Sake brewery, Suginoya
There is the tasting corner, let’s sample sake. Sake is an alcoholic beverage brewed
from rice, koji mold and yeast. Its alcohol content ranges from 13% to 16% and its quality
varies according to its fermentation processes.
Suginoya was founded in 1870 in Itoshima and Sake, local beer as well as special
liquors are producing.
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Raizan Sennyo-ji temple
One of the most famous temple in Fukuoka prefecture known for being a great place for cherry
blossom viewing in the spring, and many people visit in the autumn to see the fall foliage.
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The temple was founded in 725, Nara period by Seiga, who come from India as a priest
during the period. There is an Important Cultural Property which is the 4.8 meter wooden
Avalokitesvara statue in the main hall. The main hall was founded by Kuroda Tsugutaka
who was the 6th feudal lord of Kuroda clan in Fukuoka.
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400 years of age big maple tree, which has been designated as natural monument of
Fukuoka prefecture, has been said to be planted by him.
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Mataichino shio
A salt making plant by the ancient production method. Mataichino shio “Kobo Totan” located
in Shima-cho, Itoshima peninsula. A salt and a magnesium chloride are produced with Genkai
sea water by the ancient production method. The salt pudding is recommended.
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Keya Cave cruise
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.
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The 1st largest basalt cave in Japan consist of octagon and hexagon columnar joints.
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Sakurai Futamigaura
A beautiful sunset scenic spot at Genkai Sea. The place is selected as Japan’s 100 scenic
beauty sunset beach. Located in Genkai Quasi-National Park. The married rock is connected
by the large Shimenawa with 30 metre length and 1 ton weight. Male rock is 11.8 metre high
and Female rock is 11.2 metre height.
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Shimenawa is the thick, twisted, straw rope. It was believed in ancient days that a Shimenawa
had the power to keep off evil sprits, so many objects connected with Shinto Shrines decorated
with Shimenawa.
Shiraito waterfall
The waterfall is located near the source of Katsuki River. It’s 30 meters high. It is known for
clear water, and said to live Sansyouo. In front of the fall, a Banryu maple tree grows naturally
that lives more than 300 years. In autumn, lots of visitors come to see autumn leaves at the
pedestrian and the maple tree leaves.
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In “Fureai no Sato”, there is a restaurant and souvenir shop. In summer, salt-grilled Yamame
trout 500 Yen, local foods of Itoshima, and Nagashi Somen (Somen noodles flow down a
bamboo flumes with running water) are provided. Good place to spend time with family and
friends in mountain view.
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Ichirano-no mori, Hakata Ramen
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.
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Anego-hama beach
One of the most beautiful beach in Itoshima. Anego no Hama Beach is a beach of “singing”
sand that makes a squeaking sound when people walk on it. It is said that singing sand exists
only on clean beaches, and that 90 such beaches used to exist in Japan. Today, however,
just 20 singing sand beaches remain due to environmental changes, making beaches like
Anego-hama a rarity.
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Featured Seafood restaurant in Itoshima
Featured Seafood restaurant, Isonoya. Special seafood dish used fresh fishes caught in
the Genkai Sea can be enjoyed. The restaurant is located adjacent to Keya fishing port
and the port is also used for Keya Cave cruise.
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Oyster Barbecue Hut in Itoshima
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.
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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.
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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.