Bus Tour

Yesterday we went on a bus tour to Tosu City, which is towards Nagasaki. 

First stop was Makino Tenmanguu Shrine where the Wisteria was the draw card.

The photo shows the very old thick trunk.  I learned some history from Toshiko this morning. Very briefly, this shrine, and many other Tenmanguu shrines in Japan were built for what we might say, "the repose of the soul" of Michizane Suguwara (Lived 845-903). This man was an aristocrat, an academic, a poet and a holder of many government positions. He fell out of favour and lost his position. He was sent from his home in Kyoto to Kyushu. After his "lonely death", the following drought, plague, lightning, floods and deaths of some of the emperor's children were believed to be the result of angry spirit of Michizane. They then built shrines and posthumously restored his title and office. 

Next was lunch at a restaurant that had beautiful gardens. It was called Hanayashiki, a steak restaurant. Toshiko pre-ordered a fish meal for me.

Last stop was the height of the day, the garden and buildings of Ku Nen An. "Ku nen" means 9 years  and "an" means a villa. The rich banker took 9 years to make his "holiday house". These grounds are open to the public twice a year, a few days in spring and in autumn. 
Real thatched roof and an 800 year old camphor tree.