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The Fukuoka Prefecture on the island of Kyushu is the ninth most populated prefecture in Japan, and one of the nations most outstanding in terms of natural beauty and culture. Fukuoka is seen as a natural gateway prefecture to Kyushu for both commerce and visitors alike.
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Hakata Station – Fukuoka
With access to both the city of Fukuoka and the airport servicing the city, Hakata Station will be the first port of call for many visitors to the area over the span of the Rugby World Cup. The station was first opened in 1889 but was rebuilt in 2011. It is the largest and busiest station in Kyushu and will act as a gateway to other cities in the province for travelling rugby fans.
Fukuoka City – Fukuoka
The bustling economic hub of Fukuoka is the capital city of Fukuoka Prefecture. It is Japan’s fifth-largest city and the largest city in Kyushu. A city famous for its temples and shrines, it is where you find Hakatanomori Football Stadium, which will host Ireland versus Samoa on the 12th of October, as well as pool games involving France, Italy, Canada, and the USA.
Kushida Shrine – Fukuoka
Even in a city known for its shrines, Kushida Shrine stands out. Right in the heart of the city, the Kushida Shrine is renowned for the central role it plays in the annual Hakata Gion Yamakasa festival.
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Futamigaura – Fukuoka
Futumigaura is located in the northern part of Itoshima City, it is also selected as one of Japan’s 100 most Beautiful Beaches and Meotoiwa (Rock Couples) stands approximately 150 meters from the seafront.
It has been revered as a sacred place as part of the Sakurai Shrine since ancient times, and it is covered with a 30-meter long, 1-ton heavy lanyard.
The sea and the setting sun are beautiful, and the setting sun that sinks between the two rocks on the day of the summer solstice attracts tourists.
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Sunigoya Brewery – Fukuoka
The home of Suginoya Beer, this microbrewery is known for its ales and stouts. A craft beer brewery located in Fukuoka city, the brewery started life out as an off-shoot from a sake distillery that opened for business back in 1870.
Mataichi-no-shio – Fukuoka
Just outside Fukuoka city, Mataichi-no-shio is home to specialty salt that is made using a mixture of rich minerals found in mountains and the ocean of the Itoshima Peninsula. It is produced in a tranquil factory on the coast that is a must for salt enthusiasts. You can also enjoy a dip in the nearby swimming area nestled beneath Genkai Quasi-National Park.
Peace Park – Nagasaki
Nagasaki Peace Park is an important park located in Nagasaki, commemorating the harrowing events that saw the atomic bombing of the city on August 9, 1945, by Allied forces.
At its north end is the Peace Statue created by sculptor Seibo Kitamura of Nagasaki Prefecture, while visitors can see what remains of the original Urakami Cathedral, which stood just 500 metres from the epicentre from where the nuclear bomb detonated. A sombre reminder of the perils of war and, indeed, violence, it is next to the Atomic Bomb Museum and near the Peace Memorial Hall.
Glover Garden – Nagasaki
In close proximity to the Peace Park (above) is Glover Garden. The garden was built by Thomas Blake Glover, a Scottish merchant who contributed to the modernization of Japan in shipbuilding and coal mining. The Glover Residence at its centre is the oldest Western-style house surviving in Japan and remains to this day Nagasaki’s foremost tourist attraction.
Oura Tenshudo – Nagasaki
Next to Glover Garden is the Oura Tenshudo – or ‘Oura Church’. Also known as ‘The Basilica of the Twenty-Six Holy Martyrs of Japan’, the church was built in 1864, soon after the end of the Japanese government’s Seclusion Policy in 1853. Two French priests constructed the church in memory of 26 martyrs who were killed in the 16th century.
Ouo Shrine AKA Torii in the Sea – Saga
This is an underwater ‘floating’ torii gate which can be found in the Ariake Sea, in the Saga Prefecture. Situated beside the town of Tara-cho, it is a town famed as a place to witness the full power of the moon. A massive 6-metre tide difference has made this one of the prefecture’s most popular tourist destinations.
Yutoki Inari Shrine – Saga
The Yutoku Inari Shrine is found in Kashima City, in the southern Saga Prefecture. It is considered one of Japan’s top three shrines dedicated to Inari – the Shinto spirit of sake, rice agriculture and industry. Founded in 1687, the atmospheric Yutoku Inari Shrine is built into the steep hillside of a valley, which will mean a 10 minute uphill climb for visiting rugby fans.
Hizen Hamashuku – Saga
Hizen Hamashuku is a group of historic buildings standing at the mouth of Hamagawa River. If Sake tasting and restaurants are your main ‘to-dos’ in Japan, than Hizen Hamashuku is the perfect spot for you.
Dazaifu Shrine – Fukuoka
Among the hundreds of Tenmangu Shrines throughout Japan, Dazaifu is arguably the most important one. Tenmangu Shrines are dedicated to the spirit of Sugawara Michizane, a scholar and politician. Located just 250 meters from Dazaifu Station, and the entire length of the approach is lined with shops that will cater to rugby fans eager to find the perfect souvenir from this remarkable reliquary.
Yanagawa River tour – Fukuoka
Known as the ‘Venice of Fukuoka’ – the town of Yanagawa can be found just 50 minutes from Tenjin by train. Here you can relax and unwind with a River tour. The town is surrounded by a network of moats and it is here that small boats weave their way through along the river banks, stopping at points of interest and at local hostelries where rugby fans can enjoy the best local food and drink.
Asahi Beer factory Fukuoka
Kirin Beer factory Fukuoka
Under trial ticket (free) application acceptance!
Under the experience course acceptance here! (with a coordinator companion)
Saga pref.
2019 SAGA INTERNATIONAL BALLOON FIESTA
Under special experience menu acceptance here!
A dedicated application page will be posted from August 5th.
Nagasaki pref.
Under the experience course acceptance here! (with a coordinator companion)
Access to Fukuoka City
Hakata Station 6 minutes by subway from Fukuoka Airport
Kushida Shrine(1-41 Kami-kawabata) 15 minutes on foot from Hakata
Station
If you want to go sightseeing in Fukuoka city
Hakata Historical Sightseeing Tour
Sights: Tocho temple, Shofuku Temple, Kushida Shrine, Furusato Museum,
Kawabata Arcade, Canal City Hakata
You can experience full of emotion, such as Hakata Japanese garden and the historic temples and shrines in Hakata had a role as a gateway to mainland exchanges.
Itoshima Area
Futamigaura(Rock?Couples) Shima Sakurai, Itoshima-shi,
Suginoya(Sake & beer brewery) 1442 motooka, nishi-ku, fukuoka-shi
Mataichi-no-shio(Salt Factory) 3757 shimakeya, itoshima-shi
Dazaifu
Dazaifu Sightseeing Tour
Sights: Komyozen Temple, Dazaifu Shrine
Yanagawa
Yanagawa river cruise & fruit picking tour
Sights: Yanagawa river cruise, lunch in Yanagawa, fruit picking
Nagasaki Pref.
Nagasaki Peace Park 9 matsuyama-cho, nagasaki-shi
Glover Garden Nagasaki 8th No. 1 Minamiyamatecho, nagasaki-shi
Oura Church(Basilica) 5-3 Minamiyamate-machi,?nagasaki-shi
Saga Pref.
Ouo Shrine 10 minutes walk from JR Tara Station
Yutoku Inari Shrine About a 1-hour express train trip from Hakata Station to Hizen Kashima Station (JR Nagasaki Main Line). About a 10-minute taxi trip from Hizen Kashima Station to the Yutoku Inari Shrine
Hizen Hamashuku It takes about 6 minutes to walk from Hizen-Hama station.
Comments on RugbyPass
Oh wow… “But as La Rochelle proved in winning in Cape Town this season, a cross-continental away assignment need not spell the end of days.” La Rochelle actually proved quite the opposite. After traveling to Cape town and back they (back-to-back and current champs) got mercilessly thumped the next week. If travel is not the reason, why else would a full-strength powerhouse like La Rochelle get dumped on their @r$e$ one week later?
26 Go to commentsYou know he can land a winning conversion after the full time siren is up. (Even if it takes two attempts.)
5 Go to commentsA very insightful article from Jake. I would love to know how South African’s feel about their move to Europe. Do you prefer playing in Europe or want to go back to Super Rugby?
2 Go to commentspure fire
1 Go to commentsA very well thought out summary of all the relevant complications…agree with your ”refer the Cricket Test versus 20/20 comparison”. More also definitely doesn't necessarily mean better!
2 Go to commentsMust be something when you are only 19 y.o and both NZ and France want you. Btw he wasn’t the only new caledonian in french U20 as Robin Couly also lived in Noumea until 17. Hope he’s successful wherever he chooses to play.
7 Go to comments“Several key players in the Stade Rochelais squad are in their thirties” South Africans are going to hate the implications of that comment!
5 Go to commentsI know Leinster did a job on La Roche but shortly after HT Leinster were 30-13 ahead of them and at a similar time Toulouse were trailing Exeter. At 60 mins Leinster were 27 ahead but after 67 mins Toulouse were only 19 ahead before Exeter collapsed. That’s heavier scoring by Leinster against the Champions. I think people are looking at Toulouses total a little too much. I also think Northhampton are in with a real chance, albeit I’d put Leinster as favourites. If Leinster make the final I expect them to win by more than ten and with control.
5 Go to commentsHey Nick, your match analysis is decent but the top and tail not so much, a bit more random. For a start there’s a seismic difference in regenerating any club side over a test team. EJ pretty much had to urinate with the appendage he’d been given at test level whereas club success is impacted hugely by the budget. Look no further than Boudjellal’s Toulon project for a perfect example. The set ups at La Rochelle and Leinster are like chalk and cheese and you are correct that Leinster are ahead. Leinster are not just slightly ahead though, they are light years ahead on their plans, with the next gen champions cup team already blooded, seasoned and developing at speed from their time manning the fort in the URC while the cream play CC and tests. They have engineered a strong talent conveyor belt into their system, supported by private money funnelled into a couple of Leinster private schools. The really smart move from Leinster and the IRFU however is maximising the Irish Revenue tax breaks (tax relief on the best 10 years earnings refunded at retirement) to help keep all of their stars in Ireland and happy, while simultaneously funding marquee players consistently. And of course Barrett is the latest example. But in no way is he a “replacement for Henshaw”, he’s only there for one season!!! As for Rob Baxter, the best advice you can give him is to start lobbying Parliament and HMRC for a similar state subsidy, but don’t hold your breath… One thing Cullen has been very smart with is his coaching team. Very quickly he realised his need to supplement his skills, there was talk of him exiting after his first couple of years but he was extremely shrewd bringing in Lancaster and now Nienaber. That has worked superbly and added a layer that really has made a tangible difference. Apart from that you were bang on the money… 😉😂
5 Go to commentsNot sure exactly what went wrong for him at Glasgow but it’s pretty clear he ain’t Franco’s cup of tea. Suspect he would have been better served heading out of Scotland around the same time as Finn, Hoggy and Jonny!
1 Go to commentsBulls disrespected the Northampton supporters and the competition. Decide quickly, fully in or out.
26 Go to commentsI wonder if Parling was ever on England’s radar as a coach? Obviously Borthwick is a great lineout coach, but I do worry he might be taking on too much as both head coach and forwards coach.
1 Go to commentsJason Jenkins has one cap. When Etzebeth was his age he had over 80 caps. Experience matters. He will never amount to what Etzebeth has because he hasn’t been developed as an international player.
2 Go to commentsSays much about the player picking this gig over the easier and bigger rewards offered to him in Japan. Also says a lot about the state sanctioned tax benefits the Irish Revenue offers pro rugby players, with their ten highest earning years subject to an additional 40% tax relief and paid as a lump sum, in cash, at retirement. Certainly helps Leinster line up the financial ducks in a row to fund marquee signings like this!!! No other union anywhere in world rugby benefits from this kind of lucrative financial sponsorship from their government…
5 Go to commentsTrue Jordie could earn a lot more in Japan. But by choosing Leinster he’ll be playing with 1 of the best clubs in the world and can win a champions cup and URC…..
6 Go to commentsThanks for that Marshy, noticed you didn't say who is gonna win it. We know who ain't gonna win it - your Crusaders outfit. They've gone from having arguably the best Super Rugby first five ever, to having a clutch of rookies. Hurricanes all the way!
1 Go to commentsGeez you really have to question the NRLs ability to produce players of quality. Its pathetic. Dont the 25mil in Aus produce enough quality womens players. Sad.
1 Go to commentsBulls fan here, and agree 100% with the conclusion (and little else) of this article. SA sides should absolutely f-off from the champs cup until we get fair scheduling, equal support for travel arrangements and home semis. You know, like all the european teams get.
26 Go to commentsI’m yet to see why Grace would be an ABs contender. He’s pedestrian and lacks the dominance required of a top flight 8.
11 Go to commentsGee my Highlanders were terrible. They have gone backwards since the start of the season. The trouble began when we left Millar behind to prep as the 10 against the Brumbies and he was disconnected from the team that came back from Aussie. We rested Patchell for that game and we blew an avalanche of ball in good attacking positions in the 1st half. Against the Rebels we seem to of gone into a pod system with forwards hanging off from the breakdown leaving Fakatava to secure our ball!
80 Go to comments