Art, Nature & Photography: Raizan Senyokuji Temple, Karatsu Castle and Imari Ceramic Street Day Trip from Fukuoka

There is a large maple tree about 400 years old in the Daibeiouin Temple of Raizan Sengyoji Temple, which has been designated as a representative natural monument of Fukuoka Prefecture. Every November, during the autumn leaves season, this maple tree transforms into a bright red color, attracting many tourists. The tree is equally beautiful during its green period in spring, providing visitors with a different landscape throughout the year.
Karatsu Castle Karatsu Castle was built by Hirotaka Terasawa, a retainer of Toyotomi Hideyoshi, in 1602 (the 7th year of Keicho) and it took seven years to be completed. It is said that its building materials came from the abandoned Nagoya Castle. The beach and pine forest surrounding the castle are shaped like cranes with outstretched wings, so they are also called "Maizuru Castle".
Imari Okawauchi Mountain, the Secret Kiln’s Sato Okawauchi Mountain has a unique geographical location, surrounded by mountains on three sides. This terrain helps protect the ceramic production technology from leakage. In order to prevent the leakage of technology, the feudal lord set up checkpoints here and gathered highly skilled potters here for strict management. These measures ensure the high quality and uniqueness of Nabeshima Yaki, making it an important heritage in the history of Japanese ceramics. The traditional pottery making techniques are still preserved in the Oyama River, so it is called the "secret kiln."