Iizuka, Kama City, Kotake Town, Tagawa
Area Leader: Nadine Wood
Hello, I’m Nadine. I’m from Durham in the UK and have been living in Fukuoka since November 2021. Before Japan, I worked in London in science funding and publishing. Before London, I taught English as an ALT in a primary school in Germany. I enjoyed teaching English so much I wanted to return to it at some point. Several years later, I now teach in multiple elementary and junior high schools across Chikuho. In my free time I enjoy studying Japanese, hiking, yoga, baking, eating, board games, going to techno clubs and onsen. I love living in Fukuoka and working as an ALT!
The 13 Chikuho JETs occupy Iizuka, Kotake-machi, Tagawa and Kama-shi. Our area is best known for its former coal mines, Tirol chocolate, and the Jiko-Sai River Crossing Festival. Across the region, you can find loads of amazing restaurants, nature, hot springs, and traditional crafts. There really are too many good spots to list here, however some highlights are:
Well-known spots:
- Katsumori Park (especially during cherry blossom season)
- Ito Denemon House
- Mount Hiko
- Tagawa Art Gallery
- Sakurakan, hot springs in Oto Town
- Agano Pottery Museum
Restaurants/cafes/izakayas:
- Kukuru, okonomiyaki
- Bar Bamse, izakaya with great jerk chicken
- Easyland Coffee, coffee and boardgames
- Arikadotei, izakaya with good motsunabe
- Mr Aoki, yakiniku restaurant
- Pizzeria Graffito, authentic pizza and gelato
- Karnel, Thai food, and drip coffee
There are also loads of good izakayas which don’t have a website, and some don’t even appear on Google maps. If you want the more comprehensive list of recommendations in Chikuho, please contact me and I’ll link you to a spreadsheet!
If you have questions about Chikuho and would like to contact Nadine, click here to send an email to the Area Leader Liaison.