Look closely at this stele. It’s more than just a stone. It whispers stories of Satsuki Matsubara Coast. This is the heart of Munakata City in Fukuoka Prefecture.
The Satsuki Matsubara Coast is one of Japan’s 100 most beautiful scenic spots. Imagine a landscape of white sand and green pine trees. This is the Genkai National Park. This pine grove stretches for five and a half kilometers along a beautiful bow-shaped coast.
This magnificent grove wasn’t always here. Feudal lord Nagamasa Kuroda planted it centuries ago. He used the pines as a windbreak. This makes it the first of the Chikuzen Eight Pine Barrens.
Think of the sailors. They used these trees for protection. They found shelter from the wind. The view from here is spectacular. Oshima and Jijima islands float on the horizon. In the summer swimmers fill the beaches.
This stele is a silent witness. It has seen centuries pass by. It has felt the wind. It has watched the seasons change. It is a testament to the enduring beauty of Satsuki Matsubara. It is also a reminder of Kuroda Nagamasa’s vision.
Today we stand here. We enjoy the beauty. We appreciate the history. This stele and the grove it stands within are a legacy. They are a legacy for all who appreciate nature’s beauty. They are a gift that keeps on giving. This coast is a jewel of Fukuoka. This stele helps us understand and appreciate it.