Other Cities General Information Places to See Local Dishes Local Souvenirs Special Events Directions Map Weather Dazaifu Tenmangu Tenmangus are shrines enshrining Michizane Sugawara, originally a scholar long deified as a god of academics. Dazaifu Tenmangu is the head shrine of all Tenmangu shrines in Japan. Folk belief holds that the shrine brings benefit to those who aspire in academic circles as well as eliminating bad luck and bringing fortune to the household. For this reason, over 6.5 million worshippers come annually to pray for divine support. How to get to Dazaifu From Fukuoka Airport: 50min. (Subway and Nishitetsu Line) From Nishitetsu Fukuoka Station: 45 min. (Nishitetsu Line) 4-7-1, Saifu, Dazaifu, Fukuoka - - Free http://www.dazaifutenmangu.or.jp/ 092-922-8225 092-921-1010 The Site of Dazaifu Government Office (Ruins of Tofuro) Throughout the Nara and Heian periods, Dazaifu was the center of politics in Kyushu. Only the foundation stones remain on the site today, but their size indicates how grand the office must have been in those long ago days. 4-6-1, Kanzeonji, Dazaifu, Fukuoka 9am-16:30pm (Museum) Mon. (If Mon. is a holiday, Tue. will be closed) (Museum) 150 yen (Museum) http://www.city.dazaifu.fukuoka.jp/ - - Yanagawa Yanagawa was a castle town developed in the Edo era and had many moats and canals dug to act in its defense. Today just traces of the castle town of long ago can be seen at "Ohana," the ruling Tachibana family's villa, the ruins of the then Yanagawa castle, as well as at the old samurai residences. Yanagawa is also known as the birthplace of the poet, Kitahara Hakushu yet it is the numerous moats and canals making up the town's unique scenery that give it the image and name of Water City. How to get to Yanagawa From Fukuoka Airport: 50min. (Subway and Nishitetsu Line) From Nishitetsu-Fukuoka Station: 45 min. (Nishitetsu Line) Links Yanagawa City http://www.city.yanagawa.fukuoka.jp/ (Japanese) Yanagawa Tourist Association http://www.yanagawa-net.com/ (Japanese) Huis Ten Bosch Huis Ten Bosch is a huge theme park which re-creates 17th century Holland. Stroll along the canals, among the windmills, palaces and towers standing proud in this immense park. See streets filled with seasonal flowers such as tulips and be entertained at the amusement facilities, art and culture museums, unique restaurants and shops. Staying at hotels in the park and in the surrounding areas provide for a more 'in-depth' look at the Holland of old. How to get to Huis Ten Bosch Tokyo (Haneda)-Nagasaki Airport(1 hour 45 minutes by plane) Nagasaki Airport-Huis Ten Bosch (50 minutes by Airportliner (high speed ferry) or bus) Hakata (Fukuoka) Station-Huis Ten Bosch (1 hour 45 minutes by the Huis Ten Bosch Express) 1-1, Huistenbosch-cho, Sasebo, Nagasaki 9am-9:30pm (Mar. - Dec.25th), 9am-8:30pm (Dec.26th - Feb.) - 4,800 yen (1day ticket) http://english.huistenbosch.co.jp/ - - Beppu Onsen Hot spring Beppu is a town in Oita Prefecture known for its hot springs and in addition to being a source of naturally heated water also offers visitors the unusual sight of steam venting from the hot springs into the air all around town. Perhaps the most exciting place in Beppu is the Kannawa Onsen where views of boiling water and steam shoot up from 250-300 meters below ground and are called jigoku, or 'hell'. Visiting this 'hell' or jigoku in Beppu is well worth the visit as is a side trip to Mt. Takasakiyama which faces Beppu Bay and is known as the habitat of 1200 Japanese monkeys. How to get to Beppu Onsen Tokyo (Haneda)-Oita Airport (1 hour 30 minutes by plane) Oita Airport-Beppu Onsen (40 minutes by bus) Hakata (Fukuoka) Station-Beppu Station (2 hours by JR Nippo Honsen limited express) Beppu, Oita - - - http://www.city.beppu.oita.jp/ 0977-21-1111 0977-26-4404