Tosu has a population of around 75,000.
WE flew to Tokyo, and spent a night in Narita, then flew to Fukuoka. Then we trained about thirty minutes to Tosu.
TOSU
Tosu's charms are the friendly helpful people,the great inexpensive sushi restaurants, and its central location, making it easy to have enjoyable day trips to see the surrounding sights.
The all night convenience stores had jolly staff, happy to get you a freshly ground coffee at 5 am.
A football mascot outside the stadium.
A 'posh' modern sushi restaurant, where we sat at the bar. Cost for two Aussie lads was just $80, including a couple sakes.
NARITA
When your morning connecting plane is replaced with an arvo one, you don't sit at Narita Airport, rather get a free shuttle bus to Narita town, and see the stunning temple complex.
SAGA
Ah, Saga is about a twenty minute train trip south of Tosu.
Near the largest temple, is a kilometre long canal surely made for kids in summer ?
If you touch the brass button in this statues hand, a spurt of water shoots out resulting in surprised yells of laughter.
An ideal place to stroll along for oldies too, and if game, when no one is looking, try a bit of rock jumping in the canal.
KARATSU
Karatsu is about a two hour train trip from Tosu, with a change of trains at Saga.
Karatsu has an five kilometre pine grove, called Niji no Matsubara. There are beautiful paths to stroll down amongst the refreshing smelling pines.
There is an observatory called Kagami Mountain, which also has a beautiful park.
Across the way is what appears to be an almost perfect volcano.
For train lovers, Japan has the bullett trains, and also great local trains in which you can stand at the front, next to the driver, and see the rails trundle below.
MIFUNEYAMA PARK
About an hour by train then bus from Tosu.Ah, timimg.
Mifuneyama Park is 500,000 acres big, with 50,000 azalia shrubs, and 5,000 cherry blossom trees.
Under the mountain here is what the azalias look like a month early.
See the wee specks ? They are people ! This park is huge !
TAKEO ONSEN
About 15 minutes from Tosu.The two storey gate lead to an onsen, but more importantly, a shop that sells chocolate coated roasted coffee beans !!
YOSHINOGARI PARK
This place was about twenty minutes from Tosu.
If museums bore you to tears, whether inside or outdoors ones, there are plenty of seats in this peaceful park for you to sit and wait whilst the other half looks around. And the flower display is beautiful.
The park is dedicated to people who lived in the area almost 2,000 years ago.
The park is dedicated to people who lived in the area almost 2,000 years ago.
KUMAMOTO
Kumamoto is a city of about 700,000 people. It takes twenty minutes on the bullett train to get their from Tosu Shinkansen station, which is a few minutes away from Tosu Station.
What can an earth quake do to an old castle complex ?
The stones are lined up and numbered awaiting renovation.
The colours of the flowers in a wee park next to the castles, was stunning.
At Suizenji Park, we at last had a decent outcrop of cherry blossoms.
All around Japan there are many sculptures, and etc, including special slabs in the footpaths.
You were lucky to have a freshly ground coffee at 5.00 am.
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