Heart Rock
Heart Rock is a distinctive, heart-shaped cliff overlooking Hyugami Dam Lake in Yame. Its bare surface, clearly shaped like a heart, stands out vividly against the surrounding green forest. The bridge across the lake offers an excellent vantage point for viewing the formation. To enhance the experience, a special heart-shaped frame with horizontal wires has been installed on the bridge railing facing the rock, allowing couples to attach “love padlocks” as a romantic gesture.
Koinoki Shrine
Koinoki Shrine is a hall within Mizuta Tenmangū in Chikugo City, and is believed to be the only shrine in Japan specifically dedicated to fostering love relationships. Recently, it has gained widespread popularity among young people, and its reputation has expanded far beyond the local community.
The shrine is filled with heart-shaped motifs—visitors will find pink heart-shaped ema (prayer plaques), love charms, and even stone footsteps shaped like hearts. It has become a popular destination for couples and those wishing to pray for romance. Also located on the grounds is the famous Sazareishi (Coupled Rocks), a symbol of strong and lasting bonds.
Japanese Official Site (No English Page): Koinoki Shrine https://www.mizuta-koinoki.jp/koinoki/
The term sazare originally means “pebble” or “small gravel.” More precisely, sazare-ishi refers to a conglomerate rock formed over a very long period as countless pebbles and sand solidify into a single mass.
This concept is famously used in the lyrics of “Kimigayo,” the Japanese national anthem:
“Koke no musu made”
(“Until the moss grows / On the gathered stones”)
Here, the “gathered stones” (sazare-ishi) symbolize the enduring and gradual consolidation of the nation—or the imperial lineage—over ages, representing stability and longevity. The exact interpretation of whose reign this refers to can vary.
Koyama-syoryu-kannon (Mt. Koyama’s Soaring Dragon Kannon)
This 28-meter-tall statue is located in Haki Town, Fukuoka, near the border with Oita Prefecture. The Kannon (the Buddhist goddess of mercy) is depicted in a standing position and is painted in distinctive shades of dark green and pale orange. The statue is surrounded by numerous smaller Buddha figures.
While the area functions like a temple complex, it is not affiliated with any specific Buddhist sect. With its unique statues and layout, the site has been described as a kind of spiritual theme park, offering a distinctive and eclectic experience for visitors.
More about Kannon, Click here.
Harazuru Hot Spring
Harazuru Hot Spring is the largest onsen resort in Fukuoka Prefecture, situated along the middle reaches of the Chikugo River. Its alkaline waters are renowned for being gentle on the skin, earning the spring the nickname Bijin-no-Yu, or “Hot Spring for Beauty.” In addition to its relaxing waters, visitors can enjoy seasonal activities such as watching Ukai (traditional cormorant fishing) from a houseboat during the summer months.
Japanese Official Site (No English Page): Harazuru Hot Spring http://www.harazuru.jp
More about Ukai , Click here. More about Onsen , Click here.
Triple Waterwheel in Asakura
This is the oldest functional waterwheel system in Japan. Built in 1789, the triple waterwheels are powered by water from the Horikawa Irrigation Canal, which draws from the Chikugo River. This innovative automatic system was designed to lift water to irrigate paddy fields situated above the river level. The wheels remain in operation each year from June 17th to early October.
Ukiha Inari Shrine
Perched on a hillside, this Inari Shrine features a striking approach of 91 vibrant red torii gates, forming a scenic arcade from the base of the slope. The path is reminiscent of the famous Fushimi Inari Shrine in Kyoto and has become a popular destination for both foreign and local visitors. Today, it is especially favored by young people as a photogenic “power spot”—a place believed to be filled with spiritual energy—making it a frequent subject on social media platforms like Instagram.
Japanese Official Site (No English Page): Ukiha Inari Shrine https://ukiha-inari.jp
More about Inari Shrine , Click here.
White Wall Street in Yoshii
A street lined with the white stucco walls of traditional shops preserves the classic atmosphere of a historic Japanese town. This area flourished as a commercial district during the Taisho Era (1912–1926), when many of these large, white-walled residences were built. Two of them—the former Igura Merchant House and the Kagamida Public Officials’ Residence—are now open to the public, offering a glimpse into the lives of their former inhabitants. This beautifully preserved street is well worth a visit.
Japanese Official Site (No English Page): https://ukihalove.jp/contents/shirakabenomachinami/
Chikugo River
The Chikugo River, the longest in Kyushu, flows from Mount Kuju to the Ariake Sea. Affectionately nicknamed “Tsukushi Jiro,” it holds a significant place in the region’s lore. Notably, many towns along its banks share legends of kappa—mythical water creatures—adding a layer of local folklore to the river’s long history.
The kappa is a legendary, water-dwelling creature from Japanese folklore, often described as being the size of a small child. It has a human-like form with webbed hands and feet, a beak-like mouth, and a distinctive water-filled depression, called a sara (“dish”), on top of its head. This dish is the source of its power. Kappa are infamous for their love of cucumbers and are both feared for their mischief and respected as keepers of knowledge, particularly in medicine. To promote local tourism, several towns along the Chikugo River have embraced this folklore, branding themselves as “Kappa Towns.”
Yakitori Town, Kurume
Kurume City has the highest number of yakitori restaurants per capita in Japan, a distinction that has led the local government to officially promote it as “Yakitori Town.” One of its unique specialties is a skewer called Daruma, made from pig small intestine. The name’s origin is particularly interesting: it derives from the German anatomical term “Darm,” also meaning “intestine.” It is believed that the term was adopted by local medical students who began using it for this specific type of yakitori.
Suitengu Shrine
The history of Suitengū Shrine dates back to the Genpei War in the late 12th century. After the Heike clan was defeated in the Battle of Dan-no-ura, the young Emperor Antoku drowned in the sea, held by his grandmother. A court lady who survived the battle is said to have established an altar at the present shrine location to placate the spirits of the emperor and the fallen Heike warriors. Over time, the site evolved into a place of worship for child-rearing and safe childbirth. Today, the shrine continues to be a center of community life, hosting an annual fireworks festival along the nearby river.
Japanese Official Site: Suitengu Shrine http://suitengu.net
More about Shinto Shrine , Click here.
Yame
Located in southern Fukuoka Prefecture, Yame is renowned for its high-quality green tea (Yamecha) and its traditional crafts, which include ornate Buddhist altars, handmade Japanese paper, and stone lanterns. The historic district preserves a classic atmosphere, characterized by houses featuring walls painted in bengara—a traditional reddish-brown pigment made from iron oxide that adds to the area’s warm, rustic charm.
Bengara is a traditional reddish-brown pigment made from iron oxide. Its name derives from Bengal in India, the historical source of the material. In Yame, the historic district showcases buildings with walls painted in this distinctive color. The town promotes this unique architectural heritage to attract visitors, with the warm, earthy tones of bengara contributing significantly to the area’s nostalgic atmosphere.
Yame Big Tea Garden
From the top of this garden, you can see a green panorama of meticulously organized tea fields.
Nyoirinji Temple
Known affectionately as the “Frog Temple,” Nyoirinji in Ogori City is filled with frog statues and figurines, creating a unique and playful atmosphere. Alongside these charming amphibians, the temple grounds also house numerous traditional Buddha statues and offer a variety of Buddhist goods for sale. In early summer, the site becomes even more enchanting with the addition of trellises hung with wind chimes (furin). Combining spiritual elements with a lighthearted aesthetic, the temple offers a comprehensive and accessible introduction to Japanese Buddhist culture, almost like a compact cultural park.
Japanese Official Site (No English Page): Nyoirinnji https://nyoirinji.com
More about Buddhism , Click here.
Miyahara Coal Mine
Located in Ōmuta City, the Miyahara Coal Mine features a well-preserved brick winch house and a steel tower, which are now open to the public. The site is part of the “Sites of Japan’s Meiji Industrial Revolution: Iron and Steel, Shipbuilding and Coal Mining,” designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Japanese Official Site (No English Page): Miyahara Coal Mine https://www.miike-coalmines.jp/miyanohara.html
More about Coal Mining Industry , Click here.
Akizuki Castle Ruins
Established in 1624 as a branch of the Fukuoka domain, Akizuki served as the seat of the Akizuki family. The castle was built on a hill behind the clan’s residence. Several original structures remain, including moats, stone walls, and two gates—the Nagaya-mon and Kuromon—both designated as Prefectural Cultural Assets.
The surrounding area preserves the atmosphere of a traditional samurai town, earning it the nickname “the Kyoto of Chikuzen” (the historical name for northern Fukuoka). In recognition of its historical significance, the entire town is designated as a National Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings.
More about Japanese Castles , Click here.
