Here are some recommended spots for enjoying Kurume to the fullest and having a great time, as suggested by employees.

Mount Kora, standing at an elevation of 312 meters, is located on the western side of the Minoh Mountain Range.
Near the summit is Kora Taisha , an ancient shrine representing the Chikugo region.

It is located about a 20-minute drive from Nishitetsu Kurume Station.

Ascending the stone steps reveals a sweeping panorama overlooking Kurume City.
On clear days, the Chikugo Plain spreads endlessly before you, while evenings offer a magical spectacle where soft orange light bathes the town.
As dusk falls, the nightscape begins to sparkle, making it a destination where every hour reveals a different appeal.

Also, the road leading to the summit seems popular with those who love to drive!

The mountain path, where the dappled sunlight filters through in sparkling rhythms, offers the perfect change of pace as you escape to nature.

Kora Taisha Shrine

Official website: http://www.kourataisya.or.jp/
Phone number: +81-942-43-4893
Address: 1 Miimachi, Kurume, Fukuoka
*22-minute drive from Nishitetsu Kurume Station/15-minute drive from JR Kyudai Main Line Mii Station

Open map

*All information is current as of October 2025. Please check the official website for the latest information.

The Ishibashi Cultural Center is a destination for culture and relaxation.
Kurume is also the birthplace of Bridgestone, and this center was donated by its founder, Shojiro Ishibashi.

This is a popular destination for local employees, offering a beautiful garden to enjoy throughout the seasons, along with an attached art museum and library.

The garden at Ishibashi Cultural Center allows you to savor the changing seasons.
Spring brings vibrant blooms of cherry blossoms and tulips, while summer deepens with lush greenery.
Autumn paints the garden with maple leaves and a rose garden, and winter sparkles with illuminations.

The Kurume City Art Museum displays many works by artists connected to Kyushu.
It offers an inviting atmosphere for art lovers and those who do not usually visit museums.
From February 14 to May 24, 2026, the museum will hold a special exhibition “New Horizons of Beauty—The Latest Collection of Artizon Museum, Ishibashi Foundation” to commemorate its 10th anniversary.

Additionally, the Shojiro Ishibashi Memorial Museum, which has been undergoing renovation, will also reopen on February 14, 2026, coinciding with its 10th anniversary and featuring completely renewed exhibits and facilities.

The Ishibashi Cultural Center, which was mentioned many times in the survey, seems to be a place of relaxation for local residents.

Since it is close to the station, if you are staying at a hotel near the station on a business trip, you might consider refreshing yourself with an early morning stroll at the center.

Ishibashi Cultural Center
Opening hours: 9:00 to 17:00 (Free entry)
*Opening hours extended until 18:00 in March, April, and September/Opening hours extended until 19:00 from May to August
*The garden is open year-round.
Official website: https://www.ishibashi-bunka.jp/
Phone number: +81-942-33-2271

Kurume City Art Museum & Shojiro Ishibashi Memorial Museum
Closed: Mondays (Open on national holidays and substitute holidays), year-end holidays (subject to change annually), and exhibition changeover periods

Official websites
Kurume City Art Museum: https://www.ishibashi-bunka.jp/kcam/
Shojiro Ishibashi Memorial Museum: https://www.ishibashi-bunka.jp/kinenkan/
Phone number: +81-942-39-1131
Address: 1015 Nonakamachi, Kurume, Fukuoka
*5-minute drive from Nishitetsu Kurume Station/8-minute drive from JR Kurume Station

*All information is current as of October 2025. Please check the official websites for details on other facilities and the latest information.

Just a five-minute walk from Kyushu Development Center!
This is the factory outlet store of Japanese and Western confectionary maker Awashimado.

Seasonal sweets line the shelves, and since they are shipped directly from the distribution center, you can enjoy them at reasonable prices.
With affordable prices and a wide variety of confectionery, it is the perfect shop to visit for a quick change of pace or snack time.
It is also conveniently accessible from Kyushu Development Center, so it is a great spot to casually stop by after lunch during business trips!

Awashimaru Kurume/Ukiha Logistics Center Factory Outlet

Opening hours: 9:00 to 16:45
Closed: None (excluding year-end holidays)
Phone number: +81-943-73-7587
Address: 10-1 Akinari, Tanushimarumachi, Kurume City, Fukuoka Prefecture
*5-minute walk from the Kyushu Development Center

Open map

*All information is current as of October 2025.

Amidst the peaceful countryside scenery stands a giant kappa, commanding attention with its imposing and commanding presence!!

Its true identity is...

There is a giant kappa at the closest station to the Kyushu Development Center! Can you believe it?

JR Kyudai Main Line Tanushimaru Station features a unique design where the entire station building is modeled after a kappa! It is beloved as a symbol of the town.

Kappa are hidden all over the station, giving it a playful vibe.
First-time visitors cannot help but get excited!

That said, some might wonder, “Why kappa?”

The truth is, the Tanushimaru area has long been home to numerous kappa legends, deeply rooted in the local culture.
And representing this kappa culture is...

Kuruppa is a splendid kappa born in Kurume City’s Chikugo River, serving as the “Shining Kurume City Publicity Manager.”
With a slightly laidback, approachable look, it subtly boosts Kurume’s reputation.
With its adorable expression and form, you cannot help but feel excited!

In Kurume, you can spot Kuruppa all over the place. Every time I found one, I’d say, “It’s Kuruppa!” and slowly grew more attached...
After returning from Kurume, I missed Kuruppa so much that I bought a mascot keychain from their online shop!

At the lobby of Kyushu Development Center, a perfectly round and fluffy Kuruppa will greet you.

Listening to the genuine opinions of everyone at the Kyushu Development Center, I explored Kurume with local employee Osaka-san. The more I walked, the more I truly understood the meaning behind the phrase, “Kurume is a great place.”

The spots we visited had a warmth that naturally draws you back in daily life. The occasional dialect was soothing, creating moments where my mind could just relax.
I hope this article helps you feel closer to the Kyushu Development Center.

Since there are still so many more appealing aspects of Kurume we could not cover here, if you are interested, please visit and explore for yourself!