Rugby World UK – August 2019

SAGA

DAY TRIP

Okawachiyama is an isolated village in the

mountains outside Imari that is full of pottery

workshops, while in the city of Kashima

you’ll find the Yutoku Inari Shrine.

The vibrant red building is situated on a

hillside up a walking trail lined with torii

gates behind the main hall. The reward at

the end of the ten-minute climb is views

over Kashima and the Ariake Sea.

There is a Japanese garden and small

museum to explore on the site too.

FESTIVAL SPIRIT

From 31 October to 4 November the skies

over Saga will be dotted with hot-air

balloons as part of the Saga International

Balloon Festival. There are often more

than 100 balloons participating, with

entrants from all over the world.

The Karatsu Kunchi Festival (2-4

November) involves a three-day parade

of huge floats known as hikiyama. They

travel around Karatsu City.

The city of Taku will host the autumn

Sekisai Festival on 27 October. The

Chinese-style festival is held to worship

Confucius and includes performances

of gagaku (ancient dance and music).

FUKUOKA

DAY TRIPS
Fukuoka has excellent access to different
forms of nature. The Itoshima Peninsula is
40 minutes from the city and offers great
beaches and steep mountains. It’s terrific
for hiking and cycling, and
be sure to check out
Futamigaura – two large
rocks off the coast
connected with a straw
rope known as ‘Couple
Rocks’ – and Shiraito Falls.
You can also take a boat
tour around Keya no Oto.
Try the craft beers of
Suginoya and the sake of
Shiraito, which is close to

the Kominka restaurant. And Itaru

restaurant at the Mataichi Salt Factory

is well known too.

Yame is famous for its green

tea production and the area

is also known for its crafts,

which you can learn about

at the Yame Traditional

Crafts Exhibition Centre.

Sky Tea House in Kasahata

offers views of tea gardens

and rice terraces as well as

accommodation, while you

can do a tea tasting at

WORLD CUP

MATCHES

Thu 26 Sep

Italy v Canada

Wed 2 Oct

France v USA

Sat 12 Oct

Ireland v Samoa

RW Promotion

Konomien, a wholesaler with a 146-year

history. Yame-Fukushima offers a stark

contrast to the green tea fields with its

white-walled old town – great for a stroll.

FESTIVAL SPIRIT

During the Hakata Old Town Light Up Walk

(11-14 October), many shrines and temples

are illuminated at night to give visitors

a different perspective on the sights.

Those places that are lit up include the

rock garden depicting the Genkai Sea

at the Jotenji Temple and the main

gate of the Tochoji Temple.

Flying colours

Balloon Festival