Chikugo South

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The following information about Chikugo South is provided by former Area Leader Mark Christensen.

Area Introduction:

Chikugo South is the southernmost region of Fukuoka Prefecture and includes the cities of Chikugo, Yame, Yanegawa, Miyama, Okawa, and Omuta.

The area is remarkably diverse, with a rich variety of flatlands, rivers, mountains, forests and beaches on the Ariake Sea and a climate that ranges from hot and humid during the summer to dry and frosty in the winter, with the occasional snow.

As one of the oldest populated regions of Japan, the area has a rich culture dating back thousands of years. You can enjoy artifacts from Kofun “keyhole” tombs, various large festivals, and specialized arts like papermaking and forging.

Chikugo South also has a great transportation grid with no less than three major rails, including a Shinkansen bullet train. Partnered with the seaport and airport in Hakata, and you can easily travel around Kyushu and the rest of Japan.

Overall, Chikugo South is a very diverse area with access to some of the best experiences of Japan.

What is your area famous for?

The Chikugo region of Fukuoka is known for a number of unique products, crafts, and festivals!

Popular foods around Chikugo include the locally grown Yamecha green tea, Amaou strawberries, and the tender Seiro-Mushi steamed eels. Due to the abundance of rice, the area also has a number of breweries for Shochu and Sake.

Local crafts in the area include Yame’s stone lanterns, dyed indigo cloths, washi paper products, gold gilded shrines, and even knives.

Some of Kyushu’s most spectacular festivals, such as the Daijiyama Dragon Festival and the Chikugo River Fireworks Festival, can be enjoyed in the summer!

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South Chikugo Cities
Chikugo
Yame
Yanagawa
Miyama
Omuta
Okawa

General information:
South Chikugo is the southernmost region of Fukuoka and is bordered by Saga Prefecture to the West, Kumamoto Prefecture to the South, and Oita Prefecture to the East.

It is a land of many environments. From the interior mountains and forests, to the rice fields and tea farms of the central valleys, to the coastal rivers and beaches, there is no shortage of unique places to see.

South Chikugo and the surrounding area is packed full of traditional and historical sites dating back hundreds and thousands of years. Yet despite being so old, it is closely connected to the hustle and bustle of modern cities like Fukuoka and Kumamoto.

The area is blessed with an excellent transportation grid, including a JR Line, Nishitetsu Line, and a Shinkansen Bullet Train. These systems, combined with the nearby Fukuoka Airport offer you ready and affordable access to many of Japan`s major cities and locations, all the way from Okinawa to Hokkaido. If you thought that you might need to travel to experience different weather, you may be in for a surprise! The weather of South Chikugo is surprisingly varied. While the summer months of July, August, and September are humid, hot, and sweaty, the fall and spring months tend to be cool and dry, and the winters can be bitterly cold. Early summer sees large rainstorms during the rainy season, and late summer and early fall brings Typhoons.

Speaking of seasons, you will also find that South Chikugo, and Fukuoka in general, has many fun events and celebrations that you can enjoy. Be it the Daijayama Dragon Festival in Omuta during summer, to the European-style Christmas Festival in Hakata to the Plum blossom blooms at Dazaifu, there is no shortage of fun events!

As you can see, South Chikugo has a lot to offer! We hope you will join us, and we look forward to welcoming you as you start your next adventure!

Specific City Information

Chikugo: Nicknamed the “country of love”, Chikugo is a lovely city known for great people and “Hainizuka”, the famous flying dog!

Chikugo has a number of points of interest. One of the most unique is the Koi no Ki Love Shrine, the only shrine in Japan dedicated to Koi No Mikoto, the God of Love. There’s a remarkable amount of heart symbols that can be found all over the grounds, and if you wish, you can pray for that special someone.

Chikugo also has the Chikugo Driving Center, which is a short distance from Hainizuka station and can be used to convert your driver’s license. Fukuoka Jet info on vehicles here. Other spots of interest include the Chikugo Library, which holds an English reading with Children’s books every 3rd Saturday of the month. Next to Hainizuka station, there are also a number of charming restaurants.

Near Chikugo Funagoya Station, you have access to the Softbank Hawks Practice Stadium, a cultural center, and the Chikugo Regional Park

Events in the area include the July/August Fireworks festival, in which a lucky couple is able to do a public proposal and watch special heart fireworks launched in their honor.

Another sight worth visiting is the local Koibotaru Onsen, which is a cheap public onsen. It also includes an outdoor footbath for those leery of random strangers.

Yame: Located in the heart of South Chikugo, Yame is a sprawling city that specializes in farming and the production of lovely ‘Yamcha’ green teas. The city has a number of fascinating cultural sites where you can experience the local culture and traditions. The Yame Traditional Craft Museum offers opportunities for things like Indigo dyeing, creating Washi paper crafts, and purchasing a variety of locally made goods. If you are lucky, you can also forge a kitchen knife once a year at a local family smithy.

There are also seasonal events to visit, such as Kurogi’s Wisteria bloom in May and the Hoshi No Mura Observatory, which is also known as the “Star Field Village”. Due to the distances involved, it’s suggested to use a car or the Horikawa bus to reach this city.

Yanagawa: The home of famous Canal boats and steamed “Seiro Mushi” eels. This city is the home town of famous individuals like Yoko Ono and Kitahara Hakushi, a famous poet. There are a number of shrines around the area that you can visit, and boating on the rivers is said to be extremely beautiful in spring with the Cherry Blossoms.

Another unique feature is the Yanagawa Sunflower Park, which is said to have 500,000+ Sunflowers in the summer! There is also the Tachibana family’s Ohana residence, which is a museum and former residence of a feudal lord.

Omuta: Omuta is an old mining town that was a major coal supplier for Japan’s Meji Revolution. While the town’s population has significantly dropped since the closure of the mines in 1997, it’s still a bustling city with a nice mix of nature and amenities. The city contains both JR and Nishtetsu lines and even has a Shinkansen bullet train on the outer part of the city.

Omuta has two major shopping spots, which include Youme Town (which includes a number of western restaurant chains like KFC, McDonald’s, and foreign food stores like Kaldi) and an Aeon mall, which features a modern multi-screen theatre.  In July, you can participate in the Daijyayama Dragon Festival, which involves parades and giant animatronic dragon floats! There is also the Omuta City Zoo with its adorable Red Pandas.

Hiking and Outdoors:

Mt Homanzan: A beginner mountain with excellent views near Fukuoka’s Dazaifu Temple.

Mt Kuju: Beautiful mountain park in nearby Oita. Covered in Azalea blooms in May.

Mt Unzen: Across the Ariake Sea in Nagasaki by ferry; a major volcano and historical site.

Mt Aso: Active volcano in nearby Kumamoto.

Zoos and Aquariums:

Omuta City Zoo: Small zoo with Red Pandas and some unusual creatures.

Uminonakamachi Marine World Aquarium: Large aquarium with dolphin and seal shows and a massive glass fish tank.

Shrines and Temples:

Kora Shrine: Ancient shrine on a mountain; historically significant.

Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine: One of the largest and most important shrines in Japan.

Koi No Ki Love Shrine: A unique love shrine covered by hearts.

Museums:

Tachiarai Peace Museum: World War II Airfield museum. Contains two aircraft that exist nowhere else.

Kyushu National Museum: Large museum at Dazaifu. One of 4 national museums and host to rotating exhibits.

Fukuoka City Science Museum: Small to medium museum with exotic displays. Recent (Spring 2020) exhibition had cryogenically frozen Ice Age animal remains.

Examples of Seasonal Holidays and Activities:

January
New Year
1st Shrine visit

February
Setsubun
Ume (Plum) Bloom

March
Hinamatsuri
Sakura (Cherry) Bloom

April
Wisteria Bloom
Blue Nemophila Flower Bloom

May
Golden Week
Children`s Day
Fireflies (last two weeks of May)
Miyama Kirishima (Mountain Azalea) Bloom

July
Omuta Daijiyama Festival (last week of July)

October
Cosmos Flower Bloom

December
Hakata Christmas Festival
Tenjin Christmas Festival