Approximately 40 minutes by car from Hakata located in the midwestern part of Fukuoka Prefecture an administrative institution that controlled Kyushu from the late 7th to the late 12th century was established here in 903 and continues to weave its history to this day Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine is the head shrine of the approximately 10,000 Tenmangu shrines that exist throughout Japan Tenmangu” is a shrine dedicated to Sugawara Michizane (the god of heaven) who lived during the Heian period (794-1185) What kind of person was Sugawara Michizane Sugawara no Michizane became familiar with waka poetry and Chinese poetry at an early age and developed his talents as a scholar in his youth and was one of the first to foresee world affairs and abolish the Tang Dynasty’s envoys to China.However Michizane never bore a grudge against heaven or man but prayed for the prosperity of the country and the safety of the emperor until the end of his life Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine is the tomb of Sugawara no Michizane and has since become a place of prayer where he is revered as the god of heaven The fact that the tomb and shrine are located in the same place is rare in Japan Venerable shrines hold a shinkosai or rebuild their halls every few years or decades The reason for this is that the number 25 is closely associated with Michizane whose birthday is June 25 and the date of his death is February 25 it was on January 25th that he was ordered to leave the prefecture The year 2027 will mark the 1,125th anniversary of Michizane’s death Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine is undergoing major renovation of the main shrine for the first time in 124 years in preparation for this year’s ceremonial grand festival Major renovations will begin in 2023 and last approximately three years the temporary hall was established as a place to welcome worshippers The temporary shrine is designed by architect Sousuke Fujimoto who is active both in Japan and abroad and is also the producer of the venue design for the 2025 Osaka-Kansai World Exposition He visited Dazaifu many times and was impressed by the forest surrounding Tenmangu Shrine which helped him to formulate his image for the building The idea was inspired by the “Tobibai Legend” of Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine he composed a farewell poem to the plum tree he had loved in the garden of his own residence for I will remember spring even if my master is gone The story goes that the plum blossoms flew to Dazaifu and took root there in just one night This is where the concept of the temporary shrine “a vast forest flew in front of the main shrine,” originated there are approximately 6,000 ume trees in the precincts of Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine which bloom beautifully from late January to early March each year The ume fruits are harvested by the staff and sold as pickled plums and ume wine at the “Oshaku Omamori (talisman for good luck charms) Awarding Office The mitobari and kicho (folding screens) inside the temporary hall are also noteworthy They were made by “Mame Kurogouchi,” a fashion brand that has exhibited at the Paris Collection and other fashion shows and while consulting a variety of materials he put together the concept for this project The pattern depicted in the book is a scene he saw one rainy day when he took shelter from the rain in a hole in a camphor tree on the shrine’s grounds The book also looks at the deep relationship between Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine and nature and uses threads dyed with plums and grasses from the shrine’s grounds the intersection of the ancient and the modern was also woven into the expression visitors pass through the torii gate from the busy approach and cross three red drum bridges over Shinji-ike a pond said to have been built by Michizane’s pupils and crossing over the water is said to be a way to purify the body and mind and to bring one closer to Tenjin-sama the dignified vermilion-lacquered tower gate rises up When the renovation of the main hall is completed but the plants on the roof will return to the forest The plants on the roof will return to the forest visitors may especially feel the Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine’s value of “continuing to change in order to stay the same visitors are encouraged to experience the divine virtues of Tenjin-sama through prayers recited by the priests in the temporary shrine When you stroll through the shrine grounds after praying and visiting the shrine you will see the treasure house that holds cultural properties related to Michizane and the access tunnel to the Kyushu National Museum which was opened after 120 years of efforts by four generations of priests to attract the opening of the museum Because Michizane excelled not only in learning but also in waka poetry and Chinese poetry he is also known as a god of culture and the arts and Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine has devoted itself to various efforts in this field a project in which artists active in Japan and abroad are invited to Dazaifu to experience Shinto and to incorporate what they feel into artwork that will last for 100 years or even 1,000 years Some of the works created in the program are installed outdoors and can be viewed while strolling the shrine grounds On the right side of the approach to the shrine is an installation of British artist Ryan Gander’s work “Really shiny stuff that doesn’t mean anything ©Ryan Gander Gander was struck by the sight of worshippers praying to “invisible things,” and this work represents that “invisible power” with magnetic force.(The work may not be on display due to shrine events In the plum grove by the Treasure House is another work by Ryan Gander VI Everything is understood VI ©Ryan Gander it appears to be a “rock” with the top worn off but it is an imaginative representation of Rodin’s sculpture “The Thinker,” who contemplated on the stone Other works include Lawrence Weiner’s “THE CENTER OF A CENTER ©Lawrence Weiner 2020 Courtesy of TARO NASU,” painted directly on asphalt and Simon Fujiwara’s “The Problem,” a work that makes us think about the future of children’s handprints ten works are on display at the Precinct Museum including Simon Fujiwara’s “The Problem of Time©Simon Fujiwara 2013 Courtesy of TARO NASU,” which makes us think about the future of children’s handprints Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine is promoting this program because of the thought of how Michizane Sugawara who always looked at the cutting edge of the times Whenever I have any doubts about the selection of artists or the creation of artwork ‘Would Tenjin-sama be pleased with this project we always try to build a relationship of trust between the shrine and the artists so that neither side is left to itself,” says Hiroko Takayama Those who want to feel the richness of nature and those who want to deepen these experiences ……Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine will continue to move with the times nurturing the “invisible things” that move the hearts of many people Kyushu island’s largest city has a street food and nightlife culture comparable to Osaka’s This article was produced by National Geographic Traveller (UK).A six-hour bullet train ride or two-hour flight south of Tokyo the post-work and -university crowd pours into the city’s famous yatai (stalls) part of a street food and nightlife culture to rival that in Osaka washed down with beer or shochu (Japanese distilled spirit) is just the thing to restore your energy before another day of sightseeing in this busy international port city which is known for its pour-over coffee using house-roasted beans delve into local crafts and history at the Folk Museum before browsing the nearby Kamikawabata-dori covered arcade mentaiko-flavoured menbei rice crackers before you emerge from the covered street near Kushida-jinja — Hakata’s principal shrine with brightly painted carvings of the zodiac animals inside the entrance gate Afternoon: Baseball & highballsFukuoka is one of Japan’s best places to watch baseball and the game-day atmosphere is unbeatable when the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks are playing — providing a great chance to try crowd-pleasing fast food with locals If you’re lucky enough to time your trip with a match head for the stalls set up outside Fukuoka Dome that sell Hakata ramen and local favourite motsu-nabe — a rich fatty tripe stew brightened by the addition of lots of fresh greens The preferred drink at games is either a lemon highball made with shochu a popular Japanese spirit distilled all over Kyushu brightly dressed hawkers who run from seat to seat with 7kg kegs on their backs Rich pork broth Hakata ramen is a speciality of Fukuoka.Photograph by Takuto FujinoEvening: Riverside street foodAs night falls the local yatai (street-food stalls) begin to set up with most concentrated beside the Nakasu River around the Tenjin nishi-dori and Showa-dori intersection unpretentious meals; stallholders call out in welcome and squeezed in with other customers as you watch the food being prepared Look for the bubbling vats of oden (hotpot) with fish cakes or for anywhere serving the local speciality of hito-kuchi gyoza — small crispy dumplings that can be eaten in one bite made in front of you at such a startling speed that it looks like a sleight-of-hand magic trick — from a thin sheet of dough to a hand-folded dumpling in a matter of seconds Morning: Temples & teahousesIt’s a 30-minute train ride from Fukuoka’s centre to the historic city of Dazaifu, which is famous for its large, 10th-century Shinto shrine. You approach it along a cobbled street packed with places to grab breakfast. Try Yamaya Base near the station for warm crunchy baguettes filled with cheese and mentaiko or any of the several spots selling umegae (grilled rice cakes filled with red bean paste) This delicious local sweet is also served at the teahouse in the shrine’s plum grove In the hills a short walk from the shrine is Kyushu National Museum where archaeological finds are displayed in a modern building a cultural centre where you can have a go at filling and grilling your own umegae Email dazaifu-kan@city.dazaifu.lg.jp to book in advance with wood panelling and red leather stools The stationside Dazaifu branch uses local Fukuoka ra-mugi a variety of wheat specifically grown for use in noodles and serves only-in-Dazaifu ‘success ramen’ — it has extra-long noodles to symbolise long-lasting success and is served in a lucky five-sided black bowl take the train to the western part of Fukuoka for the pretty park of Ohori-koen once the grounds of the town’s 17th-century castle Walk to the hilltop castle ruins for a sweeping view over the cherry trees which has an eclectic collection inside and a polka-dotted Yayoi Kusama pumpkin outside Please activate JavaScript function on your browser Fukuoka — More than 10 million people a year make the trip to Dazaifu Tenmangu that offers visitors the opportunity to encounter contemporary art which is found ubiquitously on its grounds please disable the ad blocking feature and reload the page This website uses cookies to collect information about your visit for purposes such as showing you personalized ads and content By clicking “Accept all,” you will allow the use of these cookies Users accessing this site from EEA countries and UK are unable to view this site without your consent By Tomoko Shiraishi / Yomiuri Shimbun Staff Writer Michizane is also believed to be the deity of culture and arts for his preeminence in waka contemporary artists have dedicated their works to this sanctuary Crossing the red-colored arched taiko bashi bridge to enter the grounds of the shrine visitors will find the homotsuden shrine museum behind a hand-purifying fountain This was the first facility registered as a museum in the prefecture including paintings and national treasures dedicated to the shrine This museum is also a cultural center for displaying contemporary art An exhibition of works by “Nerhol,” an artist duo comprising sculptor Ryuta Iida titled “Tenjin,” was a collection of 40 portraits of a man dressed in a traditional costume The duo first took 100 photos of the chief priest consecutively over several minutes They prepared 40 sets of photos and repeated that process 40 times they used cutters and chisels to carve each set of photos The exhibition was part of the shrine’s art programs have been invited to produce works as part of the program The duo based their work on the theme of Tenmangu’s long history and surrounding nature as well as the memories of people connected to the shrine “Tenmangu is a mysterious place where time flows differently to the outside world.” Everyone has their own history accumulated from the moments that make up their past and present I was conscious of my effort to make the invisible visible.” The combination of shrine and art may seem surprising “A shrine where people gather and create culture while maintaining tradition goes well with art which develops ideas based on concepts like history and time Nishitakatsuji has led various cultural activities He discovered the appeal of contemporary art whose exhibitions include dialogues with the artist about their art while studying art history at the University of Tokyo Shortly after he returned to Japan from his studies at Harvard University in the United States he proposed a redesign of Homangu’s Kamado Shrine where amulets will be conferred when it is rebuilt near Dazaifu Tenmangu He commissioned interior designer Masamichi Katayama for the redesign cherry blossom-inspired color and built as a ring-shaped structure based on an image of a kamado As visitors walk through the romon gate of Tenmangu It’s a temporary hall installed in front of the honden the main sanctuary of the shrine complex and is currently undergoing a major renovation until 2026 giving the impression of a forest floating in midair a venue design producer working on next year’s Osaka-Kansai Expo The image of a “floating forest” came from an idea related to an anecdote about a sacred tree called the “tobiume” (flying plum) a plum tree Michizane cherished in Kyoto flew overnight to Dazaifu to be reunited with him The plants on the roof will be transplanted to the shrine’s grounds when the temporary structure is demolished Standing on a hill next to Tenmangu is the Kyushu National Museum Nishitakatsuji’s great-great-grandfather started the tradition of hosting a museum at Dazaifu His descendants have been making similar efforts for generations Nishitakatsuji said: “How can we add new value to the shrine for the next millennium I guess I’m part of the same lineage as my ancestors,” he said Our weekly ePaper presents the most noteworthy recent topics in an exciting © 2025 The Japan News - by The Yomiuri Shimbun The "Pages｜Fukuoka Art Book Fair," which closed with great success last year will be held again this year for the second time bringing together about 100 unique publishers and designers from all over Kyushu and abroad to Fukuoka the event will offer a variety of programs including exhibitions as well as bringing the charm of "books" to you a contemporary art center established in Kitakyushu in 1997 has produced a number of artist books until 2021 when it will end its activities in Kitakyushu Most of the works produced at "CCA" were created during the artists' stay in Kitakyushu and many of them are linked to the gallery projects presented at the same time or reflect Kitakyushu and Japan through the artists' experiences during their stay The exhibition will feature artist books published by "CCA" along with Lawrence Winner to create a shop-in-shop "& DICE & DICE supported by" At the "TOKYO DESIGN STUDIO New Balance" exhibit the latest issue (#10) of the free magazine "NOT FAR" produced by "TOKYO DESIGN STUDIO New Balance" will be distributed free of charge from its first issue in 2020 to the present A special installation will be held on the archives of the magazine from its first issue in 2020 to the present As a special event connecting the event venue and Dice & Dice each customer who brings a copy of NOT FAR (#10) to Dice & Dice during the event period will receive a set of all back issues with special tote bag (#1~# 9) with a special tote bag for each customer a leader in Fukuoka's art and culture scene will exhibit and sell zines and other goods in Yokoden as well as set up a radio booth in the Yummy Area and deliver the radio program ((((RADIO COCONUT)1 TP14T) It is recommended to watch the live broadcast around the radio booth or listen to it with earphones while walking around the venue In addition, "Pages | Fukuoka Art Book Fair" will be linked with bookstores, galleries, stores, and restaurants in Fukuoka to introduce local art, culture, fashion, music, food, and other attractions through the "Friends" project.Official Siteand ... andInstagramIn the "FRIENDS" section it seems to introduce information on the participating facilities and the events being held during the exhibition period We hope you will take this opportunity to visit the venue You are sure to have a new encounter with "books" waiting for you The hall’s formal inauguration took place as part of an important ceremony held every 25 years in honor of Sugawara no Michizane (Tenjin-sama) the revered deity associated with learning the structure is distinguished by its elliptical planted roof | all images courtesy of Dazaifu Tenmangu The temporary hall has been completed to house the spirit of the enshrined deity during the major renovation of the main shrine. Designed by Sou Fujimoto Architects (find more here), the building is a harmonious blend of tradition and modernity, preserving the rich history Dazaifu Tenmangu (find more here) that spans over 1,100 years The striking feature of the building is the remarkable rooftop adorned with plum trees nurtured by the flower guardians of Tenmangu Shrine within the temple grounds they will be captivated by the ever-changing ambiance presenting a fresh experience with each visit ‘More than two years after receiving the request for the design Starting with accepting the long history and tradition of Dazaifu Tenmangu we continued to consider various things until we arrived at the current plan Faced with the big question of whether modern architecture can respond to a history of more than 1,100 years I put everything I had into designing it.’ shares lead architect Sou Fujimoto ‘Although it is a limited period of three years the forest-like roof for Lord Michizane connects with the legend of Tobiume plums and history and the beautiful and rich nature can be felt I wish I could be a landscape like that.’  ‘I wish I could be a landscape like that’ shares Sou Fujimoto while commenting on the forest-like roof Dazaifu Tenmangu has also invited Japanese fashion brand Mame Kurogouchi to create the mitobari and kicho for the temporary shrine infusing the spirit of Tenjin and the shrine’s history into their designs By combining ancient dyeing methods with modern looms representing the god of culture and arts and the shrine’s significance as a cultural hub The fabric features a prominent plum tree motif symbolizing Tenmangu Shrine with a beautiful gradient of colors and patterns that symbolize the expansiveness of life within the shrine’s premises silk was dyed using plum and camphor branches sourced from the shrine grounds The flowing threads in the weave represent the designer’s personal experience of the rain of life The fabric weaves together the historical legacy of Tenjin and Tenmangu incorporating elements such as irises and flowers blooming within the shrine ensuring a connection between the past and the future Japanese fashion brand Mame Kurogouchi has created the mitobari and kicho for the temporary shrine the fabric features a prominent plum tree motif symbolizing Tenmangu Shrine name: temporary hall for Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine architects: Sou Fujimoto Architects | @sou_fujimoto AXOR presents three bathroom concepts that are not merely places of function but destinations in themselves — sanctuaries of style Your browser does not support JavaScript, or it is disabled．Please check the site policy for more information National Report Japan experienced its second-hottest September on record with the average temperature 2.52 degrees higher than normal the Japan Meteorological Agency announced on Oct This September ranks just behind last year’s which remains the hottest ninth month of the year since Japan began keeping such records in 1898 with an average temperature 2.66 degrees higher than normal western Japan and the Okinawa Amami region each experienced their hottest September ever recorded This year a record-breaking 1,452 locations across the country recorded “extremely hot weather,” defined as temperatures hitting 35 degrees or higher This figure surpasses the previous record of 1,093 locations set in 2010 making it the highest number since comparable data became available in that year The intense summer heat also continued well into the second half of the month extremely hot weather was recorded at 28 locations Temperatures also exceeded 35 degrees in Owase 45 of the 153 observation points nationwide broke the record for the latest date of extremely hot weather “The progression of the seasons is delayed we often experienced summer-like atmospheric pressure patterns,” said Hisashi Nakamura a professor at the University of Tokyo’s Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology specializing in climate change He explained that the extension of the Pacific high pressure system combined with the northward meandering of the westerlies caused Japan and its surrounding areas to be covered by high pressure resulting in clear skies and rising temperatures Sea surface temperatures have also been high This has contributed to the formation of linear rainbands resulting in the recent devastating heavy rainfall over the Noto Peninsula “Heat directly affects the amount of rainfall,” Nakamura warned “We must be prepared for heavy rain similar to what the Kyushu and Shikoku regions typically experience where rainfall has not traditionally been high.” “heat waves don’t last beyond the equinox,” hot days exceeding 30 degrees are forecast for October prompting warnings about the risk of heatstroke Nakamura said that it’s still too early to conclude whether this prolonged heat in autumn is becoming the new normal the trend of rising temperatures will continue,” he said “Keeping in mind that the climate is changing society needs to adapt by changing plans for sports events and agricultural activities without being bound by traditional calendars or customs.” Sweltering Japan suffered hottest September ever recorded Japan blistered in hottest July on record for 2nd summer in a row Nagano harvests of mushrooms shrivel up after dry Early pressure patterns causing record-setting heat in Japan Information on the latest cherry blossom conditions Please right click to use your browser’s translation function.) A series based on diplomatic documents declassified by Japan’s Foreign Ministry Here is a collection of first-hand accounts by “hibakusha” atomic bomb survivors chefs and others involved in the field of food introduce their special recipes intertwined with their paths in life A series about Japanese-Americans and their memories of World War II In-house News and Messages No reproduction or republication without written permission Please view the main text area of the page by skipping the main menu. The page may not be displayed properly if the JavaScript is deactivated on your browser Today's print edition Home Delivery Police said Wednesday that they had arrested a man who reportedly admitted to breaking into more than 1,000 homes in an unconventional way of relieving stress Police took the 37-year-old into custody on Monday on suspicion of trespassing on a property in Dazaifu a police spokesman said.googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1499653692894-0'); }); "Breaking into other people's homes is a hobby of mine and I have done it more than 1,000 times," the Mainichi Shimbun quoted the unnamed man as saying "I get so thrilled that my palms sweat when wondering if someone will discover me or not and it relieves some stress," he told police In a time of both misinformation and too much information quality journalism is more crucial than ever.By subscribing Your subscription plan doesn't allow commenting. 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Tokyo With a history spanning over 1,100 years, Fukuoka prefecture's Dazaifu Tenmangu is one of Japan’s most important Shinto shrines dedicated to culture It’s built over the burial site of the Heian period (794-1185) scholar and poet Sugawara no Michizane In anticipation of the 1,125th anniversary of Sugawara in 2027 the shrine has decided to renovate its main hall for the first time in 124 years Construction for the renovation project is now underway and is expected to take three years due to the complexities involved in restoring and preserving the framework of the 430-year-old building To give visitors a place to worship until the main hall is complete, the shrine commissioned Sou Fujimoto Architects who is also leading the design for the site of Expo 2025 in Osaka to build a temporary hall as a placeholder for the main shrine building.  The substitute shrine building opened to the public on May 14 and will remain until renovations for the main shrine buildings are completed in 2026 With an ash-black foundation and a sloped garden roof designed to merge with the shrine’s natural surroundings Unlike the shrine’s original main hall visitors can enter this structure without removing their shoes.  Adding to the structure's allure is its rooftop garden adorned with flora like the plum trees that can also be found within the shrine precincts with seasons and weather imbuing it with a fresh perspective on every encounter It's a shame that this architectural masterpiece will only be around briefly this temporary structure boasts an undeniable charm making it a worthy detour on any trip to Fukuoka Find out more about Daizaifu Tenmangu here.  This article was originally published on December 12 2022 and updated on May 16 2023.  There's a giant portrait of Ed Sheeran made from carnations at Tokyo Tower Street go-karting is back in Tokyo – here's how to get behind the wheel Ikea Japan's annual Matcha Sweets Fair is back – now with 10 green tea desserts Shake Shack collaborates with Michelin-star restaurant La Cime for a special menu Get free entry to Ueno museums on International Museum Day 2023 Want to be the first to know what’s cool in Tokyo? Sign up to our newsletter for the latest updates from Tokyo and Japan. facebooktwitterpinterestinstagramAbout us extraordinary festivals and rituals performed at centuries-old shrines autumn in Fukuoka is an unforgettable time Japan prides itself deeply on its four distinct seasons and appreciating each is an act imbued with deep aesthetic and even spiritual resonance is world famous for being a time to commune with the natural world and contemplate the transience of life — but autumn is rich with its own beauty and significance or “autumn leaf hunting,” which refers to appreciating the changing seasons and visiting places where the leaves have started to transform and there are a variety of other seasonal activities to partake in not to mention an abundance of autumn-specific cuisine With its rich local culture and varied landscapes Fukuoka is a perfect place to savor Japanese fall offering experiences that can’t be had anywhere else — it’s awash with unique momijigari spots seasonal festivals and ceremonies that only take place this time of year Here are some highlights from the prefecture:  long venerated as a sacred spot inhabited by gods; it consists of sanctuaries at the foot of the mountain and at the peak and it’s known as a particularly auspicious place for love and match-making prayers with a surfeit of sakura in the spring and a riot of radiant foliage in the fall around 300 deciduous trees leading up to the shrine This tunnel of foliage is a popular sightseeing spot and it’s also the location of the annual Kamado Shrine Momiji Festival which will take place on November 23 and 24 this year There will also be an evening illumination event that highlights the resplendence of the leaves from November 16 to 30 Akizuki is famous for its 800-year-old castle town overflowing with historic charm and often referred to as Chikuzen’s Little Kyoto remnants of a moat and gates — create a striking scene around 20 maple trees thronging the gate turn vibrant red creating a remarkable contrast with the black structure is lined with stalls for visitors to enjoy A sprawling karst landscape that’s been designated as a quasi-national park Hiraodai Limestone Plateau has unconventional and otherworldly autumn scenery The area is well known in Japan for its surreal beauty with limestone formations jutting out of the verdant visitors can see a huge profusion of pampas grass swaying in the breeze; in the summer it takes on shimmering silver and gold hues The limestone plateau is an excellent place to take a hike or just take in the view; it also makes for one-of-a-kind photos — a lovely alternative to classic foliage hunting Held to commemorate the anniversary of poet Hakushu Kitahara’s death on November 2 the Hakushu Festival and Parade on Water takes place annually from November 1 to 3 Kitahara is one of the most influential modern literary figures in Japan known for his romantic poetry that often took everyday life as its subject — nostalgia singular event that highlights both the poet’s enduring legacy and the cultural heritage of Yanagawa one of the most unique and memorable aspects of the festival: Several dozen ships lit up by lanterns form a magnificent procession starting at dusk At temporary stages constructed along their route a variety of events will take place: Locals will perform traditional songs and recite from Kitahara’s works and there will also be Japanese drum and koto performances plus performances by a high school brass band which can be literally translated as “god entertainment,” is a sacred Shinto ritual that dates back to ancient times colorful costumes and masks; since it’s a method of entertaining and honoring the gods it’s often performed around harvest times to pray for good fortune in the northeastern part of Fukuoka Prefecture is one of the most active areas in Japan for kagura dance the region hosts over 200 performances annually There are 30 active kagura groups in Keichiku graceful and dynamic style that’s been passed down in the area for centuries and has been recognized as an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Japan For those who wish to witness firsthand the splendor of kagura dance in autumn dozens of performances are held at shrines throughout Keichiku from September to December of each year It’s a rare and thrilling opportunity to experience firsthand local heritage and rituals with hundreds of years of history Another Kagura dance to put on your radar takes place every year on the fourth Saturday of October at Itoshima’s Takasu Shrine Fukuoka is also known throughout Japan for its traditional crafts; the prefecture has several distinctive types of pottery each with its own style and historical significance whereas Takatori ware is prized for its delicacy a collaboration between the Fukuoka Prefectural Government and the restaurant brand Nadaman located in the heart of Tokyo food and drinks are served in traditional Fukuoka wares allowing visitors to directly encounter the region’s cultural heritage For those who want to venture outside of the capital, the Minto Mura Festival is the largest pottery festival in the Koishiwara area attracting ceramics enthusiasts from across the country This year’s autumn festival will take place from Saturday and around 50 kilns from the region will be selling their finest goods nadaman.co.jp For the first time in over 120 years, the Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine in Japan is being renovated. Over the course of three years, this important cultural monument will undergo critical maintenance and reconstruction. And so, Sou Fujimoto Architects were charged with creating a temporary hall that will welcome visitors during this time the temporary hall's sloped roof will be filled with greenery that blends the structure into the natural landscape One of the many plants situated on the roof is the plum tree This plant was specifically chosen due to its special connection with Sugawara no Michizane the 9th-century BCE scholar and poet who is enshrined here He is now celebrated in the Shinto religion as the god of learning Sou Fujimoto was inspired by the legend of the “flying plum tree.” Toward the end of his life was demoted after the ruling Emperor abdicated the throne The scholar was then forced to move from Kyoto to Dazaifu He wrote several poems lamenting the fact that he'd miss the plum tree at his Kyoto home The legend of the flying plum tree states that his beloved tree flew all the way to be with him in Dazaifu The way in which the greenery is planted makes them seem to fly around the shrine The strong visual impact of the plants will evolve as the color change through the seasons they are greeted by a louvered ceiling inspired by an architectural element known as taruki (rafters) a skylight will often a view of the forest and surrounding sky as a way to transport guests into the world of Dazaifu Tenmangu Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine in Dazaifu, Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan. (Photo: [email protected]/Depositphotos) Celebrating creativity and promoting a positive culture by spotlighting the best sides of humanity—from the lighthearted and fun to the thought-provoking and enlightening Japanese version Sou Fujimoto Architects has designed a temporary hall for Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine in Fukuoka, Japan The pavilion will stand in front of the main shrine which will be reconstructed for the next three years which is designated as an important cultural property and the ‘temporary hall’ will replace it to welcome visitors The new design is defined by a green roof that creates a perfect symbiosis between built space and natural surroundings A ‘forest’ appears on its bent roof dissolving the boundary between the hall’s interior and exterior and bears the design signature of the renowned Japanese architect and the pavilion is set to be open until the main renovation is complete Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine is the head shrine of Tenmangu shrines in Japan that permanently enshrines the spirit of Sugawara no Michizane who is widely revered as the god of learning The shrine is worshiped not only all over Japan but also around the world and nearly 10 million worshipers visit it annually At Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine, every 25 years, a ceremony is held to commemorate the number 25, which is closely related to Sugawara no Michizane (Tenjin). ‘In the 9th year of Reiwa (2027), we will celebrate the 1125th anniversary of Sugawara no Michizane’s death,’ shares the team at Dazaifu Tenmangu Unlike the main shrine, visitors can enter the temporary pavilion — conceived by Sou Fujimoto Architects (see more here) — without taking off their shoes a slope is provided and designed with consideration for elderly people and children The size of the funeral hall follows the same dimensions as the current main hall providing worshipers with a spacious layout The current main shrine was rebuilt approximately 430 years ago by Takakage Kobayakawa This is the first time the main shrine will be rebuilt and repaired for such a long period of time ‘In order to pass on the traditions that have been protected and handed down to the future and revive the beautiful appearance we will repair the damaged parts using traditional techniques but we will also hold an expert meeting centered on architectural history and history experts We will conduct surveys and research in parallel with the start-up and repairs and re-evaluate the historical value and cultural significance of the main shrine.’ scheduled completion of the main hall renovation is expected around 2026 ‘We will build a ‘cave’ in front of Kumamoto Station to welcome everyone to visit Since it has only been exhibited for three years we wanted it to be a place that will be pleasing to the Tenjin Sama and all the visitors It has been designed to blend in with the surrounding landscape carrying on the tradition and connecting to the future.’ the main hall was reroofed with cypress bark and painted with lacquer in 1990 name: temporary hall for Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine architects: Sou Fujimoto Architects | @sou_fujimoto FUKUOKA — Dazaifu Tenmangu shrine in Dazaifu announced Tuesday that its honden main hall will be significantly renovated for the shrine’s grand refurbishment ceremony in 2027 It is the first time in 124 years that the honden hall a government-designated important cultural property will undergo a major renovation since one conducted in the Meiji era (1868-1912) The renovation will start in May 2023 and is scheduled to be completed in around 2026 During the about three years of renovation work rituals and worship will be conducted in a temporary sanctuary hall to be set up in front of the honden hall The year 2027 will mark the 1,125th anniversary of the death of Sugawara no Michizane an aristocrat who is enshrined in Dazaifu Tenmangu The renovation work will repair the hall’s aged roof Disaster-prevention improvements will also be made The firm of architect Sosuke Fujimoto designed the temporary sanctuary hall that will stand in front of the honden hall during the renovation Fujimoto is also a designing producer of the venue of the 2025 Osaka-Kansai Expo The temporary hall will be a one-story building with steel beams Fujimoto’s office said that trees and grass will be planted on its gently inclined roof so that the building will be in harmony with the nearby natural environment Construction of the temporary hall is scheduled to run from February to May of 2023 At a press conference at Dazaifu Tenmangu shrine on Tuesday “I aimed for a design that can connect the tradition of Dazaifu Tenmangu shrine with today Japanese version Colossal For the Hanami 2050 exhibition in Fukuoka, Japan, Danish floral designer Nicolai Bergmann collaborated with the Tokyo-based design firm Onesal to create a series of dazzling botanical animations The works were created under the concept of “future flowers,” and explore creations from deep within the designers’ imaginations Fantastical and brightly colored buds burst into bloom with a satisfying crack and sizzle presenting arrangements that appear like a cross between a botanical garden and extraterrestrial forest The looping presentations were displayed on screens embedded in real foliage arranged by Bergmann, and sprung to life at the historic Shinto shrine Dazaifu Tenmangu (太宰府天満宮) from March 29 to April 1 Do stories and artists like this matter to you? Become a Colossal Member now Join more than 200,000 subscribers and get the best of art and visual culture from Colossal Copyright © 2025 Colossal. See our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy A ceremony is held in the garden of Dazaifu Tenmangu in Fukuoka Prefecture that reenacts a ceremony performed at the Imperial Court during the Heian period (late eighth to late twelfth century) No article or any part there of may be reproduced without the express permission of the Cabinet Office. Copyright inquiries should be made through this form Fukuoka Prefecture--A temporary “floating forest” will adorn the roof of the magnificent Dazaifu Tenmangu shrine here while its main hall undergoes an extensive three-year renovation The design calls for trees and grass to be planted on the curving roof to blend architecture with nature The complex is one of Japan’s most historically and culturally significant shrines For the three years when its “honden” main hall will be closed off to the roughly 10 million visitors who come to the shrine each year a temporary hall will be created so people can still worship their Shinto deities The renovation project will kick off from May the main building is decorated with gold leaf and coated with lacquer It is designated as an important cultural property by the central government The shrine enshrines the spirit of Sugawara no Michizane (845-903) a noted scholar and politician of the Heian Period (794-1185) who died in exile in Dazaifu Closely associated with the number 25 because he was born on June 25 and died on Feb the shrine holds a Shinto festival every 25 years the renovation work will be finished ahead of a festival scheduled in 2027 to mark the 1,125th anniversary of Michizane’s death Because the main building will be shrouded with coverings during the renovation project head priest Nobuhiro Nishitakatsuji asked architect Sousuke Fujimoto to draw up a design for the temporary hall Fujimoto serves as a design producer for the venue of the 2025 Osaka Kansai Expo which will be built just in front of the main building will be a steel-frame structure measuring 22 meters wide Its slightly curved roof with a total space of about 250 square meters will be planted with more than 10 species of trees and grass to create a forest effect The design was inspired by a legend of “tobi-ume” (flying plum") involving a plum tree that came flying overnight to be united with its beloved master in Dazaifu after he was exiled from Kyoto The forest will camouflage the coverings of the main building while blending in with surrounding greenery It will also be strong enough to withstand typhoons “I paid respect to traditions while I added new interpretations,” Fujimoto said “I hope it will serve as a bridge to the future.” so it is a Shinto-esque building,” Nishitakatsuji added “We want the temporary hall to be attractive enough to please visitors while the renovation work is under way.” Construction of the temporary hall will begin in early February The renovation work for the main building will start after a ritual of moving the “goshintai” object of worship to the temporary hall is held The main building is open to the public while the temporary hall is being built The renovation project is scheduled to end in 2026 Ume blossoms on clone of sacred tree linked to legend in Kyoto Jewel in Kyoto’s temple crown restored to former splendor Work to restore famed Shuri-jo castle taking shape A new Sou Fujimoto temporary hall for the Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine in Japan is revealed This Sou Fujimoto temporary hall has all the ingredients of a Japanese fairy-tale: a floating forest on an oval roof, a flying plum tree and sacred textiles seen only by a deity. And after three years? It will disappear. This weekend, Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine, a historic site in lush green Fukuoka in southern Japan starts a new chapter in its 1,100-year history with the opening of its project by architect Fujimoto.  The new hall is a minimalist black structure with hints of a modern take on traditional shrine architecture capped with an elliptical 'floating forest' roof designed by Japanese fashion brand Mame Kurogouchi and crafted by generations-old Kyoto artisans – the inner sides not viewable by human eyes The new structure will stand in the inner sanctum of Dazaifu Tenmangu for three years before being dismantled It will be operational while the main shrine building is renovated for the first time in 124 years we were faced with the important question of how modern architecture can respond to a history of 1,100 years,' says Fujimoto 'We thought about the rich nature that surrounds Dazaifu Tenmangu and the traditions of the shrine – and approached the design with a conscious desire to pass these onto the future.' It was a challenge creating a temporary building which is both traditional and modern It’s very simple but it carries a long The shrine was built 1,121 years ago upon the grave of Sugawara Michizane scholar and politician who was exiled to Dazaifu from Kyoto After his death he was recognised as Tenjin Fujimoto’s temporary hall is the latest in more than a millennium of creative activities for Dazaifu Tenmangu The shrine is historically renowned as a cultural sanctuary for learning It is celebrated for its contemporary arts projects with installations by Ryan Gander and Simon Fujiwara scattered among its ancient grounds escapism and design stories from around the world direct to your inbox The shrine’s nature-rich setting is also famously home to a special plum tree flew there from Sugawara’s Kyoto garden Fujimoto adds: 'Its concept derives from the legend of the flying plum tree Plum trees and other plants seem to fly here and dance creating the roof of the deity’s dwelling They will change colour as the climate and seasons shift.' Simplicity underpins the clean-lined form of the matte black steel structure Elements of traditional shrine architecture are filtered through a contemporary prism – from thin black poles echoing ancient wooden columns to the gentle curvature of its louvered black wood ceiling inspired by the shrine’s taruki rafters creating a sense of 'spatial solemnity,' as Fujimoto puts it Cut into the roof is a deep circular skylight resulting in a shaft of light hitting the floor in front of visitors praying at its threshold the shadows of rooftop trees flickering across the hole’s inner light grey walls.  Spanning 13m across the hall is Mame Kurogouchi’s sacred curtain made by 19th century Kyoto-based Kawashima Selkon Delicately-etched plum tree branches flow across five panels of subtly shifting shades At either end are two textile screens known as kicho with vividly abstract natural scenes inspired by iris flowers plum blossoms and an ancient camphor tree at the shrine’s entrance Organic shades of purples and greens wash across the intricate silk textiles crafted by Kyoto’s kimono textile makers Hosoo who used natural dyeing ingredients made from the shrine’s camphor and plum trees plus rare gromwell root Surfaces are textured with vertical threads typically seen on the reverse side of textiles – an organic blurring of inside and out also found in her fashion collections – evoking a visual sense of rain falling and time flowing 'When I create my collections, fabric design comes after designing clothes,' Kurogouchi says It allowed me to work on a larger form of expression I asked Hosoo to combine modern weaving looms with their own ancient dyeing technique to create a work that represents the times we live in now The designs and materials incorporate a plum motif that symbolises the shrine as well as memories of the chief priest’s family.' She adds: 'All these elements are merged in the landscape of my memory I hope visitors will feel the energy and calmness of life in the shrine – and find their own landscape to create unique memories.' The main shrine hall will undergo extensive renovations including a new hiwada bark roof and lacquering conceived with a deep respect for tradition and the rich nature of the shrine grounds is very much in harmony with the architectural appearance of the shrine.' sou-fujimoto.net  dazaifutenmangu.or.jp  Danielle Demetriou is a British writer and editor who moved from London to Japan in 2007 magazines and books) and lives in an old machiya townhouse in Kyoto.  the ANA Group sets up an extra-large ema (special wooden tablet) and wish cards at every airport in Japan for a limited time every year which have been purified with prayers for passing exams from the Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine in Fukuoka prefecture Students and their family members who go through the airport can write their wishes on the wish cards and hang them on the extra-large ema ANA Group employees in Fukuoka dedicate the extra-large ema and wish cards collected from around Japan to Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine This initiative started at Fukuoka Airport in 1993 it has expanded to 18 airports and one branch across Japan Dazaifu Tenmangu is the venerable head shrine of approximately 12,000 shrines across Japan dedicated to Michizane Sugawara and many students visit every year to offer prayers so they can pass their exams a ceremony was held at the main shrine to offer prayers and dedicate the ema filled with everyone’s wishes "I originally planned this event because I wanted to do something for the students and the number of employees involved at the airports and events is increasing every year so I feel that the circle of support for the students is spreading nationwide I want to continue bringing the wish cards to Dazaifu Tenmangu with the wishes of the students Kubo of ANA Sales Kyushu branch office in charge of the student support event) "A lot of students are studying diligently every day for their exams but it would be great if their prayers to the god will help calm their nerves to take their exams." (“Gonnegi” Nomura of the Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine) The ANA Group will continue to wish for everyone’s happiness and health and contribute to a brighter future There has been a critical error on your website Learn more about debugging in WordPress. This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks The action you just performed triggered the security solution There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page It sure had us at “Hello.” Standing on a nondescript platform at Nishitetsu Fukuoka (Tenjin) Station in Fukuoka’s bustling shopping district a pair of lights resembling round anime eyes grew brighter as the train approached we were greeted by a yellow-light signage in cursive on its front we caught glimpses of a cozy interior with fully laid tables We were about to be let in on one of Fukuoka’s best-kept secrets: The Rail Kitchen Chikugo Launched in March 2019 by Nishi-Nippon Railroad Co the traveling restaurant plies the Chikugo area less than an hour south of central Fukuoka Meticulously curated meals for up to 52 people across three cars are prepared from scratch in its fully equipped kitchen A built-in kiln churns out handmade pizzas topped with local seasonal vegetables (the burdock and canola flower-topped version changed our minds about meatless pizzas) “The traveling restaurant plies the Chikugo area less than an hour south of central Fukuoka” All ingredients and beverages onboard are locally sourced said Nishitetsu Assistant Manager Hideho Takada “We wanted to create something to connect people and let them appreciate the unique produce from local farms along the track,” he explained as the view outside shifted from generic houses to rolling farmlands “Pizza made with locally produced flour became our main dish because Fukuoka is the second-largest flour producer in Japan.” Rail Kitchen’s gourmet offerings are served on modern ceramic and wood-based works by Chikugo’s finest craftsmen Yame bamboo-woven material adorns the ceiling while rare red-tinted unglazed Jojima tiles and framed pieces of Kurume Kasuri – a dyed textile with a splashed pattern unique to Fukuoka – lend the walls an artistic flair The train also offers passengers a chance to stop off and discover the hidden stories of three of Kyushu’s most picturesque historical towns – Dazaifu Yanagawa and Omuta – depending on their choice of meal On our agenda was a visit to Dazaifu (40-minute brunch) and Yanagawa (two-hour lunch or dinner) we found ourselves merging with a stream of umbrellas bobbing along an approximately 250m-long street that’s filled with souvenir shops and eateries leading up to Dazaifu Tenmangu Legend has it the shrine was originally built in the 10th century to enshrine a politician poet and scholar who was deified as a Shinto god of learning the place was teeming with students seeking divine assistance for upcoming high-school and university entrance exams The grandeur of Dazaifu Tenmangu was not lost in the crowd as we walked across two beautiful red arch bridges over a landscaped pond toward the honden (main hall) Look out for the tobiume (flying plum tree) on the right which is said to have taken flight from Kyoto to be reunited with its beloved master Behind the honden is a lesser-known spot called Tenkai Inari Shrine It’s known as the most powerful spot on these grounds for granting wishes but we found simpler joy by trekking up a winding path paved with vermilion-colored torii gates toward the shrine About an hour’s train ride farther south from Dazaifu is Yanagawa will remain hidden from the kimono-renting crowd) which traces its history back to over 400 years ago thanks to the hundreds of kilometers of waterways – once water moats built as a defense system – that crisscross the town boatmen use long poles to deftly steer donko bunes (small river boats) along the waterways taking visitors on scenic kawakudari (downstream) cruises and punctuating the rides with melodious renditions of Yanagawa’s folk songs “I’ve been doing this for 17 years,” said our 33-year old boatman “I have yet to grow sick of it.” It’s not hard to believe With our legs snug under a kotatsu (table with built-in heater underneath) on the boat complete with traditional warehouses and willow trees that seemed idyllic even in their wintry bareness It’s easy to see how this town could have inspired Hakushu Kitahara (1885-1942) to write the tanka (a Japanese poem of 31 syllables) folk songs and children’s songs that cemented him as the founder of modern Japanese poetry he described his hometown as “the mother and creative source” of his poetry the Yanagawa Municipal Folk Museum stands on a corner of the former Kitahara estate It was opened in 1985 to honor the poet’s legacy and is definitely worth a visit an affectionate local term for the Edo-period residence of the Tachibana clan Ohana’s rich history of more than four centuries is evident everywhere It can be traced on the walls of its Meiji-era Western-style Seiyokan (former state guest house) which is laid with an impressive 100 tatami mats The colorful sagemon (good luck charms for girls) displays in its former administration room and the Ohana Shoto-en a stunning Japanese garden dotted with over 200 pine trees Ohana is now a nationally designated scenic spot It is a popular venue for weddings and operates as a restaurant and an inn A night’s stay in one of its well-appointed rooms epitomizes the experience of staying at a Japanese ryokan: sublime Sitting in a private tatami room as we wrapped up our day a seemingly endless stream of delicacies from the Ariake Sea (including the famous Yanagawa steamed and grilled eel dish) filled our table for an exquisite kaiseki dinner (traditional Japanese multicourse cuisine) – many of the ingredients being so unusual that our tastebuds were just becoming acquainted with them for the first time From unique cuisine to culturally enriching sightseeing our Rail Kitchen ride undoubtedly whetted our appetites for many more yet-to-be-discovered stories in our Kyushu journey To book your Rail Kitchen Chiguko ride, go to www.railkitchen.jp a smartphone app created by Toyota Motor Corp. You can use the app to search for routes (trains buses and taxis) and find information about shops and events Dazaifu Burger: One of the district’s most famous snacks Essentially a karaage (Japanese fried chicken) burger accompanied by tartare sauce infused with Fukuoka’s famed plum a local joint about five minutes from Dazaifu Tenmangu Unagi no Seiro Mushi: Steamed grilled eel sitting on a bed of rice drenched in a special sweet sauce and sprinkled with thinly sliced egg located in front of the Nishitetsu-Yanagawa Station It’s one of the few restaurants that still uses domestic eels For an off-the-beaten-path experience in Yanagawa a yoga retreat-cum-café that’s less than 15 minutes away by car from Nishitetsu-Yanagawa Station Doing sun salutations in the Balinese-style studio facing expansive paddy field views bathed in plenty of natural light was a rejuvenating experience The best part though was getting to meet the infectiously happy Matsufuji family who runs the place the new coffee shop is made of 2,000 interwoven ranging from 1.3 meters to 4 meters in length and totaling 4.4 kilometers (2.73 miles) in all Intended to create a sense of fluidity and direction—somehow appropriate considering the nearby shrine is frequently worshiped as “the God of Examination”—the complex technique is a callback to the highly developed piling up of small parts from the ground seen in the traditional architecture of Japan and China cave-like space that invites patrons in and stimulates the senses while seamlessly blending into the surrounding townscape Connecting decision makers to a dynamic network of information Bloomberg quickly and accurately delivers business and financial information Tourists enter Dazaifu Tenmangu shrine in Dazaifu 2023 at 2:18 AM ESTUpdated on November 15 2023 at 2:50 AM ESTBookmarkSaveLock This article is for subscribers only.More tourists came to Japan in October than in the same month in 2019 before the pandemic a development that will offer support for the economy after it shrank over the summer The number of visitors was about 2.52 million compared with roughly 2.50 million in October 2019 Japan’s National Tourism Organization reported Wednesday Fukuoka Prefecture--An outstanding collection of Japanese swords that had been in private hands and never shown to the public before is now on display at the Kyushu National Museum in this western Japan city The blades dating from the Heian Period (794-1185) through modern times belonged to a physician whose deep knowledge of Japanese sword culture profoundly impressed experts the collection was known only to the man’s family members The items include a long sword with a 70-centimeter blade inscribed with the signature of Sadatsuna a master swordsmith of the Heian Period; a short sword made by a master craftsman of the Kamakura Period (1185-1333); and a ceremonial dagger of the Imperial Government Railways from the Meiji Era (1868-1912) 31 Japanese swords of various styles line an exhibition room at the museum Some of them are as valuable as government-designated important cultural properties The collection was donated by the late Tetsuro Kitazaki Kitazaki took over a doctor’s clinic that his father opened in the immediate aftermath of World War II and put much effort into community medicine as a physician that Kitazaki’s real dream was to become a historian instead of a doctor He liked war chronicles like “The Tale of the Heike” and was hugely attached to Japanese swords Kitazaki was in high school when he first bought a short sword He continued to collect Japanese swords on the sidelines of his practice as a physician Twenty-two of the 31 blades are categorized as “koto” (old swords) which date to around the 16th century and earlier The collection allows stylistic comparison of the five major sword making regions of Japan known as the “gokaden” (literally or the provinces of Yamato (today’s Nara Prefecture) Mino (southern Gifu Prefecture) and Sagami (Kanagawa Prefecture) The collection includes works of leading Bizen swordsmiths representing different periods allowing experts to trace stylistic changes over the ages had high praise for the Kitazaki collection “It is more than just a simple assortment of masterpieces but a superb collection based on a systematic acquisition plan,” he said “It helps trace the long history of Japanese swords.” He never showed his collection to others or loaned it for exhibitions so its presence was known only to his family members Kitazaki said he eventually wanted all his swords to be donated to Kyushu National Museum so his family members contacted the institution following his death A featured exhibition of the Kitazaki collection opened at the museum in late January “The Cutting Edge of Beauty--Japanese Swords from the Kitazaki Tetsuro Collection.” “I believe my husband is happy that his collection is being shown so splendidly,” Michiko said The featured exhibition runs through April 14 A chance to sharpen your knowledge of Japanese swords Ancient swords in the national treasure class on display in Nikko Aesthetic beauty of samurai swords on show in Yamanashi It hasn’t yet hit pre-pandemic levels but the number of visitors is quickly growing travel companies and other tourist-related businesses are having a hard time adjusting to this new environment It is an opportunity to implement much-needed changes it’s vital that Japan not lose the special touch that has made this country a unique destination.googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1499653692894-0'); }); touting its extraordinary sites and vistas as well as a level of service and hospitality — its omotenashi — that distinguishes it from many other places Japan hosted a record 32 million inbound visitors to Japan in 2019 as tourism boomed Those tourists spent a record ¥4.81 trillion ($43.6 billion) 6.5% more than in 2018 and a seventh consecutive annual increase By Bruce Asato Japanese version FUKUOKA—Relatives of a woman who died after prolonged violence are seeking an independent investigation into Saga prefectural police saying officers ignored grave concerns about her safety and then lied about their inaction said at a news conference in Fukuoka on Dec 16 that they had repeatedly told Saga police officers that Rumi’s life could be in danger Saga prefectural police released an internal document that showed the officers falsely reported that the family members did not intend to file a complaint about Rumi’s case and that they had accepted the decision not to investigate The document was released in November at the family’s request for information disclosure the life (of Rumi) might not have been lost,” Yutaka Kohata Saga prefectural police have denied the family’s request for a fresh inquiry into whether the officers responded appropriately to the family’s concerns was found dead in a car at a parking lot in Dazaifu Her body bore numerous bruises and scars from stab wounds Fukuoka prefectural police arrested Miyuki Yamamoto who had both lived with Rumi and were unemployed a 47-year-old truck driver who is an acquaintance of Yamamoto The Fukuoka police investigation revealed that Yamamoto and Kishi routinely beat Rumi and the constant violence drove her into a mental state in which she could no longer put up any resistance They then forced Rumi to beg her relatives and acquaintances for money An indictment written by prosecutors stated that between late September and Oct Yamamoto and Kishi repeatedly attacked Rumi the victim’s relatives said they consulted with police in Tosu 14 times from late June and early October that year They said they told police that Rumi kept asking them for money and that she was being threatened by Yamamoto and Tanaka who had hinted they were connected to a yakuza gang They taped part of their conversations with officers at the Tosu police station showed that the relatives asked officers to listen to taped telephone conversations that indicated Rumi was under threat The relatives told police that Rumi was in danger and may be abducted in “a plan” by “anti-social forces,” a term used for underground figures and gangs citing a lack of expressions suggesting the seriousness of the situation The relatives continued pressing police to look into Rumi’s situation “Why won’t you accept our complaint despite our repeated requests,” one of them was heard saying in the audio data “Are police going to take responsibility if something happens?” The officers presented a story contrary to the audio recording in the internal document released by Saga police after Rumi’s body was found The document stated that the relatives “did not mention that something grave may occur if the money was not paid.” It also said the family members “showed an understanding” when police told them that it would be difficult to accept their complaint Corresponding boxes on the form were checked to show that the situation with the relatives had been resolved and that the relatives had no intention of filing a complaint with police at that time Saga prefectural police defended the Tosu police station’s decision not to open an inquiry explaining that the officers concluded that Rumi “did not face immediate danger.” The police department did not discipline officers who handled the case nor open an additional investigation into the way the family members’ reports were handled reiterated the department’s explanation at the prefectural assembly and police meetings She declined to speak directly with reporters (This article was written by Erika Matsumoto Saga police failed to act despite 11 reports of abuse against woman Sedative found in ALS patient’s stomach during police autopsy go champion Yuta Iyama once again claimed the prestigious Honinbo championship for the 11th straight year found his form to set a new record for consecutive tournament titles in the major seven go title series “I haven’t been able to produce good results this year and had a tough time until the third game of this tournament as well,” he said but I’m really glad that I was able to win this championship despite all these challenges I’ll continue to do my best to play go in my style.” Iyama defended his title by defeating Ichiriki in the fourth game of the best-of-seven series in the 77th Honinbo tournament He extended his Honinbo tournament championship winning streak set by 25th Honinbo and honorary Meijin Cho Chi-hun Ichiriki has been considered the strongest contender to dethrone Iyama who has been the reigning go champion for about 10 years Iyama faced off against Ichiriki in his most recent title defense matches for the Meijin and Kisei championships Meijin and Kisei are the most prestigious among the major seven go titles Iyama fought close matches in the best-of-seven Meijin and Kisei championships that both went to the full seven games ending his tournament winning streak at nine Iyama became the youngest go player to win the Meijin title at the age of 20 He claimed all the major seven go titles in 2016 and 2017 He has also won either one of the major titles for 55 times far exceeding the second highest total of 42 Fujii becomes the youngest player to win 5 shogi titles 13-year-old girl youngest to challenge for a pro go title 13-year-old go prodigy becomes youngest to tally 100 victories Fukuoka Prefecture--At the foot of 829-meter Mount Homanzan on a recent morning the participants started like runners in a marathon As they slowly moved up the mountain together a careful observer could see that some of the younger ones still had their tails A myriad of brown juvenile toads marching up a sacred mountain toward the summit is a common local sight Baby toads measuring as small as 1 centimeter long began their ascent on the morning of May 12 around ponds near Dazaifu Tenmangu shrine here “It takes 40 or so days for them to reach the mountain top from here,” said Rikuo Watanabe He was observing the tiny toads at the water’s edge The two pools are situated close to each other between the first and second stations of Homanzan The young toads need to travel more than 2 kilometers along a hiking trail to reach the summit Homanzan has long been revered as a mountain where deities fly down and attracted mountain ascetics during Japan’s medieval times It has been designated by the central government as a national historic site sightings of hordes of tiny toads along the trail or around the summit are reported in the spring Watanabe is the first person who committed himself fully to looking into the toads’ custom When he spotted a large black shadow over the surface of a pond in spring 2010 he was surprised to find it was made up of a bevy of tadpoles Discovering large toads descending the trail toward the ponds around February the following year brought to his mind the thought that “the toads at the mountain top may be the grown tadpoles born in and ascending from the pools.” Watanabe explained his hypothesis to his mountaineer friends who called it “interesting” and began keeping watch on the toads with him a professor emeritus of environmental informatics at Saga University started his research in May 2016 and confirmed the juvenile toads’ start up the mountain on May 23 that year He then traced their ascent up Homanzan each year Many challenges lie on the path to the summit Crossing a paved woodland road constitutes the most difficult part of the journey Toads can be hit by cars if they try to cross the road at the wrong time the 30-cm-tall “perpendicular cliffs” hinder them from continuing the trip A snake species known as the tiger keelback seeks their prey at water spots and elsewhere beside the trail and ants gang up on the young toads in groups Tanaka’s survey in 2016 showed the toads arrived at the top of Homanzan on June 25 Though they were initially less than 1-cm long their body sizes had doubled by the end of their migration Tanaka and others have since been pursuing the bufos’ immigration every year Parent toads go down Homanzan to the ponds in January and February when spring water temperatures drop to the lowest level The juvenile toads start on their trip for the summit in mid to late May Young toads move actively under rainy weather but stay still in the shade offered by rocks and fallen leaves on sunny days the length of time required for them to finish the march varies from 34 to 48 days That means the toads travel 50 to 70 meters a day on average and the toads are continuing their travels smoothly due to an increased number of rainy and cloudy days brought about by the earlier onset of rainy season It is common as a means to confirm that the toads at the summit are from the ponds at the base of the mountain to cut parts off their fingers and leave other marks for observational purposes But the group of monitors said they “do not want to go that far because we take pity on them” while shaking their heads people go to Homanzan almost every day to follow the toads' ascent to find when the fastest ones have arrived they collect information from those who frequent the mountain and spot toads “around the fourth station” and elsewhere to pinpoint their current location As toads reportedly appear around the mountain top at the time they are expected to arrive there based on the past sightings “there's no doubt that they come from the ponds.” At most one in 100 toads are believed to finally arrive at the summit Why the toads head for the summit is shrouded in mystery A possible answer is that tiger keelbacks do not inhabit areas around the top of Homanzan The group examined the toads with that assumption in mind and contacted a resident living near another toad habitat in Fukuoka Prefecture to see if ascending mountains is a shared habit of the species The findings showed there are tiger keelbacks at the summit of Homanzan and no stories of toads acting in the same way were uncovered A key factor likely behind the phenomenon identified through the process is their sense of smell taking into account an academic thesis on toads’ olfactory sense “Hikers accidentally step on toads and their shoes may leave their scent on the trail allowing tadpoles to retrace the smell,” said Tanaka Watanabe further stretched his imagination saying that “the behavior may have started when ascetics were active on the peak,” although he admitted whether the speculation is the right way to unlock the mystery can be determined only when “toads themselves give us the answer.” a herpetologist and head of the Kyushu Herpetological Society who is a professor emeritus of the University of Teacher Education Fukuoka and knowledgeable about toads’ habits said it is only natural that toads leave the water and head for mountains toads usually spend time in forests and lay their eggs in ponds and other stagnant waters “It is no wonder that some toads reach the summit by chance,” said Kuramoto Still Kuramoto noted he has never heard about any cases of toads outside Homanzan arriving at mountain tops “It will be fascinating to find some kind of connection to romance in the phenomenon,” he said Six people including Watanabe set up a group to protect the toads on Homanzan in 2019 They are making efforts to preserve and monitor the species such as temporarily placing stones for tadpoles to climb out of roadside ditches and introducing a sign calling for hikers not to step on them The toads on Homanzan were designated as a citizens’ heritage by Dazaifu city last year they will arrive at the summit in mid-June this year “I would like people to see the toads while being careful of where they step,” Watanabe said Scenic Shosenen trail in Hokkaido reopens after 14-year closure Fearless climber’s latest goal: Scaling K2 by a new route Search underway for 3 climbers on K2 mountain in Pakistan Koi farmers hit by pandemic vie to reach foreign buyers online New species found show Shimane is haven for salamanders China opens Everest’s north side to 38 virus-tested climbers Fukuok Takashi H Hanami in Fukuoka Kyushu Peter Enyeart Illuminations at Fukuoka Castle Kannon Serizawa Cherry trees in Maizuru Park Fukuoka Kyushu かがみ～ Close The south in bloomFukuoka is one of the first places in Japan where the cherry blossoms flower This year they will start to bloom around 21 March Here is our Travel Angel Yoann's advice on the best spots for hanami Discover our selection of the best spots in the city to admire the cherry blossoms: dedicated to  the region's first governor Yoshitaka Kuroda (1546-1604) Nishi koen garden is one of the main hanami spots in Fukuoka you can see Hakata Bay and the islands of Nokonoshima and Shikanoshima Originally dating back to the eighteenth century The reconstruction includes cranes adorning the ceiling of the shrine They "sing" when visitors throw a coin as an offering In the evening, lanterns illuminate the park from 6pm to 10pm Dazaifu shrine garden has around 6,000 plum trees, which bloom from January to March, and 500 cherry trees, which flower from March to April. Outside the enclosure of Dazaifu Tenman-gu Nakajima temple is a "secret" spot for hanami Two kilometers from Dazaifu Tenman-gu, Kanmonmon temple offers visitors a charming view of cherry blossoms Read more: 5 rules for a successful hanami A remnant of the moat system of Fukuoka Castle The best place to enjoy the cherry blossoms is near the castle ruins you will also find a floating Japanese garden About 1,000 cherry trees grow within the park 350,000 visitors come to admire its beauty during the cherry blossom festival at Fukuoka Castle and various celebrations take place in the park Discover our activities in Fukuoka Fukuoka Sumo Tournament (November) Fukuoka Fukuoka Discovery, full day Fukuoka Fukuoka Discovery, half day Fukuoka Mojiko Moji Port Guide: Exploring a Historic Waterfront Gem Mojiko Port stands as a testament to Japan's rapid modernizationduring the Meiji and Taisho eras Karatsu Castle: A seaside fortress with a rich history Perched on a small hill overlooking Karatsu Bay in Saga prefecture Karatsu Castle stands as a testament to Japan's feudal past Uminonakamichi Seaside Park: A comprehensive guide to Fukuoka's sprawling urban oasis Nestled on a narrow peninsula across Hakata Bay from central Fukuoka Uminonakamichi Seaside Park stands as a vast urban retreat offering a diverse array of attractions for visitor Nightlife in Japan: Going out, seeing and drinking Temples and shrines in Japan Markets in Japan Onsen, Hot Springs and Public Baths Family Travel Parks and Gardens Outdoor Activities Museums and Galleries View more Sign up and be the first to hear our news and special offers Fukuoka — The city government and a nonprofit organization in Fukuoka Prefecture have started beekeeping on a trial basis under ume Japanese apricot trees at the site of ancient government office ruins which have been designated as a special historic site date back about 1,300 years ago and took charge of administration The beekeeping initiative has been launched in Kuratsukasa District which is located to the west of where the Dazaifu government buildings once stood The district used to be home to warehouses that stored items such as specialty goods delivered from around the country Dazaifu has historically been closely associated with Japanese apricots as often mentioned in ancient Japanese literature Two hives for about 4,000 Japanese honey bees in the district have been set up under the apricot trees The city hopes that the bees’ pollination activities will help invigorate the apricot trees and increase their fruit yield It also plans to develop specialty products with honey and fruits from the apiculture and use the proceeds from the products to maintain the historic site As the commercial use of apricot trees at the historic site which has been subsidized by the central government fallen fruit had been used as food for wild boars The regulations were eased after the city asked the central government to do so ciders and other products have been developed with the ume apricots Japanese version JAPAN is famous for many things - cherry blossoms to name a few - but travellers rarely visit solely to see the sheer spectacle of one of the nation's fire festivals changed my view of a society often described as formal Whilst Japanese society is based on those very threads and more The side that comes alive during new year celebrations when the Shinto ritual sees some 300 men carrying wooden torches above their heads as hot embers rain down the Onisube Fire Festival takes places every January 7 to end new year celebrations Listed as one of the country's Folk Cultural Properties the celebrations are attended by hundreds of worshippers By mid-afternoon, a long line of devotees patiently await their turn to speak with the gods at the altar in Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine - Japan's most sacred Shinto followers step forward two at a time clap twice to awaken the gods before throwing a coin in an offering box - the only thing missing is Johann Strauss' rhythmic chords The intense inferno drives the ogres out and as flames subside festivalgoers gather to collect burnt fragments for good luck and there's a final bow post-prayer to pay respects followers have faith their prayers will be answered The atmosphere is charged with spiritual energy tossing in a five-yen coin (considered the luckiest) before talking to the gods Hundreds of devotees feed 100 yen (one Australian dollar) into boxes filled with fortune telling scrolls Others write wishes on wooden plaques hoping the gods will show them the right pathways The courtyard fills with followers carrying lanterns that flicker brighter as the sun slips behind the shrine and the exorcists - who dispel evil spirits - congregate like troops Long plaited "horns" twisted from straw make effective battle-like headdresses The end game is to drive away evil spirits It's serious business because it delivers good fortune to the community Long plaited 'horns' twisted from straw make effective battle-like headdresses enters the courtyard reciting prayers as he blesses the fire carriers A short blessing goes a long way when you're hauling one-ton 13-metre burning torches through Dazaifu City The dry wood quickly ignites turning darkness to light as intense flames rage across the night sky The procession mounts as groups tramp towards Onisube Do Hall where the demons are believed to be hiding a hot heaving movement focused on expelling evil energies others hold huge plaques embossed with Dazaifu Shrine's symbol the exorcists charge at the demon's protectors with a sumo-wrestling force Stacks of hay are set alight as purifiers fan flames to smoke the demons out The night air plummets to 2C as an intense inferno drives the ogres out festival-goers gather to collect burnt fragments to place in their homes to ward off fire bringing good luck throughout the year ahead until the following year when Dazaifu City will blaze again in the quest to quell evil Lynn Gail was a guest of Fukuoka Prefecture Tourism Association Fukuoka Prefecture is perched at the northern edge of the Kyushu Island in southern Japan With two airports (Fukuoka and Kitakyushu) it provides one of the leading access points to the whole of Kyushu Flights to Fukuoka can be boarded from most cities in Japan It takes less than two hours from Tokyo and a little over an hour from Osaka Fukuoka can also be reached by bullet train from Tokyo (around five hours) and Osaka (aboutthree hours) Read more: Japan's emperor has dinner date with goddess Read more: Fire up the barbie and try this Japanese yakitori recipe ShareTravel's Top PicksHungry TravellerThe West Hollywood power move isn't booze - 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ReviewTucked away in Byron Bay, this stylish stay offers more than just good looksYou'll experience a sense of calm from the moment you arrive. A new cruise ship has scored pole position at the famous Monaco Grand PrixThe glamorous vessel will be used as a floating hotel. Ditch airport dramas in the UK by travelling by train - here's a guideTurn up the bliss factor by swapping flights with rail journeys. In southern Spain time slows down - and the tapas keeps comingSlow travel is on the rise; here's where to experience it Japanese version Japanese version Sign in to listen to groundbreaking journalism If you’re interested to visit different cities in Japan (other than Tokyo and Osaka) Fukuoka is the largest city in Kyushu and has been a major port city for centuries Nagasaki was one of two Japanese cities that felt the destructive power of the atomic bomb The city is much like Fukuoka where foreign trade took place in its ports over the centuries Filipinos will need to acquire a visa first before traveling to Japan You can also view the list of complete requirements here. After gathering the required documents, submit your application through an accredited travel agency. Here’s a list. You can also get more information by checking out the Embassy of Japan’s website. You can easily reach this city by plane from Metro Manila Cebu Pacific and Philippine Airlines have regular flights to Fukuoka Buy tickets weeks or several months before your trip to get the lowest possible prices Fukuoka Airport is centrally located near the city center It’s easy to get in and out of the airport you can board one of the Nishitetsu Buses bound for Hakata Station but you’ll have to take the free shuttle to the domestic terminal The fare bound for Hakata or Tenjin Station is JPY260.  Fukuoka provides visitors with convenient and efficient public transportation Hakata is the city’s main station and connects Fukuoka to other cities in Kyushu (including Nagasaki) The Canal City Line Bus is a convenient way to get around the city center The subway is also an option when you want to get around the city quickly It’s easier to navigate compared to the labyrinthine stations in Tokyo If you already bought a card from a previous trip to Japan A 1-Day Subway Pass is also available for JPY640 and is valid for one calendar day You can purchase these from vending machines You can also buy a Fukuoka Tourist City Pass for JPY1,500 or JPY1,820 The cheaper version is only valid in the city while the more expensive one extends the scope to Dazaifu Unless you have a Japan Rail Pass or Kyushu Rail Pass the cheapest way to reach Nagasaki is by bus Nishitetsu is the main company plying the route between Hakata or Tenjin to Nagasaki The fare is around JPY2,900 and takes approximately 2.5 hours one way *I would only recommend a rail pass if you’re traveling to other cities aside from Nagasaki and Fukuoka.  It’s easy to explore Nagasaki on foot or by tram since most tourist attractions are near each other You can purchase a 1-day pass for JPY600.  This itinerary combines Fukuoka and Nagasaki in one trip It also assumes you start with one full day head on over to Maizuru Park to explore the Fukuoka Castle Ruins Fukuoka Castle used to be the biggest in Kyushu during feudal times in Japan Kuroda Nagamasa had it built during the 17th century you’ll only see vestiges of its former glory in ruined walls and towers You’ll have to use your imagination to visualize the castle based on what’s left of it The best times to visit the park and castle ruins are during the cherry blossom season in spring and in autumn for the colorful foliage make your way to Dazaifu in Fukuoka’s outskirts You can eat lunch in Dazaifu before visiting its attractions Dazaifu is historically significant as it was Kysushu’s administrative center for more than five centuries It’s now a popular tourist destination with some temples and shrines The Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine is one of the most important Tenmangu Shrines in Japan These shrines were built as a dedication to Heian Period politician and scholar Other attractions you might want to visit include the Kyushu National Museum (the fourth national museum in Japan) Dazaifu is a quaint district which contrasts with Fukuoka’s urban sprawl It’s better to explore Dazaifu on foot because the local buses have long wait times return to Fukuoka and try some of its local dishes from the restaurants and famous stalls on Nakasu Island You can also grab a bowl of tonkotsu ramen from Ichiran.  Board a bus from Hakata Bus Center bound for Dazaifu The one-way trip costs JPY610 and takes around 40 minutes.  Board a train bound for Nishitetsu Futsukaichi Station from Nishitetsu Fukuoka Station you’ll have to transfer to the Dazaifu Line to board another train to Dazaifu The trip including transfer may take up to 40 minutes visit some of the city’s attractions such as the Fukuoka Tower The Sumiyoshi-jinja Shrine is a counterpart of a similar site in Osaka It’s a shrine dedicated to seafarers’ divinities which sailors would visit before embarking on their journey The Kushida-jinja Shrine is another ancient relic in the city It is one of the oldest Shinto shrines in Japan Do what many Filipinos do and visit a mall and window shop (or actually shop) Canal City is a huge entertainment and shopping center with more than 200 shops and other things you’d find in a mall of the same size You could drop by the Ramen Stadium for a bowl of Hakata Ramen for lunch.  Have a chill afternoon walking around Ohori Park The latter is a popular spot for jogging and taking leisurely walks around the lake you might want to visit the Fukuoka Art Museum and Western art by legends such as Andy Warhol Try to depart for Nagasaki from Fukuoka as early as possible. You can catch a bus departing as early as around 6 am from the Hakata Bus Terminal or Nishitetsu Bus Terminal. You can buy a ticket on the day, but I would recommend buying a ticket at least the day before your planned departure. You can refer to this site for schedules After checking into your accommodation and eating lunch The latter commemorates the bombing of Nagasaki on August 9 The atom bomb killed thousands of people and destroyed huge swathes of the city Here you’ll find the Hypocenter Park; it marks the epicenter of the bomb’s explosion Not too far from the Hypocenter Park you’ll find Nagasaki’s most famous statue You’ll also see a variety of memorials and monuments for those that died during the bombing throughout the park Drop by the Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum to learn more about the tragedy and the need for peace Urakami Cathedral is a rebuilt Catholic church that was destroyed during the explosion of the atomic bomb Its damaged pillar is found near the black monolith in the Hypocenter Park The ride takes around five minutes; a one-way trip costs JPY730 and costs JPY1,250 for a roundtrip ride You can walk to the lower station from the Takaramachi tram stop Wait until it gets dark to get spectacular views of the city at night and houses of former prominent foreign residents who lived in Nagasaki when Japan’s era of seclusion ended One such famous resident was Thomas Glover He was a prominent figure during Japan’s early industrialization Tourists can enter some of the mansions’ rooms to get a glimpse of the wealthy lifestyle of its former residents The garden also provides visitors with fetching views of the harbor and city It’s one of the oldest Christian churches in Japan A French missionary had it built in 1864 for the community of foreigners in Nagasaki Around 10 minutes’ walk from Oura Church is the Dutch Slope This area is home to a few remaining Western-style buildings which connect them with the city’s opening to foreign trade in the late 1850s Another foreigner enclave of note is Dejima The latter used to be a man-made island in Nagasaki’s port The local government had it built in 1636 to segregate foreigners and control and monitor their activities Its first occupants were the Portuguese; the Japanese later expelled them and the Dutch took their place Dejima is no longer an island; its surroundings are now reclaimed areas This structure was dedicated to the 26 executed Christians in 1597 The martyrs included ordinary people and foreign missionaries The museum provides you with information about this piece of history in Japan Other places you might want to visit include Chinatown you can return to some of the places you liked in the city or just shop for souvenirs before you go to the airport for your flight back to the Philippines.  A budget of roughly JYP42,000 to JPY48,000 or around P17,000 to P20,000 for the itinerary above for one person is enough to cover a bed in a dorm room eating at convenience stores (with the occasional splurge) taking the roundtrip bus to and from Nagasaki You’ll spend more or less depending on the following: if you shop Fukuoka and Nagasaki are cheaper cities compared to Tokyo.  Fukuoka and Nagasaki are more affordable than Tokyo but you could still save some more money during your trip "JoJo's Bizarre Adventure" Premier Screening Report with 4 Cool (1 Year) Broadcasting Announced A totally original dream game "Tobias and dark wand" that was delusional at the age of 14 took 13 years to complete Jun 20, 2014 22:00:01 in Tasting Fukuoka Prefecture is situated at the northernmost of Kyushu Region It’s the largest city and the business center of the region for many years and the city is accessible from several Asian countries such as China it’s been serving as an important city for trading and has an unique diverse culture Fukuoka is also a hub for visitors to Kyushu Region with the principal airport of the region that connects a large number of domestic and international flights as well as the port for cruising ships If you are planning a trip to Kyushu Region it’s definitely worth spending some days at Fukuoka Prefecture as it offers tourists a wide range of attractions From the delicious local food like Hakata Ramen to the historical monuments check out the best things to do at Fukuoka Prefecture With this Kyushu Region Bucket List, let’s also check out the surrounding tourist attractions: Best Things to Do in Kyushu *Please note that this article contains affiliate links Fukuoka Prefecture is known as one of the most gourmet cities in Japan and Fukuoka’s local food is a huge attraction of the prefecture There are numbers of signature dishes such as Mentaiko (spicy cod roe)  The most famous regional dish from Fukuoka would be Tonkotsu Ramen (pork broth Ramen) Hakata Ramen is the most famous regional Ramen in Japan that has fans across the world The well-known global franchised Ramen shops like Ichiran and IPPUDO are both from Fukuoka Prefecture There are Kurume Ramen and Nagahama Ramen which are also popular regional Ramen from Fukuoka Prefecture Delicious bowls of Ramen can be tasted at local Ramen stores or at the food stalls called “Yatai” one of the most attractive things about Fukuoka is its local delicacies And the best place to enjoy them is “Yatai” the atmospheric traditional food stalls lined on the streets serving a variety of authentic local food and drinks at inexpensive price There are many Yatai open at night at several locations and cities in Fukuoka Prefecture but the most vibrant area would be Nakasu where a few dozens of Yatai stalls lined along the river Yatai is not only a great place to enjoy delicious food but also to know real local culture as you may have chance to mingle with locals at these small stalls One of the best ways to explore the distinctive food culture of Fukuoka is joining a local cooking class A wide variety of cooking classes are available at many cities in Japan including Fukuoka and it’s one of the most popular activities among foreign visitors nowadays Cooking classes offer visitors opportunities  not only to learn how to make dishes but also to get to know Japanese culture deeper You can interact with local teachers and learn the Japanese food culture and history From Japanese signature dishes such as Ramen to authentic home-cooking dishes pick your favourite cooking class available in Fukuoka Click the link below to find the best cooking class in Fukuoka Fukuoka Tower (福岡タワー) is a symbolic landmark of Fukuoka City and one of the most visited attractions in the city The 234 m tall tower is Japan’s tallest seaside tower offering a spectacular panoramic view of Fukuoka City from its observation deck during day and night ▶ Book E-tickets for Fukuoka Tower! Canal City Hakata (キャナルシティ博多) is the large shopping and entertainment complex in Hakata area It’s a “City within the City” type of buildings which houses hundreds of shops hotels and the canal which runs through the complex as well as exhibition and events held seasonally Visitors can easily spend a whole day at this massive entertainment facility and it’s a great place to hang-out on a rainy day Map: http://bit.ly/2Z5b42c Hakata Gion Yamakasa (博多祇園山笠) is one of the most exciting traditional Japanese festivals that is held in Hakata every year for over 700 years The celebration starts on 1 July and continues till 15th July featuring massive and colourful festival floats that are carried through the city for about 5 km by male carriers in traditional costume The floats parade and race take place from 10 July and the grand finale will be on early morning of 15 July The festival attracts around 1 million visitors during the period Official Website: https://www.hakatayamakasa.com/ (Japanese) Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine (太宰府天満宮) is a Shinto shrine located in Dazaifu City The shrine is dedicated to Sugawara Michizane who was a scholar and politician of the Heian Period in Japan therefore the shrine is busy through the year by worshippers praying for academically success 200 kinds of plum trees planted at the shrine site which bloom beautifully in February to March the traditional street snack sold at the approach to the shrine the grilled mochi cake filled with azuki bean paste and has the print of a plum tree flower Recommended tour ▶ Dazaifu Shrine, Yufuin and Beppu Day Trip in Kyushu Kyushu National Museum (九州国立博物館) is located in Dazaifu City It opened in 2005 as one of Japan’s four national museums (others are in Tokyo While other three national museums mainly exhibit art Kyushu National Museum is more focused history The museum is also known for its modern architecture and the use of technological innovations such as high resolution video system ▶ Get Kyushu National Museum Admission There are several cool digital art museums produced by TeamLab in Japan such as TeamLab Planets and MORI Building DIGITAL ART MUSEUM: teamLab Borderless in Tokyo TeamLab Forest Fukuoka was founded in the center of Fukuoka City It is comprised of two areas: The Catching and Collecting Forest and The Athletics Forest Both kids and adults can have a new experience with high-tech arts ▶ Book TeamLab Forest Tickets! More info: teamLab Forest Fukuoka Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks is a Japanese professional baseball team based in Fukuoka City baseball games are played in their home ground Fukuoka PayPay Dome which has a capacity of 40,000 seats You can book tickets for a baseball game and enjoy watching with an exciting and thrilling atmosphere surrounded by enthusiastic fans ▶ Book tickets for Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks baseball game! Sumo’s grand tournament is held 6 times a year at 4 different cities: Tokyo and the Fukuoka Basho is held in mid November Click the link below to purchase tickets and don’t miss a chance to see the dynamic battles of Sumo wrestlers with the best seats ▶ Fukuoka City, Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament Viewing Tour  Yanagawa (柳川) is a former castle town in southwest Fukuoka Prefecture The town is known for the charming townscape with a number of canals which can be toured through by small boat called Donkobune navigated by local boatman The town is also famous for river eel dish Seiromushi is a must-try dish when visiting Yanagawa which is broiled eel on seasoned steamed rice topped by sliced omelette and served in a traditional wooden box More info: Yanagawa the Hidden City of Water in Fukuoka Itoshima (糸島) is a city in western Fukuoka Prefecture along the Genkai Sea The small seaside city offers full of attractions and scenic spots and has become a popular travel destination during summer in the past years especially among Instagrammers and photographers The city has several notable photo spots such as the white torii gate and the wedded rocks of Futamigaura Beach the scenic driving road and the palm tree swing as well as stylish cafes and astonishing nature sites More info: Itoshima Little Known Heavenly Beach in Fukuoka Kawachi Wisteria Garden or Kawachi Fujien (河内藤園) is a private garden located in Kita Kyushu City The garden has become world famous since it’s been featured as one of the most beautiful places in Japan by CNN Travel as well as on numbers of global travel websites This private garden is opens for public viewing only for certain periods of the year: in spring for wisteria and in autumn for autumn tint leaves viewings The 1 ha garden is home to 22 kinds of colourful wisteria flowers that display delightful scenery from late April to mid May every year The astonishing view of the colourful wisteria tunnel attracts visitors across the world More info: Kawachi Wisteria Garden the Most Beautiful Tunnel in the World There are several unique places in Japan where you can meet particular animals the bathing snow monkeys at Jigokudani Onsen Park in Nagano Prefecture and adorable foxes at the Fox Village in Miyagi Prefecture Fukuoka has one unique island called Ainoshima (相島) which is also called a “Cat Island” This small and peaceful island is situated about 6 km away from Shingu Port and it became famous for approx 200 cats living on this island freely you should definitely visit Ainoshima Island to meet adorable cats and spend quality and relaxing time Nanzo-in Temple (南蔵院) is a Shingon sect Buddhist temple located in Sasaguri Town the bronze statue of reclining Buddha (it’s the biggest bronze statue of reclining Buddha in the world) It’s one of the most unique and photo-worthy spots in Fukuoka Prefecture Sasaguri Kyudai Forest (篠栗九大の森) is a scenic site situated at the Kyushu University Fukuoka Research Forest The 17 ha forest is home to around 50 evergreen broad-leaved trees and 40 deciduous broad-leaved trees The picturesque view of the bold cypress at the pond went viral on Instagram a few years ago and this unknown forest has rapidly become one of the most famous photo-worthy in the country <<Going to Fukuoka soon?? Search and book hotel rooms in Fukuoka with the best price! >> historical monuments and stunning landscape. Fukuoka offers a wide variety of attractions If you are planning your trip to Fukuoka Prefecture or other areas in Kyushu Region here are some more articles introducing the best travel information ▽Check more things to do in Kyushu Region and Okinawa!▽ ▶︎10 Best Things to Do in Saga ▶︎13 Best Things to Do in Nagasaki ▶︎10 Best Things to Do in Kumamoto ▶︎10 Best Things to Do in Oita ▶︎10 Best Things to Do in Miyazaki ▶︎10 Best Things to Do in Kagoshima ▶︎25 Best Things to Do in Okinawa "The world is my oyster." As a dedicated globetrotter and hammock enthusiast and discovering the world’s most incredible destinations I’ve always had a deep connection to my roots but my love for adventure has led me to spend over a decade exploring countries across the globe—from culture-rich cities to remote hideaways Travel isn't just a hobby for me; it's a lifestyle I'm constantly searching for new ways to fuel my wanderlust I’ve developed a wealth of knowledge and a treasure trove of tips that make traveling more enjoyable I've come to appreciate not only the beauty of travel but also the importance of understanding diverse cultures and I’m excited to share those lessons with others and firsthand stories that help travelers navigate their journeys to Japan or setting off on a global adventure From hidden gems in Japan to travel hacks that make any trip smoother I hope my insights inspire you to embark on your own adventures and make the most of every moment You can also find my stories here ▶ https://medium.com/@nahobm