Inviting members of Fukuoka’s international community to join us for a FREE guided tour of Oshima Island. This full-day outdoor experience includes a bilingual guide, lunch, and transportation. Your valuable feedback on the 11.4 km walk will help refine and improve the courseå. If you enjoy the outdoors and learning about history and local culture, this opportunity is perfect for you!
Special Test Tour
• February, 7 (Wed.) (in case of rain on Feb. 7, the tour will run on Feb. 8)
• 8:30 am start ~17:30 end
• JR Togo Station (the meeting and end point) (東郷駅 on the JR Kagoshima Main Line)
Application Deadline: January 17. Only selected participants will be contacted.
Interested? Apply here
– Applicant Criteria:
– Must be 20 years or older
– Enthusiastic about walking in the countryside
– Comfortable walking about 11.5 km over 4 – 5 hours
– Note: Lunch menu substitutions/special dietary requirements cannot be accommodated
– Willing to provide feedback via a survey within 24 hrs post-tour
– Open to all nationalities (except Japanese), and genders (Note: Part of an inbound tourism market research project)
– Couples welcome, but each individual must apply separately
– Consent to photo and video use for reporting and potential web/social media inclusion
Please Note:
– Transportation costs to/from JR Togo Station are not included.
Please continue to read below for additional information (what’s included, not included, and required gear, etc.) about this regularly offered tour. The test tour on Feb. 7 will be nearly identical.
More about the Munakata-Oshima Course
The Munakata-Oshima Course is the first Olle Course in Fukuoka Prefecture. The course begins with a 25-minute boat ride from the Konominato Port Ferry Terminal and takes you to Oshima Island. Oshima is home to Munakata Taisha Shrine’s Nakatsugu Shrine and Okitsugu Shrine (Okitsugu Yohaisho), both of which have been designated as World Heritage sites for Munakata, Okinoshima and related islands. In addition, on a clear day with clear air, you can see Okinoshima, the “Island of the Gods,” which is not generally accessible by landing. Oshima is also a place full of nature, with mountains, forests, and wilderness making up most of the island, and surrounded by the sea on all sides. You can enjoy a leisurely stroll while enjoying the nature. Learn more about “Olle” concept here: https://kyushuolle.welcomekyushu.jp/en/about/
Distance: 11.4km
Time required: 4~5 hours
Level: Intermediate~Advanced
Official website: https://www.visit-kyushu.com/en/see-and-do/bokun/bokun-003/
Course Highlights
1. Munakata-Taisha Nakatsugu Shrine
Many people come to this shrine in order to pray for safety. Tagitsu Hime, daughter of the sun goddess Amaterasu is the one who is enshrined here. It is also regarded as the birthplace of the Tanabata legend, where the two celestial lovers Kengyu and Orihime are only allowed to meet once a year.
2. Mount Mitake Summit
An observatory found on the top of Mount Mitake at a height of 224 meters. If the weather is clear you can see Fukuoka Tower and the factories of Kitakyushu.
3. Windmill Observatory/Promenade Connection Point
In 1936 batteries were placed along the northern coast of Kyushu in order to strengthen defenses. Even now, Oshima’s batteries still stand having never been involved in the war. In the place where these batteries are is an observatory looking out to see a windmill.
4. Okitsugu Yohaisho
Off to the north of Oshima is Okinoshima, an island nicknamed the island of the gods. Even to this day women and girls are not allowed to set foot on the island, and so this place of worship was built so they too could pray to the gods on Okinoshima.
5. Kansu Bathing Beach
A beautiful swimming beach that is often visited in the Summer seasons.
6. Oshima Exchange Center
The Oshima Exchange Center introduces the traditions of Okinoshima and Oshima under the theme of “Island of God and Island of God’s Protection”. You can learn about the nature, history, and culture of Okinoshima and Oshima from the perspective of the islanders who have preserved their customs and traditions with panels and videos.
REGULARLY OFFERED TOUR – DETAILS
Package Tour Fees (these are the regular fees – not required for “test tour” on Feb. 7, 2024)
– For 2 People: ¥14,900 per person
– For Groups of 3 to 8: ¥11,000 per person
– Note: Single-person tours are not available.
Included in the tour:
– Guide: Local guide who will also provide Japanese to English interpretation.
– Lunch: Boxed lunch with tea.
– Transport: Taxi fare for round trip between JR Togo Station and Konominato Port.
– Ferry Fee: Round trip between Konominato Port and Oshima Port.
– Souvenir: Munakata/Oshima course original can badge.
Required Gear:
– Shoes: Mid-cut recommended for ankle protection and comfort over 11km walks. Shoes with relatively soft soles are advisable.
– Backpack: 20 to 30 liters recommended for day trips. A size of 20 to 25 liters is ideal.
– Rainwear: Suitable for walking and hiking. Pants should cover the tops of the shoes and preferably have side zippers for ease of wear with shoes on. Consult an outdoor equipment shop for advice.
– Water: Please bring your own for personal hydration.
Rain and Cancellation Policies:
– Rain Policy: Tours may be canceled in case of heavy rain or stormy weather. Participants will be notified by email or phone the day before if the tour is canceled.
– Cancellation Policy: Bookings are non-refundable. All sales are final.
Operating Company
Mie Kotsu Co., Ltd. Tourism Sales Systems Landing Tour
Tel: 050-3775-4727
2nd Floor, Kusumoto Building 15, 1-7-2 Nishiki, Naka-ku, Nagoya-shi, 460-0003
Travel Industry Registration: Travel Industry Registration No. 1934
Combined Travel Business Utilization Manager: Yia Ogawa
Munakata/Oshima Tour Itinerary
Meeting Details:
– Place: JR Higashigō Station, Sōmōdai-e gate
– Time: 08:30 AM
Morning Itinerary:
1. 08:35: Depart from JR Togo Station
2. Taxi Pickup to Konominato Port
3. 09:00/09:25: Meet the local guide at Konominato Port
4. Board Ferry to Oshima Port
5. 09:50: Arrive at Oshima Port
Munakata/Oshima Olle Course:
– Start: 10:00 AM at Oshima Port Ferry Terminal
– Nakatsugu Shrine: 1.2 km (30-45 min)
– Mount Mitake Summit and Observatory: 1.8 km (30-45 min)
– Exit Mt. Mitake Mountain Trail at Nakatsuwa Forest Road: 2.5 km (30-45 min)
– Pedestrian Access Point: 1.1 km (20-35 min)
– Windmill Observatory and Battery Ruins (Bento Lunch): 1.6 km (30-40 min)
– Okitsugu Yohaisho: 1.2 km (20-30 min)
– Oshima Community Center and Oshima Academy: 1.2 km (10-20 min)
– Dream Night Island and Kansu Beach: 0.8 km (5-10 min)
– End Point: Oshima Port Ferry Terminal (Total Distance: 11.5 km)
Return Itinerary:
– 16:20: Depart from Oshima Port
– Ferry to Konominato Port
– 16:45: Arrive at Konominato Port
– Taxi Pickup to JR Togo Station
– 17:05: Arrive at JR Togo Station
