Without a doubt the best and most popular Shrine in Fukuoka Prefecture is the Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine located approx. 30 minutes from central Fukuoka City. The Shrine is dedicated to the God of Learning and as such is busy all through the year with many student visitors coming here to pray for upcoming success in their educational endeavours, especially during examination time at various periods during the year.

The building was larger than I expected. At first they have a viewing window where you can see the manufacturing process of the noodle component of the product. Ichiran`s soup recipe and process is a very heavily guarded secret so this portion of the process is not on the agenda unfortunately. Next, you can walk at your own speed through the Museum part of the Building which shows the history of the company, various aspects about the product and quite a few instructional and interactive exhibits which is very popular with the younger customers. There isn`t a huge amount of English subtitles but the design and the displays are all very explanatory and easy to follow.

Suginoya Brewery is one of the most popular stops on our Itoshima Peninsular Day Tours out of Fukuoka. Why is this? Well, it all about the tradition of the Sake Brewing process, exploring the old but esthetically pleasing building as well as the tasting experience that gets everyone fully involved in the process. The Brewery is over 140 years old and it shows but in a traditional and authentic way. No one wants to go to a brand new building that lacks character and history, it is for this reason that a huge majority of our customers have rated this attraction as their favourite one on the day.

Yusentei Park located in the middle of Fukuoka City is in a nutshell a rare find of a location that will tick all your Japanese Cultural boxes. So many things, quintessentially Japanese that you will be constantly held in amazement and culturally in a head spin. I have lived in Japan for nearly 15 years now and I am still bewildered that it took me this long to find a place like this! Yusentei Park was first built in 1754 as a place of relaxation for a local Lord. After many years and a complete restoration it was opened to the public as the first Japanese Gardens within the Fukuoka City area. In modern times it has become a designated tourist spot with thousands of Japanese and international visitors alike, receiving calmness and peacefulness within its various activities and views to be enjoyed. by all.

The Hakata Port Tower stands out as a beacon of hope that the worst has come and gone and that life and travel are basically back to normal pre-pandemic levels. Conveniently located in the Bayside district of the Hakata Port complex it is walking distance from Hakata Station and Tenjin the 2 most popular city centre areas of Fukuoka. The Hakata Port Tower is also only 2kms from the Fukuoka International Cruise Terminal and this stop has become a regular last attraction site on our Full Day Shore Excursions. It's a wonderful last photo and memory of the day before returning to your cruise to sail off to the next exotic locations.

The Spectacle Bridge in Isahaya is a double arch stone bridge spanning a pond at Isahaya Park, which is one of the main sightseeing places of the area. The bridge is twice the size of the famous Spectacles Bridge in Nagasaki City and has many temples and shrines as well as walking trails that you could easily spend 1 or 2 hours here soaking up the ambiance.

Shimabara Castle is located between the Ariake Bay and Mount Unzen on the Shimabara Peninsular. The outer moat is 15 metres deep and between 30–50 metres wide, extends 360 metres east-west and 1260 metres north-south. The main building has five stories, a height of 33 metres and is connected to two secondary buildings, each with three stories.

The Samurai Street commemorates the old samurai section of Shimabara City on the Shimabara Peninsular. This famous street is lined with stone walls and a spring water canal running down its centre. Three samurai houses have been restored and opened as exhibits to the public to restore the image and the traditions of this old Samurai town. It is an extremely picturesque setting and perfect for a great photo shoot as images of feudal Japan came racing back into your consciousness from many of those films and books you have read from your youth.

The Damaged Houses were a direct result of the Unzen volcano explosion and there has been several major eruptions in its history. The volcano erupted most recently from 1990 to 1995, sending pyroclastic flows (superheated clouds of volcanic gas and ash) down towards the towns below. While most people were safely evacuated, 43 journalists, scientists and their taxi drivers were killed. The eruptions also destroyed buildings on the outskirts of Shimabara City.

Unzen Jigoku Hells in Nagasaki is located within the Unzen Town district and is designated as a National Park. It is where you will find many wild birds and alpine plants as well as other attractive features such as frost in winter (January to February) crimson foliage in autumn (October and November) cherry blossoms in Spring (March and April) and Azaleas in summer (May and June).

Just imagine, the location right on the waters edge. The picturesque seaside views combined with the healthy steamed vegetables, various snacks, alcoholic and non alcoholic drinks as well as the chance to soak these weary feet in the 40 degree celcius foot baths equals a magical and mind boggling experience that stimulates all the senses. The other day I had 4 cobs of corn that i could have steamed or boiled at home but i decide to have a stroll down to the Foot baths and steam them the natural and healthy way that mother nature intended us. What can I say, the finished product is not only fresh and juicy but the salty hot spring steam infuses itself into the corn and seasons the vegetables naturally.

The Atomic Bomb Museum in Nagasaki is located in the park above the epicentre. It's exhibits show the overwhelming destruction caused by the bombing while also telling us the importance of world peace and the removal of weapons to protect the Earth from something like this ever happening again! It is a very sobering place and definitely not for the faint hearted as the stories, exhibits and pictures are extremely graphic. There hasn't been a time when I haven't seen someone crying out loud and or emotionally uncontrollable. This museum definitely isn't every one's cup of tea. However, it is important to remember history and not to forget about the past as this is the way we don't make the same mistakes of the past. So, in that sense the museum can be a great place to come together and never let this happen again for the benefit of mankind.

Nagasaki Peace Park was born from the infamous day forever etched into history and the minds of those associated with this disaster. The death toll was 74,000 people, with another 75,000 suffering injuries. Within a 1 kilometre radius of the hypocenter almost 90% of the people died. Burns caused by the heat rays of the atomic bomb were severe, with the surface skin being completely burned and falling off thus leaving tissue and bone exposed. People were thrown by the force of the blast and countless pieces of glass and other debris pierced their skin. The radiation penetrated deep into people's bodies causing them to suffer injuries and diseases such as cancer and leukemia to this very day.

The Blood Hell Ponds called Chinoike Jigoku in Japanese, in the hot spring town of Beppu, Oita Prefecture is a spring that is blood red. It has existed for over 1300 years and its colour is said to be a result of some chemical reaction occurring underground. The colour has remained this way ever since the beginning except for a 6 month period in the 1970's. The nearby Aso Volcano in neighbouring Kumamoto Prefecture, had a very unstable period which affected the colouring of the water.

A great lookout!

I have been travelling around Oita Prefecture for nearly 20 years now. Actually Oita Prefecture was the first place that I lived in Japan and with so many interesting and amazing locations to explore, it felt like every weekend was packed with sightseeing and adventure activities. I remember clearly the first time I came to Yufuin. It was a sleepy, tranquil and pristine location that attracted the elite and top end travellers with people coming here for a relaxing weekend or having a holiday house/ cabin in the region. It wasn't particularly set up for the younger, backpacker, type of traveller at all.

A beer lovers paradise

A great shopping street!

A lookout of epic proportions!

A brewery especially for the spirits of Kagoshima.

Once in a lifetime experience

A sad and sombre place to experience.