Miyaki-gun (三養基郡)
Kiyama
Kiyama is Saga’s easternmost town and borders two Fukuoka-ken towns. There are a few sites worth investigation in Kiyama, most notably Mt. Kizan and Aquafore, the onsen leisure plaza. There is also the tiny Kiyama Radium Onsen to soak your body.
Wanting to hit the slopes when there is no snow to be found? Lucky for you there is grass skiing at Mt. Kizan. Ironically, it’s closed during the winter. If you head to Daikozenji Temple at the right time of year you are able to see 50,000 white and pink azaleas in bloom into a spectacular colour.
If you are looking for grub from other than what the Kiyama Shopping Centre has to offer, there are a few recommended establishments at your service. There is the ubiquitous Ramen Centre located along Route 3 and Pattiserie Tsuruta next to Hokka Hokka on the main road in Kiyama. This bakery has the best foreign style cakes this side of Vienna. The chef studied in Lyon. Open 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Closed on Tuesdays. Phone 0942-92-2657. For all you car racing freaks out there you can get your fix at either the Skyworld Game Centre or on some go-carts at the FRKC Racing Gallery. The former is located on Route 3 near the Ramen Centre, the latter is in Fukuoka Prefecture’s Chikushino City, just outside of Kiyama.
On the web
Nakabaru
Just west of Tosu lies Nakabaru. We don’t have a lot of information on Nakabaru, probably because there isn’t a whole lot there. Luckily for the residents, there is Greenwood Book and Video Rental. It is located on Route 34 next to the community centre. It has magazines and film developing for around 800 yen. Open 10 a.m.-11 p.m. For different film developing services, go to Ikeda Speed Colour. They will develop your film in 25 minutes. Good services and prices. In Nakabaru on Route 34 across from the Ramen Shop. Open 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Phone 0942-94-3011.
There are two noteworthy sites worth exploring: the waterfalls of Ochozu-no-take and Ayabe Shrine. For food, head to Den Den Mushi, a Japanese-style Italian restaurant on Route 34. They serve croissant-crust pizza and delicious apple fritters.
On the web
Mine
No information at this time.
On the web
Kamimine
The highlight of Kamimine is the Warner Mycal Cinema. As far as we know, it is one of only three movie complexes in Saga Prefecture, the others being in Yamato and Saga City. It is located next to the SATY shopping centre and has seven theatres. The first Wednesday of every month is 1000 yen, every Wednesday is ladies night, and the late show is 1200 yen.
Kamimine also has an outdoor swimming pool, which is open from July to September behind the junior high school. Other outdoor activities include camping at the Kamimine Camp Site, which is open July and August north along Route 46, or having a picnic at Mt. Chinzei. There is a sign posted for the campsite, or give them a call at 0952-53-7554.
Also along Route 46 is Shin Yakitori, a quality yakitori restaurant. There is also the Kuroda Yakitori, which is before SATY on the way to Kurume just off Route 34. It is closed on Mondays. Other recommended restaurants include Akifusen, a yakiniku restaurant that offers an affordable tabehodai and nomihodai, and two Japanese restaurants: Ginnan and Taikoen. Ginnan is on Route 133 opposite the public hall. It’s open for lunch from 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m. and for dinner from 5 p.m.-9 p.m. Taikoen is north on Route 46. After Shin Yakitori, turn right and then left opposite the RIC store; it’s just down the road from there. Open 11 a.m.-11 p.m. You have to book by calling 0952-52-2220.
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Kitashigeyasu
There are a few activities to do in Kitashigeyasu throughout the year. During the summer months when you want a chance to cool off, head to the indoor swimming pool called B&G. The pool is located across the street from M. Zus Pachinko, just past the Merx Shopping Centre. The pool is open 2 p.m.-9 p.m. every day except Tuesdays. For town residents the pool costs 150 yen each time, or you can buy a book of tickets for 1500 yen. For others, prices are 420 yen or 4200 yen for the book. There is a video rental shop in Nagatoishi, practically a suburb of Kitashigeyasu, called Bunka Rental. It has 350 yen one-week rental of old movies and 500 yen for three-day rental of new releases. Open noon to 10 p.m. everyday.
For more outdoors activities, head to the Shiraishi Pottery Area. Kitashigeyasu is famous for its natural earthenware pottery. Shiraishi is a beautiful and quiet road lined with kilns and small family-run pottery stores set in amongst a bamboo grove. We highly recommend taking a stroll through this area on a nice day. In addition, I have been told that pottery lessons are offered through at least one of the local kilns. Keep in mind that prices tend to be quite expensive. The Shiraishi Shrine and Pottery Area has two annual festivals held in September and April. There are also two other town festivals. The annual Kitashigeyasu summer festival is held in August at the Eguchi grounds (the town’s gym and sports complex), near the Chikugo river. The festival has Japanese traditional dancing, taiko performances, karaoke and decent fireworks. Chiriku Shrine (located on Route 22) near the turn off for Kurume (just past Merx shopping centre) also has an annual festival in September.
Restaurants
There are a number of recommended restaurants in Kitashigeyasu. The following is a brief list:
- Udon. Located to the right of the Big Wave Pachinko on the town’s main road, Kobai Udon is a small family-run restaurant that cooks up some of the best udon, soba and donburi-type foods around. It’s mostly ideal for lunch. It’s on the same road as SATY next to Big Wave pachinko in Kitashigeyasu.
- Yakitori. There are several yakitori restaurants in town. There is a good one located across the street from Big Wave pachinko called Tengai. It’s just to the left of the barbershop. The food is pretty good and not too pricey. There is also Yakitori Dai located on the main road just before the junior high school intersection, heading towards Tosu.
- Caroll Café. This is a fantastic spot if you want to relax with a coffee, a delicious piece of cake and a good friend or a book. The owners, especially the wife, are wonderful and happy to meet foreigners. They also serve lighter fare such as croissants, sandwiches, etc. This place is highly recommended. It’s closed on Wednesdays.
- Hamburgers. Takahira burger restaurant is located on Route 34; it serves up burgers and Japanese steaks in a delicious sauce. It’s highly recommended and their weekday lunch set is great. It’s a few minutes past Nafco, heading in the direction of Tosu, on the right hand side of the road. There is also a McDonalds in Mr. Max.
- Ramen. Located in the Merx shopping centre parking lot, is a yellow-colored ramen restaurant called Yamagoya. In addition to this, is the famous Taiho Ramen restaurant localted in Nagatoishi town, on the left hand side of the main road, heading towards Kurume. It’s quite close to the ALT’s apartment.
- Sushi. This restaurant is located on the main road of the town, just past the Mr. Max intersection; heading in the Kamimine direction, it’s on the left hand side of the road. This is a very popular sushi train restaurant; especially on the weekends, it’s always packed.
- Aji-no-mogokoro. Yakiniku restaurant in Kitashigeyasu. Best obentos in town for 550 yen. It’s on the main street near Kitashigeyasu elementary school. Phone 0942-89-4538.