It is a thriving area of agriculture in Chikugo region, Fukuoka Prefecture where has rich nature and many historical heritages. And also there is a Onsen Resort along the Chikugo River. The modern city of Asakura was established on March 20, 2006, from the merger of the former town of Asakura, absorbing the city of Amagi, and the town of Haki. Asakura is located in south central Fukuoka Prefecture and is spreading in the Chikugo plains of the Chikugo River basin which is the big river in Kyushu.     Akizuki Akizuki is a former Castle town located in northern part of Asakura.  You can enjoy the harmony of countryside landscape and former castle town scenery that makes the atmosphere like a time of 400 years ago.   Harazuru Onsen  A tranquil Onsen Resort near Fukuoka-city and is located on the banks of Chikugo River.  The quality hot spring is weakly alkaline and sulfur is mixed and has the effect of dropping old horn and creating beautiful skin.   Asakura Triple Water Wheel Asakura is the only area in Japan to use water wheels for irrigation.  The irrigation system used the Triple Water Wheel was completed in 1760. The water is supplied from Yamada weir in Chikugo through the canal to the Triple Water Wheel. And then the water distributed to each rice field by Triple Water Wheel.   Yamada Weir Only here in Japan,  the stone-covered Weir …

Asakura travel guide…の続きを読む

  The shrine is designated as the special government shrine. The shrine dedicated to Naomasa Nabeshima, who oversaw the manufacture of Japan’s first modern Cannon. A New Year event in which a canon is shot for celebration by the governor, mayor and other participants is held at the shrine at the midnight of December 31st.        

Saga Shrine…の続きを読む

  Yanagawa is the birthplace of Steamed Eel (Eel Seiro Mushi).  The most recommended local cuisine is Steamed Eel that was born in Yanagawa more than 300 years ago. Rice seasoned with a special sauce  is topped by grilled eel and thin shredded omelet, all of which is steamed in a bamboo steamer.     There are many restaurants which have their long history and each restaurants have been keeping the traditional source and brand value.     Recommended Eel restaurant Wakamatsu-ya is one of the most recommended Eel restaurant in Yanagawa.        

Steamed Eel ( Unagi Seiro Mushi )…の続きを読む

  Yoakejaya, Japanese restaurant using local delicacies of the Ariake Sea. Yanagawa is facing to Ariake Sea where many fresh and unique fishes are caught. Yoakejaya is serving Japanese cuisine using local delicacies of Ariake Sea.       

Seafood restaurant in Yanagawa…の続きを読む

Ukiha blessed with nature where many orchards spread out at the foot of Mino mountain range. Yoshii, in the center of Chikugo flourished as a post town during the Edo period, and there a lot of Sake brewery which have established the Edo period. A fruits picking and Sake brewery visit can be enjoyed here.   Shirakabe-dori Avenue Time-honored scenery, back to 100 years ago. Located in Yoshii-machi,  Shirakabe, literary meaning is white wall. The avenue of houses with  white wall were constructed about 100 years ago.  About 250 houses in the area has been designated as National important raditional buildings preservation district.   Authentic Japanese restaurant, Shirakabe The chef who makes that cuisines also has experienced the imperial family’s cook. The restaurant Shirakabe is in the former merchant’s building constructed in 1928. Japanese cuisines using best local ingredients that vary by season can be enjoyed.   Ukiha Inari Shrine Breath taking scenery harmonizes 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.   Shochu Brewery Let’s sample Chochu at Beniotome Shuzo. Shochu is a Japanese distilled beverage less than 45% alcohol by volume. The shochu of Beniotome Shuzo is distilled from Sesame. The brewery can be visited and there is a tasting corner,  Let’s sample Chochu.     Kora Taisha Shrine   The largest Shrine in Kyushu and the shrine is specified as Ichino-miya or the …

Ukiha travel guide…の続きを読む

  Featured Seafood restaurant, Isonoya. Special seafood dish used fresh fishes caught in the Genkai Sea can be enjoyed. The restaurant is located adjacent to Keya fishing port and the port is also used for Keya Cave cruise.      

Featured Seafood restaurant in Itoshima…の続きを読む

  One of the most famous Inari shrines in Japan. Dedicated to Inari, the deity whose messengers are foxes, it is the third largest of its kind in Japan. It was constructed in 1688 as the family shrine of the Nabeshima clan who ruled what would become the Saga area during the Edo period.          ​​  

Yutoku Inari Shrine…の続きを読む

  Arita is located in the north side of Saga and surrounding the mountain ranges. And Arita is the first place producing porcelain in Japan in the early 17th century. The pieces have bright, elegant picture drawn in transparent white porcelain. Arita porcelain was exported to Europe in the later half of 17th century and greatly influenced European pottery. The unique Arita porcelain red, green and yellow patten called Kakiemon style.   It holds the largest ceramic fair in Western Japan, the Arita Ceramic Fair. This event is held from April 29 to May 5 every year and has thousands of stores and stalls lining the six-kilometre long main street.     Arita Porcelain Park Offers a drastic change of scenery, which might even make you forget you are in Japan. This park features a stunning garden and palace designed in the style of 18th-century  German Baroque architecture. This is said to be a tribute to Arita’s influence on European ceramic design.   Sueyama Shrine The Shrine is located in Arita Town, Nishimatsuura District.  Feature of the Shrine is Shrine gate made by porcelain, and usually the Shrine gate are made of stone or wood. The Shire gate or Torii was built in 1888. It had been designated  Tangible Cultural Properties on April 28, 2000.   Porcelain Manufacturer, Kakieon A style of Japanese porcelain, with over glaze decoration called “enameled” ceramics. It was originally produced at the factories …

Arita travel guide…の続きを読む

  Takeo Onsen resort Takeo has 1200 years history and is located in the western part of Saga-prefecture. 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.     Romon Gate 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.   Mifuneyama-rakuen Garden 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.   Great Camphor tree at Takeo Shrine One of the oldest Camphor tree in Japan. The tree is one of the  largest in Japan and over 3,000 years old. Designated a natural monument of the city. It is 30 m high, has a circumference of 20 m, and its branches extend 30 m east-west and 33 m north-south.   Ureshino Onsen Resort Ureshino Onsen is a hot spring town in south-western Saga Prefecture. Its clear Onsen waters are high in sodium bicarbonate and sodium chloride and feel extremely smooth on skin, giving rise to its popularity as a “Bihada no Yu” ( beautiful skin waters).   Ureshono tea, local …

Takeo and Ureshino travel guide…の続きを読む

  Karatsu Castle is called Dancing Crane Castle.  Karatsu Castle was built in 1608. This castle is located facing the sea and is situated in the northern part of Karatsu-city.     It resembles the figure of a bird with its wings spread wide as there is a pine grove extending left to right and because its donjon is thought to look like the head of a crane.     In spring, the 500 cherry trees and the Wisteria flowers in Karatsu, designated a product of nature by the city, are in full bloom.        

Karatsu Castle…の続きを読む