Travel Guide of Scenic Byway Kyushu Q-❼ Genkai Nada Scenic Coast

Cities of Fukuoka and Itoshima in Fukuoka Pref., and Karatsu City and Genkai Town in Saga Pref.－Historic Ruins since ancient ages, Gateway toward Asia, and Scenic Nature facing to Genkai Nada Sea Ancient Japan is called "Wa", and Chinese history books introduce Japanese customs and geography around the 2nd and 3rd centuries. It is estimated that our country at that time was consisted of more than 100 city-states, but there were three city- states facing the Genkai Nada sea: Matsura-koku, Ito-koku, and Na-koku. It was written that Matsura-koku was in the place just across the sea from Iki Island. In addition, although Ito-koku was a small country, it was said that messengers from Daifang Commandery (an ancient county in Midwestern part of the Korean Peninsula) had always stopped, and Na-koku was a large country with more than 20,000 households. About 1800 years have passed since then, but if they are compared, it is estimated that "Matsura" is the present Karatsu city, "Ito" , the city of Itoshima, and "Na", Minami-Ward of Fukuoka City or Kasuga City (see the map). In ancient times, people from the Korean Peninsula landed in the Higashi-matsuura area via Tsushima and Iki Island, and various civilization were transmitted. In addition, Itoshima had many sea- related archaeological sites such as shell mounds and fisheries, and (1) View of Shikanoshima Island. (7) Nijino-Matsubara (Pine-forest) Fukuoka had a terrain where the sea enters inland. These are

(2) Kashii Shrine (3) Hakozaki Shrine that worships the God of Battle. (3) The first Zen-Temple in Japan, “Shoufuku-ji”.

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(3) The Street at Hakata Station Square in Fukuoka (4) Modern Town in Seaside Momochi District in Fukuoka City City. stipples of ancient landscapes of three diplomatic missions brought regions, that are deeply associated excellent civilization and Buddhism with the Genkai Sea. to our country. [Access] Fukuoka International ⋆ In the end of the Middle Ages, Airport, Hakata Port, and the Hakata potters emigrated from the Korean Station of the Sanyo/Kyushu peninsula to Japan, which had a Shinkansen are the key point of great impact on our lives and pottery transportation in Kyushu Area, and industry. ⋆ In the addition of the religion that they are also the access points for the (3) Itazuke Ruins in 1 or 2 Century, which is near sustains our spirit, art, medicine, Genkai scenic coastal areas. the Fukuoka International Airport. science, food culture, and lifestyles [Main Route] The main routes in this were introduced from Asian scenic area are given by Fukuoka countries, the Korean Peninsula, or urban expressways, national roads from Europe via the Silk Road. 202 and 204, and Nishi-Kyushu Many archaeological sites related to Expressway, and some major them have been excavated in this prefecture roads, as shown in the area. map. c) Northern Kyushu has not only On the other hand, in addition to good events but also bad events, and the Kashii Line, Kagoshima Main its related heritage is the third Line, and Chikuhi Line of JR resource. Kyushu, the Fukuoka Municipal Yoshinogari Ruins in the 2 or 3 centuries, which is ⋆ From the 7th to the 8th centuries, Subway and Nishitetsu Kaizuka Line away 45 km toward southwest from Fukuoka many soldiers for border guards, are operated as public transportation International Airport. Sakimori, were dispatched from through the scenic area. Therefore, East Japan to Kyushu. The oldest the railway network and bus routes poetry collection, "Manyoshu," from the main stations are fully contains poems by Sakimori that available. make you feel the harsh natural [Scenic Resources] Following are environment and nostalgia, and three main resources for this scenic route. some are carved on stone a) As one of them, you can see a view monuments. (1) & (4) Gold Seal granted to Na- ⋆ In addition, in 1274 and 1281, of the strong waves of the Genkai- kingdom in 57 A.D. from the late Han nada Sea and the same old geological Dynasty. there were invasions from Mongolia, strata as the continent. Advancing resulting many casualties. To along the beautiful coastline, you’ll prevent this tragedy, defense walls find lots of unusual rocky landscapes were constructed facing the Genkai (see photo (6)). Nada Sea (Photo (4)) b) The second is the cultural heritage ⋆ Another example is that during accumulated in this region as the the Toyotomi period at the end of the gateway to the Asian continent. In 16th century, troops were chronological order, some heritage dispatched from Nagoya Castle in can be organized as follows: Karatsu region to the Korean ⋆ On the Shikano-shima island in Peninsula, and traces of many Fukuoka City, a gold seal given to the military camps remain. Nakoku by Emperor Guangwu of the Later Han Dynasty in China in 57 From the above, our ancestors AD was discovered (Photo (1)). have overcome bad luck in northern ⋆ Then, in interchange with the Tang (4) Stone Defense Wall against Mongolian Kyushu and built a great civilization. Dynasty of China, Japanese Invasions (Fukuoka City)

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Throughout this scenic road, there are ruins dating back to the introduction of rice cultivation. Since then, it has developed into three city states in ancient times, a trading and commercial city in the Middle Ages, two castle towns and multiple inn towns in the Edo period, and has left many (4) Restored Guest House “Kouro Kan” in 8th. footprints in each era. Today, this area is the most urbanized in Kyushu while preserving its historical heritage, but if you look at them, it is divided into 3 blocks (3) Kunchi Dance Parade in Hakata Dontaku.Hikiyama and 9 zones, and the main Festival Float and Decorated Yamakasa of Hakata highlights are as follows (see Yamakasa Gion Festival in Fukuoka City. (4) Fukuoka Castle the map).

-Fukuoka Area -

This zone of Fukuoka City is subdivided into four zones. (1) Shikano-shima Island Shikanoshima Island in suburb of Fukuoka City, is a small Tombolo island, but the people of the sea have lived there since ancient times and (5) Hirabaru Ruins regarded as a Grave of the Queen (National Treasure) have carved out history. As you shrine are widely known. Jotenji Temple (1241) and Kushida-jinjya drive through the island, you'll come across interesting historic sites Shrine (757) are associated with the Hakata Gion Yamakasa such as the Shikaumi Shrine dedicated to the sea gods, the mounds Festival and are registered as UNESCO Intangible Cultural of the Mongolian invaders, and the park where the gold seal was Heritage. Shofukuji Temple (1195) is the first full-scale Zen temple found. From these, you can explore the history of ancient Japan in in Japan, and the precincts are a national historic site. If visiting Shikanoshima Island while experiencing the severe Genkai Nada them, you will understand that the events of temples and shrines Sea, the scenic natural scenery of Hakata Bay, and the rich are deeply rooted in the lives of citizens and the activities of local blessings of the Genkai Sea. communities. (2) Zone in Shrines of Kashii-gu and Hakozaki-gu. (4) Fukuoka Castle Town during the Edo Period The famous shrines in Fukuoka City are Kashii-gu Shrine and In the center of this zone, the ruins of the ancient diplomatic Hakozaki-gu Shrine. The former is a rare case where an ancient guest house "Korokan" were excavated. It was used as a facility for mausoleum converted into a shrine around the 8th century. The ambassadors dispatched from Japan, envoys from overseas, and shrine faces a street with large trees. The main hall of the shrine is merchants, and many valuable relics of more than 10 centuries ago called "Kashii-making" and is a building without walls. have been discovered. During the Edo period, Fukuoka Castle was On the other hand, the Hakozaki-gu shrine is one of three major built in the same location. The area adjacent to the castle is now the Hachiman Shrines. Emperor Ojin, , who is known as the god of war center of Fukuoka City. (Hachiman-Shin), and Empress Jingu are enshrined. In historical In short, the areas have ancient diplomatic facilities, Fukuoka battles, each camp often prayed for victory at Hakozaki-gu Shrine. Castle during Edo era, and the scenery of today's city center with In the present times, Fukuoka's professional baseball team, years of historic stories. Softbank Hawks, is praying for victory every year. It’s unclear if this is the result, but the team often wins league and Japan Series -Itoshima Area – games. (3) Hakata Merchant’s Town since the Middle Age. (5) Zone of ancient Ito. Hakata Town is a merchant town rebuilt by Toyotomi Hideyoshi The Itoshima area is an ancient city state described in the who unified the country at the end of the 16th century. The skeleton historical documents of Wei Dynasty in China, and many royal of the town at that time was a lattice of north, south, east and west tombs have been excavated. In particular, the rectangular tomb in with a motif of Buddhist robes (Kesa). Even now, the traces remain Photo (5) is presumed to be the tomb of the queen of Ito-koku, who on the street network of Hakata Ward, and the layout of the town is related to the "Himiko Queen" of Yamatai-koku, who ruled “Wa” division for Hakata Gion Yamakasa Festival is based on it. in the 3rd century. The one excavated from the tomb is exhibited at There are many old temples along the Mikasa River at the the nearby Ito-koku History Museum, and there is a bronze mirror with a diameter of 46.5 cm and a weight of 8 kg, which is designated eastern end of Hakata Ward. Among them, two temples and one as a national treasure, and is the largest in Japan.

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(6) Coast Zone of Itoshima Peninsula On the coast of the Itoshima Peninsula, you can enjoy beautiful natural scenery such as white sand beaches, green pine trees, and rocks made of the waves of Genkai-Nada Sea. On the way, Meotoiwa (couple’s rock) and Keyano-oto (cave gate). In addition, the Itoshima area is a (6) Dazzling Sand Beach popular place for residents to enjoy recreation and outdoor activities. The (7) Karatsu Castle for Fudai Daimyo fishing village has many restaurants for Japanese cuisine and oyster huts made with local ingredients, where you can enjoy country food.

-Higashi-Matsuura Area

(7) Karatsu Urban Area During the Edo period, one million black pine trees were planted on the (6) Couple of Rocks (Futamigaura, Sakurai Shrine) Karatsu coast, creating a pine forest (8) Trace of Nagoya Castle (Karatsu City) called "Niji-no-Matsubara (Pine Forest of Rainbow)". This was originally made as windbreaks for paddy field development, but it is now a special scenic spot. Mt. Kagami-yama (284 m) is a popular spot overlooking the city of Karatsu, Niji-no-Matsubara, and the Genkai-nada sea. Photo (7) shows a view of Karatsu City and Karatsu Bay from the top, and you can see that (7) Headpiece of Karatsu Kunchi Festival in Karatsu. Karatsu Castle is built so that it (8) Warships of Japan and Korea in 16th century (Nagoya Castle Museum) protrudes into Karatsu Bay. and Imari Bay, it has a warm climate If taking a walk in the city, you can affected by the warm currents of see moats and castle town from the Edo Tsushima. period (around the 17th C), and houses One of main sites in the region is the and buildings of the Meiji and Taisho Genkai Energy Park at the nuclear eras. Karatsu pottery is famous, and power plant and its entrance, where you can also visit the pottery factory materials related to nuclear power are near JR Karatsu Station. (8) Yobuko Ohashi Bridge (Karatsu City). (8) Nagoya-Jo Traces in Karatsu. displayed. And, Imari Bay has a landscape of "Iroha Island", an After controlling Kyushu at the end archipelago consisting of 48 small of the 16th century, Toyotomi Hideyoshi built a front-line of military base in the islands. Nagoya area of Karatsu City and The rice terraces in this area develop dispatched troops to the Korean toward the sea according to the terrain, Peninsula. The headquarters of his but unlike the rice terraces army was Nagoya Castle, and a surrounded by mountains, there is a military road was built around it, along feeling of openness as shown in Photo which a camp of Sengoku daimyo (9) Terraced Rice Field in Oura (Karatsu City) (9). gathered from all over the country was built. Each area of Genkai Route has its own festivals. In particular, the The ruins of Nagoya Castle are now a special historical monument Karatsu-Kunchi Festival (7) is registered as a UNESCO World in Japan. (Please note that the Nagoya here is different from Nagoya in Aichi Prefecture.) Intangible Cultural Heritage along with the festival of Hakatagion (9) Western area of Higashi-matsuura Peninsula Yamakasa (3) in Fukuoka City. “Kunchi” means an autumn The western part of the Higashi-matsuura Peninsula consists of harvest festival, but if you would like to visit it, please check the Genkai Town and the Hizen town district in Karatsu City, which date and time of the festival are covered with low mountains of 100 to 200 m. Facing Kariya Bay Publishing and Copy right: Promotion Council of Scenic Byway Kyushu C○(Copyright 2021. All rights reserved)

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