I visited the Kyushu Correctional Exhibition at Fukuoka Prison. The exhibition at the prison wasn’t just about touring the facility; there were also various experience corners, including the sale of items made by the inmates, workshops for making straw sandals and pottery on a spinning wheel. It was quite enjoyable! Before going, I thought I might spend around 2 hours there, but ended up having fun for about 5 hours and returned home. This event was enjoyable for both adults and children. In this article, I will share my experience of participating in the Kyushu Correctional Exhibition at Fukuoka Prison in Umi Town, Fukuoka Prefecture.
Contents
Basic Information
- Facility: Fukuoka Prison
- Address: 6-1 Shouji-dake South 6-chome 1, Umi Town, Kasuya District, Fukuoka Prefecture, 811-2126
- Hours: 9:30 AM to 4:00 PM (last day until 3:30 PM)
- Website: Ministry of Justice: Information on the 36th Kyushu Correctional Exhibition
Getting to Fukuoka Prison and Kyushu Correctional Exhibition
A shuttle bus was available from JR Umi Station, the nearest train station. For those traveling by car, there was a free parking lot on the rooftop of the prison. While it’s not located directly on a major road, it’s easily accessible by driving a short distance through a residential area. This makes it convenient even for those who aren’t comfortable with driving. The prison offered a panoramic view all the way to the Genkai Sea, providing a great vantage point.
A Wide Range of Goods for Sale at Kyushu Correctional Exhibition
Items ranging from vegetables to furniture were being sold. I initially thought that the items were only produced at Fukuoka Prison, but there were products from prisons all over the country. For example, bags from Hakodate Prison, leather shoes from Kobe, green tea from Kagoshima, and more. My family purchased a large amount of green tea for 1,000 yen. There were also small items made from Yakushima cedar that were quite appealing.
Must-Try Experience Corners at Kyushu Correctional Exhibition
Surprisingly Rewarding: Pottery Wheel Experience
With the guidance of an instructor, you could enjoy making pottery using a spinning wheel. It took about 10 to 15 minutes to complete. This experience corner was incredibly popular. When I visited around 10:30 AM, there was already a one-hour wait. When it’s your turn, you select the pattern you want to create on the pottery and then work with the instructor to shape it. The instructor guides you step by step, making adjustments if needed, resulting in a reasonably shaped piece. Unfortunately, there was no time to fire the pottery, so the pieces were unfinished and couldn’t be used for meals. However, they could serve as key holders or decorative items. And the best part, this pottery wheel experience was completely free!
Challenging but Rewarding: Straw Sandal Making Experience
I also tried making straw sandals using cloth, which took about 90 minutes for one pair. The materials for the other pair were provided, so you could finish it at home. At first, I didn’t realize it would take a full 90 minutes. Even though the instructor provided careful guidance, I ended up quite exhausted. Creating the sandals required attention to detail, such as the strength of the weaving and the handling of the cloth’s edges. This made each step demanding, and I lost focus after about 30 minutes. The finished straw sandals were impressive. They were sold at the exhibition for just 600 yen, which felt like a bargain considering the skill and patience required to make them.
Plan Ahead for the Popular Fukuoka Prison Tour
Unfortunately, I couldn’t participate in the tour inside Fukuoka Prison due to its popularity. The prison tour is in high demand every year, and people inquire about when the tour tickets will be distributed starting days in advance. You need to line up about 30 minutes to an hour before the distribution time of the tour tickets. During the tour, no personal belongings are allowed. Even carrying mobile phones is prohibited. While lockers are available for storage, they are not large, so it’s best to keep your belongings compact.
In Conclusion
The Kyushu Correctional Exhibition held at Fukuoka Prison in Umi City was an event that both adults and children could enjoy. You could purchase affordable food items like green tea and sweet potatoes, as well as furniture and more. Additionally, the experience corners provided a unique opportunity to try various activities at a low cost. While I sadly missed out on the popular prison tour this time, I plan to line up in advance on my next visit to get a glimpse of the inside.