Kuju Mountains (九重山), Oita

The Kuju mountain range is part of the Aso-Kuju National Park and includes the highest peak on the island of Kyushu.

A view of Kuju Mountains from Chojabaru Tategahara wetlands.

From Chojabaru Vistor Center

A view of Mount Inahoshi (稲星山) from Nakagumi Farm in Taketa

Mount Yufu (由布岳), Oita

Mount Yufu is a 1583.3 m (5195 ft) volcano, located on the border of Yufu and Beppu, Oita Prefectute.

Kami-Amakusa (上天草市), Kumamoto

After we left Misumi, we headed off to the city of Kami-Amakusa, famed for Amakusa Shiro, the leader of the Shimabara Rebellion. First, we took a rest at Amakusa Shiro Memorial Hall and Sun Pearl Kami-Amakusa souvenir shop at Oyanoshima Island. My mother bought Aji-no-mirin-boshi (= dried horse mackerel seasoned with milin seasoning) for our souvenir.

Amakusa Shiro Memorial Hall

Statue of Amakusa Shiro on a hillside of Amakusa Shiro Memorial Hall.

Before we got Matsushima viewpoint, we tried to visit two viewpoints of the Five Bridges of Amakusa, Matsushima and Nagaura. However, the day (24th of July) was Tuesday, Nagaura was closed. So we just visited Matsushima. From there, you can see the entire view of Amakusa Islands and Matsushima Bridge, connecting Oike-jima and Maeshima Islands.

View of Amakusa Islands and Matsushima Bridge (松島橋), connecting to Maeshima Island (前島).

Gyoran Kannon Buddha statue is standing at Matsushima Viewpoint.

Matsushima Islands of Amakusa

Misumi (三角), Kumamoto

Misumi was a town in Kumamoto Prefecture. On 15 January 2005, the town merged with other towns, to form the city of Uki. It is located between Kumamoto city and Amakusa on the Island of Kyushu.

Ryokan Urashimaya (旅館浦島屋)

Ryujokan (龍じょう館)

Mulder House (ムルドルハウス物産館)

Kyushu Institute of Maritime Technology (九州海技学院; Former Uto District Office/旧宇土郡役所)

Misumi traditional crafts house (三角町法の館伝統工芸館)

Misumi Port Memorial Hall (三角築港記念館)

Stone Walls in Misumi West Port

A view of Tenmon Bridge (天門橋) from Misumi West Port

Reigando (霊巌洞), Nishi-ku, Kumamoto

On 24 July 2012, we decided to take a drive to Kumamoto, Misumi and Amakusa. First, we were visited to Reigando, a cave that lies to the west of Kumamoto city. that became a temporary home to legendary ronin, Miyamoto Musashi. From 1643, Musashi spent many of his last months in the cave, meditating and writing his Book of Five Rings.

Reigando cave

Near this cave, there is a rock face on which 500 statues of buddha are enshrined. It is known as Gohyaku Rakan (五百羅漢).

Higashiyamate (東山手), Nagasaki

I'm uploading five photos of Higashiyamate, Nagasaki which are taken on 07 January and 05 June 2012.

Dutch Slope (オランダ坂;Oranda-zaka) is considered one of Japan's top 100 streets in Showa era.

Western Style Houses at Higashiyamate (東山手洋風住宅群)

Former Hong Kong and Shanghai Bank (HSBC) Nagasaki Branch (旧香港上海銀行長崎支店)

Former British Consulate in Nagasaki (旧長崎英国領事館)

Glover Garden (グラバー園), Nagasaki on 08 January 2011

Glover Garden is a park in Nagasaki, built for Thomas Blake Glover, a Scottish entrepreneur who contributed to the modernization of Japan in shipbuilding, coal mining, and many other fields. In it stands the Glover Residence, the oldest Western style house surviving in Japan and Nagasaki's foremost tourist attraction. It is located on the Minamiyamate hillside overlooking Nagasaki harbor.

Overlooking the Port of Nagasaki and Mitsubishi shipbuilding dock.

Overlooking the Port of Nagasaki.

Former Mitsubishi second dock house

The Glover Residence

Former Alt House

Former Ringer House

Statue of Thomas Blake Glover

Statue of Tamaki Miura, famed for her role as Cio-Cio-san.

Kazagashira Park (風頭公園), Nagasaki

On 08 January 2011, we went to Nagasaki for our new year trip. As usual, we bought "rabbit" Chinese new year goods at Min-Min boutique shop, and had a wonderful dinner at China Town. We also went to some sightseeing spots, Kazagashira Park, Glover Garden and Higashiyamate.

Summery
On top of the hill there is Kazagashira Park with a spectacular view of the Port of Nagasaki and the city centre. There is a big statue of Ryoma Sakamoto in the park.

Views of the Port of Nagasaki and city centre.

A bronze statue of Ryoma Sakamoto.

Rhododendron Kiusianum (ミヤマキリシマ) in Mount Unzen, June 2010

Sakitsu Catholic Church (カトリック崎津教会), Amakusa, Kumamoto

It is in the small fishing village, and was built in 1934. The scenery that there is a noble church in the rustic Japanese fishing village is very unique.

Source:Amakusa Islands on travel-around-japan.com

Oe Catholic Church (大江天主堂), Amakusa, Kumamoto

It was built in 1933 by the French missionary Frederic Louis Garnier.

Five Bridges of Amakusa (天草五橋), Kumamoto

On 02 August 2009, we went to Amakusa, Kumamoto Prefecture. It was a long day trip. We left at 10am and back home at 10:50pm. We were visited two catholic churches in Amakusa Shimoshima, Oe and Sakitsu. In the evening, we saw the scenic beauty of the many islands from Five Bridges of Amakusa, and the roads are called the Amakusa Pearl Line, based on the products of cultured pearls.

View of Amakusa Islands and Matsushima Bridge (松島橋), connecting to Maeshima Island (前島).

Sunset from the Five Bridges of Amakusa.

Yuki Kashiwagi (柏木由紀) getting ready to celebrate her 21st birthday today!

Happy birthday to Yukirin for all AKB48 fans!

A banner of celebrating Yukirin's 21st birthday made from a fun.

Yukirin and Maki Horikita (堀北真希), starring a Japanese TV drama "Hanazari no Kimitachi e" in 2007 on Fuji TV. Yukirin starring a remake of the drama series, aired in 2011.

Yukirin's snap shooting in her home town Kagoshima.

At Shiroyama Viewpoint with Sakurajima, the landmark of Kagoshima.

Yukirin eating Mochi (=rice cake) at Sengan-en, a beautiful Japanese garden in Kagoshima.

Yukirin's ad shooting for "Honmono Kagoshima" campaign in Kimono.