Kyushu OLLE 【05 Intermidiate】Chikuho Kawara Course -A course that allows you to experience the railway-

Kawaramachi has been a strategic point of transportation since ancient times. It is a town with a long history that prospered as an inn town during the Edo period (1603-1867). The course is set along the Hita Hikosan Line, and both start and finish points are JR stations. You can experience the history and culture of the town and also visit power spots.

Course Outline

This course starts at Saidosho Station that was constructed over one hundred years ago, before heading up into the mountains where trekkers can experience beautiful panoramas. After that trekkers can look at the bridge made famous in railway and train photos. Additionally this course features some powerspots and allows trekkers to interact with nature, history and trains.

Map

Distance: 11.8km
Time required: 4～5Hours
Level: Intermidiate
Contact: Kawara Town Hall（TEL: 0947-32-8406）／Kawara Town Tourism Association（TEL: 0947-85-8035）

【Course Details】
JR Saidosho Station → 303 Highland (1.8km) → Kanmabu (2.9km) → Kannonji Temple (8.2km) → Kawara Shrine (10.6km) → JR Kawara Station (11.8km)

Chikuho･Kawara Course Map

Sightseeing spot

1. JR Saidosho Station

This station gives off an atomosphere from the past, the arcitecture bringing the beginning of the Taisho Period right into the present.

View more
2. Hill of Yayama

Reaching to a height of 303m above sea level, you can view the spectacular Kawaradake from the observation platform.

3. Kanmabu

Kanmabu is a pathway through an ancient cave-like tunnel in Kawara. Here you can also learn different things about the history of the area.

View more
4. Kamitakano Kannonji

The main deity is the Bato Kannon (Goddess of Mercy), which is believed to be beneficial for easy childbirth. The temple is a place where beautiful scenery can be enjoyed in each of the four seasons, including the fall foliage, and the moss that grows naturally in the grounds is also magnificent. Adjacent to the shrine is Kibune Shrine, the guardian deity of water.
5. A large camphor tree at the site of Moto-Kogan-ji Temple

The camphor tree is said to be over 850 years old and is designated as a natural monument by Fukuoka Prefecture. There used to be a temple called Kougan-ji Temple here, but in 1945, the temple was buried by a landslide caused by a typhoon, and nearby houses were severely damaged. The camphor tree held off the mud and mitigated the damage. The site is also a popular power spot.
6. Kawaradake

Kawaradake is a mountain in the Kawara area that is known for its copper deposits. It is also a place that has become the subject of faith.

View more
7. Kawara Shrine

A beautiful shrine and powerspot that can be found on the top of Kawaradake.

View more

Food and Drink

BUNNYS

Address: 1870-1 Kagamiyama, Kawaramachi, Tagawa District, Fukuoka
TEL: 0947-32-8727

It is located in a roadside station Kawara. Coal colored ice cream is popular.
*As of July 2024, the coal colored ice cream hasn't provided. Please check when you visit.

Google Map
Uodoraku

Address: 1870-1 Kagamiyama, Kawaramachi, Tagawa District, Fukuoka
TEL: 0947-32-8727

Google Map
Kyushu Chikuho Ramen YAMAGOYA

Address: 1870-1 Kagamiyama, Kawaramachi, Tagawa District, Fukuoka
TEL: 0947-47-2525

This is the main ramen restaurant representing the town of Kawaramachi, which has branches not only in Japan but also abroad.

View more (Japanese website)
Buche

Address: 1019-13 Takano, Kawaramachi, Tagawa District, Fukuoka
TEL: 0947-32-6990

You can enjoy cream puffs and other sweets.

Google Map
Kumachan-Ramen

Address: 5343-1 Saidosho, Kawaramachi, Tagawa District, Fukuoka
TEL: 090-1088-9090

The ramen shop is located at the point where you will arrive just around noon if you walk the course starting around 10:00.

Google Map

Accommodation

Fukuoka Kawara Hotel AZ

Address: 1052-1, Kawara, Kawara town
TEL: 0947-32-7771

View more (Japanese website)

Neighborhood Sightseeing spots

Buche

This cake shop is famous for its soft puff pastry filled with custard cream.

View more
Pumpkin Pudding

A locally produced jelly-like desert flavoured like pumpkin.

View more
Steamed bun with red bean paste

These additive-free buns are made by the local Japanese sweets shop, "Manju Goto” .

View more (Japanese website)