Soon from the start point is the Kora Taisha Shrine. Walking under the large stone tori gates, it is said that the god of this shrine purified his hands. From here you can visit the rare bamboo woods which are designated as a national natural monument.
If you go further into the Kora Taisha Shrine you will find the Okunoin or inner sanctuary that has 61,000 azeleas accros 100 differet species. In April the flowers will be in full bloom.
Course Details
JR Kurume University Station → Sasaki Couple/Camelia of Love (1.5km) → Moso Kinmeitake Woods (2.1km) → Okumiya (Okunoin - inner sanctuary) (3.3km) → Kurume Forest Azelea Park (5.2km) → Kora Shrine (6.4km) → Myoken Shrine (7.0km) → JR Mii Station (8.6km)
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1.Sasaki Couple/Camelia of Love
The "married couple sakaki" looks like a married couple holding hands, with two trees connected by branches. The "Sazanka of Love" is a tree with a trunk that splits in two and connects into one in the middle. This is a popular "power spot for love. -
2.Moso Kinmeitake Woods
A rare bamboo forest where the bamboo shoots appear as green and pale yellow. Despite this kind of forest being found all over Japan, this one is particularly rare. -
3.Okumiya (Okunoin - inner sanctuary)
The Okumiya, part of the Kora Shrine, is said to contain miraculous water.
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4.Kurume Forest Azelea Park
A park of rest where 6,100 azeleas of 100 different species are planted. The view of the Chikugo Plains are also spectacular -
5.Kora Shrine
Kora Taisha Shrine is a prestigious, and the largest shrine in the region as the first shrine in Chikugo. It is an Engishiki-nai Myojin Taisha (a shrine dedicated to specific gods under the Engishiki Code), and one of the former second-ranked, larger shrines. Worshipers are famously thought to be blessed with warding off bad luck and prolonging life.
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6.Myoken Shrtine
A shrine where people go to pray for academic success and job hunting.
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7.Prince Pond
A fireworks festival is helf here on the 15th of September every year as well as there being many cherry blossoms to enjoy spread out around the area.
Transportation to Starting Locations
Fukuoka Airport → <5 minutes from subway> → <18 minutes on Kyushu Shinkansen train> → JR Kurume Station → <10 minutes on regular service train Kyudai Main Line> → JR Kurume University Station (Start) → <2 minutes on regular service train Kyudai Main Line> → JR Mii Station (Finish)
■JR Kyushu (Kyudai Main Line)
Kurume Station ⇔ Kurume University Station ⇔ Mii Station: 1~2 services every hour
Inquiry on timetable: JR Kyushu Information Centre TEL050-3786-1717
Food and Drink
Kurume Forest Azelea Park Shop
Address：Fukuoka Prefecture, Kurume City, Mii-machi 299-354
TEL：0942-43-8671
[Business Hours] 10:00~16:00
[Days Off] Every Monday
Kora Tea House Bokyotei
Address：Fukuoka Prefecture, Kurume City, Mii-machi 1
TEL：0942-44-0113
[Business Hours] 10:00～17:00
[Days Off] None
Kurume Ramen
Pork broth ramen made with fresh produce
Kurume Yakitori
Chicken, Pork, Beef, Horse. There are many different varieties to choose from.
Steamed Eel
Softly steamed eel that breaks away in your mouth.
Kurume Sake
Some tasty sake rice wine produced in Kurume
Lodgings
Green Rich Hotel Kurume
Address：Fukuoka Prefecture, Kurume City, Hiyoshi-machi 18
TEL：0942-39-3000
https://greenrichhotels.jp/kurume/
Hotel Select Inn Kurume
Address：Fukuoka Prefecture, Kurume City, Mutsumon-cho 17-30
TEL：0942-40-5020
https://celecton.com/kurume/
Kurume Washington Hotel Plaza
Address：Fukuoka Prefecture, Kurume City, Higashi-cho 34-2
TEL：0942-32-0410
http://washington.jp/kurume
Suikoyen Hotel
Address：Fukuoka Prefecture, Kurume City, Kushihara-machi 87
TEL：0942-35-5351
http://www.suikoyen.co.jp/
Business Hotel Seagul
Address：Fukuoka Prefecture, Kurume City, Hanabatake 1 cho-me 1-4
TEL：0942-38-4111
http://seagulls.co.jp/inn/
Hotel New Plaza Kurume
Address：Fukuoka Prefecture, Kurume City, Mutsumon-cho 16-1
TEL：0942-33-0010
http://www.newplaza.net/
Kurume Station Hotel
Address：Kurume City, Chuo-machi 2-14
TEL：0942-36-1122
http://ksth.com/
Ennan Hotel
Address：Kurume City, Higashi-cho 29-10
TEL：0942-38-3811
http://www.ennan.co.jp/
Highness Hotel Kurume
Address：Kurume City, Tenjin-machi 1-6
TEL：0942-32-7211
http://www.highnesshotel.co.jp/
Toyoko Inn Nishitetsu Kurume Station East Exit
Address：Kurume City, Tenjin-machi 3-93-4
TEL：0942-35-1045
http://www.toyoko-inn.com/hotel/00153/index.html
Hotel Mari Thale Sosei Kurume
Address：Kurume City, Higashikushihara-cho 900
TEL：0942-35-3511
https://www.hotelsousei.jp/kurume/
Kurume Hotel Esprit
Address：Kurume City, Higashi-cho 339
TEL：0942-31-1300
http://kurumehotel.co.jp/