Ikeda-ko lake is a caldera lake located 40 km south of Kagoshima-city. It is best known to tourists as the location of the purported sightings of a monster named Issie, and as the largest lake in Kyushu with a surface area of 11 km² and a shoreline length of 15 km.      It is also known as large eel with a length of 2 meter and circumference of 50 cm inhabit the lake.        

Ikeda-ko lake…の続きを読む

  The park is most famous for its Shiroyama Observatory with spectacular views over downtown Kagoshima, Kagoshima Bay and Sakurajima.     The night view is also nice, particularly if a clear sky and bright moon allow Sakurajima to remain visible.    

Shiroyama park…の続きを読む

  Uomachi and Kyomachi Ginteigai are the arcade downtown shopping streets connected from JR Kokura Station. The literal meaning of Gintengai is the Silver roof arcade shopping street and Uomachi Gintengai is the birth place of Japanese arcade shopping street constructed in 1991. Now, there are many kind of fantastic shops and restaurant along the street.                  

Uomachi & Kyomachi Shopping street…の続きを読む

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

Showano-machi in Bungo-takada…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…の続きを読む

  An altitude of 625m located in the boundary line of Oita-city and Beppu-city is known as a habitat of the wild Japanese monkey.       The park was opened in 1953, in which about 1700 wild Japanese monkey are living. The monkeys are fed regularly by park wardens in order to keep them on the mountain and prevent conflicts with  farmers and residents in the neighborhood.    

Takasaki mountain animal park…の続きを読む

  Samurai street lined with stone walls and a spring water canal running down the center commemorates the old samurai section of Shimabara. Three Samurai houses have been restored and opened as exhibits.      

Samurai Street…の続きを読む

  Nokonoshima, in the middle of Hakata Bay Beautiful flowers can be enjoyable throughout the year. Rapeseed blossom, Cherry blossom, Livingstone daisy Poppy, Rhododendro, Marigold, Hydrengea, Plumed cockscomb, Dahlia, Sunflower, Cockspur coral tree  Bougainvillea, Scarlet sage, Cosmos, Dahlia, Autumn leaves, Scarlet sage, Japanese narcissus, Japanese camellia, Plum.         Restaurant Sakimon, Barbecue house, Retro Shop Omoideya Shop Shimaya, Art Gallery Warabekan, Gift Shop.     The breath taking panoramic view of the Hakata Bay can also be enjoyed.   A 10 minutes ride the ferry from Meinohama part to Nokonoshima island port, and then a 13 minute ride the Nishitetsu bus from Nokonoshima island port to Island Park.     

Nokonoshima Island…の続きを読む

  The Onsen Resort located at the foot of the Kirishima mountains. Kirishima jingu Shrine is one of the most beautiful shrines in Kyushu surrounded by forest. You can enjoy hiking trails with spectacular mountain views and soak in volcanic hot springs     Where to explore     Kirishima Shrine    One of the most beautiful shrine in Kyushu, and is surrounded  by forest. The Shrine buildings are constructed in 1715 and designated as Important Cultural Property of Japan.   Kirishima Onsen　 Lying on the lower slopes of the Kirishima Mountain with a distant view over Kagoshima Bay and Sakurajima below. The area is made up of over a dozen Onsen, of which the largest and best know is Maruo Onsen.   Black Vinegar in Kirishima  The Fukuyama area along Kinko Bay is home to the famous Japanese black vinegar. Over here, one can tour the old-fashioned Tshubobatake which literally means a field of vinegar jars, witness the traditional manufacturing process of the black vinegar, taste and purchase the finished product.   Kirishima                          

Kirishima travel guide…の続きを読む

  Chiran is a small town in the middle of the Satsuma Peninsula. It is called a “small Kyoto” and has a preserved Samurai district including a collection of Samurai houses and gardens. Another interesting place to visit is the Chiran Peace Museum.     Chiran Samurai Residence Those Samurai Houses were built about 250 years ago. Their gardens are beautiful designed, with Mt. Hahaga-dake as the background. Other natural elements are also incorporated, making the whole area resemble a series of miniature of Japanese  gardens housed in boxes.   Chiran Peace Museum for the Kamikaze Pilots This museum exhibits precious materials such as pictures, letters, wills, articles and mementos of the 1,036 Kamikaze pilots based in Chiran who participated in the Battle for Okinawa towards the end of World War 2.  It also houses a No.3 type fighter aircraft, Hien.     Chiran                      

Chiran travel guide…の続きを読む