{"id":41056,"date":"2018-10-23T08:00:15","date_gmt":"2018-10-22T23:00:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/?p=41056"},"modified":"2021-05-22T20:23:06","modified_gmt":"2021-05-22T11:23:06","slug":"kyushu-fukuoka-things-to-do","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/kyushu-fukuoka-things-to-do\/","title":{"rendered":"Discovering Kyushu: Top Things to Do in Fukuoka Prefecture"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Sponsored by Kyushu Tourism Board.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kyushu<\/strong>, the southernmost among Japan’s four main islands, is not the most popular destination for a first time traveller to Japan. As many rely on the JR Pass<\/strong> to travel across the country, unfortunately time is limited, leaving people to prioritize well-known destinations, namely Tokyo<\/strong>, Kyoto<\/strong>, Osaka<\/strong> or Hiroshima<\/strong>. If you are about to travel to Japan for the second time however, or if you feel you want a more adventurous trip, away from the tourist traps, you will not be disappointed by going slightly off the beaten path<\/strong>. With wild and omnipresent nature, rich history and culture, welcoming inhabitants and of course delicious local specialties, Kyushu Island<\/strong> is full of treasures to discover.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you ever plan on visiting the island, it’s not realistic to visits each of the seven prefectures in just a couple days time. Instead, you can start by focusing on the northern part of the island, in and around the city of Fukuoka<\/strong>. After providing you a few tips and sightseeing inspiration for the Oita Prefecture, let\u2019s now discover Fukuoka Prefecture<\/strong> throughly!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But before we start our suggested itinerary, please note that you can only travel through the island via public transportation, this might not be the most convenient or flexible way to do it. In order to make the most of your trip<\/strong>, and in particular the suggested route below, the ideal option is to rent a car for several days and explore the area at your own pace.<\/strong> You can find all the practical information on that topic at the following link<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Go Hiking on Kawara Olle Trail<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As Fukuoka boasts the largest city in Kyushu<\/strong>, we tend to think that Fukuoka is a rather urban<\/strong> prefecture, not noticing its vast natural scenery. To bring you proof of that, we start our journey hiking in the Kawara area<\/strong>, a small town located one hour away from Fukuoka City by car.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Hiking<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

What I discovered is that “olle” is a hiking concept with origins across the sea in neighboring Korea.<\/strong> Olle simply means marked hiking trails<\/strong> with paths and amenities along the way, allowing beginner hikers to give it a try. The path is not only well marked, but also includes resting areas and toilets, as well as several points of view and attractions to see along the way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Olle Hiking Trail of Kawara<\/strong> opened very recently, this past year, under the initiative of local community leaders who wanted to boost visitors to the area. Everything was actually developed by volunteers from the town, using recycled materials to landscape the paths. The trail starts at Saidosho Station and ends at Kawara Station, with a total distance of 12km. A local train line connects the two stations, so you can park your car at Kawara Station, take the train to Saidosho Station to start the trail, and end up where you left your car. A few years ago, Kawara Station, which is now the ending point of the Kawara Olle Trail, was empty and did not have any staff. Today, however, you will find an office dedicated to hikers, where you can ask the staff all the questions you may have or even buy a few souvenirs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n