Kurume: Exploring the Birthplace of Tonkotsu Ramen via Taihou Ramen and Kora Taisha

A gourmet course through Fukuoka Prefecture's Kurume City—known as the birthplace of tonkotsu ramen—where you can eat, walk, take in the views, and savor everything this charming town has to offer. Begin your morning with a visit to Suiten Shrine (水天宮), the head shrine of all Suiten Shrines nationwide, located on the banks of the Chikugo River, where you can pay respects to the deity of safe childbirth and child-rearing. At lunch, taste the essence of Kurume ramen at the long-established Taihou Ramen Honten (大砲ラーメン本店), where the signature "yobimodoashi" broth—enriched continuously since its founding—captures the soul of this ramen birthplace in every bowl. After your meal, enjoy a leisurely stroll through the rose garden and Japanese garden at the Ishibashi Cultural Center (石橋文化センター), a cultural facility generously donated by Bridgestone's founder. In the afternoon, ascend to Koura Taisha (高良大社), the foremost shrine of Chikugo Province, where the sweeping views of the Chikugo Plain from the mountainside are truly spectacular and the perfect finale to your exploration. Complete your journey at Michi-no-Eki Kurume (道の駅くるめ), hunting for local souvenir flavors and refreshing yourself with freshly made milk gelato. Discover the profound appeal of the ramen town in a single unforgettable day.