Nabeshima Fief Kiln Park at Okawachiyama, Saga Pref., was established to conserve the ruins of old fief kilns with a history of 300 years. The park also covers the hills across the Imari River. You can see such historical cultural heritage as ruins of old kilns, remains of guard houses which protected the secrets to the ceramic arts, many porcelain objects, rows of brick chimneys and restored houses, which are in perfect harmony with surrounding nature. You will also hear the sound of the “Tower of Meotoshi” produced by 14 Imari-yaki furins (wind bells) ringing throughout the village of the secret kilns of Okawachiyama. This beautiful and gentle sound was selected as one of Japan’s 100 Landscapes with Sounds. The annual events are Pottery Fair held in spring (April), Furin Festival in summer (June to August), and the Nabeshima Pottery Autumn Fair in fall (November).

Mt. Chausudake is a part of the Nasu Mountain Range with an altitude of 1,915 m. The unique cotyloid shape of its peak that was formed by the volcanic eruption together with its actively fuming harshness fascinates a lot of tourists. There are many signs of volcanic activity everywhere in the mountain including steam eruptions, sulfurous smell and loud erupting sounds. Rocks are also weathered into yellow with sulfide. There are, however, abundant alpine plants in this region. The mountain top area is filled with blooming mountain cherry in the early May and mountain azalea in the late May. You can command a panoramic view of autumn leaves in fall. It takes about 30 to 40 minutes to get to the end of the aerial tram that is close to the peak. From here 40 minute walk will take you to the peak of the mountain, so even a family with infants can get easy access.

Beppu Hot Spring town in Oita Pref. has the largest volume of hot water in Japan. There are as many as about 3,000 hot spring sources around the areas known as “Beppu Hatto (eight major hot springs)” including Kankaiji, Kanawa and Kamegawa. Also the tour called “Jigoku Meguri (Hell Tour),” through which you will go around the eight Jigokus (geothermal pits) such as Umi Jigoku (Sea Hell), Yama Jigoku (Mountain Hell) and Kamado Jigoku (Cooking Pot Hell), is a very popular sightseeing program. Umi Jigoku is the largest Jigoku of the eight. Although the water temperature is as high as 98℃, its cobalt blue water remind us of the sea in the South Pacific Ocean. This hot spring pond emerged about 1200 years ago after Mt. Tsurumi erupted. When iron sulfate content reacts to the sun light, the water looks blue. Contrary to the name of “Jigoku,” its bottomless cobalt blue is really beautiful.