SHIMANEYAMAGUCHI

Yamaguchi Xavier Memorial Church

MAP

2This Catholic church was built tocommemorate the 400th anniver-

visit to Yamaguchi. After having
been destroyed in a ﬁre in 1991, thechurch was rebuilt in 1998 with anovel design under the themes ofandAccess: 15-min walk from Yamaguchi Sta. on JR Yamaguchi Line
http://yamaguchi-city.jp/w/en/spot.html#page002

SL Yamaguchi

MAP

MAP

Access: 5 min by bus from Matsue Shinjiko Onsen Sta. on Kitamatsue Lineof Ichibata Electric Railway
http://www.visit-matsue.com/discover/north̲side.html#matsue̲castle

Lake Shinji

MAP

Shimane Museum of Ancient Izumo
5

The museum oﬀers insight into thehistory and culture of Shimane Prefecture. The exhibits include objects
from the Izumo Taisha shrine, artifacts
from ancient times and items related
to Iwami-Ginzan silver mine, which isdesignated a World Heritage Site.
Visitors can learn about the myths of
the Izumo area through visual presentations.

Steam locomotives disappeared
from the Yamaguchi Line in 1973,
but one of them made a comeback

Access: 10-min walk from Izumotaisha-mae Sta. on Taisha Line of Ichibata
Electric Railway
http://www.izm.ed.jp/english/

7

The lake is home to a large variety of ﬁsh
and shellﬁsh. Seven representative typesof seafood found here are called theseven delicacies of Lake Shinji andincludeclams for which the lakeboasts the largest catch in Japan. The
lake has been selected as one of Japan sbest 100 sites for viewing sunsets.

Access: 13-min walk from Matsue Shinjiko Onsen Sta. on Kitamatsue Lineof Ichibata Electric Railway
http://www.kankou-matsue.jp/shinjiko̲yuuhi/en/index.html

Hinomisaki Cape

MAP

8

Located at the western end of the
Shimane Peninsula, the Hinomisaki
Lighthouse stands 43.65m tall, making it
the tallest stone-built lighthouse in theEast. The observation deck commands
a splendid view of the Sea of Japanand Owashi-hama beach.

Access: 24 min by bus from Izumotaisha-mae Sta. on Taisha Line of Ichibata
Electric Railway
http://www.kankou-shimane.com/eng/spot/detail/40

Matsuyama
ropeway and lift

Matsuyama Castle,
ropeway and lift

6

MAP

3

This is the largest castle in Shikoku, having required quarter of acentury to complete. Located on a mountain in the plains, themain bailey is built on the 132m-high peak, andandbaileys at the base. The top ﬂoor of the keepcommands a panoramic view of the Matsuyama plains and Seto
Inland Sea. The ropeway and lift oﬀer a convenient ride to thebailey.

spread wings of a plover or, after which the castle is also
called Chidori-jo or Plover Castle. The top ﬂoor of the castle
tower oﬀers a panoramic view of Matsue City.

Access: 7-min walk from Izumotaisha-mae Sta. on Taisha Line of Ichibata
Electric Railway
http://www.visit-matsue.com/nearby/izumo.html

3Operation: between Shin-Yamaguchi Sta. and Tsuwano Sta. on JR Yamaguchi Line
http://www.yamaguchi-city.jp/w/en/spot.html

4

historical record, the Kojiki. It enshrines the god Okuninushi, whoworked to build the state and villages while on earth, and is now a
benevolent deity watching over us. Also called Daikoku-sama, thedeity is known to bring love, luck and connections. The shrine
attracts many visitors who hope for partners in love and those whowill bring mutual prosperity. The photo is of the Kagura-den building
for sacred Shinto music.

MAP

has operated over 30 years sincethen, mainly on weekends fromspring to fall. The passenger cars
are slated for renewal in 2017.

MAP

was designated a national treasure in 2015. It features beautiful
black castle walls, and roof adornments made of copperlaminated wood, which are the largest of their kind in existence

31.2m tall at its tip, the pagoda was completed in 1442 mainly in auniquely Japanese style, and is characterized by a less decorative,
clean construction. It is known as one of the ﬁnest structures fromthe mid-Muromachi period (14th to 16th century) and one of thethree most prominent pagodas in Japan.

KOCHI

Matsuyama Castle

Matsue Castle

National treasure Rurikoji MAP 1
Temple and Five-Storied Pagoda

Access: 30 min by bus from Shin-Yamaguchi Sta. on JR Sanyo Shinkansen
Line, Sanyo Line, Yamaguchi Line or Ube Line
http://yamaguchi-city.jp/w/en/spot.html#page001

EHIME

Dogo Onsen

MAP

1

Access: 5-min walk from Okaido Sta. on any intra-city streetcar line of Iyo Railway

Kochi Castle

MAP

5

Built in 1603 when the Edo Shogunate was established, much of thecastle was lost in the great ﬁre of 1727. The castle was restored after
25 years of rebuilding eﬀort and 15 buildings including the tower aredesignated important cultural properties. Canals, stone gutters andstone walls were built to handle the large amount of rainfall, andmany devices were installed to defend the castle against attack.
Access: 5-min walk from Kochijo-mae Sta. on Ino Line of Tosaden Traﬃc
http://kochipark.jp/kochijyo/wpcontent/themes/castle/images/Pamphlet/pamphlet-english-201502-1.pdf

With its 3,000-year history, this is the oldest hot spring in Japan. The
water of this alkaline simple spring is believed to heal injuries andailments such as neuralgia, arthritis, poor circulation and fatigue. The
onsen has a quaint charm and complex layout where visitors canenjoy bathing as well as a tour, which includes Shinrokaku drum
tower on top of the main building, the three-level wooden Kaminoyu
bath building, and Yushinden, the only bathing facility in Japan
reserved for the Imperial Family.

Access: 2-min walk from Okaido Sta. on any intra-city streetcar line of Iyo Railway
http://www.sakanouenokumomuseum.jp/guide/leaﬂet/leaﬂet/en.pdf

Access: Short walk from Harimaya-bashi Sta. on Ino Line, Gomen Line or
Sanbashi Line of Tosaden Traﬃc

MAP

8tite caves, the Ryugado Cave is 4km

reservation and takes about 90
minutes. The museum presents thehistory and ecology of the cave.

2

The theme of the museum is a novel ofthe same title
byRyotaro Shiba. The museum presents
the historical background of the Meiji
period (1868-1912) and three of themain characters in the book who
actually lived during that time. The
building was designed by Tadao Ando,
famed designer of Japan.

7

about 1km and takes 30 minutes,

Katsurahama

MAP

MAP

The bridge once connected wealthy merchants Harimaya and
Hitsuya over a canal during the Edo period (1603-1867). The bridge
is famous for a scene from a tragic love story in which a priest
Junshin from Chikurinji Temple bought hair ornament for Ouma, a

Ryugado Cave

Access: 5-min walk from Dogo Onsen Sta. on intra-city streetcar routes No.
3 Matsuyamashieki Line, No. 5 JR Matsuyamaeki-mae Line or No.6 Honmachi Line of Iyo Railway
http://www.dogo.or.jp/pc/about/

Saka no Ue no Kumo Museum

Harimaya Bridge

Botchan trains

MAP

4

These are 2001 replicas of a train that once existed and was
described in Soseki Natsume's novel Botchan. Even though they look
like steam locomotives, they use diesel engines and the latest
technology. Once they reach their destination, they switch directions
in a very surprising manner.
Operation: from Dogo Onsen Sta. to Matsuyamashieki Sta. or Komachi Sta.
on Iyo Railway

Statue of Ryoma Sakamoto

MAP 6
Katsurahama(statue of Ryoma Sakamoto)Access: 20 min by bus from Tosa-Yamada Sta. on JR Dosan Line
http://www.attaka.or.jp.e.qy.hp.transer.com/kanko/dtl.php?ID=62

Nichiyo-ichi Sunday Market MAP 9This outdoor market with over 300
years of history is one of the largest inJapan. More than 500 stalls stretchingover 1.3km from west to east are set
up, selling fresh produce and otheritems. The market is open from earlymorning to evening every Sunday.

Ryoma Sakamoto left the Tosa domain (present day Kochi Pref.) and
Edo Shogunate. The statue of Ryoma facing the Paciﬁc Ocean stands
13.5m tall including the pedestal. For two months around Nov. 15
built next to the statue, allowing visitors the same panoramic view.

Access: 35 min by bus and foot from Harimaya-bashi Sta. on Ino Line,
Gomen Line or Sanbashi Line of Tosaden Traﬃc
http://www.attaka.or.jp.e.qy.hp.transer.com/kanko/dtl.php?ID=702

Access: Short walk from Hasuikemachi-dōri Sta. on Sanbashi Line of Tosaden Traﬃc
http://www.attaka.or.jp.e.qy.hp.transer.com/kanko/dtl.php?ID=1810
Photos courtesy of Kochi Visitors & Convention Association

HIROSHIMA

KAGAWAOKAYAMA
Washuzan observatory & Seto Ohashi Bridge MAP 18
Seto Ohashi Bridge refers to six bridges thattogether span the 9.4km of sea between theislands of Honshu and Shikoku. It is one of thelongest bridges in the world and accommodates both road and railway traﬃc. Washuzan observatory oﬀers a panoramic view ofthe bridge and many beautiful islands.
Photo courtesy of Okayama Prefectural Tourism Federation

Access: 10 min by car from Kojima Sta. on JR Seto Ohashi Line
http://www.kurashiki-tabi.jp/for/en/kojima.html

Atomic Bomb Dome

Hiroshima Peace Memorial ParkMAP 9
Atomi BombWorld
Dome&
Heritage
Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park

The Atomic Bomb Dome is a World Heritage Site that shows thescar of the atomic weapon dropped on Hiroshima. Before thebombing, it was a facility to showcase local and other products. It
suﬀered major damage on Aug. 6, 1945 since it stood only 160m
away to the northwest from the hypocenter. The dome is preserved
as it stood that day to serve as a symbol and to appeal for theeradication of nuclear weapons and lasting peace. The nearby
Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park is designated an important culturalproperty.
Access: Short walk from M10 Genbaku Dome-mae Sta. on Line 2, 3, 6 or
7 of Hiroshima Electric Railway
http://www.city.hiroshima.lg.jp/www/dome/genre/1001000050007/
index.html ※Atomic Bomb Dome
http://www.pcf.city.hiroshima.jp/outline/outlineTop̲E.html※Hiroshima Peace Memorial ParkMAP 10Okonomimura &Okonomi Kyowakoku Hiroshima-mura
Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki is ﬂour
paste cooked on a hot plate withthe addition of vegetables, meats
and noodles. Okonomimura andOkonomi Kyowakoku Hiroshimamura, where popular okonomiyaki
restaurants can be found, are highly
recommended for foodies.
Access: for Okonomimura, 5-min walk from M7 Hatchobori Sta. on Line1, 2 or 6 of Hiroshima Electric Railway, and for Okonomi Kyowakoku
Hiroshima-mura, 3-min walk from M7 Hatchobori Sta.

http://www.okonomimura.jp/foreign/english.html

Miyajima &MAP 11
Itsukushima Shrine World Heritage

Photo courtesy of Okayama Prefectural Tourism Federation

Okayama Castle

Miyajima Island is one of the three most scenic spots of Japan and
Itsukushima Shrine is a World Cultural Heritage Site. The shrine
boasts architectural novelty by incorporating the sea in its precinct,
and the structural beauty of the style used in a Heian period (late 8th
to late 12th century) noble's residence. High tide brings the sea close
to the shrine ﬂoor while low tide reveals the stilt structure below.

Completed in 1597, the castle was also called Crow Castle (Ujo) due
to the black lacquer applied to the siding on the castle walls. The
builder, Hideie Ukita, took care not only to fortify the castle as amilitary facility, but also to attract merchants and craftsmen whendeveloping the castle town.

Access: 10 min by ferry from M39 Hiroden-miyajima-guchi Sta. on Line 2
of Hiroshima Electric Railway
http://visit-miyajima-japan.com/en/

Hiroshima Castle

MAP 12The castle was originally built by Terumoto Moriand the castle tower was previously designateda national treasure. However it had to be rebuilt
after being destroyed by the atomic bomb.
Currently, the castle serves to exhibit historicalartifacts, having gone through interior renovation to mark its 400th anniversary.

Photo courtesy of Okayama Prefectural Tourism Federation

Yamato Museum

Tram MOMO

Access: 5-min walk from Kure Sta. on JR Kure Line
http://www.yamato-museum.com/download-data/ref09̲3̲eng.pdf

MAP 15The name of the tram Momo comesfrom the local specialty: peaches.
The tram features a metallic painted
exterior and interior that uses
wood, and was designed by Eiji
Mitooka, an industrial designer fromthe area.

Photo courtesy of Okayama Prefectural Tourism Federation

Operation: from Okayamaekimae Sta. to Higashiyama or Seikibashi Sta. of
Okayama Electric Tramway

The Bikan Quarter retains the feel of theEdo period (1603-1868) when the area
ﬂourished as a trade hub. The quainttownscape along the river includes
houses with partial plaster walls andbuildings with thick white plaster walls.
Photo courtesy of Okayama Prefectural Tourism Federation

Access: 13-min walk from Kurashikishi Sta. of Mizushima Rinkai Railway(to Ohara Museum of Art)
http://www.kurashiki-tabi.jp/for/en/bikan.html

Kotohira-gu Shrine

MAP 10Aﬀectionately known as Konpira-san, the shrine is known as a deityof the sea and famous for the 1,368 stone steps in the approach tothe inner shrine. During the Edo period (1603-1867) when commoners were not allowed to travel freely, the pilgrimage to Konpira-san issaid to have been akin to a special trip. Souvenir shops andnoodle eateries line both sides of the front approach and venerable
shrine buildings dot the large precinct.
Access: 15-min walk from Kotoden-Kotohira Sta. on Kotohira Line of
Takamatsu-Kotohira Electric Railroad

Yumeji Art Museum

MAP 17The Mizushima Rinkai Railway
serves an industrial area by operating freight trains that transportindustrial products, and passenger
trains that serve commuters. Bothtypes of trains draw the attention ofrailway fans.

This, the ﬁrst national park inJapan, is also the largest when thesea portion is included. There areabout 1,000 islands of various
sizes that dot the Seto Inland Sea.
The view from the observatory inYashima is truly magniﬁcent.

Steam locomotive at Mizushima
Chuo Koen ParkMAP 21

Yumeji Takehisa was an Okayama-born artist who represented
Taisho romanticism in the early 1900s and created many uniquepaintings of beautiful women. The museum was opened to

D51 is a type of steam locomotive manufactured over 70 years
ago. This ﬁne example has beenpreserved since its retirement in1975 and still delights visitors.

about 3,000 paintings and related items. His paintings are on permanent display.
Access: 15-min walk from Shiroshita Sta. on Higashiyama Line of Okayama
Electric Tramway

Access: 10-min walk from Ritsurin-Koen Sta. on Kotohira Line of
Takamatsu-Kotohira Electric Railroad
http://ritsuringarden.jp/en.Top/en.top.html

Setonaikai National Park(Yashima) MAP 13

Access: 10 min by shuttle bus from Kotoden-Yashima Sta. on Shido Lineof Takamatsu-Kotohira Electric Railroad
http://www.env.go.jp/en/nature/nps/park/parks/index̲6.html

Operation: between Kurashikishi Sta. and Mitsubishijiko-mae Sta. ofMizushima Rinkai Railway (passenger train)

Photo courtesy of Okayama Prefectural Tourism Federation

Ritsurin Garden is the largest of the gardens designated special
places of scenic beauty of Japan, and oﬀers a lovely landscape said
to change with every step you take. The South Garden retains the
feel of the garden of a feudal lord from over 300 years ago and theNorth Garden was renovated as a modern garden in the Meiji andTaisho periods (mid-19th century to early 20th century), oﬀering
6 ponds and 13 hills.

MAP 20Freight & passenger railway

The garden was created about 300 years ago by Tsunamasa Ikeda,
the second lord of the Okayama domain, as a place for relaxation.
Changes were made by various later lords. With the passing of theera of samurai, the garden was transferred to Okayama Prefecture.
After suﬀering ﬂoods and wars, the garden was restored based on
documents from the Edo period (1603-1867). It is designated as aSpecial Place of Scenic Beauty and considered one of the threepremier gardens of Japan for its charm reminiscent of the Edo period.
Access: 10-min walk from Shiroshita Sta. on Higashiyama Line of Okayama
Electric Tramway
http://www.okayama-korakuen.jp/english/index.html

MAP 13

Access: 7-min walk from Shiroshita Sta. on Higashiyama Line of Okayama
Electric Tramway
http://www.okayama-kanko.net/ujo/english/index.html

Okayama Korakuen Garden MAP 14

Access: 15-min walk from M9 Kamiyacho-higashi Sta. on Line 1, 2 or 6 or fromM9 Kamiyacho-nishi Sta. on Line 2, 3, 6 or 7 of Hiroshima Electric Railway
http://www.rijo-castle.jp/rijo/pdf/english.pdf

The battleship Yamato was built in Kure, atown that housed imperial navy‒run
factories and a navy port during WWII. The
ing a coastal industrial city as well as thescience and technology of shipbuilding andsteelmaking. A 1/10-scale model of the
Yamato is also on display.

MAP 16

Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter MAP 19

Special place of scenic beauty:
MAP 12
Ritsurin Garden

Access: 10-min walk from Tokiwa Sta. of Mizushima Rinkai Railway

Naoshima Island

MAP 11Marugame Castle

The castle with a 400-year history
stands high as the symbol of
Marugame. The distinct curve of theinner walls to the keep is often
compared to that of a folding fan and

One of the islands freckling the Seto Inland Sea, Naoshima attracts
visitors from home and abroad for art objects and projects locatedthroughout the inland. It houses the Chichu Art Museum that exhibits
waterlily-themed paintings by Claude Monet as well as various
pieces of modern art that blend in with the natural beauty of theisland.
Access: 60-min on foot and by boat from Takamatsu Sta. on JR Yosan Line
http://www.naoshima.net/en/index.php

MAP 14has been selected one of the 100
most prominent castles of Japan.

Access: 10-min walk from Marugame Sta. on JR Yosan Line
http://www.city.marugame.kagawa.jp/english/

Photo courtesy of Hiroshima Prefecture

FUKUOKA〈G7 Kitakyushu Energy Ministerial Meeting〉

NAGASAKI
MAP 9
Nagasaki Peace Park &Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum

Shimabara Castle

TenjinMAP

1Tenjin is the largest downtown area in Kyushu and welcomes
shoppers from home and abroad. Nishitetsu Tenjin Highway Bus
Terminal is centrally located, and access by train, bus and subway
is convenient. The area is a leader in fashion thanks tolong-established department stores and commercial complexes
lining the streets. Recently, subculture shops specializing in ﬁelds
such as manga or animation are cropping up in the area.

Access: Short walk from Nishitetsu Fukuoka Tenjin Sta. on Tenjin Omuta
Line of Nishinippon Railroad

Yanagawa

MAP

3

Yanagawa is known for the canals that were created for water
control and supply at the time of the construction of Yanagawa
Castle over 400 years ago. The boat ride on the canals is popularamong visitors thanks to the quant townscape and seasonal beauty
steamed on a bed of rice. Over 20 restaurants oﬀer their own
versions of the dish, permeating the area with the aroma of
salty-sweet sauce all year around.

The shrine is dedicated to Michizane Sugawara who is venerated as
the God of learning. There is a sacred tree, a plum known as
Tobiume (ﬂying plum tree). It is said that after Michizane was falsely
charged and exiled to Dazaifu, the tree left his mansion in Kyoto
and ﬂew to Dazaifu. Over 1,000 years later, the plum still blossoms
every year, welcoming visitors who come to pray for academic
success.

Access: 5-min walk from Dazaifu Sta. on Dazaifu Line of Nishinippon
Railroad
http://www.dazaifutenmangu.or.jp/en

MAP 6
Kokura Castle &Kokura Castle Japanese Garden
Kokura Castle, one of the most renowned castles in Japan, was originally built
andin 1602. Its prominent tower was built in a unique style called
the splendid stonewall was created without the use of cut stones. The castle
style and houses aguests and the garden. The villa boasts the typicaltearoom with chairs where visitors can experience the art of tea ceremony.

Access: 3-min walk from Matsuyama-Machi Sta. on Line 1 or 3 of Nagasaki
Electric Tramway
http://nagasakipeace.jp/english.html

Glover Garden World Heritage

MAP 10Glover was an active trader at the end of Edo
period (1603-1867). The Glover Garden is a
tourist spot that was created by moving westernbuildings from the Meiji period (1868-1912) to thearea where the Glover residence, an important
cultural property of Japan, and the residences of
wealthy merchants Ringer and Alt were located.

MAP 14Samurai residences &town with koi ﬁsh Shitanocho district features

samurai residences from over
400 years ago and a canal. In
Shinmachi, 1,500 koi ﬁsh
swim in the canal that runs
beside private homes. These
attractions are testament to

Access: 15-min walk from JR Kokura Sta.
〈Kokura Castle〉http://www.kokura-castle.jp/〈Kokura Castle Japanese Garden〉http://www.kid.ne.jp/teien/e̲index.html

Access: 15-min walk from Ouratenshudo-shita Sta. or 8-min walk using the
Glover Sky Road from Ishibashi Sta. on Line 5 of Nagasaki Electric Tramway
http://www.glover-garden.jp/foreign/english.html

Access: 10-min walk from Shimabara Sta. on Shimabara Railroad

Canal City Hakata

TOTO Museum

Oura Catholic Church

Unzen Jigoku

MAP

4

MAP

The museum provides a fun opportuhistory such as that of kitchen andbathroom. The shop oﬀers original
goods and other items created incollaboration with local businesses.

Access: 10-min walk from Nakasu-Kawabata Sta. on Kuko Line of Fukuoka City
Subway or short walk from Canal City Hakata-mae bus stop of Nishitetsu Bus
http://canalcity.co.jp.e.jx.hp.transer.com

Access: 13-min walk from Minami Kokura Sta. on JR Nippo Line

Momochi (Seaside Momochi) MAP 5

Mojiko Retro

With Fukuoka Tower and Seaside
Momochi Beach Park, the Momochi
area bustles with people enjoying
stylish waterfront facilities andbeach sports. Fukuoka Yahuoku!
Dome in the adjacent Jigyo area
holds baseball games and concerts.
Access: Short walk from Yahuoku! Dome-mae bus stop of Nishitetsu Bus7

http://www.toto.co.jp/museum/en/

MAP

The Port of Moji or Mojiko prospered
for over 120 years as one of the
major international ports of Japan.
Currently, it is a popular tourist area
where visitors can experience thefeel of the era when foreign vessels
frequented the port.

Access: Short walk from Mojiko Sta. on JR Kagoshima Line
http://www.en.mojiko.info/

8

MAP 11

The formal name is Oura Catholic Church, The
Church of 26 Martyrs. It faces Nishizaka hill to
dedicate prayers to the 26 saints who werearrested and martyred there due to Japan's ban on
Catholicism. The church is designated a nationaltreasure as the oldest church in existence
representing western construction in Japan.

Samurai residences

Town with koi ﬁsh water.

MAP 15
Unzen Jigoku is characterized by
hot springs and gases spurting out
from the ground, with steam andthe smell of sulfur permeating theair. Here, visitors can see 30 or sogeothermal spots that contributed
to the area acquiring the name
Jigoku or hell.

Access: 5-min walk from Ouratenshudo-shita Sta. on Line 5 of Nagasaki
Electric Tramway
http://travel.at-nagasaki.jp/en/what-to-see/8/

Access: 1 hr. 20 min by Shimatetsu Bus from JR Nagasaki Main Line Isahaya Sta.
http://www.unzen.org/e̲ver/

Megane-Bashi (Spectacles Bridge) MAP 12

Mt. Unzen Disaster Memorial Hall

Japan's ﬁrst stone-built, double-arched
bridge is called the Spectacles Bridge due
to its resemblance to a pair of spectacles
when seen with the reﬂection of thearches of the bridge in the river. Thisbridge is designated an important culturalproperty of Japan.
Access: 5-min walk from Kokaido-mae Sta. on Line 3, 4 or 5 of Nagasaki
Electric Tramway
http://travel.at-nagasaki.jp/en/what-to-see/26/

Yoshinogari Historical ParkMAP 17

Yoshinogari Ruins was built 2400
years ago, and it has been Japan's
biggest high academic rating ruin forabout 700 years. Yoshinogari historical park has restored buildings,
fences, it reproduces third century AD.

Access: 15-min walk from JR Yoshinogari-Koen Sta.
http://www.yoshinogari.jp/en/

Photo courtesy of Saga Prefectural Tourism Federation

Access: 5-min walk from Shimabara Sta. on Shimabara Railroad
http://shimabarajou.chicappa.jp/english/

Access: 5-min walk from Nishitetsu Yanagawa Sta. on Tenjin Omuta Line of
Nishinippon Railroad (boat boarding area)
http://www.yanagawakk.co.jp/index̲e.html

This exciting commercial complex
houses shopping malls, movie
theater, theater, hotels and amusement facility as well as oﬃces. With
fountains and seasonal decorations,
Canal City oﬀers multi-faceted
delights to visitors.

Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine MAP 2

Kokura Castle Japanese Garden

MAP 13After being dismantled in the Meiji era (1868-1912),
the castle tower, turret and long walls of ShimabaraCastle were later restored. The tower is used as ahistorical museum, and the grounds also house
Seibo Memorial Hall that exhibits the works of local
sculptor Seibo Kitamura as well as the Sightseeing
Revival Hall that displays the disaster caused by theeruption of the Unzen Fugen-dake.

An atomic bomb was dropped on
Nagasaki on Aug. 9, 1945. The Peace
Park was created on and around the
hypocenter with the hope for peace. The
Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum islocated nearby.
Kokura Castle

OITA

SAGA

MAP 16The volcanic eruption of Mt. Unzen
Fugen-dake peak started in 1990 andlasted 6 years. The memorial hall was
created to pass down lessons learned
from the natural threats and disaster tofuture generations, and oﬀers visitors asimulated experience of volcanic activity.

Access: 18 min by Shimatetsu Bus from Shimabara Sta. on Shimabara Railroad
http://www.udmh.or.jp/english.html
Photos courtesy of Nagasaki Prefectural Tourist Federation

KUMAMOTO
Kumamoto Castle

MAP 18

Access: 10 min by bus from Kumamoto Sta. on JR Kagoshima Main Line
http://www.manyou-kumamoto.jp/en/plan-your-visit/kumamoto-castle.html

MAP 19This guardian shrine of Kumamoto City
was established in 935, when Emperor
Suzaku welcomed the deity of Iwashimizu Hachimangu Shrine in Kyoto to
Kumamoto in a hope to end a war andbring peace to the nation. A grandfestival is held every September.
Access: 3-min walk from Fujisakigu-mae Sta. on Fujisaki Line of Kumamotodentetsu

Tatsuda Nature ParkMAP 21
Yufuin is the second greatest hot
spring area in Japan in terms of theamount of water that ﬂows andnumber of wellheads. The town also
features classy shops, restaurants
and galleries.

Access: Take JR Kyudai Main Line to Yufuin Sta.
http://yufuin.or.jp/global/index.php?easiestml̲lang=en

KAGOSHIMA

Kumamoto Castle was completed
in 1607 by Commander Kiyomasa
Kato and is considered one of thethree premier castles in Japan. Its
main characteristic is the increasing
steepness of the stone walls to
repel attack, called musha-gaeshi.

Fujisaki Hachimangu Shrine

Yufuin Onsen

MAP 20The park stands on the ruins of Taishoji Temple which
was the family temple of the Hosokawa clan, theruling clan of Kumamoto. The park houses the gravesof the ﬁrst lord Fujitaka and his wife, and second lord
Tadaoki and his wife, as well as a tea house that was
restored based on an original drawing by Tadaoki,
who was a master of tea ceremony. The park is agovernment- designated historical park.

Access: 5 min by car from Kitakumamoto Sta. on Fujisaki Line or Kikuchi
Line of Kumamotodentetsu

Sakurajima Island

MAP 22

Sakurajima Island spewing volcanic
smoke is a symbol of Kagoshima.
When you are in the area, drop by
the Sakurajima Visitor Center.
Access: 40 min by city tram and ferry from Kagoshima-Chuo Sta. on JR
Kagoshima Main Line

Ibusuki (sand steam baths)

MAP 23The sand steam baths of Ibusuki arequite unique internationally. Here,bathers in Japanese bathrobes lie
on their backs on naturally steamheated sand to be covered withmore sand.

Access: 5 min by car from Ibusuki Sta. on JR Ibusuki-Makurazaki Line
http://youkoso-ibusuki.com/top/foreign/eng/indexonsen.html

OKINAWA
Shurijo Castle Park World Heritage MAP 24

The Ryukyu Kingdom thrived for about 450
years on islands in the southwestern part ofJapan. The Shurijo Castle features an architectural style that fuses Chinese and Japanesecultures. The Shurijo Castle ruins were
Shurijo Castle Seiden registered as a World Heritage Site in 2000.

Access: 15-min walk from Shuri Sta. on the Yui Railhttp://oki-park.jp/shurijo/en/

Information contained herein is current as of February 2016.