Ibusuki Iwasaki Hotel (指宿いわさきホテル), on 24 and 25 July 2011

We spent one night at Ibusuki Iwasaki Hotel, located in Ibusuki city, Kagoshima Prefecture. The room is very clean and specious. From there, you can see the entire view of Kagoshima/Kinko Bay. The dinner and breakfast we had were wonderful. We had a buffet-style dinner and breakfast at a main dining hall.

A view of Chiringashima Island (知林が島) from Miyagahama beach.

Iwasaki Museum of Art (岩崎美術館) inside the hotel.

Statue of Yohachiro Iwasaki (岩崎与八郎), the founder of Iwasaki Group at Ibusuki Iwasaki Hotel

Mount Kaimon (開聞岳), Ibusuki, Kagoshima

I took two photos of Mount Kaimon on the way to Chiran. The first one is taken from Nishi-Oyama Station (西大山駅), the southernmost train station in Japan, and the second one is from Sebira Natural Park (せびら自然公園), the opposite side of Nishi-Oyama Station.


Chiran Peace Museum for Kamikaze Pilots (知覧特攻平和会館,), Minamikyushu, Kagoshima

I took five photos of Chiran Peace Museum for Kamikaze Pilots. Please take a look at these photos.

Chiran-Fumoto Warrior Quarter (知覧麓武家屋敷群), Minamikyushu, Kagoshima

On 25 July 2011, after I left Ibusuki Iwasaki Hotel, we were decided to take a drive to see Chiran-Fumoto Warrior Quarter and Peace Museum for Kamikaze Pilots. Chiran is now part of the city of Minamikyushu, Kagoshima.

Japanese Garden in Chiran-Fumoto.

Coca-Cola machine at the Warrior Quarter.

Saitobaru Kofungun (西都原古墳群), Saito, Miyazaki

I took many photos of Saitobaru Kofungun in April 2009 and November 2010.

Summery
Saitobaru Kofungun is a group of three hundred thirty three kofuns or tumuli in Saito city, Miyazaki Prefecture. This is one of the largest kofun groups in Japan, and the largest group in Kyushu situated on a 70-meter hill composed of diluvium. It is located within the Saitobaru-Sugiyasukyō Prefectural Natural Park.

First, I'm uploading three photos taken in April 2009.

The second tumuli in Saitobaru

Rapeseed in full bloom in the ancient tomb

Tea plantation in Saitobaru

Next, I'm posting a couple of photos taken in November 2010.

Saitobaru Museum of Archeology

Cosmos in full bloom in the ancient tomb

Takachiho-kyo Gorge (高千穂峡), Miyazaki on 15 October 2009

Day tripping to Takachiho-kyo Gorge, in Takachiho town, Miyazaki Prefecture. Manai Fall (真名井の滝) is considered one of Japan's top 100 scenic spots.

Takachiho-kyo Gorge and Manai Waterfall.

Weeping cherry trees at Yame Tea Plantation (April 17, 2012)

I also took a couple of weeping cherry trees at Yame Tea Plantation.

Rows of weeping cherry trees

Minamata (水俣市), Kumamoto

After we left the "No.1" stone stairways in Japan, we were visited to Minamata Eco Park on the way to Izumi, Kagoshima. The city is best known as the former site of an environmental disaster caused by industrial pollution of the bay with mercury. See "Minamata disease" on Wikipedia.

Minamata Disease Municipal Museum (right) and Kumamoto Prefectural Environment Center (left).

Minamata Disease Municipal Museum

Kumamoto Prefectural Environment Center

A view of Koiji Island from Minamata Eco Seaside Park.

Minamata disease cenotaph

Minamata Memorial

Aso Shrine (阿蘇神社), Aso, Kumamoto

After we left Totoro no Mori, we were visited to Aso Shrine on the way to Aso Villa Park Hotel.

Summery

Aso Shrine is a  Shinto Shrine in Aso, Kumamoto Prefecture. Aso is one of the oldest and most prominent shrines in Japan. This shrine holds several Important Cultural Properties, such as Ichi-no-shinden （一の神殿）, Ni-no-shinden （二の神殿）, Romon （楼門） etc.

Honden, or the main shrine.

Romon

Komyozen-ji (光明禅寺), Dazaifu, Fukuoka

Komyozen-ji is a Zen temple in Dazaifu, Fukuoka Prefecture.  It was founded by Tetsugyū Enshin of the Tōfuku-ji Rinzai school in 1273. Komyozen-ji is celebrated for its karesansui garden, the only example in Kyushu.

Karesansui garden at Komyozen-ji.

A drum tower

Kanzeon-ji Temple (観世音寺), Dazaifu, Fukuoka

Kanzeon-ji is a seventh-century Buddhist temple in Dazaifu, Fukuoka Prefecture. It was once the most important temple in Kyushu. Its bell, one of the oldest in the country, has been designated a National Treasure.

Kanzeon-ji's Nara period bell, a National Treasure.

Kaidan-in Temple (戒壇院), Dazaifu, Fukuoka

=Summery=

Kaidan-in is a Rinzai temple in Dazaifu, Fukuoka Prefecture. It was founded by Ganjin in 761.
Together with Tōdai-ji in Nara and Yakushi-ji in Tochigi Prefecture, it was one of Japan's three official ordination halls during the Nara period.

=History=

Kaidan-in was first built in 761; the present hall dates to the 17th century. Originally part of Kanzeon-ji, it later came to be administered separately.

At the entrance

Main Hall

A drum tower

Dazaifu Tenmaugu (太宰府天満宮), September 2011

I went to Dazaifu on 06 September 2011. It takes 40 minutes by bicycle. The course is as follows:The site of former government of Dazaifu - Kaidan-in Temple - Kanzeon-ji Temple - Dazaifu Tenmangu - Komyozen-ji Temple.

Today, I'm uploading many photos of Dazaifu Tenmangu. Dazaifu Tenmangu famous as a shrine to the God of study, and many other famous and historical spots.

The first torii that leads to the main shrine.

Two of the first bridge at Dazaifu Tenmangu that leads to the main shrine.

After crossing the bridge, you'll see the second torii. This torii is located before getting into the main shrine.

Chozu-ya (手水舎)

The main shrine

Komainu or lion-dogs at the main shrine.

The main shrine and tobiume, an ume tree.

Ema (絵馬)

A giraffe statue

A cow statue at the entrance.