This famous Floating Torii Gates of Ouo Shrine is located in Tara town and peninsula in Fujitsu District, Saga Prefecture, Japan. Stands on a shallow Ariake Sea, which has 6 meter tides difference. At high tide, the three Torii float on the surface, which I was able to see when I arrived here. While during low tide, tourist or visitors can walk through the gates. Every month of August the famous "Yukino Lanterns Festival" are being held here, wherein the locals put a 500 lanterns alongside the torii.
So, if you looking for a side trip from Fukuoka, go check out this beautiful spots in Saga Japan, wherein not known to many tourist yet. If your lucky you can have this place all for yourself. When I got here, it's just me and 2 lovebirds (local) dating while watching the torii surface in the ocean.
How to get here:
*From Fukuoka: -Take the JR Kamome 3 Limited Express Train bound for Nagasaki and get off and transfer at Hizen-Kashima Station
-From Hizen Kashima Station wait and board the JR Nagasaki Line Local Train bound for Nagasaki and get off at Tara Station (There is no stops at Tara Station for Limited Express Train, only in Hizen Kashima station, in case you wonder)
-It takes 10 minutes walk from Tara Station
-Fare: 3,330 yen (One-way)
-Travel Time: 1 hour and 30 mins
*From Yoshinogari-Koen Station Saga(This is what I took going to Tara, because I went to first at Yoshinogari Historical Park)
- Head to Yoshinogari-Koen Station (You can either take the Limited Express Train of the local train, I took the local train bound for Tara)
-JR Line Local train (14 stops) then Tara Station
-It takes 10 minutes walk from Tara Station
-Fare:1,130 yen (One-way)
-Travel Time: 1 hour and 35 minutes
TIPS: If your planning to visit more prefecture or places in Kyushu Region, I highly recommend you get the unlimited JR Line pass, because its cheaper.
Another city, another prefecture, another site to see!
This was a little out of the way to Fukuoka, but I made sure this was included in my itinerary when I was planning my trip. Yoshinogari is a historical village located Saga Prefecture in the southern part of Kyushu region in Japan. In between Fukuoka and Nagasaki prefectures, the place may not be considered as a tourist destination (yet), but it has many interesting sites that would blown your mind away. Specially, if your into historical sightings and UNESCO Heritage markings.
Yoshinogari is well known for archaeological site, home to a large ancient civilization during the Yayoi period, that goes back over 2000 years ago. Although there have been other Yayoi ruins discovered around Japan, but Yoshinogari is by far the biggest. Today, this site is now converted as a historical park, in a 70 hectares land. After digging the grounds, so many relics had been found left behind by the ancient civilization. Like beads, knives, utensils and pottery. Unlike to any other tourist attraction and historical sites, here in Yoshinogari Historical Park, you can get up close and personal to some items excavated from the ruins of Yoshinogari, as visitors are allowed to browse the relics and also see the re-creations of what the houses and buildings would have been like back then.
The Japanese people did an amazing job on preserving and reconstructing the village for the visitors to see on how the people back then, lived. Being here made me feel like I was transported back to the Yayoi era. I've learned a lot about the Yayoi life and culture. Despite being a little remote, Yoshinogari Historical Park is definitely the real deal if you into Japan history. So if you happened to be in Fukuoka, I hope you can take a day to see this beautiful site.
FYI: Their are staff dressed in Yayoi period costumes located at the South Enclosure, North Enclosure and North Burial Mound to tell the visitors about the Yoshinogari ruins and the Yayoi period. Unfortunately, I didn't get to see them because I did not go to this locations. :)
Opening Hours:
Apr 1 to May 1 (9:00 am to 5:00 pm) Jun 1 to Aug 31 (9:00 am to 6:00 pm)
*Closed days Dec. 31, 3rd Monday and the next day in January
Entrance Fee:
Adults (ages 15 and above) General (460yen) Group (280yen)
Adults (2 day pass ticket) General (500yen) Group (340yen)
Senior citizens (ages 65 and above) General/Group (200yen)
Senior citizens (2 day pass ticket) General/Group (200yen)
* Junior high school students and under are FREE
* Group rates for adults and elderly people (SC) are applicable for a group of 20 or visitors including elementary and junior high schools students FREE.
*Yoshinogari Historical Park has their own schedule tour guides, every 1st and 3rd Sunday of the month, that starts from the East gate reception desk at 10am to 1:00pm.
HOW TO GET HERE: From Fukuoka - you can either take the bus or the train.
BUS FROM FUKUOKA(This is what I took going here in Yoshinogari Historical Park, but I would not recommend this because I lost my way going here. Google map leads me to a different gate entrance of the park and it was hard because the park is really huge so its hard if your just gonna walk. But I will be sharing my bus ride going here and its up to you if you wanna follow it or not.)
- The Gate Hostel 4 minute walk to Kamiya-cho Bus Station
- From Kamiya-cho board the bus #47 going to Hakata Bus Station. (Make sure you board the right bus)
- 6 stops away get off at Hakata Bus Station.
- At the station turn left, 2 minutes walk you will arrived at Hakata Bus Terminal.
- Head to gate #11 and take the bus going to Fukuoka Airport Limousine Bus
- 8 stops away you will arrive in Fukuoka Airport International Terminal.
- transfer here Saga highway bus, located at the ground floor, align at the gate #4 and wait for the bus. (There are airport ground personnel on this area, so you can asked them which bus bound for Saga.)
-6 stops away, get off at Yokatta Bus Station from here google map would lead you to the wrong gate entrace of the park.
FARE TOTAL: (1,530 yen)
TIME TRAVEL: 1 hour and 32 minutes
* You can still take this ride, but make sure to ask the driver to drop you off at the Yoshinogari Park main entrance before you board the bus.
TRAIN FROM FUKUOKA - You can take the local and limited express train from Hakata Station to Tosu Station
- From Tosu take the local train and get off at the Yoshinogari-Koen Station
FARE : For local train costs around 840yen / Limited express train costs 2000 yen
TIME TRAVEL: 45 to 75 minutes
*From Yoshinogari-koen station it is a 10 to 15 minutes walk going to the park or take a cab ride to the park's East Gate for 700 yen. *Prices may change without prior notice
This experience is definitely the highlight of my travel in Fukuoka. First time taking the bus transportation in Japan. Getting lost all by myself out of nowhere. But God directed me to good people to help me find my way. Japanese people are known for being so nice and polite, and I personally experiece this kind of gestures. A kind lady ditch her chores to drive me to the park as I was lost. Shizoko-san, Domo Arigatou Gozaimashita!!!
This experience also made me realized one thing that in life, we sometimes make a wrong turns, make wrong decisions but as we keep on going, God would eventually lead us to good people, right place and amazing destinations. We just have to keep on trusting his will and never loss faith in HIM.
