#tanushimaru

[emmyinjapan]

Just a quiet little street in Tanushimaru, Fukuoka.

—Emmy

[merpmonde]

Japan week 2 grab bag

In order, from Wednesday to Tuesday:

水 A beautiful shrine with a grisly backstory: Akama-jingû in Shimonoseki is dedicated to an emperor who died aged 8

木 The JNR class 581 was a train that could convert from day express services into a sleeper train.

金 Kumamoto castle in the wet

土 Why did the kappa cross the street? Tanushimaru, hat tip to @emmyinjapan whose post inspired me to have a look

日 One of the Seven Hells of Beppu: the blood pond, naturally tainted red. (Is "bloodbath" a better name?)

月 Passing Sadamisaki lighthouse on the ferry between Kyushu and Shikoku

火 Gauge-changing but not game-changing: Shikoku's attempt to get on the Shinkansen didn't get past the prototype stage.

[akabira]

ソース

[emmyinjapan]

Welcome to KAPPA Town! 🐸✨ — A Day in Tanushimaru

As part of a recent research tour for my internship, I had the absolute delight of visiting Tanushimaru — also known as KAPPA Town! And honestly, it lived up to the name in the best possible way.

First off, the station is designed to look like a kappa. Yes — an actual, turtle-frog-duck yokai with a bowl-shaped head and a thing for cucumbers. There’s even a giant, slightly grumpy-looking kappa statue standing proudly on the platform, welcoming (or judging?) every visitor. This brilliant idea was actually suggested years ago by a local high school group — proof that creative genius knows no age.

Now for the important bit: IC cards don’t work here. If you're used to the ease of tapping in and out with your Suica or ICOCA, prepare yourself — Tanushimaru runs on good old-fashioned paper tickets and cash only.

My colleague and I, thinking we were seasoned train travellers, tapped in at Hakata Station as usual. When we arrived at Tanushimaru, we discovered… no IC reader. Not even a little one hiding in the corner.

Cue slight panic — but the station staff were lovely. A kind gentleman at the ticket booth explained that we needed to pay in cash, and he even handwrote us a receipt. Proper retro vibes. He then advised: “When you return to Hakata, go and speak to a staff member. They’ll sort out your IC card since you tapped in, but didn’t tap out here.”

So let this be your friendly reminder: Buy a paper ticket if you’re visiting Tanushimaru. It’ll save you some explaining later! (I hope in the future they'll install an IC reader).

Was it a bit of a faff? Maybe. Was it all part of the quirky charm? Definitely.

And yes — we went to loads of fascinating spots in Tanushimaru, which I’ll share once I find the time. There's so much to tell from this adorable, slightly chaotic kappa town. 🐢🍃🛤️

—Emmy

[emmyinjapan]

The Real Boss of the Farm 🐶🍓

While the strawberries at Nakano Fruit Farm were sweet, I have to say — the sweetest part of the visit might’ve been… the dog! 🐾

Yes, it turns out the farm has its very own canine staff member, and he’s not just lounging about — this pup patrols the grounds like he owns the place. Totally calm, full of character, and clearly taking his job of watching over the greenhouses very seriously (unless someone’s got snacks, then all bets are off).

He greeted us with curious eyes and a gentle tail wag, made a quick round of the area, and then plonked himself down in a nice shady spot like, “Job well done.” Absolute icon.

It’s these little touches — a hard-working farm dog with real main-character energy — that make places like Nakano feel so warm and memorable. If you visit, keep an eye out for the four-legged boss… but remember, he’s probably too cool for photos unless you're holding a strawberry. 🍓🐶✨

—Emmy

[emmyinjapan]

Strawberries & Kappas — A Sweet Visit to Nakano Fruit Farm in Tanushimaru 🍓👣

While exploring the charming little town of Tanushimaru — yes, Kappa Town! — I had the pleasure of visiting Nakano Kajitsuen (中野果実園), a local gem known for its delicious fruits and warm hospitality.

This family-run fruit farm has been around for generations, tucked away in the lush countryside of Kurume. Tanushimaru is actually famous not only for its yokai but also for its fruit farming, and Nakano Fruit Farm is one of the best-known spots in the area. You can tell they put a lot of care into what they grow — and it shows in the taste.

Oh my goodness — the strawberries were gorgeous. Sweet, juicy, and totally addictive. You pick them straight from the vine in the greenhouse, and there's just something magical about that first bite. 🍓✨

But it’s not just strawberries — they also grow other seasonal delights like Kyoho grapes (the legendary “King of Grapes” 👑🍇), persimmons, pears, and more depending on the time of year. It’s the kind of place you could come back to again and again, just to taste what’s in season.

The farm itself has a lovely rustic charm, and the staff were so friendly (almost in the middle of nowhere) and happy to explain how to pick the best fruit. Being surrounded by greenhouses and fruit trees under the sky of Kappa Town felt a bit like stepping into a Ghibli film — but with strawberries. 🐸🍓💫

—Emmy