Fukuoka Now

Kego Shrine and Kego Park are well-known as places where you can relax in Tenjin in downtown Fukuoka City. Due in part to their location next to Nishitetsu Fukuoka Station, there is always a constant flow of people through the shrine and the park. Kego Shrine was relocated to its present location in 1608. The shrine was built by Nagamasa Kuroda, the first lord of the Fukuoka Domain, and has served as a place of worship for local people over the generations. The torii gate that remains today was erected in 1639 by Tadayuki Kuroda, the second lord of the domain. The Kego Shrine grounds are not very large, but they are home to several magnificent camphor trees that are said to be over 300 years old. There are many things to see here, including the stately main shrine, which retains its Edo era feel, several old lanterns dedicated anywhere between two and 400 years ago, and the Imamasu Inari Shrine with a rare smiling fox statue standing guard out front. There is even a footbath on site, perfect for soothing your tired feet after a long day of walking. In the fall of 2022, a new nine-story shrine office opened. While the building serves as a new-and-improved shrine office, it also has storage space for the portable shrine and ritual implements that used to be kept in rental warehouses as well as space for exhibiting votive ema (wooden tablets) dating as far back as the mid-Edo period. Kego Shrine was originally home to the local guardian deity. It is also equipped with a large power generator and other facilities in the event that it needs to be used as an evacuation site for the local residents during a disaster. In Kego Park, you can see many people taking a break from work or shopping. The park used to be overgrown with trees and had many blind spots, which posed a risk to public safety, but it was completely renovated in 2012 to create a better lit and more open space. The park is also home to a Safety Center that community groups can use for their activities. In addition to hosting various events throughout the year, the park is famous for its gorgeous Christmas lights in winter, 都心のオアシス、警固神社と警固公園

Dec 22, 2022

Kego Shrine and Kego Park: An Oasis in the Heart of the City

Kego Shrine and Kego Park are well-known as places where you can relax in Tenjin in downtown Fukuoka City. Due in part to their location next to Nishitetsu Fukuoka Station, there i...

#Fukuoka Topics
#Fukuoka Topics
#Tenjin

Dec 20, 2022

Momochi Now – Year-end and New Year’s Special in Momochi

Seaside Momochi, with its spectacular illuminations, will be open throughout the year-end and New Year's holidays. For this last installment of 2022, we asked each facility about t...

#Momochi / Nishijin

Dec 16, 2022

Hoku-hoku Yaki-imo

You know we are in the middle of autumn when you hear calls of ishi yaki-imo (sweet potatoes baked on hot stones) ringing through the streets. That’s the sound of vendors driving ...

#Fukuoka City

Dec 13, 2022

Sake Brewery’s Villa Stay in Kashima, Saga

In Kyushu, new sake brewed with rice harvested in the fall (between September and October) starts appearing on store shelves around November. Although there is a strong impression ...

#Saga Prefecture

Dec 8, 2022

Income Documentation for Application for Permanent Residence Permit

We often receive inquiries about applications for permanent residence permits. Many applicants believe that having legally resided in Japan for ten years or more is a sufficient co...

#Fukuoka Prefecture

Dec 1, 2022

Samurai villa stay in the castle town of Obi, Miyazaki on Kyushu Island

In Kyushu, once the hot, sunny summer is over, the leaves on the trees begin to turn brilliant shades of yellow and red around the end of October. We thought that an atmospheric ca...

#Miyazaki Prefecture

Onsen, or hot springs, are often thought of as being located in remote areas, but there are places right here in Fukuoka City where you can enjoy natural hot springs. One of these is the Hakata Onsen district located along the Naka River. Situated in a quiet residential area, Ganso Motoyu looks like an ordinary private residence at first glance. Its name, which roughly translates as “the original hot spring,” derives from the fact that 49-degree-Celsius water gushed out of the ground when the owners had a well dug here in 1966. The bath is large enough to accommodate three people, and the piping hot spring water flows directly into the tub without being cooled. Fujinoen is another hot spring located in the Hakata Onsen district. The area was originally a rice paddy, but when the owners noticed that rice grew faster in one corner of the paddy, they dug up the area and hot spring water came gushing out. Since opening as an onsen inn in 1972, Fujinoen has been a favorite destination for local hot spring fans. Both day-trip bathing and overnight stays are available, and since there is a golf driving range on the premises, you can also enjoy a soak after practicing golf. If you prefer your onsen with an ocean view, then you will want to visit Kyukamura Shikanoshima. Sitting in the open-air bath facing the Genkai Sea, you can enjoy a view of the blue ocean stretching out before you, the sunset over the sea, or the star-filled sky, depending on what time you go. Meanwhile, Bayside Place Hakata, a commercial complex on Hakata Wharf, is home to Namiha no Yu. As opposed to onsen in outlying areas, here you can enjoy a uniquely urban bathing experience, complete with views of Fukuoka’s nightscape. In addition to the natural hot spring, Namiha no Yu has a hot stone sauna and a facial spa. An increasing number of hotels in the city also have natural hot springs. One of the pioneers of this trend is Yaoji Hakata Hotel near Hakata Station. In 1998, prior to the construction of the hotel, the developer planned to drill for hot spring water, and after about six months of drilling, they struck a hot spring reservoir with abundant hot water. Day-trip bathing is also available, so you do not need to book a night in the hotel. Since this, there has been a noticeable uptick in the number of hotels in Fukuoka City equipped with natural hot spring baths, 福岡市内で楽しむ天然温泉

Dec 1, 2022

Natural Hot Springs You Can Enjoy Right Here in Fukuoka City

Onsen, or hot springs, are often thought of as being located in remote areas, but there are places right here in Fukuoka City where you can enjoy natural hot springs. One of these ...

#Fukuoka Topics
#Fukuoka Topics
#Fukuoka City

Nov 29, 2022

Momochi Now – Seaside Momochi, a photogenic town

From late October, ginkgo trees along the streets and parks begin to turn brilliant yellow and red, adding a splash of color to the cityscape. The early setting sun and darkness al...

#Momochi / Nishijin

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