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12/08/2019 / Last updated : 02/02/2023 d.d Scenic Drive / Spots

Tomioka Castle, Sakitsu Christian heritage 　富岡城、崎津

December 2017, We leave michi-no-eki Ariake around 9am after a dark and stormy night. The morning is mainly dry with occasional rain or sleet showers. The wind is bitterly cold, so we abandon any thought of walking along the nice sandy beach by the michi-no-eki. Tomioka Castle The first stop of the day is Tomioka-jo, castle remains and a National Park visitors centre. Inside the visitor’s centre there are no English explanations and it is mostly a collection of sea-shells. The most spectacular are not local. There are some castle foundations and a view of the sea but not much that was of interest to me. The explanation of how […]
Ariake Sea
11/08/2019 / Last updated : 02/02/2023 d.d Temple / Shrine

Ariake Sea 　有明海

December 2017, Fukuoka to Ariake -Sweeping curves to a blow-dried rectum Just after 11am we leave Fukuoka and head for Susenj to cross the mountains (pref.R.56) via the Mitsuse Tunnel. After crossing R. 202, the road up towards the tunnel is wide with smooth curves sweeping upwards. I recall coming down this road, 30 years ago, when it was a dirt track that became increasingly impassable as the gully erosion in the centre became wider and wider. We were too far down to reverse and there was no possibility of turning round; we had to press on. I unloaded the family and eased the 4WD Honda Street down the crumbling […]