Let’s meet the old days of Japan. The area is designated a National Important Preservation District for Groups of Historic buildings, and there remain much of the atmosphere of the 19th  century, including buildings of old times, earthen walls, and stone pavements.     According to the ancient myths set down in Japan’s oldest books, Kojiki and Nihongi, Mimitsu is where the mythical first emperor of Japan, Jimmu, built a fleet and set sail to conquer central Japan and set up the Yamato Dynasty.          

Mimitsu…の続きを読む

  Exciting scenery created by raging wave of Hyuga Sea. The coastline here is a ria coastline, marked by intricate waterways sandwiched between cliffs. The cliffs here are 70m high and the waves’ splashing against them is an enchanting sight.                         Exploring Umagase The bare rock faces of the cliffs have given way to columnar joints, which are formed when magma from a volcanic eruption cools and hardens. The source of the name “Umagase” is thought to come from the fact that the rocks here are similar in colour to horses.        

Umagase…の続きを読む

  Your wishes come true here. The Cruz Sea is an area of ocean that appears to have a cross in it when viewed from an observatory.     This cape is known as a ria coast; the “cross shape” was created by the narrow terrain here being eroded by rivers, resulting in a cross-shaped sea route.     Because the cross-shape looks similar to the Japanese kanji character 叶 (meaning “to grant a wish”) it is commonly said that if you make a wish here it will be granted.    

Cruz Sea…の続きを読む

  Miyazaki Shrine is the oldest and most important shrine in the city. Dedicated to Emperor Jimmu, the mythical first emperor of Japan, it is said to have been established over 2600 years ago.     The shrine’s buildings, constructed of simple, unpainted cedar, sit in the center of a large, quiet forest.  Festivals and other events such as horseback archery competitions (yabusame) are held during the year on the wide path under the trees.    

Miyazaki Shrine…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…の続きを読む

  The moss-covered stone walls, broad stone steps in front of the Ote-mon main gate, moat ruin, and old samurai residences all bring back the past. The Matsuo-no-Maru residence and Ote-mon have been reconstructed using the treasured Obi cedar wood.     The land centering around the Obi Castle is designated as one of the nation’s Preservation Districts for Groups of Historic Buildings.      

Obi Castle Ruin…の続きを読む

  Hitoyoshi is located in the northern part of Kumamoto along Kuma-gawa River. Hitoyoshi is a castle town once prosperous as a river port, and boasts the ruins of the Hitoyoshi castle and Hitoyoshi Onsen. The Hitoyoshi Onsen is the collective name for 30-add hot springs including Sagara Onsen, all of which are supplied with hot water from sources around Hitoyoshi Station and in the basin of Kuma-gawa River. The most exiting thing in Hitoyoshi is Kumasawa-kudari that is riding on a boat maneuvered by a master polar down the Kuma-gawa River, one of the three fast streams in Japan.     Where to explore   Hitoyoshi Castle Ruins   Steam Locomotive Hitoyoshi   Kumagawa-kudari, boat riding   Aoi Aso Shrine​   Kyusendo Limestone Cave​   Japanese style accommodation, Ryokan  

Hitoyoshi travel guide…の続きを読む

  The shopping area in the Mojiko Retro district located by the sea. “Full of a romance market which stir up forgetting contentment” is the direct translation of the concept Kaikyo Plaza is based on.    The area has a very romantic ambience and evokes feeling of nostalgia and contentment that will never be forgotten. There are about 40 stores for shops and restaurants.    

Kaikyo Plaza…の続きを読む

  Situated on the 31st floor of the high-rise apartment building “Retro Hi-Mart”. The 103m high observatory offers magnificent views of the Mojiko Retro district, the Kanmon-kyo Bridge over the  Kanmon Strait, as well as the Shimonoseki area.  It can be used until 10 pm and from around 8pm, Mojiko Retro district is lights up with beautiful illuminations, creating a very romantic ambience, making it a very popular dating spot.      

Mojiko Retro Observatory…の続きを読む

  Only the place in the world !   You can cross the strait on foot. The Kanmon Strait, separating Honshu and Kyushu, is a very beautiful and busy waterway with as many as 700 small and  large ships a day passing through it.   How to cross the strait on foot   780m length tunnel start   from Moji           The boundary of Moji and   Shimonoseki       to Shimonoseki   Moji, Kyushu Island side     Shimonoseki, Honshu Island side    

Kanmon Pedestrian tunnel…の続きを読む