Munakata is renowned for its premium seafood, freshly harvested from the rough waters of the Genkai-nada Sea. The highlight is the exceptionally sweet and translucent ‘Ika’ (squid), served in the traditional ‘Ikezukuri’ style to ensure peak freshness.   The restaurant takes great pride in transforming this bounty into exquisite seafood dishes, where the natural flavors of the ocean are the true stars of the meal.      

Genkai-nada Squid and Ocean Bounties…の続きを読む

  Creative Japanese cuisine is expertly crafted by a premier chef in the Chikugo region, who brings distinguished experience as a former cook for the Imperial Family. Guests can enjoy exquisite dishes made with the finest local ingredients, uniquely selected to showcase the essence of each season.   The authentic Japanese restaurant Shirakabe is housed in a former merchant’s residence built in 1928. This historic structure is officially designated by the government as a ‘Traditional Building’ within Ukiha City’s Preservation District.    

Japan’s Finest Creative Cuisines…の続きを読む

  Experience more than just a meal—witness a profound dialogue between master artisans and the finest seasonal ingredients. Every dish is a testament to decades of dedication and the fleeting beauty of the present. We invite you to savor this living art.   Japan’s Finest Creative Cuisines Creative Japanese cuisine is expertly crafted by a premier chef in the Chikugo region, who brings distinguished experience as a former cook for the Imperial Family. Guests can enjoy exquisite dishes made with the finest local ingredients, uniquely selected to showcase the essence of each season Genkai-nada Squid and Ocean Bounties Munakata is renowned for its premium seafood, freshly harvested from the rough waters of the Genkai-nada Sea. The highlight is the exceptionally sweet and translucent ‘Ika’ (squid), served in the traditional ‘Ikezukuri’ style to ensure peak freshness.        

The Ultimate Japanese Dining Experience…の続きを読む

  Aso Akaushi (Japanese Brown Cattle) is a rare, premium beef raised freely across the lush, expansive grasslands of the Aso Caldera. In contrast to highly marbled beef, Akaushi is celebrated for its lean, tender texture and deep umami flavor. Being low in fat and high in protein, it offers a remarkably healthy yet deeply satisfying dining experience.     The Essence of Aso: Akaushi beef is a true gift from Aso’s unique volcanic landscape. By grazing on mineral-rich grass under vast open skies, the cattle develop a clean, natural taste exclusive to this region. Savoring Aso Akaushi is more than just a meal; it is the perfect way to experience the pure energy and culinary heritage of Kumamoto.      

Aso Akausih beef…の続きを読む

  Yamano Church was built in 1924 in the Yamano area, where is halfway of Mount Yasuman. Most people living in this area are Christians.   The ancestors of the Yamano village fled persecution from Nishisonogi and Sotome to Goto island during ban on Christianity. However, they were unable to live on Goto island, so they moved to this area of Hirado Island between 1820 and 1830.    

Yamano Church, in Hirado…の続きを読む

  Japan’s oldest public golf course.  Opened in 1913, the oldest public course in Japan, and second oldest golf course after the Kobe Golf Club, which opened in 1903. Moreover, Unzen has been designated as Japan’s first national park in 1934, and the golf course has been popular among people both Japanese and foreigner as the national park’s main facility.     The course is a hilly course at an elevation of 750m, and at the time of its construction, there were no machines. This historical, hand-made course, integrated with nature, has small undulations on the fairway.  There is also an authentic short 9 hole course as well. Only 3 minutes by car from the Onsen town, it is especially cool in the summertime, and can be enjoyed throughout the four seasons while appreciating nature.    

Unzen Golf Course…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.   World leading rail produced in the Steel Works First Head Office registered on the World Heritage Observation deck of the World Heritage    

First Head office of the Steel Works…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.       Name Plate indicated      blow-in year      Blast Furnace proper        Hot Stove and Stack   Dust Catcher & Cast house         Torpedo Car               Converter          Cast house floor                Tap hole               Tapping activity    Bustle main & Goose neck                      Tuyere                    Shaft shell   Inside of Furnace         Valves of Hot Stove     Bustle main brick work  

Higashida No.1 Blast Furnace…の続きを読む