Japan Hour: Road Trip On Kyushu Railway (Part 2)

(Local lines) Local lines take us to wonderful places all over Japan. From the first station to the terminal station, we'll look for great places not found in a guidebook. Breathtaking views, wonderful accommodations, and great food. It's a journey of enquiry to discover wonderful places that only the locals know about. All aboard! On this trip, the journey takes place on the JR Kagoshima Main Line and on the Nagasaki Main Line, connecting Tosu Station, Saga to Nagasaki Station.

It's a spring special three-hour episode in northern Kyushu. -Nice. -It's breathtaking! I see, I see. Two pairs of travellers relay on this three-day trip to find 15 entries in their guidebook. Are there any places you'd recommend around this station? -Around this station? -Exactly.

They keep discovering unknown places through enquiring the locals. -Here it is. -Thank you. Our travellers also enjoy local speciality gourmet foods. Amazing. Wow, look at that.

-It's soft. -It's plump. They also relax in an open-air bath at a hot spring in the mountains. This is so nice. You're a monk! No way! However... It says they'll close their store for a while. Seriously? I was wondering if we could film this place? -We decline. -What?

Where is it? On this spontaneous three-day trip, travellers face some unexpected events! With the trip being so unpredictable, will they be able to find 15 entries before the time limit? Let's get started! All aboard our journey of enquiry and discovery! This is our three-hour special episode! What are these? I see many dolls. It's the season. This place is called Sotogoshoin. Back then, it was used to hold the clan's official events. It's like a hall.

I see. They're Hina dolls made by elementary and middle school students in Saga City. Kids made these Hina dolls? -So cute. -Great. Is that a picture-story show?

-This is really spacious. -It is. It must be hard to clean this place because it's huge. That's true. I want to live in a place like this. -You won't hear people calling you. -You'll be out of breath too. Seriously.

Ahead of you, it was the private space of the lord. Is that so? The ceiling is lower here. That's true. Yes, the ceiling is lower. -Why? -Did they restore this? It kept people from using a spear or a sword. So they can't swing them up? I see.

You'll hit the ceiling. -I see. -Let's go to the back. -Keep going. -Great idea.

The lord would sit in the back. They continue walking, and reaches Nabeshima Naomasa, the lord's room. It was his room.

-Can we come in? -Sure. -Let's go in. -Thanks. -It's a spacious room. -So this was his private room? -This is where he lived. -That's right. We kept everything that was used back in the day.

-So the lord might have touched it? -Exactly. I see marks where they probably had nails. -You see... -The lord might have touched this. -That's true. -No way.

It's so sturdy. Yes, it is. Who wants to be a feudal lord? -Abarerukun. -Abarerukun. Is that okay? -Yes, please. -Here.

One, two, three, please sit here. -Here? -Yes. Does he have to sit there? Yes, he does. Please come a bit this way. -Okay. -In the centre.

Here? The rest of you will be vassals. Where will the vassals be? -In the back? -From here. Of all the vassals, only the close ones could enter this room. -Thank you for letting me in. -Thank you. My pleasure.

-My lord. -It's fine. Good day to you. That's the exact spot where Nabeshima Naomasa, the 10th lord, would sit. -Right there. -That's incredible. Only the close ones could come in.

That's right. We often change the tatami mats though. -They change tatami. -They do. They're new tatami mats. Nabeshima Naomasa, a famous sovereign at the end of the Edo period, worked on the financial reform of the Saga clan.

The highlight of the reform was the export of Arita ware. -It looks fancy. -Do you notice something? Though they were created in Japan during the Edo period, what do you think they're for? -For having tea? -Black tea? -Black tea. -They're tea cups. Tea cups.

-That's right. -Is this a milk jar? Really? It's an European culture. -Did they put sugar too? -Incredible.

-Were they made just for Europe? -Exactly. Made just for Europe. They also added Chinese-style painting because it was popular back then. I see, it was the trend.

They went with the trend. -Great idea. -Back then, they did thorough marketing and sold their products.

That's incredible. The Saga clan was the first to receive foreign information from Nagasaki, and tried to introduce Western science and technology. In the military field, they built a reverberatory furnace and they successfully cast Japan's first iron cannon. They contributed to the modernisation of Japan. This is the reverberatory furnace. It's a model.

I'll explain how a reverberatory furnace worked. In order to build an iron cannon, they needed to create very strong iron. To do this, they needed a higher temperature. The radiant heat melts the iron, and they made such a tall chimney so they could draw a large amount of air in.

For Japanese people, this didn't work very well. One of the reasons why the Saga clan did it so well was that they had a technology to produce bricks to build the furnace, the same technology they used to create Arita ware. I see. They had already had furnaces like this to create Arita ware.

-Impressive. -It's all connected. -Thank you very much. -Thank you very much. -Thank you, it was very helpful. -Thank you. -I learned a lot. -It was fun. Yes, it was fun.

This gate was created at the same time as when Nabeshima Naomasa built the Honmaru Palace. But only the gate has been preserved. Amazing. -It looks impressive. -Look at these beams. The fifth entry in the guidebook, Saga Castle History Museum and Shachi no Mon that showcase the achievements of the Saga clan.

-Thank you. -Thank you. -Thank you for the explanation. -Thank you very much. Bye. It's great to hear the story. I'm glad we could hear the story. -It was great. -Very interesting.

-This way? -Let's go this way. The shortcut? Towards the station. -The station is that way. -Okay. It's this man. -Mr Nabeshima. -He was 17.

-We have five minutes left. -Five minutes left. How far should we go? Let's see... I'm getting nervous. We're in Saga Prefecture. -Saga. -Saga.

Which direction? It splits up. Which colour? -It's the blue one. -Exactly. -The blue one? -That's right. -Let's go to Hizen-Yamaguchi. -Hizen-Yamaguchi? -280 yen. -280 yen.

The next stop is Hizen-Yamaguchi Station, four stops ahead, where it splits to the Sasebo Line. (Nagasaki Prefecture, Saga Prefecture, Fukuoka Prefecture) It must be this train. This one? Abarerukun, doesn't this train also have a cool face? So cool.

-Very cool. -Cool. How is it inside? -It looks fancy. -It's stylish. Yes. Look at these seats. The seats look fancy. I've never seen a train like this.

-Let's move to the back. -To the back. Further in. -It's so cool. -So stylish.

It is stylish, and look. Look at all these windows. They're large windows. (10:35 am) The second day of the enquiry and discovery begins now! On this trip, our travellers take a part of the Kagoshima Main Line and switch to the Nagasaki Main Line. Between Hakata Station and Nagasaki Station, there are 53 stations total. The total distance of the route is 160.6 kilometres.

(Number of stations: 53 Distance 160.6 kilometres) Their goal is to enquire local residents and discover 15 entries to create their original guidebook. They try to accomplish the goal on a three-day trip.

We need to find 10 more entries. We need 10 more? For example, we could split into two teams to find more entries. So each team can find entries.

That way, we can find two entries at one station. That sounds good. Abarerukun and I are like brother and sister. -Really? -That's right. Yes, we are. -We belong to the same agency. -I see.

-Okay, so we know how to split up. -Yes. Okay, -Let's pair up. -Ai-chan. -Akko. -Ai-chan and Akko. -Aba-chan and Yumi-chan. -Okay. We'll be like twins. If we get off at this station, -there'll be nothing. -Nothing.

-Look at that. -It's the middle of nowhere. It is a great view though. That's true.

-It's a large station. -It is, isn't it? There are many bikes. This is a large station.

(Hizen-Yamaguchi Station) Thank you for riding with us. This is the terminal. Thank you very much.

They're calling you, Abarerukun. -They'd like a photo. -Sure. Seriously? -What year are you? -Third year in high school. Third year in high school? Around the station, is any place that you'd recommend? Recommendations? In Kohoku? -At this station. -Nice places.

Around this station. -I'm not sure. -Where do you usually go to hang out? -Hakata. -You go to Hakata? You go all the way to Hakata? What about this station? -This station? I'm not sure. -Is there anything? -No? -I don't know Kohoku well.

Is this place called Kohoku? -Kohoku? -Kohoku. It's Kohoku Town. The south exit. -Kohoku Town. -Oh, yeah, it says so. Thank you, thank you. Let's check the train time.

We haven't decided yet. Let's have a little over one hour. Sure. One of these trains.

12:13? -12:13? -Okay. 12:13. A little over one hour. -A little over one hour. -Yes. A little over one hour. In any case...

Here at Hizen-Yamaguchi Station, our travellers will split up into two teams to find entries. -Nothing much. -We'll go this way. We'll go this way. -See you later. -There's a woman there. Excuse me.

-We need to start enquiring people. -Let's do that. Mr Aijima and Ms Matsumoto start enquiring people in front of the station. Let's see. Excuse me, hello. Excuse me.

We're filming a travel show for BS right now. We'd like to ask you some questions about Hizen-Yamaguchi Station. Could we talk to you? -Sorry for the trouble. -Sorry. I don't know well. Can we go in with a camera? -Can we? -He said we can.

Sorry for the trouble. Is this... Inside the store, they are going to enquire the customers. Is there anything you recommend around Hizen-Yamaguchi Station? Behind Kohoku's town hall, there is a place called Kentaro. -It's a cake shop. -Cake shop.

They sell birthday cakes. They draw manga characters on their cakes for kids. They also make hesomanju (traditional Japanese confection). Hesomanju? Hesomanju, because Kohoku Town is in the centre of Saga Prefecture. -Bikki. -Bikki.

It's the town of bikki. -Bikki? -Bikki is... We call frogs bikki. You call frogs bikki? -You didn't know? -No.

-Are you not from Saga? -No, I'm not. -Is that a Saga dialect? -He's not from Saga. I see. -Shall we go? -Check out Kentaro? -Let's do that. -We'll go to Kentaro.

It's ahead of a Lawson. Ahead of a Lawson. I see Lawson. When you keep going, there's a car dealer and it's ahead of that. -Thank you. -Thank you. Thank you.

Thank you to you, ma'am. Thank you very much. Thank you very much. Bye. Thank you very much.

-It's a great start. -Yes, it is. It's a peaceful place. I see Lawson. -Will the store be on this street? -I think so.

Is that the one? -Do you see it? -Yes, it says Kentaro. -See? -Yes, I see the sign! I've got terrible feelings. Is it their holiday? Our travellers visit a recommended cake shop at Hizen-Yamaguchi Station of the Nagasaki Main Line, but... -Do you see it? -Yes, it says Kentaro. I've got terrible feelings.

Is it their holiday? No way! No way! No way! -For certain reasons, -For the time being, their store is closed. Seriously? -What should we do now? -I can't believe this. They're closed for the time being. This won't work. How can this happen? It happens. What should we do? Looking at time... (55 minutes till the 12:13 train) We have less than an hour now.

Shall we enquire more people? What do we do? -I see young people. -Hey. -Hello. -Hello. -Which year are you? -Third year of high school. -Third year? Nice. -Nice.

I've seen them. You look familiar, but I don't know. -Hello. -Hello. We're looking for recommendations around this station.

Do you have any recommendations? Any speciality? -There's a cake shop. -Cake shop? -Where is it? -Amaretto? -Amaretto by the station. -By the station? It's across from the south exit of the station. It's a store called Amaretto.

-Do you recommend it? -Yes. What do you recommend from the shop? -What? -They have different things. Cream puffs, for example. -Cream puffs? -Cream puffs? Their cream puffs are about 30 yen.

-30 yen? -Right? Petit cream puffs. -Petit cream puffs. -Really? -And they're 30 yen? -They're cheap.

-They start from 30 yen. -But they're tasty? -Thank you, take care. -Thank you. They're cute. They're graduating soon. Nice. The two walk back to the station to find the recommended cake shop.

Is this the one? Yes, this must be it. It's here. We've arrived.

I hope this one works. It says that it's an atelier of cakes. Amaretto. -I see many customers. -That's true. -They're very popular. -Yes. Sorry to bother you at work.

I'm sorry for visiting unannounced. Would it be possible for us to film you? It's for TV. Would you be okay with being on TV? -Are you sure? Can our crew come in? -They said yes? Look at these! Petit cream puffs. They're 50 yen each. Larger ones are 76 yen each. There are also even larger ones at 130 yen.

-They have different kinds. -They do. Students told us it's 30 yen each. But not 30 yen? No, not 30 yen. Amaretto by the station is a cake shop run by two sisters. They are popular among the locals for their lovely, affordable homemade cakes! Would you like to try one? They're so cute.

So cute. -Look at that. -It's nice and small. -I like that. -It's so tiny and cute.

We can eat this in one bite, can't we? One bite? This is 50 yen. Thank you for it. You could eat it in one bite! Is it good? The custard cream and the crust have a great flavour. Let's try this one. It has banana inside. Thank you for it.

There's pie crust. Do you like it? It's good, I taste the banana. I taste the banana. It's gorgeous. The sixth entry in the guidebook, Amaretto, with their lovely and affordable creams puffs that are very popular. -It was incredible. -Thank you.

-Thank you. -Take care. -Thank you. -Sorry for bothering you. -Thank you. -Bye. Thank you very much. -What do we do? -I'm not sure.

In the meantime, here's Ms Morio and Abarerukun. Ms Morio, here we have The navel of Saga, Fureai Koryu Centre (Interaction Exchange Centre). What does the navel of Saga mean? It's in the centre? I'm sure there will be a lot of people at the centre.

I think so. -Let's go enquire. -Let's do it. So this building...

The two will enquire at the Koryu Centre. Great. Good morning. They get a permission to film, and enquire the director. -How can I help you? -Well, here... We're looking for great places we can walk to from Hizen-Yamaguchi Station.

-Any personal recommendations? -Anything? There's a statue called Migawari Kannon. Where is the statue? We should go outside. Is the statue nearby? You can see it from here.

That's right. -Why do you recommend it? -Director? The Kannon statue is behind a temple called Toshoji. Do people believe that Kannon grants their wishes? It brings people love. -It helps with many things. -And longevity. Longevity, too. There's a Buddhist statue there? It's very tall! Take a look.

-We'll go closer. -They're all friendly. Let's go there. -It's decided! Let's go there. -Let's go. The director offered to walk with them to the recommended Kannon statue. We'll go to that temple. That temple? Okay.

-I see it now! -Oh, yeah! It looks impressive. Migawari Kannon! It's very big. (Hizen-Yamaguchi Station) At Hizen-Yamaguchi Station of the Nagasaki Main Line, our travellers visit a recommended Migawari Kannon statue. Is that it? Okay. -I see it! -Me too! It's impressive. Migawari Kannon.

It's huge. -It's called Toshoji Temple. -Toshoji. (Toshoji Temple) It's over there. Excuse me. They got a permission to film.

If being close brings us good luck, we should get as close as possible. Yes, as close as possible. This is quite... Yes, it's steep.

-It's quite steep. -It's nothing. Is this slope not steep for you, Director? You must be really healthy. Impressive. Very nice. -You have a great posture too. -Very nice.

This looks impressive. It really does. Impressive, isn't it? The garden is also very well taken care of. She's beautiful. -Thank you very much. -Thank you very much.

The four-metre tall statue of Kannon overlooks the town of Hizen-Yamaguchi. It was built in 1953 for in hopes of bringing peace after the war. It was named Migawari Kannon so it'd protect people from disasters. Thank you for recommending us... Oh, the director is gone.

Really? The seventh entry in the guidebook, the Migawari Kannon statue that kindly protects Hizen-Yamaguchi. Here's the ticket gate. -We should probably wait here. -Yes.

-There they are. -You scared me. -You scared me. -What is that? You scared me. Our local coordinator. Mr Okura? Yes, this is Mr Okura.

-Great posture. -He's not a robot. He's real. -Thank you. -Thank you. Thank you very much.

I hope you liked Kohoku Town! -We did, thank you! -Thank you very much. Which station should we go next? We're heading towards Nagasaki, right? -It's the blue line, right? -More stations named Hizen. Many stations are named Hizen.

-There are six of them. What do we do? -That's true. Let's advance a lot here. -Advance a lot? -All the way to here. To Isahaya? -Let's go to Isahaya. -It's a big station.

-Yes. -We'll advance a lot. -Let's keep going. -Let's do that. They'll now advance a lot and go to Isahaya Station, 15 stops away.

The train runs along the Ariake Sea, and enters the third prefecture of the trip, Nagasaki Prefecture. -Is this the one? -Is it? -Platform number three. -Yes. Let's go in. Hello. (12:13 pm) We should decide what we should do next. Next station will be quite big, right? That's right.

Isahaya City is... I believe it's where Mr Koji Yakusho is from. -Really? -Will we get to meet him? Mr Koji Yakusho is a super star from Isahaya City. -Impressive. -Nice. -Shall we split into two teams again? -Should we? -Two teams. -But... -we should have a meal there, right? -Yes, I'd love to.

-I'd like to eat with four of us together. -Yes. That sounds good. Okay, let's eat with four of us together. At the next station, if possible, it would be great to find three entries.

-It'll make it easier for us. -It'll be safer for us. Okay, let's eat with four of us together. While we're eating, or before we eat, let's try to find some information. We'll get two recommendations.

-Then we'll split up. -Then... -After we eat. -We split up. -That sounds good. -We'll go to see famous spots.

-We'll do that in teams. -That'd be good. -Then we'll have three entries. -Good idea! Let's do that.

Once it passes Hizen-Kashima Station, the train runs along the Ariake Sea. Look at that! -It's the sea! -It's the sea! -Yes. -How wonderful. -It's a great view. -We're so close. -The view appeared suddenly. -Yes, it did.

It came and disappeared suddenly. It'll be like that throughout. -Until Isahaya. -Really? That's great.

Impressive. It's so pretty! So pretty! Is that seaweed? The sea is very calm. Yes, it is. -No wind, and the weather is nice. -It's peaceful.

This kind of weather is rare. -It's peaceful. -You want to go? Is that for seaweed? This is Ariake Sea. -Is that seaweed? -Seaweed? -I think so. -Seaweed. -Seaweed farm? -I wonder.

Ariake seaweed. (Ariake Sea has the largest annual production of cultured seaweed) We can see it well. -Amazing. -It's breathtaking. The train finally enters Nagasaki Prefecture. (Mount Unzen) -We're arriving soon. -Really?

But before that... -We'll enquire? -Yes. Are there people around? On the train, they ask for recommendations on restaurants around the station.

-Hello. -Hello. -Where are you going? -To Nagasaki. -To Nagasaki? -Yes.

Do you know any good place to have lunch in Isahaya? Any great gourmet food that we should try? If you want gourmet food, -you can get eels. -Eels? Really? Isahaya is known for their eels. Kitamikado. -Kitamikado? -Yes. Kappo Kitamikado.

Kappo Kitamikado. There's another place called Uosou. -Do you recommend it? -Which one would be quicker? Quicker? In that case, you should go to Uosou. -Uosou? -Yes. Uosou is about five to ten minutes away from the station. Is Uosou the closest? -Yes, it is. -Uosou.

How do you get to Uosou? -Do you know? -From the station, -get to the national road. -To the national road. Keep walking along the national road. There's a Lawson there, so it's easy. From there, continue going up.

There'll be Nonakagogyo. -It's a chiropractic clinic. -I see. -Turn left there. -Left. We just need to find the Nonakagogyo clinic. That's true. After enjoying the great view of Ariake Sea, our travellers finally arrive at Isahaya Station.

(Isahaya Station) -Have we arrived at Isahaya? -Already? -Thank you very much. -Thank you very much. Thank you for the thorough explanation. It's very crowded. Their goal is to find three entries at Isahaya Station.

First, they will have lunch. It's already two o'clock. It was a long train ride. The lunch hour might be over now. -Oh, no. -Many close at two o'clock.

-That's true. -Yes. Which train should we take next? This one? -The one at 4:11. -4:11. It's on the national road.

-That's right. -So... Excuse me. -National road. -Uosou. -We'd like to go to Uosou. -A restaurant named Uosou. Is it that way? -Okay, I see. -That's good.

-I made a mistake. -That's fine. This way? -It the national road this way? -Is it easy to go? There. It's the road you'll reach when you go straight. -It's this way. Thank you very much. -Turn right on the road. -It's the other way. -Yes. -I see a poster with eels on it. -Oh, yeah.

-I didn't know eel was famous here. -I had no idea. (Eel is famous!) Is the national road this way? The national road? The national road? Which one? -The national road. -The national road. -We want to go to Uosou. -Yes, to Uosou. -Uosou is that way. -Thank you very much.

-Is it famous? -Yes, very! -It's very famous. -Is it good? -Yes, it is. -That's great! Would they be open now? I think they're still open.

-Thank you. -Bye. Thank you very much. It's definitely this way. Okay, let's go! Is that the national road? -Let's go this way. -Let's ask someone. -Lawson. -It's on the Lawson side? -Is there anybody around? -Where's the national road? -Excuse me. -Excuse me.

Do you know the eel restaurant called Uosou? Go straight and turn left at the intersection. -Turn left at the intersection. -Left. -Thank you very much. -Thank you.

This is great. -Everyone knows. -It's famous. -Everyone knows about it. -Yes. -It's great. -I'm very happy. -I see a chiropractic clinic. -Do you?

-There it is. -It's a large clinic. Nonakagogyo. It's a great chiropractic clinic. -This is what he meant. -Nonaka chiropractic clinic.

I hope they're open. I hope so too. -I hope so too. -Please.

-I hope they'll accept to be filmed too. -Yes, that too. -Do you see it? -There it is. -There it is. -We found it! It's there. Just like what we heard.

It's huge. I don't see any cars parked here. Yes, I'm worried because there are no cars in the car park. -Is it closed? -I've got bad feelings.

We'll scream. -I'm not sure. -It'll be fine. It'll be fine. -It'll be fine. -It'll be fine. Their banner is out.

-I can smell it. They're open! -Yes! The first hurdle cleared. -Yes! -Let's go. I smell the great aroma. -Let's see. -Let's see. -Excuse me, this is BS Japan. -Sorry to bother you.

We're sorry for visiting so suddenly. We asked a local resident and he recommended this place. -He said your food was amazing. -He recommended it.

-We have a camera with us. -No problem. Are you sure? Thank you! -That's great. -We'll get our camera crew. -It's a large restaurant. -Welcome.

-It's huge. -It's huge. It's the biggest in Isahaya. -Is it really? -It's the biggest one. -It's so spacious. -As it was not the busy lunch hour, they gave our travellers permission to film.

It's a tatami section. Let's sit in there. What do you recommend? -Set meal with eel. -They recommend the set meal. The plate is heated, so the eel stays warm until the end. It stays warm? Every dish has eel in it. All four of them get the recommended eel set meal.

-This one? -Yes. (Eel and Japanese cuisine, Uosou) Uosou is a Japanese restaurant with 50 years of history. (Uosou) Eels grown in the natural waters of the Kirishima Mountains have been used since the establishment of the restaurant. (Eels grown in the natural waters of the Kirishima Mountains are used) This restaurant uses the Edo-mae style cooking. They steam unseasoned grilled eels to soften the flesh.

They then dip the eels in a secret sauce made with honey from Miyazaki Prefecture, and slowly grill the eels until there's a great aroma. Here it is! Thank you very much. Thank you very much. (Eel set meal, six pieces, 4,082 yen) Look at that.

Amazing. -It's incredible. -The steam is rising. -Thank you for it. -Thank you for it. Thank you for it. It's soft! There's a lot of sauce too. -It's plump. -The eel sauce.

It's great. -It's warm too. -Very good. We grill unseasoned eels first, and steam them.

We then put the sauce and grill, which makes them soft. They're steamed. It's incredible. -Very good. -Isn't it?

Eating plump eels using these rice bowls is something unique to Isahaya. There's hot water underneath. In Isahaya, there are five eel restaurants. -All the restaurants do this. -Is that so? The eighth entry in the guidebook, Uosou with 50 years of history which offers plump eels with a great aroma.

Our travellers are trying to find three entries at Isahaya Station. They ask the head chef if he has recommendations. Are there any places around here that you'd recommend? On Honmyo River, in the old times, there was a bridge called Meganebashi over the river. -Meganebashi? -You should go see it. I recommend it. When there was a big flood in Isahaya, the bridge was transferred to a park, and it's still displayed there.

-Can we walk to the park quickly? -Yes, it's close. Next, they also enquire the wife of the owner. -Meganebashi. -Meganebashi. We're greedy, so we are wondering if there is another thing we can see. You can go to Isahaya Shrine, which is just nearby. -Isahaya Shrine. -Isahaya Shrine

-There's a large camphor tree. -A tree? There's a large camphor tree. -It looks pretty there. -It looks pretty? It's very near. You can see it from here. I see it.

It's the part that looks like a hill? -It's near. -You can walk there. Which one would you like to go? Mr Aijima and Ms Matsumoto will go to Isahaya Shrine while Ms Morio and Abarerukun will go to Meganebashi. -Thank you. -Thank you for the food.

It was delicious. -It was incredible. -Yes, it was. It really was.

-See you at the station. -See you at the station. -See you later. Be safe. -See you later. -Thank you, it was great. -Thank you very much. -Thank you. -Thank you. -It was great, wasn't it? -Yes, it was.

It really was great. Let's go down here. -We'll get teleported. -Yes. This way, right? -This way. -And we go this way? -Thank you very much. So quick! -This way?

Please come again. -See you. -See you. Thank you! -Thank you very much. -Thank you. There's a river.

There's a river. -That's right. -What is it called? Honmyo River? I think we're here. I think so, because it says Shrine Office. -Nice. -It's so close.

It's close, isn't it? -Yes, it is. -All right, now... We need to ask for permission. That's right. Is this a camphor tree? This looks impressive.

-It's a huge camphor tree. -It is huge. -Is this the original tree? -I wonder. You know, -it looks like it'd bring us good luck. -Nice appearance. Look at this.

Isahaya Shrine, one of Isahaya's great spiritual sites, has a long history. It was established in the Nara period. There is a large group of camphor trees on the shrine ground.

The tallest one is 25 metres tall. The trunk circumference is 7.8 metres. In 1966, it was designated as a natural monument by Nagasaki Prefecture. It's designated as a natural monument by Nagasaki Prefecture. Isahaya Shrine's camphor trees.

They've been here since 728. That long? So they're over 1,000 years old! Impressive. -Incredible. -I can feel the history. I'll touch it.

-It looks impressive. -1,000 years old? Over 1,000 years? It says the year 700, right? -So it's over 1,000 years old. -Really? -I'm impressed. -Me too. Excellent. Amazing. I feel calm now.

-Me too. -Yes. The two also got red seals from Isahaya Shrine. This makes me happy. The ninth entry in the guidebook, Isahaya Shrine with its incredible camphor trees that are over 1,000 years old. In the meanwhile, here are Ms Morio and Abarerukun.

-There it is! -I see it! Meganebashi. It's a National Important Cultural Property! That's right! -Wait. -Is this it? It looks wonderful! (50 minutes till the 4:11 pm train) Our travellers go to the recommended Meganebashi at Isahaya Station.

I want a photo from this side. It looks wonderful. This is Meganebashi. Meganebashi in Isahaya Park was built about 170 years ago.

It's a stone bridge built in 1839. On the local Honmyo River, which often had floods, they built a sturdy bridge that wouldn't be swept away by floods by combining technologies of the time. It is twice as long as the famous Meganebashi in Nagasaki City, and is about 50 metres long. It was moved to its present location in 1960, but It has never been broken before, and has been revered as a permanently indestructible stone bridge.

-Make a wish when you walk on the bridge. -Really? Awesome. -Let's walk and make a wish. -Let's go.

Incredible. So impressive. They protected this bridge. Right? -What are they? -Donations? -This is in a way a shrine. -Right.

-Everyone makes a wish. -Yes. They make a wish. I wonder if people come to get good luck in love. -It's a great place that they told us. -Yes.

The tenth entry in the guidebook, an indestructible stone bridge, Isahaya's Meganebashi. Thank you for waiting. There you are. How did it go? -It was great. -How was Meganebashi? -It was incredible. -It really was.

Where do you want to go next, Yumi? We don't have many station before Nagasaki. Shall we find an accommodation? So maybe that station? Let's go to a big station. -Large stations would be better. -Kikitsu. -That's for sure. -Or we won't find accommodations. -Let's go to Kikitsu. -Kikitsu. -Let's go to Kikitsu. -Kikitsu.

Next, they will go to Kikitsu Station, two stops away, to find a place to stay. For you guys... They say goodbye to the guys here. It's time to hand over the baton to Ms Matsumoto and Ms Morio! -See you later. -Bye! -See you later! -See you later! It's less crowded.

Shall we go to the back? Sorry. Do you mind if we sit here? Thank you. Sorry. Sorry, is anyone else coming? Is it okay? -It's fine. -Okay, sorry. On your way back from school? No, I was at my driving school.

Driving school? -For driving cars? -Cars? -For a licence? -You're graduating soon? Congratulations! (4:11 pm) Thank you for using JR Kyushu. Have you gotten off at Kikitsu Station? Yes, I have. Is it a large station? No, it's average. -Average? -Average.

Is Isahaya bigger? -Yes, Isahaya is bigger. -I see. I'm getting a bit worried. In nine minutes, they arrive at Kikitsu Station. There's a step.

Here we go. There are many high school students. Yes, there are. Are there schools here? There's nothing here, Yumi. It's a residential area.

I'd like to come back after 10 years. Well... Wow, really? -Are they gathering signatures? -I don't think... there's much here. Wait, I think this is a shopping strip.

Shall we check it out? -There's a coffee shop. -Let's go ask. Hello. -Can we ask you some questions? -Hello. -We're filming a travel show. -Can our camera crew come in?

-Can they film us as we speak? -Is it okay? Really? They said okay. We're looking for accommodation in Kikitsu. -Accommodation? -That's right. If possible, a place with a hot spring and great food. Hot spring? Is there one near Kikitsu? -I don't think there are hot springs here. -No? Please wait.

Thank you, miss. One of the customers will ask the director of a dental clinic where she works. We came from Isahaya. He said that you could go to Ureshino hot spring. -Ureshino? -Where is Ureshino? -It's in Saga. -It's very far. It's very far.

-About 30 minutes on the highway. -In Saga? The highway? -Ureshino? -Maybe they pick up guests. Are there any places to stay here? There is a hotel right there.

It's a new hotel. Yes, it's new. -What is it called? -Kikitsu Station Hotel. -Station Hotel. -It's a business hotel.

I don't think we can find a place with a hot spring. -I think so. -At this hour? The director at my clinic is single, and he said you can come. To the hotel? No, to his house. The director's house? His house? Director's house? Really? If we can't find anything, maybe.

Are there good restaurants? -Restaurants? -There are many. -Really? -Yes. -Here, you have Itto. -Itto.

Itto. Itto. It's hard to get reservations. What kind of restaurant? -Creative cuisine. -Creative cuisine. There are other places.

-There's Kikitsu. -Kikitsu. -They offer fish dishes. -Okay. So it's either Itto or Kikitsu.

-Thank you very much. -Thank you very much. -That was helpful. -Say hi to the director. We've got a lot of information. What should we do now? -There are no hot springs in Kikitsu. -No. That won't work.

Our accommodation might not be considered an entry. So I'd like to find another entry before we get to our accommodation. But they told us that to go to Itto or Kikitsu, -we need a reservation. -Yes.

-We need to have the director do it. -It must be nice. Why don't we go there? Miss? Which clinic is it? Komine Dental Clinic. -Is he still there? -Yes, until seven.

Can we go there with you? -Sure. -Thank you. -Thank you very much. -Now... The director holds the key. -Here it is. -I'll remember this.

Their plan is to meet the director, the key person, and ask for recommendations on where to have dinner. Here it is. It looks nice.

There's a cute dog. -So cute. -No, no. Come here.

-Director. -Director. -Sorry for visiting suddenly. -Go ahead. -Restaurants? -Do you know? What's the name of the restaurant? It's called Itto. Do you often go there? Yes, I went there yesterday. Yesterday? It's reservation-only, so I need to call them.

-It's reservation-only. -Reservation-only I see his belly. -Hello? -Hi, Non. Hi there, this is Komine. -Are you closed? -Closed? -Oh, no. -Thank you. -They're closed. -Sorry for the trouble.

What do we do now? What should we do? -Non. -What should we do, Non? What should we do, Non? -How about Korean barbeque? -Korean barbeque? Do you recommend it too? They called me saying they got good meat today. When they get good meat, -they give you a call? -They give you a call? Not always. -They got aitchbone meat. -Aitchbone meat. They've got aitchbone meat.

I think you'll be surprised. -Surprised? -Yes, when you go there. What's the store called? -Taisho. -Taisho. -The director might go there too. -Really?

Sure, they got aitchbone meat. Can we follow you, Director? Maybe you can take us there? Sure, I'd be happy to. Really? The director is going to take the two to the Korean barbeque shop. -Shall we get rooms first? -Sure.

-Let's check with Station Hotel. -Sure. Okay. Non is saying something. Yes, he is. Thank you for calling, this is Kikitsu Station Hotel.

Sorry, I'd like to ask a question. Do you have two non-smoking rooms available? One person in each room. Yes, we do. Okay, I'd like to book these rooms then. Certainly.

-We'll come back at 6:30 pm. -Okay. -Thank you. -Thank you. Subtitles: SDI Media Group

2021-07-07 23:34

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