Chikugo Tour 2017

BY RENTAL CAR! 福岡のゆるり旅「ちくご」

Visit Chikugo for a Relaxing Trip in Fukuoka

Fukuoka

The Chikugo area is in Fukuoka Prefecture, thirty minutes to an hour south of Fukuoka City.

Full of culture, history and with activities galore, it’s a perfect trip from Fukuoka.

Chikugo Tourist Information http://kankou.chikugolife.jp Fukuoka Tourist Information (English, Korean, Chinese) www.crossroadfukuoka.jp Chikugo Town Walking Guide (English, Korean, Chinese) www.crossroadfukuoka.jp/chikugo/ 企画 筑後田園都市推進評議会

Chikugo

chikugo AREA 1

BY RENTA

Kurume, Ogori, Ukiha & Tachiarai

L CAR!

Enjoy delicious local foods and spectacular views of sprawling rural landscapes set against the backdrop of the Minoyama mountains. Meet friendly locals on guided tours or during a homestay.

START

Day 1

30 min.

12:00 DESSERT SHOPS Adorable dessert shops near Nyoirin Temple.

10 min.

IC

FROM FUKUOKA

STAY

Chikugo Ogori IC

1 11:00 NYOIRIN TEMPLE Known for its rows of frog figurines, this cute temple is popular with overseas visitors.

Welcome home

2

10 min.

3 5 30 min.

4

17:00 FARM HOMESTAY Stay with a local family. Book via the Tachiarai Town Office.

14:00 IMAMURA CATHOLIC CHURCH A historical church used by “Hidden Christians.” English guided tours can be booked via the Tachiarai Town Office.

13:00 AJISAKA POPPY GARDEN From early to mid May, the park is filled with flowering poppies.

TACHIARAI TOWN OFFICE: chiikidukuri01@town.tachiarai.fukuoka.jp

START

Day 2

10 min.

15 min.

6 09:00 EXPERIENCE WITH KURUKURU TICKET Great value experiences with the Kurukuru Ticket.

7

¥2,000 for four tickets for your choice of meals, activities and more. Available at information centers (near Nishitetsu Fukuoka Sta., Nishitetsu Kurume Sta., JR Kurume Sta. http://kurume-kru2.com).

8

11:00 SEASONAL FLOWERS IN KURUME CITY Roses, azaleas, hydrangeas and more.

12:30 RESTAURANT HEURIGE Relax and enjoy lunch in the forest followed by a tour around a kyoho grape winery.

40 min.

25 min.

10

TO FUKUOKA

IC Asakura IC

16:00 YOSHII DISTRICT Visit knickknack shops and coffee houses in this town with traditional white walled buildings. Famous for its hina matsuri (doll festival) in Feb. and Mar.

9 14:30 YAMANDON Pick fruit that is grown year round with fresh spring water or sample fruit cakes at a cafe surrounded by nature.

chikugo AREA 2

Yanagawa, Okawa, Omuta & Oki

BY RENTAL C

AR!

Marvel in this area’s photogenic spots which include world heritage sites, seasonal scenery and traditional handicrafts.

Enjoy flavorsome local produce at the Michi No Eki Oki vegetable buffet or steamed and grilled eel in the canal city of Yanagawa.

START

Day 1

13:00 LUNCH Dine on mushroom tempura at Dohyo Udon or visit the local vegetable buffet at Michi No Eki Oki.

20 min.

50 min.

IC

FROM FUKUOKA

Yame IC 1 12:00 MICHI NO EKI OKI ROADSIDE STATION Try your hand at mushroom picking!

STAY

2

15:30 OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES

20 min.

4 STAY OVERNIGHT IN OKAWA CITY And visit Shokaikyo Onsen while you’re there.

3 17:00 SHOKAIKYO CHIKUGO RIVER VERTICAL LIFT BRIDGE Enjoy splendid panoramas and grab a memorable photo at sunset!

10 min.

STRAWBERRY PICKING (JAN. ~ MAY) Pick berries at La Fraise or White Berry

IGUSA WEAVING Participate in Igusa (rush grass) workshops from Dec. ~ Apr..

Shimenawa making classes in Dec. Reservation req. by fax 0944-32-1994

START

Day 2

20 min.

5

7

09:00 STROLL AROUND KOBO AND ENOKIZU Take a walk through these historic towns.

6 11:00 YANAGAWA RIVER CRUISING Enjoy a relaxing 60 min. cruise down Yanagawa’s canals.

12:30 UNAGI SEIRO MUSHI Yanagawa’s famous dish is steamed and grilled eel with a sweet chilli sauce served on steamed rice.

TO FUKUOKA

8 13:30 SAGEMON MEGURI Handmade sagemon can be found around town in Feb. and Mar., and at the Tourist Information Center year round.

25 min.

60 min.

IC Nankan IC

9 10 16:30 SEASONAL FLOWERS IN OMUTA CITY Ume at Fuko Temple, sakura at Enmei Park and hydrangeas at Jyorin Temple.

15:30 OMUTA COAL INDUSTRY AND SCIENCE MUSEUM Learn about the coal mine’s essential contribution to this area’s history!

MIIKE COAL MINE NAVIGATION Connect your smartphone to use the ‘Miike Coal Mine Navigator’ and learn about the mine’s history.

Available at nine facilities in Omuta City in Japanese, English, Korean, Mandarin and Cantonese.

chikugo AREA 3

B Y RE N

Yame, Chikugo, Miyama & Hirokawa

R! TAL CA

Home to fresh fruit, tea plantations and beautiful Japanese gardens, this area will refresh your mind and body. Get involved making local handcrafts such as the famous Kurume kasuri.

START

30 min.

15 min.

40 min.

Day 1

11:30 SAKASE GOTTON WATERWHEEL HOUSE Make soba noodles, taste sansai (wild vegetable) tempura and enjoy the Japanese countryside.

IC

FROM FUKUOKA

Hirokawa IC 1

2 35 min.

10:00 PEACH FOREST Enjoy picking peaches and other seasonal fruit.

(Apr. ~ early May: loquats, end of May ~ mid Jun.: peaches, mid-Sep.: grapes)

10 min.

3 13:30 POOH STRAWBERRY GARDEN Eat as many freshly picked strawberries as you can in 60 minutes. Jan. ~ mid-May.

5

15 min.

15:30 FUKUSHIMA DISTRICT Wander amongst small cafes and souvenir shops in this town of historic white-walled buildings.

4 15:00 TOKIMEKI PREFECTURAL PRODUCE SHOP Try the famous Yame matcha soft ice cream and browse souvenirs.

START

Day 2

10:00 AIZOME EXPERIENCE Learn how to make the traditional textile, Kurume kasuri. To book, contact the Chikugo Tourism Association: info@ chikugo.net

50 min.

30 min.

8

STAY

6

7

16:30 YAME CENTRAL TEA GARDEN Spectacular views of tea plantations.

Ideal for photographers!

10 min.

18:00 HOSHINO ONSENKAN ‘KIRARA’ Enjoy hot springs in a natural setting in the Japanese countryside. Campsite and cottages on site.

TO FUKUOKA

12:00 KOINOKI SHRINE Heart emblems can be found around the shrine’s grounds. Pick up a romantic charm!

9

10 min.

5 min.

50 min.

15 min.

10 min.

11 IC Miyama Yanagawa IC

14:30 HONBO GARDEN AT KIYOMIZU TEMPLE Sit at one of the temple’s engawa (enclosed veranda) and calm your mind. ~17:00, Closed: Mon.

MICHI NO EKI MIYAMA ROADSIDE STATION Find unique souvenirs including gyokuro (green tea) flavored melon-shaped buns.

10 13:00 DAIRIKI UDON Bowls from just ¥170!

An udon noodle shop loved by the locals.