Explore Yame, Fukuoka: a City of Crafts and Tradition
Many people come to Japan for glitzy lights and the bustling craze typically found in the streets of Osaka and Tokyo. But far away on the island of Kyushu, a small city called Yame offers visitors a very different scene.
In Yame’s Fukushima District, traditional white-washed buildings line the quiet streets. Walking through, one may see a craftsman diligently working to perfect their trade. A place for merchants and crafts during the Edo period, Yame is a hidden gem, especially for those interested in Japanese art, architecture, and tea.
An Immersive Stay at an Inn Steeped in Traditional Crafts
One of the best places to enjoy the beauty of Yame and the crafts of the area is at Craft Inn 手 (pronounced Craft Inn Te). Learn more about this unique accommodation and why you might want to add a trip to Yame during your next visit to Fukuoka.
Book a stay at Craft Inn 手 [té] here!
- Craft Inn 手 [té] – Traditional Inn in Yame
- The Indigo Room
- Getting to Craft Inn Te
- Things to Do in (and Around) Yame
- Final Thoughts
- Other Fukuoka Day Trips and Weekend Trips
This post contains affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission if you purchase through my links, at no extra cost to you. Please read the full disclosure for more information. Additionally, I received a discount for this stay as I am affiliated with the establishment. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Craft Inn 手 [té] – Traditional Inn in Yame
Craft Inn 手 [té] is a Japanese-style inn that immerses its guests in a world of traditional Japanese crafts, particularly those of woodwork, bamboo-work, indigo textiles, lanterns, and washi paper.
Inside the renovated traditional building, guests will find welcoming and spacious two-story rooms filled with furnishings and decorations that highlight the work of the local craftspeople. Think indigo-dyed tapestries and tables, bamboo woven chairs, and washi paper sliding doors.
There are two different rooms to stay in at Craft Inn Te: the Indigo Room and the Bamboo Room. True to their name, each showcases crafts and furnishings made by local artisans.
A stay at Craft Inn Te is different than at a standard hotel, as the purpose is to interact and immerse yourself in the art.
Sip Yamecha (tea made in the Yame region) and enjoy sweets over a beautiful, indigo-dyed table, or cozy up with a book about Kyushu crafts while sitting atop a handwoven bamboo chair.
These are just some examples of how you can enjoy yourself and the uniquely designed spaces at Craft Inn Te.
The Indigo Room
With such distinctive rooms to choose from, it can be hard to decide where to spend the night. You can’t go wrong though since both are fantastic spaces.
Upon entering the inn, you are greeted with rows of books and products made by local artisans. These can be browsed during your stay.
The entrance of the Indigo Room has beautiful wood designs and is very spacious.
Unique to the Indigo Room is a breathtaking indigo-dyed woven tapestry, hand-woven seat cushions featuring striking geometric designs, and other touches of indigo-dyed art.
The large tatami room is clean and wide, accented with pieces of art that burst with history and story.
Tatami Room
The first floor of the room features a big tatami area for dining and relaxing. In the center of the room is a large wooden table, tinted deep blue as it was dyed in indigo.
Atop this table, learn to brew delicious local tea and enjoy a colorful breakfast in the morning.
Bathroom
Wood floors lead from the tatami room to the bathroom. The main star here is the large cedar bath, which was made by a local bucket producer. When filled, it is a great place to unwind from the day.
Bedroom and Lounge
Upstairs, past the wooden sliding doors, is the sleeping space where fluffy futon beds await.
There is also a small space for lounging, complete with another indigo-dyed table.
In this space, enjoy flipping through books about the building’s renovation and Kyushu crafts.
Craft Inn Te was not only a place to enjoy and relax, but a place where one can deepen their learning and appreciation for Japanese traditional crafts.
In the evening, after relaxing in the cedar bath, cozy up in the provided room wear. While yukatas – long thin robes – are typically provided at ryokans, at Craft Inn Te, soft cotton shirts, flowy Monpe pants, and a poofy and warm hanten jacket are provided. (The roomwear changes with the seasons.)
The hanten jacket is the Japanese equivalent of a short western bathrobe. It is warm but easy to move in, making it perfect winter wear for around the home.
Room notes: Stairs separate the sleeping room and bathroom and the walls are on the thin side. The streets of Yame were relatively quiet so it was not a problem, but if other guests are noisy, you may be able to hear them.
Meals
Dinner is not included in the room, but there are local restaurants nearby that one can dine at.
Some options include Tsuruya (udon), Hitosara (a restaurant owned by a sake shop), and Sakata (an izakaya). Places can fill up, so make reservations early.
In the morning, breakfast is served in the first-floor tatami room. Remove the lid from the bamboo basket to be met with an assortment of colorfully prepared, nutritious dishes.
Have fun trying all the small bites of food, savoring the flavors and unique textures of each. Breakfast in Japan is much different than in Western countries, so this is a great way to experience an interesting cultural difference!
Getting to Craft Inn Te
While the easiest and most direct way to get to Craft Inn Te is by car, it can still be accessed by public transportation.
Using the JR Line:
- From Hakata Station: Take the Kyushu Shinkansen to Kurume JR Station (about 17 min)
- From JR Kurume Station: Take Bus #31 or #32 headed for the Yame Bus office until Nishi Tojin-machi. (about 1 hour)
- From Nishi Tojin-machi, it is about a 5 minutes walk to Craft Inn Te.
Using the Nishitetsu Line:
- From Tenjin Station: Take the Nishitetsu train to Nishitetsu Kurume Station (Tenjin <-> Omuta line)
- From Nishitetsu Kurume Station: Take Bus #31 or #32 headed for the Yame Bus office until Nishi Tojin-machi. (about 40 minutes)
- From Nishi Tojin-machi, it is about a 5 minutes walk to Craft Inn Te.
Things to Do in (and Around) Yame
In addition to staying in the Indigo room, there are other things to do in Yame during your stay! For example, you can participate in an Indigo dyeing workshop tour and experience. This can be arranged by the staff at Craft Inn Te, which makes things easy and straightforward.
Learn more about the indigo dyeing experience! (Visit the tour page and sign up for yourself here)
Yame is also famous for its high-quality gyokuro green tea and draws enthusiasts from around the world. With a car, you can visit specialty tea areas like Hoshino Furasato Tea Museum and view the sprawling tea fields at the Yame Central Tea Plantation.
If you have a bike, you can peddle your way there too! (Bikes with gears or electric bikes recommended).
Make, taste, and purchase Yamecha near Craft Inn Te at places like Maruyasabou and Yabeya Konomi Honke, the oldest tea wholesaler in Kyushu, dating back to the 1700s.
If you are traveling in a large group, here is another fantastic experience where you get to dye and weave your own small indigo coaster.
When it comes to souvenirs, Unagi no Nedoko is the perfect place to stop by. Here you will find a wide assortment of products made by local producers. If you liked any of the products in the room during your stay at Craft Inn Te, you can most likely find them here to purchase for yourself.
There are two Unagi no Nedoko stores along the same street. This one sells mostly home goods, while this one sells more clothing items.
There are other small shops around the town area, so make sure to explore!
I picked up a beautiful paper lamp at a store called Cocolan. It features delicately hand-painted designs on a soft washi background.
Final Thoughts
I’ve stayed in various ryokans around Japan, but Craft Inn Te is certainly special in how traditional Japanese crafts and culture can be enjoyed in such an intimate way.
From the delicious breakfast rich in color and nutrients to the furnishings that highlighted the indigo work of local craftsmen, the entire experience was overall very lovely. My mom, who traveled with me, said it was her highlight of the trip!
Sound like a place you want to experience yourself? Book here!
Other Fukuoka Day Trips and Weekend Trips
I hope this guide was helpful in learning more about a fantastic place to stay in Yame, Fukuoka! This area makes for a great weekend trip especially if paired with tea tasting or an indigo experience.
See my recommendations for other trips in and around Kyushu below!
- 20 Must-Do Things in Fukuoka – Recommendations by a Local
- Kurokawa Onsen Village: Onsen Hopping and Overnight Stay – Take a dip in the many onsens of Kurokawa.
- 10+ Best Weekend Trips From Fukuoka, Kyushu – A collection of places to visit when you’re in Kyushu!
- Miyajima Island in 24 hours – Here are my recommendations if you have a day to spend on Hiroshima’s Miyajima Island.
- Biking Around Sakurajima: A Complete Guide – Take a bike ride around Sakurajima, Kagoshima’s active volcano.