The Chikugo area is in Fukuoka Prefecture, thirty minutes to an hour south of Fukuoka City. Full of culture, history and with activities galore, it’s a perfect trip from Fukuoka. We’ve compiled three, two-day weekend adventures for those who want a break from the bustle of the city.
Enjoy delicious local foods and spectacular views of sprawling rural landscapes set against the backdrop of the Minoyama mountains. Meet friendly locals on guided tours or during a homestay.
10:00 – Start of Day 1: Fukuoka City
11:00 – Nyoirin Temple
Known for its rows of frog figurines, this cute temple is popular with overseas visitors.
• 1729 Yokoguma, Ogori City, Fukuoka
12:00 – Dessert Shops
Adorable dessert shops near Nyoirin Temple.
13:00 – Ajisaka Poppy Garden
From early to mid May, the park is filled with flowering poppies.
• 366 Mitsuyuki, Ogori City, Fukuoka
14:00 – Imamura Catholic Church
A historical church used by “Hidden Christians.” English guided tours can be booked via email to the Tachiarai Town Office: chiikidukuri01@town.tachiarai.fukuoka.jp
• 707 Ima, Tachiarai-machi, Mii-gun, Fukuoka
17:00 – Farm Homestay
Stay with a local family. Book via email to the Tachiarai Town Office.
• Tachiarai Town Office: chiikidukuri01@town.tachiarai.fukuoka.jp
End of Day 1
09:00 – Start of Day 2: Experience with Kurukuru Ticket
¥2,000 for four tickets for your choice of meals, activities and more. Available at information centers (near Nishitetsu Fukuoka Sta., Nishitetsu Kurume Sta., JR Kurume Sta. http://kurume-kru2.com).
11:00 – Seasonal Flowers in Kurume City
Roses, azaleas, hydrangeas and more.
12:30 – Restaurant Heurige
Relax and enjoy lunch in the forest followed by a tour around a kyoho grape winery.
• 246-1 Tanushimaru-machi Masuoda, Kurume City, Fukuoka
14:30 – Yamandon
Pick fruit that is grown year round with fresh spring water or sample fruit cakes at a cafe surrounded by nature.
• 2212-7 Ukiha-machi Yamakita, Ukiha City, Fukuoka
16:00 – Yoshii District
Visit knickknack shops and coffee houses in this town with traditional white walled buildings. Famous for its hina matsuri (doll festival) in Feb. and Mar.
• Yoshii-machi, Ukiha City, Fukuoka along national road 210
Back to Fukuoka: End of Day 2
Marvel in this area’s photogenic spots which include world heritage sites, seasonal scenery and traditional handicrafts. Enjoy flavorsome local produce at the Michi No Eki Oki vegetable buffet or steamed and grilled eel in the canal city of Yanagawa.
10:00 – Start of Day 1: Fukuoka City
12:00 – Michi-no-Eki Oki Roadside Station
Try your hand at mushroom picking!
• 1331-1 Yokomizo, Oki-machi, Mizuma-gun, Fukuoka
13:00 – Lunch
Dine on mushroom tempura at Dohyo Udon or visit the local vegetable buffet at Michi-no-Eki Oki.
15:30 – Optional Activities
Strawberry Picking (Jan. ~ May). Pick berries at La Fraise or White Berry
• La Fraise: Located near Michi-no-Eki Oki
• White Berry: 425 Takahashi, Oki-machi, Mizuma-gun, Fukuoka
Igusa Weaving
Participate in Igusa (rush grass) workshops from Dec. ~ Apr.. Shimenawa making classes in Dec. Reservation req. by fax 0944-32-1994
• 85-3 Takahashi, Oki-machi, Mizuma-gun, Fukuoka
17:00 – Shokaikyo Chikugo River Vertical Lift Bridge
Enjoy splendid panoramas and grab a memorable photo at sunset!
• Mukaijima, Okawa City, Fukuoka
End of Day 1 – Stay Overnight in Okawa City
Visit Shokaikyo Onsen while you’re there.
9:00 – Start of Day 2: Stroll around Kobo and Enokizu
Take a walk through these historic towns.
11:00 – Yanagawa River Cruising
Enjoy a relaxing 60 min. cruise down Yanagawa’s canals.
• 35 Okinohata-machi, Yanagawa City, Fukuoka
12:30 – Unagi Seiro Mushi
Yanagawa’s famous dish is steamed and grilled eel with a sweet chilli sauce served on steamed rice.
13:30 – Sagemon Meguri
Handmade sagemon can be found around town in Feb. and Mar., and at the Tourist Information Center year round.
14:30 – Miike Coal Mine Navigation
Connect your smartphone to use the ‘Miike Coal Mine Navigator’ and learn about the mine’s history.
Available at nine facilities in Omuta City in Japanese, English, Korean, Mandarin and Cantonese.
15:30 – Omuta Coal Industry and Science Museum
Learn about the coal mine’s essential contribution to this area’s history!
• 6-23 Misaki-machi, Omuta City, Fukuoka
16:30 – Seasonal Flowers in Omuta City
Ume at Fuko Temple, sakura at Enmei Park and hydrangeas at Jyorin Temple.
• Fuko Temple –2538 Imayama, Omuta City, Fukuoka
• Enmei Park – 223 Showa-machi, Omuta City, Fukuoka
• Jyorin Temple – 1878 Imayama, Omuta City, Fukuoka
Back to Fukuoka: End of Day 2
Home to fresh fruit, tea plantations and beautiful Japanese gardens, this area will refresh your mind and body. Get involved making local handcrafts such as the famous Kurume kasuri.
09:00 – Start of Day 1: Fukuoka City
10:00 – Peach Forest
Enjoy picking peaches and other seasonal fruit.
(Apr. ~ early May: loquats, end of May ~ mid Jun.: peaches, mid-Sep.: grapes )
• 968 Fujita, Hirokawa-machi, Yame-gun, Fukuoka
11:30 – Sakase Gotton Waterwheel House
Make soba noodles, taste sansai (wild vegetable) tempura and enjoy the Japanese countryside.
• 2777-1 Mizuhara, Hirokawa-machi, Yame-gun, Fukuoka
13:30 – Pooh Strawberry Garden
Eat as many freshly picked strawberries as you can in 60 minutes. Jan. ~ mid-May.
• 600-3 Baba, Yame City, Fukuoka
15:00 – Tokimeki Prefectural Produce Shop
Try the famous Yame matcha soft ice cream and browse souvenirs.
• 2-129 Moto-machi, Yame City, Fukuoka
15:30 – Fukushima District
Wander amongst small cafes and souvenir shops in this town of historic white-walled buildings.
16:30 – Yame Central Tea Garden
Spectacular views of tea plantations. Ideal for photographers!
• 375-2 Hon, Yame City, Fukuoka
18:00 – End of Day 1: Hoshino Onsenkan ‘Kirara’
Enjoy hot springs in a natural setting in the Japanese countryside. Campsite and cottages on site.
• 10780-58 Hoshinomura, Yame City, Fukuoka (adjacent to Ikenoyamaso)
10:00 – Start of Day 2: Aizome Experience
Learn how to make the traditional textile, Kurume kasuri.
To book, contact the Chikugo Tourism Association: info@chikugo.net
12:00 – Koinoki Shrine
Heart emblems can be found around the shrine’s grounds. Pick up a romantic charm!
• 62-1 Mizuta, Chikugo City, Fukuoka
13:00 – Dairiki Udon
Bowls from just ¥170! An udon noodle shop loved by the locals.
• 873-1 Setaka-machi Sakata, Miyama City, Fukuoka
14:00 – Michi No Eki Miyama Roadside Station
Find unique souvenirs including gyokuro (green tea) flavored melon-shaped buns.
• 2328 Setaka-machi Oe, Miyama City, Fukuoka
14:30 – Honbo Garden At Kiyomizu Temple
Sit at one of the temple’s engawa (enclosed veranda) and calm your mind. ~17:00, Closed: Mon.
• 1117-4 Setaka-machi Motoyoshi, Miyama City, Fukuoka
Back to Fukuoka: End of Day 2
If you prefer to read this guide as a PDF, please click above and view onscreen or download it.
Originally published in Fukuoka Now Magazine (fn219, Mar. 2017)