5 southern areas of Fukuoka Prefecture for visiting Fukuoka's reflection spots and World Heritage sites.

Recommended Touring Spots in 7 Prefectures in Kyushu

Hello, I'm Tetsuma Photographer, a photographer who loves traveling in Kyushu! Using the know-how I have gained through my coverage of Kyushu for touring magazines that I started in 2017, I introduce carefully selected recommended touring spots in the Kyushu area from the perspective of an Iron Horse Photographer. In this 21st issue, we introduce recommended touring spots in central and southern Fukuoka Prefecture! The Kurume region of Fukuoka Prefecture is known as the birthplace of tonkotsu (pork bone) and is home to many touring spots, including such historic shrines as Kora Taisha and Suitengu. The Omuta region flourished around the Mitsui Miike Coal Mine, and in 2015, the Miyahara Mine, Miike Mine, and Miike Coal Mine Railway were registered as "Industrial Revolution Heritage of Meiji Japan".

1. Must-see! Ukiba Inari Shrine, a spectacular spot just beyond the torii gate.

Founded in 1957, the shrine was originally built as a shrine for Inari Taimyojin from Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine in Kyoto. The shrine is popular as an Instagram-worthy spot, with a series of about 90 torii gates on a steep hillside. From the main shrine, a panoramic view of the Chikugo Plain and the Harazuru Hot Springs can be seen. There are about 300 steps to climb, but there is a parking lot next to the main shrine. The three deities enshrined at the shrine are Inadama no Kami (Inadama) (a spirit from Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine), Oyamakui no Kami (Oyamakui) (a spirit from Matsuo Taisha Shrine), and Sugawara no Michizane (a spirit from Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine). The gods are believed to bring prosperity in business, a good harvest, traffic safety, good health, long life, and academic achievement, among others.

Founded: In 1957, the Inari Taimyojin was invited from the Fushimi Inari Taisha shrine in Kyoto, Japan.

From the place where you climb the torii gate and from the hall of worship, you can see the Chikugo Plain and the Harazuru Onsen area. The view is especially beautiful on a clear day, at sunset, and during the cherry blossom season in spring.

2. Yame Chuo Grand Tea Garden, a hilly area with tea fields the size of about 15 Tokyo Domes

Yame Chuo Dai-chaen is a major production area of Yame tea, known as a high-class brand of tea, and its unique tea plantation, which was created on a gentle slope using the improved mountain formation method, extends over a hilly area of about 70 hectares (about 15 times the size of the Tokyo Dome). From the observatory on the grounds, visitors can enjoy a panoramic view of the tea fields and Yame City in the distance, and on a clear day, the Ariake Sea and Shimabara Peninsula can be seen in the distance. The observatory is also home to the "Green Monster" cafe, where visitors can enjoy Yame tea and Yame tea soft serve ice cream.

An observation deck on the grounds offers a distant view of the tea fields and Yame City.

It is extremely difficult to get to the observatory with a car navigation system, and there are some roads that are off-limits, so relying on the signs is the right way to go.

3. Chikugo River Bridge, the oldest existing bridge in Japan

The bridge was opened in 1935 as a railway bridge for the former Japanese National Railways Saga Line (railroad), and although the Saga Line was discontinued in 1987, it was spared from demolition due to the preservation movement of local residents. In 1996, the bridge was reused as a pedestrian walkway, and today it connects both banks of the river as a humanitarian bridge.

From the roadside station, you can see Takachiho no Mine, the mountain of descent.

On the side of the bridge is the Okawa Terrazza, which aims to promote tourism and information about woodworking and interior design culture. The facility, which means "terrace" in Italian, is located right next to the Chikugo River Rising Bridge and serves as a tourist hub for the city of Okawa.

4. One of the largest in the world? Hyuugami-Dam Heart Rock

The name "Heart Rock" comes from the beautiful heart shape of a part of a huge rock wall that rises in the scenic area of Hyuugamikyo on the banks of Lake Hyuugamikyo, created by the Hyuugamikami Dam, depending on the angle of view. It is said to be 220 m long and 180 m wide, making it one of the largest naturally formed heart-shaped rocks in Japan and one of the largest in the world. The "Happy Bell" is located on Kehogibashi Bridge near the viewpoint where the heart-shaped rock can be seen at a glance, and is a popular place for couples and tourists to ring the bell and pray for the fulfillment of their love.

The area is named "Hyuugami," a mysterious canyon where legend has it that the gods of Hyuugami came to be attracted by the beauty of the area. One of these strange rock formations is Heart Rock.

Heart Rock is also clearly visible from the viewpoint on the other side of Kehogi Bridge!

5. Miyahara Antic of Miike Coal Mine, an important industrial heritage that supported the modernization of Japan

The oldest surviving steel shaft tower in Japan, completed in 1901 (Meiji 34), is the symbol of the Miyahara Mine and is responsible for elevating personnel, exhausting and draining water, etc. The second shaft hoisting machine room is the oldest surviving steel hoisting machine room in Japan. The second shaft hoisting machine room is a brick building that housed the huge hoisting machine used to raise and lower the cage (elevator) in the shaft. Inside, the large machinery of the time remains, giving visitors a sense of the power of the coal mines.

The mine maintained an average output of 400,000 tons of coal per year throughout the Meiji and Taisho periods.

The second shaft turret, which retains the appearance of its time, is approximately 22 meters high and is the oldest surviving steel turret in Japan.

5 Southern Fukuoka areas for Fukuoka's reflection spots and world heritage sites Go to Gallery (10)