A theme park dedicated to the various Sanrio characters including Hello Kitty, Cinnamoroll and My Melody. Harmonyland is located in Hiji, Oita Prefecture, approximately a 30minutes drive from JR Beppu Station. There are live shows that take place daily, plenty of rides, and opportunities to have photos with your favorite Sanrio characters. If you want a great view out over the surrounding landscape, try the Ferris wheel – you may even be lucky enough to hop into a Hello Kitty carriage. Hours for Harmonyland differ depending on the season, and closure days also  change from month to month.

Sanrio Harmoneyland, in Hiji, Oita-prefe…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, in Oita…の続きを読む

  Before Meiji Restoration, the Mietsu Naval Dock served as a venue for naval drilling and maintenance of Western-style ship, as the naval base of Saga Clan. Japan’s first practical steam ship, the Ryofu-maru was constructed there in 1865. The site has been registered on UNESCO World Heritage, Site of Japan’s Meiji Industrial Revolution.   

Mietsu Naval Dock, in Saga…の続きを読む

  Make your own original Koishiwara-yaki pottery.  Koishiwara-yaki is a type of Japanese traditional pottery in Koishiwara. The history dates back to the 17th century, when the third Lord Kuroda Mitsuyuki (1628–1707) invited potters from Imari, Saga-prefecture to Fukuoka. Try your hand at making the famous local Koishiwara-yaki pottery at Ota-gama pottery, by learning how to create your own piece of Koishiwara-yaki pottery.

Pottery experience in Koishiwara, Fukuok…の続きを読む

The site has been registered on the UNESCO World Heritage as the Sacred Island Okinoshiam and Associated site in the Munakata Region  The Tomb Group in Fukutsu City comprises the tombs of the Munakata clan, an ancient powerful family that led interactions with overseas countries. The Munakata clan also performed rituals on Okinoshima and nurtured the tradition of faith in in the sacred island.

Shinbaru-Nuyama Mounded Tombs, in Fukuts…の続きを読む

  Itoshima oyster growing up in the rich nature of mountain and sea Itoshima oyster features mellow and sweet taste.  There are many Oyster Barbecue Huts at five fishing harbours. The huts only open during the season, from end of October to March or April. The huts are simple in construction; just big vinyl tents filled with a few dozen tables, each with their own grill. You can get oysters, sazae (sea snails), prawns, fish and other seafood, fresh as fresh can be, by the crate. The hut provides the grill, tongs, cotton gloves, and other tools for you try your hand at grilling your own seafood. Cooking them right can be tricky, but learning is part of the fun. For oysters, try putting the flat side down first, flip after awhile, and wait for them to open from the heat.  Take them off the grill—gloves on of course—and open them the rest of the way with the provided knife. Add a touch of shoyu (soy sauce), ponzu (a tangy citrus-based sauce), lemon juice, or mayonnaise if you like and they’re ready to eat. If you’re unsure how to cook things, just look around at what the other tables are doing or wave over the helpful kakigoya staff.

Oyster Barbecue Hut, in Itoshima…の続きを読む

  Let’s enoy Hakara Ramen.  Ichiran is an authentic tonkotsu ramen  (pork born soup ramen) restaurant, established in 1960.  The ramen producing factory can be visited and various  type of ramen can be enjoyed at Ichiran-no-mori.

Ichirano-no mori, Hakata Ramen, in Itosh…の続きを読む

  The most largest basalt cave in Japan.  The entrance of the cave is 64 metre high and 10 metre width and the depth is 90 metre. It is designated as one of three major Basalt caves in Japan. The 1st largest basalt cave in Japan consist of octagon and hexagon columnar joints.

Keya Cave cruise, in Itoshima, Fukuoka-p…の続きを読む

  Coffee break under the traditional atmosphere. The restaurant was designed by renown architecture designer Kengo Kuma in 2011. The concept of the design is Harmony of Modern and traditional by natural material; 2000 cedar timber is assembled in a traditional wood structure without using nails. Enjoy the luxurious time in the warmth of wood and the scent of coffee.

Starbucks at Dazaifu Shrine…の続きを読む

  The time-honored Japanese garden. The Japanese traditional Garden; it was originally built in the 1754 for Kuroda Tsugutaka who was the lord of Fukuoka clan. You can feel Japanese traditional cultures and enjoy Tea Ceremony.

Yusentei Garden, in Fukuoka-city…の続きを読む