Ryugu Shrine is located at Nagasaki-bana Cape, the southernmost point of Satsuma peninsula. Nagasaki-bana Cape is said to be the birthplace of the legend of Urashima Taro who saved a turtle, it took him to Ryugu-jo (the Palace of the Dragon as a token of it’s gratitude). Sea turtles come to lay eggs on the beach near this place, and local people love them as the protective god of the sea. The new worship hall of the shrine was built in 2011. The name of popular limited express for sightseeing “Ibusuki-tamate-bako” is associated with the legend of Urashima Taro. Tamate-bako is a box Otohime gave to Urashima Taro. This shrine is becoming popular as a power spot of matchmaking and good fortune in love. There are shells in a big pot. It is said that if you write your wish on a shell and dedicate it, your wish will be granted.

Ryugu Shrine, in Ibusuki…の続きを読む

  Japan’s own replica of Moai Statues. Enjoy a breath taking panoramic view of the Pacific Ocean, the Sun Messe Nichinan has replicas of the Moai statues from the Easter Island placed here and there in the area. The Sun Messe Nichinan is the only place all over the world that has been permitted to replicate the Moai statues. There are restaurants and also tourist viewing areas inside the park.

Sun Messe Nichinan, in Miyazaki…の続きを読む

  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.  The gate has become the symbol of Takeo Onsen. In addition, there are some private bathrooms, which were built in the Edo Era in the joint bathhouses, they are called the “Tonosama Buro” (Lord’s Bath), because some important people had bathed there, such as the feudal lords of Nabeshima and Siebold. (Philip Franz von Siebold）

Romon Gate, in Takeo…の続きを読む

  Beautiful Japanese Garden, located in the south-western foot of Mifuneyama. Construction of the garden took about 3 years and completed in 1845, the area is about 5ha. The dynamic cliffs of Mifuneyama Mountain can be seen from the garden.

Mifuneyama-rakuen Garden, in Takeo…の続きを読む

  The the building for the Head office of the Imperial Steel Works was constructed in 1899, two years before commencement of Japan’s Steel Industry. The design of the building is a harmony of European and Japanese architectural styles. The construction of the structure below the roof is a European style and uses red bricks for the outside walls. Aiming to symbolize a Good future for Japan, the roof was designed with a traditional Japanese triangular shape and Japanese tiles were used to complete the roof.  The building was initially used as a Head office until 1922, however with the expansion of production facilities, the Head Office was moved to another place due to lack of space. After that, the building was used for various purposes such as a Research and Developing Center for Steel Products.

First Head office of the Steel Works, in…の続きを読む

  Dedicated Railway for Yawata Steel Works. The railway connected between Yawata and Tobata, construction work took three years, and completed in 1930. The most difficult and hard work was making Miyatayama tunnel with a total length of 1180 m due to suffering from floods. The gates of the Miyatayama tunnel are decorated with stately designs.

Kurogane Railway, in Kitakyushu-city…の続きを読む

  Built in 1910 on the east bank of the Onga River. It served, and still serves, to deliver  industrial water to Yawata via an 11.4 km pipeline. This supply is integral to the steel  production process and was necessary to cope with the 1st phase expansion of the  Imperial Steel Works. The site has been registered on the UNESCO World Heritage, Sites of Japan’s Meiji Industrial Revolution 

Onga River Pump Station, in Nakama…の続きを読む

  The only remaining lenticular truss bridge in Japan  ( lens type truss bridge), located at the south side of Kawachi Reservoir and it was designed by Hisanori Numata and completed in 1926. This shape and color really harmonize with nature and become a symbol of the Iron town Yahata.

Minami Kawachi-bashi bridge, in Kitakyus…の続きを読む

  Blast Furnace is a Steel plant for making the pig iron from iron ore and coke. Higashida No.1 Blast Furnace is only the Blast Furnace in the world which preserved as it was.  The birth place where Japan’s steel industry began in 1901. It contributed greatly to the development of the Japanese steel industry and was used until 1972, and has been preserved just as it was. The big signboard at the top of the Blast Furnace displaying “1901” indicates the year in which the Blast Furnace commenced operation. Equipment and tools which were actually used are exhibited in the square, and you can see the iron-making process from the raw material （ore and coke）to production of pig iron.

Higashida No.1 Blast Furnace, in Kitakyu…の続きを読む

  It is the only Station building that is designated as an Important National Cultural Property  together with Tokyo Station. Mojiko Station is a beautiful station built in the Renaissance  style and modeled on the Termini Station in Italy.  Kyushu Railway (nowadays JR Kyushu) began rail services between Mojiko Station  and Takase Station in 1891 and the Station building was built in 1914. This was the first railway in Kyushu and subsequently Mojiko prospered greatly as a gateway  to the Kyushu region after that. This was the first railway in Kyushu and subsequently Mojiko prospered greatly as a gateway to the Kyushu region after that.

Mojiko Station, in Kitakyushu-city…の続きを読む