Monday 10^th April 2017

The Puce Goose was brought down from her heavenly bed (the first time she has been in a stacker), we packed up and headed for the Kawachi Fuji Wisteria Garden which includes a long tunnel under wisteria. It was raining steadily so we had to put the Bimini on.

Driving out of Kokura we passed more of the moulded plastic road barriers, this time they were bowing women workers, with long eyelashes.

The Wisteria Garden apparently has 22 species of wisteria blooming from mid-April to early May. The GPS indicated that it was only 10 kms from the hotel. When the pink, white and lilac coloured wisteria are in bloom, it is said that the interior looks like something from another world. Well, we drove as per the GPS, ended up on a narrow twisting road, over Mt Sarakura and it got wetter and foggier.  

We arrived at the mountain’s visitor centre and it was closed. We kept seeing wisteria signs on the road we were on so kept going. Only saw one car going the other way and one lone walker with umbrella. Finally we came to the end as the road was blocked off and roadworks appeared to be in progress, but not today.

So,… it was a long drive back to the start of the road ( track ) where we rejoined civilisation and continued on our way to another destination. Without seeing the wisteria, we headed for the town of Iizuka and it was still raining heavily.

Better luck here as we soon found the Den-emon Ito residence. This was the home of Den-emon, a coal mining tycoon, built in the early 1900’s and renovated and extended in the 1930’s. It covers about 2 acres in size. 

After his first wife died, the tycoon at 52 years married the beautiful 27 year old Akiko. The renovations for the new bride included the first flushable toilet in Kyushu. The second floor was constructed for Akiko’s privacy and comfort but unfortunately the marriage only lasted 10 years. Most rooms overlook a magnificent large garden. 

The size of the rooms is measured in tatami mats. 

The detail in every room is exquisite with one room having walls made from kimono fabrics. 

One room has an Italian marble fireplace and the leadlight windows were imported from England. It is a great example of the blending of Japanese and western architecture.

There was also a tea ceremony room with an adjoining area for the tea equipment.

                                                              Tea ceremony room

One exhibition room had comic like pictures (by one artist) on the walls showing the history of the coal production in the area.

                                   Coal miners enjoying a bath after the dirty work in the mines.

                                                  Miners having a smoke after their bath

Fukuoka is known as the “city of good food”. The origin was from the men and women risking their lives in the coal mines. They started thinking about food and using their money today and not saving it, using it especially on food. One specialty of the region arising from coal-mining times is “ cow’s inners” or “stuff to be discarded” . We won’t be trying that!

As it was still raining we headed for the rally headquarters in Fukuoka. After depositing our luggage and re-organising our first priorities are the post office (to send stuff home as we have accumulated too much paper and small gifts from various people) and then a laundromat.

We had read about the Japanese Post Offices being very particular about itemising everything that goes into a parcel. How do you count lots of brochures and entry tickets!

After questioning every item, we taped up the box, handed it over and trusted to luck it arrives. The Postal Service in Japan is supposed to be very efficient so it should arrive safely.

Attempted to find a coin laundry and ended up at a drycleaner. Better luck tomorrow.