Travel Guide of Scenic Byway Kyushu Q-⓬ Scenic Area of Beppu Bay & Peninsula Oita City, Beppu, Kitsuki, Kunisaki, Bungo-Takada, and Hiji-machi Town (Oita Pref.) ― Unique Buddhist Culture, , and Beppu Bay－ As shown on the map, the scenic spots of Beppu Bay are coast, many small and medium-sized rivers flow into the bay and distributed on the peninsula and coastal areas to the central part form the coastline. from the northern part of Oita Prefecture. It contains interesting contents such as rich nature, history & heritage since ancient ages, (1) & (2) Showa Town and Seaside Area of Kunisaki Peninsula and unique mountain religions. Proceeding about 5 km from the intersection of National Road 10 [Access] You can directly access this scenic spot from Oita Airport. and 213, you will reach the center of Bungo-Takada City, where you In the JR railway, there are many stations on the Nippo, Kyudai, will find a shopping mall with the motif of Showa period half a and Hohi Main Lines, but basically Oita and Beppu are the main century ago. With a retro bonnet bus service, you can enjoy the old- stations. [Scenic Route] The main routes of scenic spots are given by national roads No.213, 10, 197 and 217, as well as the industrial road in Oita City. The total length of these roads is about 160 km. This scenic areas are roughly Beppu Bay divided into the Kunisaki Peninsula and the urban area of Beppu & Oita, but as shown in the map, it can be divided into seven zones in detail. [Scenic Resaources] As shown in the photo on the right, the Kunisaki Peninsula in the northeastern part of Oita Prefecture has Futagoyama (721m) located upside down in the center of the peninsula, and many V-shaped valleys are carved on the surface. In this harsh region, various ascetics settled down in search of a unique faith that fused Shinto Usa and Buddhists, and developed a local culture rooted in it. In other words, the Kunisaki Peninsula is composed of Hijimachi Town, Bungo-takada City, Kunisaki City, and Kitsuki City, and is the largest sacred place on the main- island of Kyushu. And, Usa Shrine in Usa City is adjacent to the Bungo-takada city, and is deeply involved in the creation of local culture along with many temples of the peninsula. Beppu Bay, on the other hand, faces the Seto Inland Sea and is located in the central part of Oita Prefecture, the north side of the Median Tectonic Line. Along the Q-⓬ Scenic Area of Beppu Gulf and Kunisaki Peninsula.

1 fashioned cityscape, classic cars, unique shopping outlets, and modern restaurants. National Road 213, which connects Bungo-Takada City and Kitsuki City, runs along the coastline of Kunisaki Peninsula, and is a comfortable drive course that runs to Oita Airport via Kunisaki City. About 75 km long, it has beautiful coastal landscapes, peaceful fishing villages, and a world heritage agricultural area. The Matama Kaigan (coast) has tidal flats and is known as one of the most beautiful scenery of sunsets in . In addition, Cape Nagasakihana is on the north side of the peninsula. Rape blossoms bloom like carpets in spring, and sunflowers bloom all at once in summer. A ferry is operated from “Imi” Port on the peninsula to the small island of Himeshima. This island is one of many described in the myth of land creation in Japan. Outdoor fishing and aquaculture are popular, and you can enjoy fresh fish dishes. In August, Bon- (1) Town in Showa Era (Bungotakada City) Odori (Dance) of fox performed by children is Fox Dance in Hime- famous and humorous. Shima Island. Please visit once.

(3) Rokugo-manzan in Kunisaki Peninsula.

As mentioned above, the mountainous area of the Kunisaki Peninsula is a steep terrain with many radial valleys centered on Mt. Futagoyama. Under these circumstances, Ninmon Bosatsu (Bodhisattva) of legendary monk, established Mountain Buddhism in 718, and from the end of the 11th century to early 12th century, monks of the Tendai sect built mounds to bury sutras. As a result, (1) Usa-Jingu (Usa City) many temples were built in about 30 valleys and dispersed into six sanctuaries, and they are collectively called “Rokugo-Manzan (mountain in six sanctuaries) ”. Ninmon Bosatsu is said to be the incarnation of Hachiman Okami (God). Therefore, "Rokugo-Manzan" is a religion that combines the Buddhist Tendai sect, and the Hachiman God worship of Usa-jingu shrine at the root of the peninsular (See Q-❿). There were up to 65 temples, but even today, there are still around 30 temples including Usa Shrine, all of which is the world of Buddha surrounded by forests. For reference, some temples can be introduced as follows: a) The Usa-jingu shrine is the headquarters of Hachiman shrines. (2) Cape of Nagasaki Bana b) Odo (Big Hall) of Fuki-ji Temple is the oldest wooden building in Kyushu, National treasure, and was built in the 8th century. d) Futago-Ji Temple was the best praying place for the Kitsuki clan c) Choan-Ji Temple supervised many temples during the during the Edo period. Kamakura period (around the 12th to 13th C).

(3) Okunoin of Futagoji-temple Stone Buddha on the Roadside Statue of Nio

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(3) Kumano Magaibutsu (3) Deva Gate, and Odo (Hall) in Fuki Ji Temple (Bungo-Takada City) (Bungo Takada City) e) Monjusen-ji Temple is located on the hillside of Mt. Monju and is one of the three major Monju in Japan to receive wisdom. In modern times, there are 10 routes prepared to go around the temples of "Rokugo-Manzan" with an average distance of 10km. They are mountain path and pilgrimage route with unique landscape that you cannot experience elsewhere. Many stone statues of Buddha or Nio (Deva King) are watching (3) Osaki District in Bungo-Takada City (World’s Agriculture Heritage) over you on the roadside, as in Photo. Another important landscape of the Kunisaki Peninsula is the sites of Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System (GIAHS). "Kunisaki Peninsula and Usa Area Integrated Forestry, Agriculture and Fisheries System" is registered and includes the Osaki district of Bungotakada City and the (4) Kitsuki Castle (Shiroyama Park of Castle Ruins) (4) Moat and Kimon Yagura Building of Hiji Castle “Tsunai” district of Kunisaki City. The former is the landscape of village and paddy fields with the image of the Heian and Kamakura eras (8th to 13th centuries), and rural landscapes that draw curves along the terrain. The latter is an irrigation system that connects six ponds from highlands to lowlands and has been passed down since the Edo period. (4) Long Steps for Everyday Life between the District of (4) Park of Training Base Ruins of Human (4) Castle Town in Kitsuki Samurai Residents and the Town for Tradesmen. Torpedo, “Kaiten” (Hiji Town) City and Hiji City street was placed in the valley between them. The thatched-roof Kitsuki City developed from a castle town in the Edo period at samurai residence was built 200 to 300 years ago, and the outer the mouth of the Yasaka River, which flows into Beppu Bay. A walls of the dwelling are still surrounded the mud walls. As shown castle was constructed in Shiroyama Park, which juts out into the in Photo (4), the long stairs connecting the valley and the hills are sea, a samurai residences were built on two hills, and a shopping called as the slope of Suya (vinegar shop) or Shioya (salt shop) in

3 accordance of the shops in the valley. These are still used on a daily basis, and children are going up and down the hill to school as in the Edo period. Hiji Town is on the west of the Kitsuki City. In the Edo period, it was the territory of Kinoshita clan, a relative of （ ） Hideyoshi Toyotomi, and 5 Beppu Spa Town (Beppu City) the castle was built on the coastal terrace facing Beppu Bay. The ruins of castle are now an elementary school, but facilities such as moats, stone walls, Yagura (watchtower), and the slope that allow ships to enter and leave the sea, are remained. In addition, fresh water springs from the seabed near the coast under Hiji Castle, which is a (5) Ponds of Blood Hell and Yama Hell, where water vapor is blowing up (6) Statue of Otomo Sorin in Oita from near the mountain skirt. Station Square. brackish water area with low salinity. For the reason, Marbled flounder grows in seawater beaches, one with: black serpentine and the other with white sand. and freshwater plankton and is called castle flounder, and its If the weather is good, you can also see Shikoku Main Island from taste is light and elegant. the observatory deck of Sekizaki-kaiseikan, an observatory and

(5) Spa Town of Beppu City (See Q-❽) observation facility. Beppu City is famous for having the largest number of hot springs in Japan, which is 2,300. According to your physical condition and preference, you can enjoy eight types of hot springs. Of course, there are also hells that spouts various hot water from the deep part of the earth, and you can hear the beat of the earth. In addition, if you follow National Road 10 from Beppu City to Oita City, you will find an aquarium and an artificial beach along the road. Takasaki Nature Zoo for a wild monkey, is also famous. Beppu City is a resort town with plenty of hot springs, hells, and recreational facilities. (6) CBD Zone in Oita City. Sorin Otomo (1530-1587) was the lord of the Oita region during the Warring States period, which ruled a large area in northern Kyushu. He was a Christian and invited Xavier (Spanish monk) (6) Funai Castle fortified in 1597 and others. For these reasons, he is the most familiar person to the citizens of Oita and is proud of him (see Photo (6)). On the other hand, if you head toward the center of Oita City on National Road 171, you will find the Funai-jo castle on the right side of the road. This place was originally a place for loading and unloading cargo. Construction of the castle began in 1597 and was finally completed after the new daimyo took office in 1602, following the Battle of Sekigahara. But currently, only parts such as the castle gate, stone walls, and moats remain. (7）Saganoseki District in Oita City The Saganoseki Peninsula, located at the western end of Oita City, is famous for mackerel and horse mackerel fishing. The lighthouse (7) Saganoseki Fishing Port is at the tip of the peninsula, from which the direction of National Publishing and Copy right: Promotion Council of Scenic Byway Road 197 turns along Usuki Bay, where you can enjoy two different Kyushu Ｃ○ Copy right 2021. All rights reserved)

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