What is Kunisaki?
Kunisaki is the name of a beautiful, mountainous, nature-rich area which sits along the north-east coast of Kyushu island, Japan.
The area is heavily steeped in history, with temples and shrines that date back hundreds of years, and traditional festivals which are still celebrated whose very origin has been lost to time.
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This green beauty is reflected in the mascot of Kunisaki - the adorable Sakichi-kun, who you can even meet if you're lucky outside the tourism centre!
Escape the City
Many people these days get tired by the consistently fast-paced life in the cities. They grow weary of the many flashy lights, the overbearing level of commercialism and the lack of appreciation for simplicity. These people start to reminisce simpler times and will want to retreat to a quiter place.
They want to ditch the modern skyscrapers for authentic architecture. They wish for a moment of silence with only the sounds of birds and streaming water, even if it is just for a minute. These people want to escape for a while and get reconnected with nature and their inner selves.
Are you also one of those people? Then what are you waiting for? Escape the city and find your sanctuary in Kunisaki!
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Kunisaki is a lovely peninsula that has everything that a person who wants to get away from modernism needs. The lush greenery, overflow of mountains, and an abundance of Buddhist temples will help you relax if not diminish all of your stress.
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Kunisaki city is also home to a beach, the beach is a bit rustic but that is part of its charm. At the beach one can truly relax to the sounds of the waves rushing onto the shore, and the seabirds chirping in the background. Close your eyes and imagine your worries and fears slowly being taken away by the stream. After being on the beach for a whole day one might get hungry. There is a lovely restaurant right next to the beach. Over there you can enjoy a variety of authentic and 100% local food, that the residents make themselves. More information on the variety of food in Kunisaki can be found at the ‘Eat’ section of this website.
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Next to the restaurant is also a tourist information spot and a local food shop. This shop sells many of the foods that the locals make, such as mushroom chips and sake pudding. Many delicacies and souvenirs can be found here. Amongst the souvenirs is also merchandise for Kunisaki’s lovely mascot: Sakichi-kun. Sakichi-kun is a forest sprite, or in other words a guardian of the forest.
Even in regards to the mascot, the people of Kunisaki always keep the nature of the area in mind. Sachiki-kun was chosen as the mascot precisely because of how deeply the locals care about the flora and fauna of their beautiful peninsula.
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Take a stroll down the streets of Kunisaki, for they are bucolic and absolutely peaceful. When walking for a while in Kunisaki it is almost certain that you will pass a number of shrines and temples. Japan as a whole has Buddhism as one of their primary religions and visiting the temples in Kunisaki city is a wonderful way of experiencing it. One of the monks of these temples is willing to give meditation and sutra writing lessons to tourists. More information on that is given in the ‘Travel’ section of this website. Do not miss this opportunity to learn about the way of Buddhist life, it is a most enriching experience!
Speaking of fantastic experiences, for all the udon noodle soup lovers out there. There is a lovely udon shop, run by a most delightful old lady. She allows a service where one can learn how to make udon themselves, and afterwards eat the udon that they have prepared. This could truly be a once in a lifetime event to enjoy.
The monk and udon shop owner are not the only locals who love to converse and meet tourists. Many of the locals enjoy meeting foreigners and having a chat with them. Even though the English-speaking skills might not always be present, the will to communicate is still strong! Feel free to approach and speak to the locals, they will enjoy and appreciate your interest in their peninsula.
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Forests, Parks, Rivers and Ocean. Temples, History, Food, and Culture. Peace, Quiet, Sanctuary, and Charming Locals. What more can one want from the perfect getaway. Visit Kunisaki to experience your long awaited breath of fresh air from the city.
