王小鈞 's page

Tochoji Temple (Fukuoka)

Tochoji Temple, located in Hakata Ward, Fukuoka City, is a Shingon Sect temple said to have been first opened by the famous monk Kukai (Kobo Daishi) upon his return to Japan after completing his training in the Tang Dynasty. The official name of the temple is "Tochoji Temple," which was named by Kukai with the meaning "so that esoteric Buddhism may be transmitted eastward for a long time”.

• Fukuoka
• Shrines & Temples

When visiting Hakata, besides shopping and enjoying the food, I also highly recommend visiting these two historic temples and shrines.
The most impressive feature of Tochoji Temple is the Fukuoka Daibutsu. Admission to the Great Buddha Hall is JPY 100. The 10.8-meter-tall wooden statue of Shakyamuni Buddha is solemn and magnificent, and looking up at it from close range is truly awe-inspiring. Photography is not allowed inside the hall, so you can only admire it quietly, which makes the peaceful atmosphere even more noticeable.
Behind the Great Buddha Hall is a special “Hell and Paradise Pilgrimage.” You go from a bright area into a dark passageway, with scenes of hell depicted on the walls. Walking the entire route feels very immersive.
After visiting Tochoji Temple, walk to Kushida Shrine in Hakata Gion to experience the history of Hakata’s guardian shrine and its traditional festival culture. The two attractions are not far apart, making them perfect for a leisurely visit on the same day while taking in Hakata’s historic charm.

Lake Ikeda

Located in the southeastern part of the Satsuma Peninsula, Lake Ikeda is the largest lake in Kyushu, boasting a circumference of 15 km and a depth of 233 meters. Formed over 5,000 years ago through volcanic activity, it took shape after six major eruptions in the surrounding area, eventually becoming the caldera lake it is today.

• Kagoshima
• Nature Spots

This time, I visited Kyushu's famous caldera lake. The lake is vast, surrounded by mountains and natural scenery, and looks magnificent even from a distance.
The lake was formed by a volcanic eruption about 5,700 years ago. It has a circumference of about 15 kilometers and reaches a maximum depth of 233 meters, making it one of Kyushu's most iconic lakes.
What surprised me most was that we arrived just in time for sunset. As the sun slowly set over the lake, the entire surface turned golden. It was so beautiful that I couldn't stop taking pictures.

Kushida Shrine

This head shrine is said to have been built in the 8th century. Residents in Hakata call it “Okushida san.” Hakata Gion Yamakasa festival declares the arrival of summer to the City of Hakata in July, and is dedicated to this shrine.

• Fukuoka
• Shrines & Temples

If you're traveling around Fukuoka on your own, I highly recommend adding Kushida Shrine to your itinerary!
The shrine is in central Hakata, and it's easy to walk there from Kushida Shrine Station on the subway. Afterward, you can continue on to Kawabata Shopping Arcade and Nakasu, so it's easy to combine them into one itinerary.
Kushida Shrine is an important shrine to the people of Hakata. Once you enter the grounds, it's surprisingly quiet and peaceful, even though the lively downtown area is just outside. Besides praying, it's also a nice place to stroll around and take in the shrine's details.
What caught my attention most was the enormous, ornate yamakasa float. It was even more impressive than I imagined! The intricate decorations are fascinating up close and give you a better sense of the local culture of the Hakata Gion Yamakasa festival.
There's also an interesting "test stone." I heard that strongmen in the past could lift it, so I decided to take the challenge myself...
The result, of course, was--**it didn't budge at all!
There's also a famous old ginkgo tree nearby, and you can see a unique zodiac direction plaque on the tower gate. Every corner has little details of traditional Japanese culture.
If you're shopping in Hakata, consider stopping by Kushida Shrine. It doesn't take much time, but it lets you experience a very different side of Hakata.

Mameda Town

Hita City, neighboring Fukuoka and Kumamoto, was a prosperous “Tenryo (directly ruled by the Shogunate)” merchant town in Edo Period. The city is still dotted by classic buildings and earthen walls, which earned the nickname “Little Kyoto in Kyushu.” Roughly a 15-minute walk from Hita train station will take you to Mameda Town, where houses of merchants still remain who were providing goods to the Shogunate during the Tenryo Era.

• Oita
• Famous Places

Mameda Town in Hita was one of my favorite places on this trip to Kyushu. It was once a tenryo, a territory directly governed by the shogunate during the Edo period, and prospered through commerce. Today, you can still see many preserved traditional buildings throughout the neighborhood, which is why it's also known as “Little Kyoto in Kyushu.”
I actually prefer quiet little places like this to popular tourist attractions.
There aren't tons of tour buses or crowds of tourists. Along the streets, you can see traditional Japanese homes, old houses, and a natural sense of everyday life. I slowly wandered the streets without any particular itinerary. Just looking at the streetscape and taking in the local atmosphere felt very relaxing.
Mameda Town is somewhere I'd like to come back and stroll around again.

Kurokawa Onsen

This hot springs village sits along the same river that waters the rice paddies between the northern mountains of Aso. The entire hot springs area is designed seamlessly with nature, with each hilltop inn and connecting halls a separate annex that attaches to the next mountain hill.

• Kumamoto
• Famous Places

Kurokawa Onsen really has the feel of a Japanese hot spring town!
The entire hot spring village is scattered throughout the valley along the Tanoharu River. Each ryokan is surrounded by forest, and although the town isn't large, it has plenty of character. Walking around feels like getting away from the city and taking a vacation in the mountains.
The most unique thing to do here is use the Nyuto Tegata hot spring pass. If you have enough time, I highly recommend buying one. You can choose three different ryokan to soak at, and experience each one's open-air baths without staying overnight. It's really fun to try different baths!
Each hot spring has its own features. Some are hidden in the woods, while others are beside the ravine. Soaking while taking in the mountain scenery creates a very relaxing atmosphere.
Kurokawa Onsen has also preserved traditional mixed-gender open-air baths, making it a very unique experience for anyone interested in traditional Japanese hot spring culture.