Asakura
Cherished Water Enriching the City of a Healthy Cultural Life
Asakura City sits at the center of Fukuoka Prefecture. More than half of the city is covered with forests and the city is blessed with a rich water source from the Chikugo River (the largest river on Kyushu Island). The Akizuki district is in the northern part of Asakura City and since its geographical situation is similar to that of Kyoto it is called a “Little Kyoto in Chikuzen.” It was developed as a castle town during the Sengoku Civil War period (end of 15th to end of 16th century). Historical remains can be found throughout the city attracting tourists from around Japan. The city has developed traditional industries such as natural plant dyeing, Kuzu plant, and handmade washi paper, all nurtured by the rich water source. For New Year’s Day, people in Asakura eat “Mushi Zoni” a savory steamed egg pudding with rice cake which is an unusual style of Zoni.
Sightseeing Highlights in Asakura
Amagi Park
Amagi Park is in the city area of Asakura and is also known as Maruyama Park (in total 31.7 hectares). This is a pleasant recreational park for the local people surrounded by rich nature. About 4,000 cherry trees surround the pond, located on the center of the park, and fill the park with splendid cherry blossoms all around. Night-time light up entertains visitors during the season.
Akizuki (Akizuki Castle Ruin)
Akizuki is called a Little Kyoto in Chikuzen surrounded by mountains and blessed with a rich water source. The town retains its old scenery and atmosphere from the Edo period with the classical samurai residences, earthen walls, stone walls with moss, and lattice windows. In 1998, the area was selected as the Preservation area of important traditional buildings.
Hiratsuka Kawazoe Remains National Park
There are lowland ditched settlement remains from the Yayoi period (10th century B.C. to 3rd century A.D.) in this national park. The worship hall, residence of the village chief, pit houses, raised floor warehouse and some other buildings were reconstructed and the moat was refilled with water. Besides refashioning the buildings, an ancient forest has also been recreated. At the Experience Study Hall by the entrance, an introduction about the remains along with some hands-on experiences of ancient works such as magatama ancient bead making and fire making are available.
Amagi Water Culture Village
Amagi Water Culture Village is located by Terauchi Dam. Visitors can learn about the importance and wonders of water while playing. There is an Aquaculture Zone, Green Sport Zone, and Waterfront Zone. The outside roller slider is very popular among children. This is the place where people can enjoy themselves surrounded by a rich natural environment.
Kirin Flower Park
In the vast 7-hectare park, visitors can enjoy pretty cosmos flowers in autumn.
Waterwheels in Asakura
There are seven waterwheels (the largest number in Japan) still running in Asakura: Triple Wheel in Hishino, Double Wheel in Mishima and Double Wheel in Hisashige. The wheels provide water to the area of approximately 35ha. In 1990, it was designated to be a National Historic Site as “Horikawa Moat and Asakura Waterwheels.”
Important Annual Events in Asakura
Amagi Batabata Market
This market has a long history dating back to the Nara period (710-794). The deity of Ancho-ji Temple has been worshipped for avoiding smallpox and protecting children. There was a small drum depicting a child’s face which people kept as an amulet for avoiding smallpox and since this drum was called Batabata, the market started to be called Batabata market. Batabata Market is a traditional event of Asakura passed on for several hundred years.
■Contact: Asakura Tourism Association: Tel: 0946-24-6758
Dorouchi Festival
The annual festival of Aso Shrine is called the Dorouchi Festival and is designated as an intangible cultural property of Fukuoka Prefecture. Twelve children throw mud balls to the shrine priest. It is believed that the more mud the priest gets the better the autumn harvest people will have.
■Contact: Road Station “Harazuru” Information: Tel: 0946-62-0730
Akizuki Spring Festival
A large-scale spring festival held in Umezono Park in the Akizuki Castle Ruin during the height of the cherry blossoms. People parade around the town. Performances by the Hayashi School Kakae Ozutsu (hand-held big gun) and Kogetsu School Drum and many other stage events will be held.
■Contact: Asakura Tourism Association: Tel: 0946-24-6758
Cherry Blossoms on Akizuki Sugino Baba Street
Akizuki is called a Little Kyoto in Chikuzen and is surrounded by mountains and blessed with a rich water source from the river. Sugino Bana Street is the main street where many tourists enjoy strolling around. About 200 cherry trees stand on the both sides of the 500-meter street. In spring, the cherry blossom tunnel fascinates tourists and the night-time light is also greatly enjoyed by visitors.
■Contact: Asakura Tourism Association: Tel: 0946-24-6758
Cherry Blossoms of Yuzuki Shrine
Yuzuki Shrine is located on the hill on the north side of Haki I.C. on the Oita Highway. The 120-long approach from the shrine gate to the main hall will be lined with some 200 cherry trees. Night-time light up will also welcome people.
■Contact: Asakura Tourism Association: Tel: 0946-24-6758
Harazuru Hot Spring River Opening (Firework Festival)
The firework festival and traditional Ukai cormorant fishing are two popular early summer events held around the Chikugo River. About 4,000 fireworks adorn the night sky every year. May 20 is the opening day of ayu (sweet fish) fishing. From this day until end of September, traditional Ukai cormorant fishing is also held on the river.
■Contact: Harazuru Hot Spring Association: Tel: 0946-62-0001
Amagi Gion Yamagasa
The Gion Festival hosted by Suga Shrine has a history of about 300 years. When a serious plague prevailed in the city, people made mikoshi portable shrines and carried the spirit of the deity of Suga Shrine on the mikoshi and paraded around. The 3-meter tall two Yamagasa floats are massive and impressive.
■Contact: Suga Shrine: Tel: 0946-22-2249
Light-up of Three Waterwheels
These three waterwheels are part of the city’s National Historic Site “Horikawa Moat and Asakura Waterwheels.” On the nights of Obon (Buddhist summer event in mid-August), the waterwheels will be elegantly lit-up. This custom started about a decade ago as a way of welcoming people who return to their hometown from afar and helping them remember the city’s symbol. Red, yellow and green lights make the waterwheel emanate a completely different ambience from the daytime.
■Contact: Asakura Chamber of Commerce and Industry: Tel: 0946-52-0021
Asakura Summer Festival
About 1,000 fireworks will displayed above Asaha Bridge. This is the only firework festival in which ten large 30-cm firework balls are set off in a row. A number of food stalls will be opened and many people enjoy this big summer event.
■Contact: Asakura Local Community Association: Tel: 0946-52-1113
Amagi River Firework Festival (Kanjo Ceremony)
This is a ceremony in which people pray for the deceased and a safe and healthy life for their family. The main highlight is the fireworks (about 4,000) and a number of food stalls will be opened along the river bank.
■Contact: Asakura Chamber of Commerce and Industry: Tel: 0946-22-3835
Cosmos in Kirin Flower Garden
In the vast 7ha area, a number of colorful cosmos welcome visitors in autumn.
■Contact: Asakura Tourism Association: Tel: 0946-24-6758
Asakura Festival
A festival with many fun events featuring water, greenery, history and the nature of Asakura.
A variety of workshop and experience events as well as food stalls selling specialties of the city will be open.
■Contact: Asakura Tourism Association: Tel: 0946-24-6758
Colored Leaves at Kuro-mon Gate of Akizuki Castle Ruin
Around the Kuro-mon Gate of Akizuki Castle Ruins is one of the best colored leaf viewing spots in the city. About 20 Japanese maple trees turn deep red and create a superb contrast with the massive Koro-mon Gate. A number of tourists and photographers visit here to capture the beauty.
■Contact: Asakura Tourism Association: Tel: 0946-24-6758
Oshiroi Festival
A unique festival held on December 2nd every year. People apply powder on their faces and how good that year’s harvest will be is according to how much remains on their face. They are not allowed to remove the powder until they return home. Also, they must be sure not to let the powder fall in the fire as it will cause a fire in the house. On the other hand, mixing the powder into cow or horse feed can bring a safe and healthy life for the family.
■Contact: Road Station “Harazuru” Information Center
Tel: 0946-52-0730
Amagi Bon Niwaka
In 1699, a man named Kizaemon Hara taught special dance to children and performed it at the opening ceremony of Gion Shrine. The performance was developed to be Kabuki in this area since then. Today, Amagi Bon Niwaka Preservation Association succeeds the tradition and the dance is designated as an intangible folk cultural property.
Hinashiro Kunchi
The festival started in 1509 when Tanetoki Akizuki, the 14th generation regional master, restored the shrine hall. People pray for a good and healthy life and good harvest of the year.
Minagi Kunchi
The highlight is when the procession slowly crosses the bridge in the precinct.
Akizuki Hina Meguri
Hina ningyo dolls are displayed on the stone steps of the Nagaya-mon Gate of Akizuki Castle. Elegant appearance of the Hina ningyo dolls presents a traditional feeling of Japan.
Traditional Crafts of Asakura
Natural Plant Dyeing
Natural play dyeing is one of the traditional crafts of Akizuki. Madder, chestnut, kuzu, felon herb, silver grass and many other plants around the area are used for dyeing fabrics. Stunning colors are born from the nature of Akizuki.
Handmade Washi Paper
The governor of Kuroda Domain encouraged the production of handmade washi. Making Akizuki Washi paper was a popular side-job of many samurai families. Paper made using the cold, clear stream of river water has a durable and distinctive texture.
Amagi Shibori Tie-dye
A historical record written in 1887 states that the origins of Amagi Shibori Tie-dye arrived in Asakura from Hakata. Both Hakata Shibori and Amagi Shibori have a long tradition dating back to the Edo period (17-19th century). Originally, it was called Chikuzen Shibori but later, from around 1924, it started to be called Amagi Shibori.
Food & Specialties of Asakura
Fresh Water Weed (Suizenji Nori)
The faint scent of a freshwater river and a texture like jelly are the characteristics of this weed. The academic name is “Suizenji Nori” and it can live only in completely pure fresh water. Today the weed is grown only in the Kogane River in Yanaga of Asakura City and is regarded as an extremely rare and valuable blessing from nature. Dried Suizenji Nori were highly valued and offered to the samurai master of Kuroda Domain. Suizenji Nori’s production method has remained unchanged for over 200 years.
Kuzu Plant
Kuzu is a plant which produces quality starch. The production of Kuzu starch in Akizuki began in the mid-Edo period. In 1818, Kichibei Takagi visited the Kansai region and spent a few years learning how to produce Kishu Yasuda Kuzu. After returning to Akizuki, he invited skilled Kuzu specialists from Osaka and introduced them to the Yoshino Kuzu method. Fine Kuzu from Akizuki became famous and was often offered to the samurai master of Kuroda Domain and to the Tokugawa shogunate. Akizuki is still the main production area of quality Kuzu today.
Bo-ame Candy
Bo-ame is a traditional handmade candy made from Minagi sugar, barley powder, soy bean powder, ginger and rice bran. It is said that the candy was brought in 1810 by a stone craftsman from Nagasaki who was involved in the construction of the Megane Bridge in Akizuki.
Mushi Zoni Steamed Egg Pudding
Zoni is a soup with vegetables and rice cake which is eaten during the New Year days. The unique aspect of the Zoni in Asakura is that it is steamed which creates the appearance of an egg pudding instead of soup. In the mid-Edo period, Chawan-mushi (steamed savory egg pudding) was brought first to Nagasaki and then to Fukuoka. Since Fukuoka has many poultry farms, dishes using egg soon became popular. In the late Edo period (around 19th century), this egg pudding dish became popular in Asakura City, too, as a result of its close connection with Fukuoka Province. Since eggs were precious ingredients in those days, people could only afford to eat it during the New Year’s days as a special dish. As a result, steamed egg pudding began to be known as Zoni in Asakura.
Fruit
Blessed with a good environment of fine water and air, Asakura City produces many quality fruits. From summer to autumn, people enjoy fruit picking at many locations in the city.
Hakata Banno Green Onion
The quality water of Chikugo River and rich soil make this green onion more tasty and of better quality than the ones grown in other areas.
- Access
- 20 min. by Amagi Sightseeing Bus (Akizuki Line) from Amagi Station on Amagi Railway
- Contact
- Asakura City Commerce, Industry and Tourism Section
- TEL：0946-52-1428 / FAX：0946-52-1510
- E-mail： syou-kankou@city.asakura.lg.jp
- URL： http://www.city.asakura.lg.jp/