Now Reports

Visit Chikugo for a Relaxing Trip in Fukuoka

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 Temple2538 Imayama, Omuta City, Fukuoka
Enmei Park223 Showa-machi, Omuta City, Fukuoka
Jyorin Temple1878 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)

Category
Others
Fukuoka Prefecture
Published: Mar 7, 2017 / Last Updated: Jun 26, 2017

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