Self-Drive in Kyushu 11 Days

Karatsu Castle is said to have been completed in 1602 after 7 years by Toyotomi Hideyoshi's vassal Terazawa Hirotaka. The castle in its current form was completed in 1966. Also known as "Maizuru Castle", it is a popular place for cherry blossom and wisteria viewing. There is a souvenir shop on the 1st floor. Castle renovations began in 2017, and are still ongoing.

Spanning a length of beach in view of the castle, Niji no Matsubara stretches along the coast with a fabled count of over one million hand planted pine trees. The man-made forest was created by Karatsu's first Lord of Agency, Terazawa Hirotaka as a wind breaker to preserve crops from wind damage. The forest is approximately 500 meters wide, and 4.5 kilometers long. Niji no Matsubara stands with Miho Matsubara and Kehi Matsubara as one of the three most precious pine forests in Japan, and has been designated as an important scenic spot in Japan. Niji no Matsubara was once featured on a television program dedicated to culturally significant landmarks that must be preserved in the 21st century.

While you're visiting, why not try to experience the seven hidden wonders within the forest? These wonders include silent cicadas and a lack of snakes!

Okawachiyama is a secluded pottery village just outside Imari. Often referred to as the Village of Secret Kilns, it was once an exclusive pottery hub producing porcelain ware for Japan's elite and for export.

Many of the original potters in the village were from Korea, brought over after a disastrous military campaign known as the Imjin War in the late 16th century. Their techniques are still reflected in the wares on offer.

Ryuzan Aoki is well-known for his jet-black tenmoku tea bowls made from earthenware. Since his "Big Floral Plate with Cobalt Blue Underglaze" was accepted at the 10th Japan Fine Arts Exhibition (Nitten) in 1954, his works won one prize after the other and it is said that he reached the zenith of his career as writer for Nitten.

Sueyama Shrine enshrines the deities of Arita pottery, Emperor Oujin, followed in hierarchy by Nabeshima Naoshioge and Yi Sam-Pyeong. Founded in 1658, this shrine has received many things dedicated by people in Arita such as a shrine gate, statues of guardian lions, balustrade, lanterns, gateposts, drum and large plate all made with pottery and they are the traces of Arita's history from the Edo period until Today. Also, the bronze statues of guardian lion found here are 1.82 meters tall, which is the largest in Japan. The memorial monument of Yi Sam-pyeong was set up here in 1917 to celebrate the 300th anniversary of the foundation of Arita pottery. The celebration event dedicated to this founder of Arita pottery is held on the 4th of May every year.

There once was a porcelain stone mine here in Izumiyama. It was first discovered in 1616, the early Edo Period, by a Korean potter named Yi Sam Pyeong, which led to the production of Japan's first porcelain. At the quarry today hardly any productive operation is done but the appearance of the mountain formed after a long period of mining is breathtaking.

Saikai Bridege is 360 meters long and 43 meters above the water. It was said to be the longest in the East when it was built in 1955. The New Saikai Bridge was opened next to Saikai Bridge in March 2006, and you can observe the whirlpools from directly overhead on the walking path under the bridge beam. Visitors can enjoy views of whirling waves and 1000 blossoming cherry trees from this bridge in April.

Nagasaki Piece Memorial Park was founded with the desire for world peace in mind. After the atomic bomb exploded, it was said that grass and trees would not grow on this spot for 75 years. However, this park is currently full of trees, flowers and art works donated by countries all over the world in support of the city's prayer for peace. The Peace Statue, a symbol of Nagasaki as a city of peace, was created by sculptor Seibo Kitamura, a Nagasaki native. The raised right hand pointing to the sky depicts the threat of the atomic bomb, and the left hand stretching horizontally symbolizes eternal world peace, while the slightly closed eyes express a prayer asking that the souls of the victims may find rest. A poem is carved into a memorial plate in front of the park's fountain, written by a child who suffered from thirst in the immediate aftermath of the bombing. The fountain, brimming with water, is an offering to all those who lost their strength before they could drink a single drop. Every year, a Peace Memorial Ceremony is conducted in front of this statue.

The Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum covers the history of this event in the accessible form of a story. It begins with the disastrous scene of the attack and includes the events leading up to the dropping of the atomic bomb, the reconstruction of Nagasaki up to the present day, the history of nuclear weapons development, and the hope for a peaceful world free of nuclear weapons.