoyed.

Yame Central Tea Plantation, Fukuoka-prefecture

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.

Beppu Onsen down town, in Oita-prefecture

Beppu is one of the most famous Onsen resort in Japan. Beppu Onsen resort is located on a slope

from mount Tsurumi to facing Beppu Bay where onsen steam rising from any places.

Boasting more than 2,800 hot spring sources and flowing rate of nearly 137,000 kiloliters per day,

Beppu is considered a paradise of hot springs famous for high therapeutic effects.

One of the most visiting place to wander about is the down town around JR Beppu Station

where you can find a lot of Japanese culture what you near seen and felt before.

Public Onsen facilities, shoppes, restaurants, cafes and bars.

Okawachiyama porcelain district, in Imari, Saga-prefecture

Imari is most notable because of Imari porcelain which has 400 years history.

The city borders Arita to the south and embraces the natural port of Imari Bay.

The porcelain was exported from the port of Imari specifically for the European

export trade. Originally, an owner of the Imari porcelain was Nabeshima clan,

in order to develop and protect its outstanding technique, he gathered skilled

artisans and painters in  Okawachiyama district. Now. about 30 potteries are

manufacturing Imari porcelain.

Raizan Sennyo-ji temple, Itoshima, Fukuoka-prefecture

One of the most famous temple in Fukuoka prefecture known for being a great place for cherry

blossom viewing in the spring, and many people visit in the autumn to see the fall foliage.

The temple was founded in 725, Nara period by Seiga, who come from India as a priest

during the period. There is an Important Cultural Property which is the 4.8 meter wooden 

Avalokitesvara statue in the main hall.  The main hall was founded by Kuroda Tsugutaka

who was the 6th feudal lord of Kuroda clan in Fukuoka.

400 years of age big maple tree, which has been designated as natural monument of

Fukuoka prefecture, has been said to be planted by him.

Samurai houses, in Shimabara, Nagasaki-prefecture

Samurai was a term for the military nobility in pre-industrial Japan. The Samurai Houses in

Shimabara along the old Samurai street nearby Shimabara Castle were built in 18th century.

Three samurai houses, the Yamamoto residence, Shinozuka residence and Torita residence,

are opened to the public exhibiting the life style of old Samurai.

Showano-machi, in Bungo-takada, Oita-prefecture

Time back Japan’s 60 years ago, one of worthwhile place to visit in Bungo-takada, Kunisaki

Peninsula, Oita-prefecture. The era that lasted till about 30 years ago in Japanese history,

Bungo-takada was the most prosperous in Kunisaki Peninsula for over 300 years from the

Edo period up to 1900.
Here remains various old structures and remnants of regional Japanese.