The Takeo course was the first Kyushu Olle course to be established in Japan.
Takeo is a historic hot spring village quietly nestled in the mountains that surround it on all sides. With its mysterious 3,000 year old camphor tree, 1,300 year old hot springs, and more than 90 pottery kilns that started 400 years ago, Takeo is a place where tradition still lives on, and is popular for its varied mountain scenery and hot springs.
Course Details
JR Takeo Onsen Station → Takeo River → Shiroiwa Exercise Park (1.8km) → Kimyo-ji Temple (3.2km) → Ikenouchi Lake → At Pension Picnic / AB course branch point (4.8km) → [A] Mountain Promenade → A Summit (7.0km) → AB course link up point (7.2km) → [B] 257 stair staircase → B’s Borukun Observatory → B Seasons of the Sky Hotel → AB course link up point (5.7km) → Shiroiwa Arena → Takeo City Culture Museum (9.8km) → Takeo Shrine no Okusu (10.6km) → Tsukazaki no Okusu → At Takeo City Office (11.9km) → Nagasaki Kaido → Takeo Onsen Information Centre → Sakurayama Park Entrance (13.3km) → Takeo Onsen Gate (14.5km)
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1.Kimyo-ji Temple
The temple was built in 1574 by Takaaki Goto, the 19th lord of Takeo. The precincts of the temple are wrapped in trees (the autumn leaves are beautiful), giving the temple a tranquil atmosphere, and the various Jizo Bosatsu statues (Hohoemi Jizo-son) are eye-catching. You can also experience Zen meditation in the main hall. -
2.Takeo Hot Spring Resort Village (Ikenouchi Reservoir)
The largest reservoir in the Takeo area, built in 1625 to irrigate arable land. The area around the reservoir has been developed as a place for citizens to relax and enjoy themselves, including the Moyoshi Square and sightseeing boats. -
3.Kimyo-ji Temple
From the observatory located at the top of the steep stairs of the mountain trail, you can see the whole of Takeo City. The contrast between the mountain range and the urban landscape of Takeo City is breathtaking.
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4.Takeo City Library (Takeo City Children's Library)
A new style of library that continues to attract attention from all over Japan. It has a coffee shop where you can not only read books, but also buy books, magazines, and miscellaneous goods. There is also a Takeo City Children's Library with a food court where you can spend time with your children. -
5.Giant camphor tree in Takeo (Takeo Shrine)
From the main shrine building of the Takeo Shrine, go to the end of the path surrounded by a bamboo grove, and you will see a large camphor tree, 30 meters high and 20 meters around the roots. The giant camphor tree of Takeo is said to be the seventh largest tree in Japan and more than 3,000 years old, and its overwhelming presence and vitality make it famous as a power spot. -
6.Takeo Onsen Tower Gate
The vermilion-lacquered tower gate standing at the entrance to the hot spring is a unique structure with a vivid color and shape reminiscent of the Dragon Palace, and not a single nail was used. It was designed by Kingo Tatsuno, the same architect who designed Tokyo Station and the Bank of Japan, and was completed in 1915. It is designated as an important cultural property of Japan.
Kimyo-ji Temple
Fukuoka Airport, Hakata Port → JR Hakata Station → <Limited Express ”Midori”, Limited Express ”Huis Ten Bosch”> → JR Takeo Onsen Station
■Taxi
Takeo Taxi / TEL: 0954-23-1111
Onsen Taxi / TEL: 0954-23-6161
Food and Drink
Kairodo
Address：Saga Prefecture, Takeo City, Takeo Town, Tomioka 8249-4
TEL：0954-22-2767
8:30～18:00
Karin
Address：Saga Prefecture, Takeo City, Takeo Town, Takeo 5538-1
TEL：0954-23-5287
11:00~18:00
Dumpling Hall
Address：Saga Prefecture, Takeo City, Takeo Town, Show3-4
TEL：0954-22-3472
11:00～20:00
Lodgings
Kyoto-ya
Address：Saga Prefecture, Takeo City, Takeo Town, Takeo7266-7
TEL：0954-23-2171
International Tourism Hall Nakamasu
Address：Saga Prefecture, Takeo City, Takeo Town, Takeo 7377
TEL：0954-22-3118
Hotel Shunkeiya
Address：Saga Prefecture, Takeo City, Takeo Town, Takeo7407
TEL：0954-22-2101
Yumoto-so Toyokan
Address：Saga Prefecture, Takeo City, Takeo Town, Takeo 7408
TEL：0954-22-2191
Takeo Onsen Heights
Address：Saga Prefecture, Takeo City, Takeo Town, Nagashima 18091
TEL：0954-23-8151
Pension Picnic
Address：Saga Prefecture, Takeo City, Takeo Town, Nagashima 16200
TEL：0954-20-0044
Takeo Onsen Youth Hostel
Address：Saga Prefecture, Takeo City, Takeo Town, Nagashima 16060−1
TEL：0954-22-2490
Shirasagi-so
Address：Saga Prefecture, Takeo City, Takeo Town, Tomioka 7476
TEL：0954-22-2240
Takeo Onsen Sakuramontei
Address：Saga Prefecture, Takeo City, Takeo Town, Takeo 7425
TEL：0954-23-2111
Nearby Attractions
Mifuneyama Gardens
Address：Saga Prefecture, Takeo City, Takeo Town, Takeo 4100 TEL：0954-23-3131
Takekoba Kiln Forest Park Hiryu Kiln
This park is the home of Takeo’s ceramics. The Hiyru kiln is a climbing kiln and the largest in the world at 23 meters. In one go it can fire 12,000 different pieces of ceramic work. Experiences to make ceramics are available to the public here.
Address：Saga Prefecture, Takeo City, Takeuchi-cho, Oaza Mateno 24001-1
TEL：0954-27-3383