We are a travel agency in Fukuoka specializing in Kyushu, Japan. This information is provided by Japan KYUSHU Tourist to support your journey.         Sensui-kyo is the ravine located in a place with an altitude of 900m of the foot in Mout Aso Nakadake, where a dynamic view of the Aso valley and northern part of Aso Caldera can look  down under their view.      Along with Unzen and the Kirishima plateau, Sensui-kyo is one of the most beautiful places of azalea in Kyushu; about 50,000 shares of azaleas dye whole area pink from the middle of May to the beginning of June.          

Sensui-kyo ravine…の続きを読む

  The shrine has long history, established 1900 years ago, worship the deity of agriculture, marriage, traffic safety and protection against misfortunes. Located just west of the town center, is nestled in a grove of tall cedars.  During the day the shrine’s nondescript, unpainted buildings blend in naturally with the surrounding trees. The light that filters through, brings with it an air of calm, peaceful reverence.       Today this legend is reenacted as Yokagura in a series of 33 episodes depicting the divine quarrel as well as other deeds of the gods.  On winter weekends, people gather to watch  all-night performances of these episodes at different locations each week, sometimes at private homes. The performances are held on Saturday evenings from mid November to mid February.     Takachiho-no-Yokagura A massively shortened version of Takachiho Yokagura is performed for tourists every night throughout the year at the Takachiho Shrine. The one-hour show consists of just a few  scenes of the story, performed by masked dancers and accompanied by traditional instrument.  It is held at the Yokagura performance hall, just a few steps from the shrine’s main building.      

Takachiho shrine…の続きを読む

  The complex of building and gardens comprising Suwa Shrine nestles on a shaded stretch of hillside overlooking the heart of Nagasaki-city. The shrine was founded in the wake of ban of Christianity in the early 17th century, and during the Edo Period it soon grew into a spiritual and cultural hub for the citizens of Nagasaki.  During Meiji and Taisho Periods, it was not only Nagasaki’s foremost Shinto shrine but also this city’s most popular destination for foreign tourist who came seeking a glimpse into heart of Japan.     Kunchi festival Held from October 7 to 9 every year and is considered one of the three major festivals of Japan, being designated as an Important Intangible Cultural Asset.      

Suwa Shrine…の続きを読む

  Jigoku, means Hell, is the number one attraction of Unzen with a peculiar smell of sulfur emitted from the springs, and with white smoke rising from the ground over a wide area. This is a striking reminder that Unzen Volcano is still very much alive.   These springs are highly valued by Japanese even now as according to Buddhist teaching,  “If you live in a bad manner, you cannot go to Paradise, but rather, you will fall into the Hell of agony”.     Unfortunately, this was once put into reality nearly 350 years ago during the time of religious persecution in Japan.  30 Japanese Christians, failing to renounce their faith met  their death here in the scalding spring of Jigoku.    

Unzen Jigoku…の続きを読む

  Shimabara Castle, is located in Shimabara and was built in 1625 by the feudal load Matsukura Shigemasa, who was regarded as a master of castle building. The castle, which took 7 years to complete, is also known as “Moritake Castle”.     It was an almost rectangular flatland castle built in the Renkaku-style. Also, it was a superb example of a castle where three layered yagura turrets were placed at strategic points around the five-layered donjon which was influenced by the architectural style of the Azuchi-Momoyama period.     Through it was demolished in 1874 during Meiji Restoration, west turret called “Nishi-no-yagura” was first restored in 1960 and the donjon was restored in 1964. In the castle, the Christianity Museum has been established. Many  Christian historical materials, local collection, and ethnic  collections are exhibited in the museum.   View from the Castle tower     

Shimabara Castle…の続きを読む

  One of the most beautiful shrine in Kyushu, and is surrounded by forest. The Shrine buildings were constructed in 1715 and designated as Important Cultural Property of Japan.     Exploring Kirishima Shrine precinct           1st Torii Gate     Torii Gate in the precinct      Approach to the Shrine                Shrine              Shrine buildings         Shrine main buildings                   Guardian deity          800 years old Sacred tree            Sakamoto Ryoma  

Kirishima Shrine…の続きを読む

  The world’s only Confucian shrine built outside China by Chinese hands. First built in 1893 by Chinese residents of Nagasaki with the support of the Ch’ing Dynasty government, the shrine was designed to serve as a place of worship and learning for the Chinese community, and housed a Confucian sanctuary and primary school.      The buildings were severely damaged by the Atomic bomb explosion on August 9, 1945 and were not restored and opened to the public until September 1967. The shrine was extensively renovated in 1982. Standing outside the shrine are 72 statues representing the 72 followers of Confucius.     A building at the rear of the shrine houses the Museum of Chinese History and Palace Museum. It features large illuminated photographs of the old Silk Road and models of early Chinese  inventions such as the world’s first seismograph. Displayed on the second floor are more than  80 treasure-class articles of varying antiquity on loan directly from the Chinese National Museum  and Palace Museum in Beijing.    

Confucius Shrine…の続きを読む

  The first Chinese style temple in Nagasaki. Shortly after the construction of Kofukuji Temple, Chinese traders asked the Nagasaki governor for permission to built Chinese temples according to their home provinces. It is recorded that this temple was built in 1629 by people  who came from Fuzhou in Fujian Province. It is designated as a National Treasure.       The existing main hall ( called Daiyuhoden ) was first prefabricated in China, then transported by Chinese ship and constructed in 1646. As the oldest existing structure to retain the Obaku style of the end of the Ming Dynasty, the temple’s hall is highly evaluated.    

Sofukuji Temple…の続きを読む

  After the Tokugawa Shogunate banned Christianity, non-Christian Chinese merchants  began making port at Nagasaki around 1600. Chinese people soon started living in Nagasaki and etitioned the Nagasaki government to let them built a Chinese temple to pray for safe navigation and console of the deceased. Permission was granted for the construction of  first Chinese temple.     Kofukuji Temple was completed in 1620, and Chinese traders then planned to invite a high-ranking priest from China as the temple’s chief abbot. The Kofukuji Temple’s present main hall was built in  1883 by Chinese experts who were invited to Japan mainly by residents in Nagasaki hailing from Nanjin. It was designated as an Important Cultural Asset.    

Kofukuji Temple…の続きを読む

Unzen is a pleasant Onsen resort town located within Unzen National Park. The area was originally developed near Nagasaki as a resort destination primarily for foreign visitors.     Unzen Onsen Resort Located in the center of the Shimabara Peninsula, this area sits on the southwestern slope of Mount Unzen at an altitude of 700 meters. It began welcoming foreign tourists around 1900, after figures such as Kaempfer and Siebold introduced the region to the West. In 1934, it became part of the first area to be designated as a National Park in Japan.   Where to explore   Nita Pass Nita Pass is one of the best scenic spots in Unzen. The natural scenery here is magnificent throughout the year. Each season offers a spectacular display: the vibrant azaleas of spring, the lush greenery of summer, the brilliant red maples of autumn, and the fantastic silver frost (hoarfrost) of winter.   Unzen Jigoku Unzen Jigoku, which literally means “Hell,” is the number one attraction of Unzen. The area is filled with the distinct scent of sulfur and thick white steam rising from the ground across a wide area—a striking reminder that the Unzen volcano remains very much active.   Unzen Trekking   Various trekking routes are prepared with the Onsen Onsen Resort town  as the starting area, through the Unzen Jigoku.  Everyone including mountain climber can …

Unzen travel guide…の続きを読む