Obi Castle Town

Called the Kyoto of Kyushu, this former castle town of the Ito clan preserves white-walled samurai residences and stone-paved lanes beneath towering cedar trees. The castle's Otemon gate leads to a grove of massive old-growth cedars planted 400 years ago. A walking-tour ticket includes entry to samurai houses, a historical museum, and four obi-tempura coupons, the town's signature deep-fried fish cake made with local tofu.