Teramachi (Kurume City)

Teramachi is a Kurume City-center town that, as the name suggest, sits flanked with temples on both sides. In the Edo period, the Kurume Domain gathered 26 temples here for the defense of Kurume Castle, 17 of which remain today.

Many notable figures in Fukuoka's history are buried here, including names like the Edo-era philosopher Takayama Hikokuro, who greatly influenced figures like Yoshida Shoin and Takasugi Shinsaku during the Bakumatsu period. Other notable individuals include the horticulturist Sakamoto Motozo, who created the Kurume Azalea, and the Western-style painter Koga Harue, who was active during the Taisho and Showa periods.
A recommended walk is the Kasuri no Komichi (Path of the Kurume Kasuri), which connects landmarks related to the famed Kurume Kasuri textile, including the Shojin-ji Temple, which houses the tomb of Inoue Den, the founder of Kurume Kasuri, and the old Kunitake Kasuri Warehouse in Hiyoshi-machi.

Stroll through the townscape to see and feel the intriguing atmosphere of the Edo period, almost as if time as stopped. The area makes for a great photo backdrop that looks like quintessential Japan, which is why so many shutterbugs tend to flock here. Set easily just steps away from Nishitetsu Kurume Station, this coveted destination is an easy drop off to add-on along your travels.