Expansively spread green tea field is fragrant, and the green rolling up ancient tombs has warmth too. Kyushu OLLE Yame Course along the gentle ridge line of hilly area is green OLLE where you always walk along with green color. Located southeast of Fukuoka Prefecture, Yame city is the production area of Gyokuro Green Tea which is considered one of the highest grade green tea, and is famous with strawberry and grapes. It entered with Geojedo of Gyeongsangnamdo in Korea as sister city and has active relationship.
Seeing along limpid Hoshino River, the path starts at Yamanoi Park and lead your steps to Donanzan Ancient Tomb which was made latest among group of Yame ancient tombs. In Yame area, there are around 30 ancient tombs and this is because Tsukushinokimi-Iwai who ruled North Kyushu region, extended his power in Yame area in Tumulus Period (6th century).
You can enter directly and see the stone chamber of gigantic stones, standing at Donanzan Ancient Tomb. And, you can check the remains of vermilion-lacquered. While passing by Inuo Castle Ruins which was built in 1191 by Sadamune Kawasaki, heir of Sukeyoshi Kuroki, castellan of Nekoo Castle on the ridge of 180mt. high mountain at north of Hoshino River, you will arrive Yame Central Tea Garden as the highlight of this course.
Yame Central Tea Garden has 65 hectare vast land and far stretched tea field is the highlight. It is an open green tea field, and your step would become light by pure small shining tea leaf on the branch of tea tree. In contrast to the whole view of Yame City spreading opposite of green tea field, this path feels more peaceful. About Yame Tea produced here, this group tea production area gives steady satisfactory result from production to sales in joint business. In 1979, it received Emperor’s Cup in Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Festival. After green tea field, while walking the town path, there is famous Ezaki Food which sells old style drink, lemon soda which is rare to open the cover of bottle. While walking to the end point with fresh feel, you meet the fine-featured Maruyamazuka Ancient Tomb. The cherry blossom (sakura) standing along ancient tombs seems like protecting them. Enjoy the view of Yame mountains far behind the ancient tombs and take some breath. While stepping, you remind the views of the path followed, you arrive at the end point before you know.
Course Details
Mountain Well Park Start → Donanzan Burial Mounds (0.6km) → Inuo Castle Ruins (1.3km) → Inuo Castle Ruins (3.4km) → Ichinenji Temple (6.4km) → Ichinenji Temple (7.3km) → Maruyama Tombs (8.1km) → At Yame Rehabilitation Hospital (9.2km) → Iwatoyama History and Culture Exchange Center (11km)
-
1.Mountain Well Park
From the park you can observe the clean waters of the Hoshinogawa River. This park is surrounded by nature and mountains. -
2.Donanzan Burial Mounds
Burial mounds containing the tombs of members of the Tsukushinokimi Iwai Family who ruled the area in the 6th century. -
3.Yame Central Tea Garden
With its gentle slopes built using the land modification method of construction, the roughly 65-hectare (160-acre) Yame Central Tea Garden is symbolic of the Yame area itself. -
4.Maruyama Tombs
A round burial mound which was constructed in the 6th century.
Transportation to Starting Locations
01 Fukuoka Airport → JR Hakata Station (JR Kyushu Kagoshima Main Line Alight) → JR Hainuzuka Station → <Horikawa Bus> → Horikawa Bus → Horikawa Bus
02 Fukuoka Airport → Nishitetsu Fukuoka Station → Nishitetsu Kurume Station → <Nishitetsu Bus> → Fukushima Bus Stop → <Horikawa Bus> → Horikawa Bus → Horikawa Bus
03 Fukuoka Airport → Dazaifu Interchange (Kyushu Expressway) → Alight at Yame Interchange or Hirogawa Interchange (20min)
Food and Drink
Beef Tei
Address：Yame City, Yoshida 1576-1
TEL：０９４３－２２－２９８２
Lunch from 850 yen
(Reservations are required for groups)
Yame Tea Café Bunbuku
Address：Yame City, Toyofuku 269-2
TEL：０９４３－２４－２０００
Macha Set 540 yen
(Reservations are required for groups)
Lodgings
Kutsurogi Forest Greenpia Yame
Address：Yame City, Kuroki-cho, Kiya 10905
TEL：０９４３－４２－２４００
Welcoming is possible for more than 10 people staying
1 night 2 meals starting from 9,800 yen
*Other plans are available
Hoshino Onsen Ike no Yama-so
Address：Yame City, Hoshino-mura 10780-58
TEL：０９４３－５２－２０８２
Welcoming is possible for more than 10 people staying
1 night 2 meals starting from 10,800 yen
Yame Green Hotel
Address：Yame City, Motomachi, 47-1
TEL：０９４３－２２－２１５６
Welcoming is possible for more than 2 people staying
1 night 2 meals starting from 4,800 yen
Plaza Hotel Avenue
Address：Yame City Motomura 378-6
TEL：０９４３－２５－６１００
Welcoming is possible for more than 2 people staying
1 Night and Breakfast from 950 yen
http://www.avenue-group.jp/plaza/
Hotel AZ Fukuoka Yame Branch
Address：Yame City Motomura 539
TEL：０９４３－２４－５１０１
1 Night and Breakfast from 5,180 yen
1 Night 2 meals starting from 6,130 yen
http://www.az-hotel.com/yame/
Guest House Kawanoji
Yame City, Motomachi 264
TEL：０７０－５６９０－１４７１
1 night 3,000 yen (Breakfast service +500 yen)
English available
http://guesthouse.yame-machiya.net/
Nearby Attractions
Yame Tourism Bussan-kan Tokimeki
Tel: 0943-22-7730
Address: Yame City, Hon-cho 2-129
(Closures every 2nd and 4th mondays of each month)