"Karatsu Kunchi" is held as the annual autumn festival of Karatsu Shrine. At the exhibition center where you can see the floats, you can enjoy their majestic appearance and feel the passion of the Karatsu people for the festival.
Ai Nishimura
Administrator of the blog "My Diary," which began in 2004. A writer who has traveled to all 47 prefectures and loves local culture and history.
Author of Shimane's "Geography, Place Names, and Maps" Mysteries (Jitsugyo no Nihonsha), My Town is the "Number One in Japan" Dictionary (PHP Institute), and Prefectures Explained in Neko Neko Japanese History (Jitsugyo no Nihonsha). Official blogger for Suntory Gourmet Guide, official top user for Retty, and official platinum blogger for Excite.
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On the last day, we went back to Itoshima and took a local bus to the Keya area. The water was clearer than Futamigaura, which we visited on the first day. We headed for the offshore caves on a sightseeing boat. After that, we took a walk around Chikuzen-Maebaru Station before returning to Tokyo.
A wonder of nature! You can see basalt at "Keya no Daimon."
On this day, I took a bus from Chikuzen-Maebaru Station to see Keya no Omon Gate.
Since it was summer vacation, we headed there by bus, joining the young people heading to the beach. There is only one bus to Keya about once an hour, so it's best to plan your time in advance. The Keya Daimon sightseeing boat does not accept reservations, so you may be unlucky enough to find it fully booked when you arrive, but if that happens, just wait for the next boat; the tour itself is short, only 25 minutes.
We headed out to sea on a boat, with the sea as clear and blue as it went. On this day, the swell was high and the boat was quite bumpy. If you go into the crack at Keya no Daimon and look up, you can see beautiful geology and columnar joints, but unfortunately we were not able to go inside on this day.
However, it was enough to enjoy the sea of Itoshima. I enjoyed the short boat trip.
Today we will be taking a sightseeing boat!
We took a local bus from Chikuzen-Maebaru Station to the Keya bus stop. The bus was filled with the excitement of young people heading to the beach.
Arrived at Keya. Wow, the sea is calling. I want to jump right in.
The Keya no Daimon Sightseeing Boat ride takes just 25 minutes. The sea trip goes by in a flash. Unfortunately, however, the waves were too high that day and we were unable to enter the cave.
Transparent! Anticipation rises.
We set sail! It was summer vacation, so there were many families on board. However, due to the influence of a typhoon far away, the boat was rocking and swaying.
"Keya no Daimon." It was a dynamic cave with many hexagonal pillars lined up. It was a work of art created by lava.
The way it juts out from the ocean can only be described as an accident of nature. It is one of the three largest basalts in Japan and is a national natural monument.
Normally, you would enter the cave from here by boat and be able to peer down at the countless hexagonal pillars, but since this is a place where waves gather, just sailing the boat this far would cause it to start shaking violently, and I thought, "There's no way we can do this..."
I can see the beach in the distance. It would be nice to swim in the beautiful sea.
The sea where the sightseeing boat docked was also very beautiful.
A tour of Keya's workshops. "Harvest Workshop" and "Komagama".
After seeing "Keya no Daimon", I decided to take a walk around the town of Keya. I planned to walk to the bus stop in front of the pottery studio and catch a bus from there.
The first place we visited was "Studio Harvest." It is a studio run by a husband and wife artist team, where the husband is a woodworker and the wife is a painter. We chatted surrounded by smooth wooden pieces and soft-style paintings made with acrylic paints.
Afterwards, we went to "Komagama" in front of the bus stop. It is a Karatsu ware kiln that preserves traditional techniques and manufacturing methods. At the back of the house is an amazing handmade climbing kiln. We were kindly shown around and were shown many works until the bus arrived.
After enjoying the sightseeing boat, we took a walk around the town of Keya.
I'm envious of people who have a home and studio at the same time. It was a very nice workshop. The owner is good at woodworking.
There are many natural styles.
It's been 24 years since I set up my studio in Itoshima. Itoshima is a city where many artists move and set up their studios.
Smooth and smooth wood texture.
These wooden doors are ordered from all over Japan.
We were also able to see paintings made by his wife using acrylic paints.
I bought this plate for the photo shoot.
There was only a little time left until the bus time. We also stopped by "Komagama".
There was a huge selection of Karatsu ware on display!
The earth tones are soft. With so many products to choose from, you're sure to find one you like.
There was a climbing kiln at the back of the house. It was handmade and fired about twice a year.
It's right in front of the bus stop. It's easy to find.
Take a stroll around Chikuzen-Maebara Station. Visit the nostalgic "Kadoya Shokudo" and have delicious coffee at "Tobibako Coffee."
As my flight time was approaching, I decided to take a walk around Chikuzen-Maebaru Station. I visited "Kadoya Shokudo" again, a Showa-era style restaurant loved by Itoshima residents. There are many menu items, but I ordered the popular "Pork Chop". When it was brought to me, the tomato ketchup sauce splashed on the hot plate. It had a mature taste with a strong pepper flavor.
In the shopping district, we went to "Itoshima Kurashi x Kokonoki," which seemed to be the only shop with a lot of customers. Like "Itoshima Support Plaza," which we introduced in the previous article, this shop sells many items from Itoshima crafts and artists who have studios (there is also a cafe in the back).
The last place we visited was "Tobibako Coffee". There were many jump ropes inside the store. After enjoying some delicious coffee and sweets, we left Itoshima.
I've returned to Chikuzen-Maebaru Station. I'd like to introduce my favorite restaurant! "Kadoya Shokudo".
There's no other place where you can feel the Showa era like this! And the food is delicious!
The menu has a wide variety of options, so everyone can choose what they like and eat what they like.
In the summer, you can also enjoy shaved ice, kaiten-yaki (imagawayaki), and other dishes at this restaurant.
A sizzling pork chop set meal on a hot plate. Spicy with coarsely ground pepper. Simple and delicious. A friendly lady brings the food. I hope it stays this way forever.
Wandering around the shopping district of Chikuzen Maebaru.
There are also a few old buildings here and there. During the Edo period, it flourished as a post town connecting Fukuoka and Karatsu.
The brick wall remained.
I stopped by the craft goods store "Itoshima Kurashi x Kokonoki." There is also a cafe in the back.
Tasteful layout and product display.
The pottery pieces are simple yet unique. They are all items that can be used in everyday life and would make great gifts or souvenirs!
Colorful canvas bags!
Bottled dried flowers. Modest and clean atmosphere.
There were also accessories.
The last place we visited was "Tobibako Coffee". It was small but cozy. The owner had a lovely smile.
There are lots of vaulting boxes in the store. You can even get sugar for your coffee from inside!
I ordered a cafe latte and a waffle. The coffee is very smooth and the fluffy foam and latte art are also amazing.
The crispy rice flour waffles were not too sweet. There were many specialty shops around Chikuzen-Maebaru Station. I ended my trip with a delicious coffee.
The contents published are accurate at the time of publication and are subject to change.
