Iizuka, Japan
Region: Fukuoka
Geographic Coordinates: 33.650000, 130.683000
Temperature Range: -15.0°C to 35.0°C (5°F to 95°F)
Climate: Cold winters and warm summers with moderate rainfall throughout the year.
Population: 126136
Language: Japanese
Iizuka is a charming city located in the Fukuoka Prefecture of Japan. It is situated on the western side of Kyushu Island and has a population of approximately 120, 000 people. The city boasts a rich cultural heritage and offers visitors an opportunity to experience traditional Japanese customs and practices. One of the most notable attractions in Iizuka is the Iizuka Castle Ruins. This historical site was once home to one of Japan’s most powerful feudal lords, Kuroda Nagamasa. Visitors can explore the ruins and learn about its history through various displays and exhibitions.
Another popular destination in Iizuka is Sarayama Park, Which offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains and countryside. The park features walking trails, Picnic areas, Playgrounds for children, And even a small zoo. For those interested in Japanese culture, Iizuka has several traditional festivals throughout the year. One such festival is called Oyama Shrine Festival which takes place annually in May or June where locals parade through town carrying portable shrines called mikoshi. Iizuka also has many historic temples that are worth visiting including Shofukuji Temple which was established by Zen master Eisai during Kamakura period (1185-1333).
It was one of the first Zen temples built in Japan. Food lovers will appreciate Iizuka’s local cuisine which includes tonkotsu ramen – a type of ramen noodle soup made with pork bones broth that originated from Fukuoka prefecture. Another popular dish is karashi mentaiko – spicy cod roe served with rice or noodles. for those looking for adventure activities while visiting Iizuka can head to Mount Kiyomizu for hiking trails or enjoy water sports like kayaking at Lake Ongagawa nearby town Nakama City.
Overall, Iizuka provides visitors with an authentic Japanese experience that is steeped in history, Culture, And natural beauty. Its friendly locals, Delicious cuisine and unique attractions make it a must-visit destination for anyone traveling to the Fukuoka Prefecture of Japan.
Major Industries and Businesses in Iizuka, Japan
- Steel production
- Nippon Steel Corporation’s Iizuka Works
- Chemical manufacturing
- Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation
- Denka Company Limited
- Automotive parts manufacturing
- Sumitomo Riko Company Limited
- NOK Corporation
- Electronics manufacturing
- Panasonic Corporation
- Toshiba Electronic Devices & Storage Corporation
- Food processing
- Ajinomoto Co., Inc.
- Retail
- Large department stores
- Small specialty shops
- Healthcare
- Several hospitals and clinics
- Tourism
- Historical landmarks such as the ruins of Fukuoka Castle
- Battle of Ichi-no-Tani: This battle happened during the Genpei War between Taira and Minamoto clans in 1184, and it is believed that some parts of the battle took place in Iizuka.
- Kiyomasa Kato: He was a renowned samurai warrior born in Iizuka in 1562. He served under Toyotomi Hideyoshi and played a vital role in many battles during the Sengoku period.
- Shigenobu Okuma: He was an eminent politician who served as Japan’s Prime Minister twice, from 1898 to 1900 and from 1914 to 1916. He co-founded Waseda University, which has a campus located in Iizuka.
- Fukuoka Prefectural University: This university is situated in Iizuka and offers programs related to engineering, agriculture, and environmental science.
- Coal mining industry: In the late 19th century, coal mining became an essential industry for Iizuka due to its rich coal reserves. Many people migrated to the city to work as miners or support staff for mining companies.
- Japanese Red Cross Society Hospital: Dr Saburo Kojima established this hospital after returning from studying medicine abroad at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine; he was born in Iizuka.
- Tsukushi Shrine: This shrine is dedicated to Emperor Jinmu (the mythical first emperor of Japan) and founded over a thousand years ago by Kiyomasa Kato’s son-in-law.
- Takada Castle ruins are located on top of Mt.Takada overlooking iIzuka city.
- Iizuka City Folk Museum showcases the history, culture, and traditional crafts of Iizuka city.
- Kaho Theater is a historic theater built in 1935 that still hosts performances of traditional Japanese theater, music, and dance.
- Iizuka Castle Ruins are the remains of a castle built in the 16th century by Kuroda Yoshitaka, a general under Oda Nobunaga.
- Kyushu Ceramic Museum showcases the history and artistry of ceramics from the Kyushu region.
- Tachibana Shrine is dedicated to Emperor Ojin who visited Iizuka during his reign in ancient times.
- Hiraodai Nature Observation Center offers guided tours of Hiraodai Plateau Park where visitors can see unique limestone formations and rare plants.
- Fukuoka Prefectural Museum of Art features modern art exhibitions from both Japanese and international artists and is easily accessible by train or car just outside Iizuka city limits.
- Seinan Gakuin University Chapel was designed by architect Antonin Raymond and boasts stunning stained glass windows depicting scenes from the Bible as well as Japanese folklore stories.
- Avispa Fukuoka – a professional football club established in 1982 and based in Fukuoka City. The team has been playing in the J.League since 1996.
- V-Varen Nagasaki – another professional football club based in Nagasaki City with strong support from fans across the region including Iizuka.
- Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks – a professional baseball team located in Fukuoka City and part of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB). The team has won several championships including the Japan Series.
- Kyuden Volleyball Club – a women’s volleyball team from Kyushu Electric Power Company that has won multiple national titles.
These are just some examples of sports teams that hold regional significance to Iizuka and its neighboring communities within Fukuoka Prefecture and Kyushu Island more broadly speaking.
- Iizuka Festival is an annual event in October that showcases traditional Japanese performances such as taiko drumming and dance.
- Iizuka Hina Matsuri is a doll festival celebrated in March, where families display ornamental dolls to pray for the health and happiness of their daughters.
- Iizuka Cherry Blossom Festival takes place in early April when the town’s cherry trees are in full bloom, allowing visitors to enjoy hanami (picnicking under the cherry blossoms).
- Koinobori Festival is held on Children’s Day (May 5th) and celebrates children’s health and happiness with colorful carp-shaped windsocks flown throughout the town.
- Iizuka Fireworks Festival takes place every August, featuring a spectacular fireworks display over the river.
- Otsunahiki Matsuri is held every five years, where teams of hundreds compete to pull a giant rope over 200 meters long in a tug-of-war festival.
- Kyushu Danji Matsuri is an annual folk dance festival held throughout Kyushu region, including Iizuka city which features dancers wearing traditional costumes performing local dances.
- Nishitetsu Tenjin Omuta Summer Festival is one of Japan’s largest summer festivals near Iizuka city with thousands of people participating from all over Japan showcasing their respective regions’ cultural heritage through music and dance performances along with food stalls selling delicious local delicacies!
- Unagi (eel) dishes at Kappo Yamashita.
- Tonkotsu ramen at Ippudo.
- Soba noodles at Hana no Ki.
- Yakitori (grilled chicken skewers) at Torikichi.
- Tempura dishes at Tenya.
- Mentaiko (spicy cod roe) dishes at Hakata Mentaiju.
- Yakiniku (Japanese BBQ) at Hanamasa.
- Okonomiyaki (savory pancake) and monjayaki dishes at Isshin-Tei.
- Oden (stewed fish cakes and vegetables) at Odenya Marukatsu.
- Sushi and sashimi dishes at Sushiro’s restaurant.
- Iizuka Central Park is a large park that boasts a pond, walking trails, and sports facilities like tennis courts and baseball fields.
- The Iizuka Sports Center is an indoor sports complex with facilities for basketball, volleyball, badminton, and table tennis.
- Kaho Park is a small park that has playground equipment for children and benches for relaxation.
- Shimojuku Park offers cherry blossom trees in the springtime and has a walking trail that leads to the top of a hill for scenic views.
- The Iizuka Cycling Road is an exclusive cycling path running through the city’s countryside offering views of rice paddies and mountains.
- The Iizuka City Gymnasium hosts basketball games, martial arts tournaments, and other events in its indoor sports facility.
- Tsukushi Shrine Forest Park surrounds Tsukushi Shrine with forested areas perfect for hiking or picnicking.
- Ongagawa River Cycling Road provides another cycling path along the Ongagawa River offering beautiful scenery along its route.
- Mizunashi Kaihin Park is perfect if you want to enjoy fishing or just take in the ocean view as it’s located on the seaside.
- Tsukiyama Ryokuchi is a Japanese garden where you can relax after exploring all these parks!
